Hi Greeneyes, I have a query. What do you call the item listed as A in photo 1? I recently had my altezza serviced and was advised the above attachment was loose. So the mechanic unclipped/disconnected it and now my check engine light comes on and TRAC OFF flashes and I have been told to get the part that this does connect to. Any help most appreciated in obtaining the part or what the name of the part is. Thanks in advance.

Its the Exhaust VVTi Solenoid, P/N: 15330-74040. So what your mechanic really did was break the fragile little connector and try and say it was loose, if it went to them without any problems (no CEL, or flashing Trac Lamp) and came back like that then I'd be taking it to them and getting them to fix it.

It doesn't take much to break the connector off and they dont break by themselves...

Thanks for the info Leiden. I took it back to him and argued the point that it was okay prior to him doing the servicing, but he keeps saying otherwise. (Sigh) so now i've garaged my car up and using the 4x4 instead. I reconnected it this evening and the TRAC OFF is still flashing along with the check engine light. I am wondering as to whether it needs to be hooked up to a diagnostics machine?? I am unsure as on what to do....any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Time for a new mechanic, & tell us who it was so we can avoid them!

There is a library of tech stuff here-

http://z4.invisionfree.com/lexusaltezzaclu...?showtopic=2995

but you need to be a VIP to view it and be fairly tech-savvy to apply it. Wiring diagrams, engine diagnostics, sensor layouts and similar.

and the bad news is...

:(

If you drove the car in there without a CEL or flashing Trac lamp then its happened while they're doing the service, I'm pretty sure you would have noticed the problem prior to it getting to the mechanics, if you did take it in there for a service and it did have the problem then I'm pretty sure you would have pointed it out to the mechanic. Since your saying there was no mention of it until you got the car back it sounds really suspicious.

I bet they know how much it costs and are trying to avoid replacing the part. I wouldn't be suprised if they broke the black connector off the solenoid fully and have just glued it back on to look normal. Have a look around the base of the connector, look cracked or glued?

You can try resetting the ECU by pulling the EFI, ETCS, & ECUB1 fuses in the engine bay fuse box otherwise if its still flashing away the VVTi Solenoid is definately poked!

Yeah I know what your saying and there was completely nothing wrong with it when it went there. My husband has been down there sorting it today and guess what been told the guy doesnt work there anymore. How convenient. I'm so gutted because my car is in the condition is in. I'm waiting for the owner of the business to get back next Monday and have been told he is wanting to see me and my car then. The item that was loose is now solid and is no longer loose. My hubby or as you all say "Handbrake" lol shone the torch on it and the glue is black and shiny like new. I wont post the name of the business until i get an outcome from next monday until i see the owner, incase he rectifies this.
I tried pulling the fuses mentioned, but got scared as they are not easy to pull so left it all alone.

If all else fails, is there a reputable mechanic those of you in the north do use? Someone that is familiar with working on Altezza's preferred please.

I'm just so gutted at the moment. I've been in touch with Keith in regards to becoming a VIP so just waiting on his reply for whats required to check out that site too greeneyes.

Thanks everyone for your help, most appreciated.

So it has been glued back on then? Case solved! They should replace the part free of charge...

By default the connection socket is a little wobbly and can move very slightly but yea, 100% sounds like they've broken it off and tried to glue it back on

Yes it has been glued back on. I am annoyed as there was no honesty at the time it was brought to my attention. I will follow up with the owner for a replacement part and labour will also be at his expense.

Car is all fixed now, picked it up today and I'm very happy again, even though it all cost quite a sum, at the end of the day I am relieved it has all been sorted. The Toyota crew over my way was awesome and gave me the full low down on what the diagnostics scan had picked up - faulty valve unit & traction control module was faulty, they ordered and fitted my car with another and also needed to get another timing sensor. My car is purring again! Fabulously!! :)
Moral of this story is "I'll stick with Toyota Mechanics for life"!! :) Just wanted to thank everyone for their input and prior support.