Lexus SC Power Loss

I understand you're experiencing reduced engine power and have a fault code. These symptoms could arise from several potential issues. Before proceeding, could you provide details regarding any recent modifications or maintenance? Specifically, has there been any chip tuning or aftermarket performance enhancements installed? Understanding the vehicle's history will aid in diagnosing the root cause. Have you checked for any obvious issues like loose hoses or unusual noises from the engine bay?

Thanks for the quick response! Actually, the previous owner mentioned something about a chip tuning he had done by some third-party providers to supposedly improve performance. Could that really be the culprit? I wasn't sure how much to trust those things, to be honest. What exactly does 'chip tuning' involve anyway?

Indeed, the chip tuning you mentioned is the most probable cause, and it is what I suspected. Aftermarket chip tuning, or ECU remapping, modifies the engine control unit's (ECU) software to alter parameters such as fuel injection and ignition timing, with the aim of increasing performance. In some cases, these modifications can introduce instability or trigger fault codes, especially if not performed correctly. Given your symptoms and the history of chip tuning, I recommend consulting a qualified workshop to diagnose and rectify the issue. They will likely need to either re-flash the ECU with the original software or adjust the chip tuning settings. Continuing to drive the vehicle in its current state could potentially lead to further complications.

Just wanted to say thanks for the advice! I took it to a workshop as you suggested, and they confirmed it was a faulty chip tuning issue. They reflashed the ECU, and the car is running much better now. The dashboard light is off, and the power is back. The whole repair cost me about 180€, which wasn't too bad. Thanks again!