[wemovethangz]

As soon as you hit any snow or ice the awd system overheats and switches to 2wd. Totally useless on any snow or ice IMO.

It’s low voltage battery when it gets cold out lose power Lexus battery no good need to stay warm

 

[lexus4life]

I am aware this is an old thread but thanks to the hint about the battery in this post, I was able to fix my issue.

Symptom: AWD System Malfunction - 2WD Mode Engaged Error.
Cause: Inadvertently attempted to start the car with one coil unplugged after replacing the spark plugs.
Solution: 1) Connected the spark plug coil. 2) Unplugged the battery for a couple of minutes and plug it back in. The error code went away.

 

[mygoatranch]

Can a spark plug coil just become lose? Are the effected by the cold? Check Engine light is on and the triangle with the exclamation point is also lit.

 

[nichole535]

Having this same issue in my 2017 nx200t except today it’s in limp mode. Showing AWD System Malfunction, Reduced Engine Power, Traction Control Turned Off, Visit Your Dealership codes and audible dinging noise constantly. Chugging like it can’t get air and black exhaust started coming out when I first started it. It was running so loud and then felt a release like it shifted down and the smoke went away. Hardly any power or speed when driving and it shakes back and forth. Just replaced the battery, had an oil change, drained the excess power from the computer and dealership scanned it with no answers. It’s 70 degrees out so it’s not weather related. 132k miles on it. Any one else have this issue or has a resolution been found?

 

[Gonda595]

AWD system malfunction

Why all the AWD system malfunctions? I was leaving for a doctors appointment and my 2016 Lexus won't start. Same message. AWD system malfunction and 2WD engaged. Car won't start. I'm curious if this is a system error due to a problem beyond our control. Seems like it might be a factory issue. Anyone else? I have Lexus roadside assistance on their way now. They think its a battery problem. Everything lights up, radio works, all lights are bright and not flickering or dimming. I'll be shocked if that's the problem.

Hi 👋🏾. I'm having this problem now with my Lexus NX 300. I had get a jump start cause my car wouldn't start. And when I press engine start button those same warning message came up on my dashboard. Did you find out what the problem was?

 

[feduza80]

How did it end?

 

[Mike Mike]

Same problem. In my case temperature outside dropped prior to the problem. Read here about batteries, disconnected it, connected latter in the day - problem is gone. Assuming that's a dying battery which reacts to lower temperature.

 

[Ann]

I had the same thing happen this morning - and it was the first cold morning of the season. It turned out that my gas cap wasn't on tight enough and it caused pressure in the gas tank that set off the error code. Before you replace a battery or go to the dealership, check your gas cap. It was $85 to find out that my gas cap wasn't tight enough. I've been driving for 40 years and have never had that happen. I've been driving my lexus for 6 years and this is the first time.

 

[Hartins007]

We do NOT have a factory battery. It's an Interstate battery which I always stand by. Its less than 1 year old. The same error occurred but DID disconnect the batter - for over 2 hours because people have said that it needs to reset itself", which I this is BS. Any I did it and the error just came back about 3 weeks later. Did anyone ever get this resolved or is it a recall item? Software update? If software, what was it? Thx all.

 

[Hartins007]

We do NOT have a factory battery. It's an Interstate battery which I always stand by. Its less than 1 year old. The same error occurred but DID disconnect the batter - for over 2 hours because people have said that it needs to reset itself", which I this is BS. Any I did it and the error just came back about 3 weeks later. Did anyone ever get this resolved or is it a recall item? Software update? If software, what was it? Thx all.

This is in regards to the AWD error Message..

 

[Hartins007]

I had the same thing happen this morning - and it was the first cold morning of the season. It turned out that my gas cap wasn't on tight enough and it caused pressure in the gas tank that set off the error code. Before you replace a battery or go to the dealership, check your gas cap. It was $85 to find out that my gas cap wasn't tight enough. I've been driving for 40 years and have never had that happen. I've been driving my lexus for 6 years and this is the first time.

Tried this but the error came back.

 

[Hartins007]

This is in regards to the AWD error Message..

"AWD system Malfunction 2WD Mode Engaged" - Error Message. No power lost though (seemingly)

 

[gotarmor828]

Lexus replaced my timing belt. Since then, I have been getting this error message on repeat, AWD System Malfuncion, 2WD Engaged. Contact Dealer. Read lots of threads, Tighten Gas Cap. Clean Battery Terminals. Check fuses. Check spark plug connections. Check hose connections, clean fuel injectors. Replace the four Speed Sensors on the wheels. Replace Fuel Injectors. I am pretty sure the default error message is to always be AWD System Malfuncion, 2WD Engaged. Contact Dealer.. If you read the internet, this has been going on since 2017 with Toyotas and Lexus. No firm solution. I just went and took my car back from Lexus, I am not pumping more money into something that seems to be just a dog chasing its tail. Lexus wanted $5600 to replace my fuel injectors. Four weeks ago they elceaned my fuel injectros for $500. Four days later the message is back, they say they forgot to tighten a hose connection leading to not enough air getting in for combustion.

 

[Cruss]

Having this same issue in my 2017 nx200t except today it’s in limp mode. Showing AWD System Malfunction, Reduced Engine Power, Traction Control Turned Off, Visit Your Dealership codes and audible dinging noise constantly. Chugging like it can’t get air and black exhaust started coming out when I first started it. It was running so loud and then felt a release like it shifted down and the smoke went away. Hardly any power or speed when driving and it shakes back and forth. Just replaced the battery, had an oil change, drained the excess power from the computer and dealership scanned it with no answers. It’s 70 degrees out so it’s not weather related. 132k miles on it. Any one else have this issue or has a resolution been found?

I just left dealership with same issues - They're replacing spark plugs - said coils good - Guess we'll see tomorrow.

 

[deleonarlin]

So I will answer my own question above. It was the battery. Even though nothing was left running the battery was low enough that it would not start the car. All those messages and malfunctions were due to the battery. Lexus Road Service brought a new battery and said this is very common with factory batteries. I think they should do something about that then, don't you? I was so glad I was home and not on the road.

Hi there, wondering if the problem was fixed after the battery was changed?
I have the same currently, I changed the battery but my car slides on the snow, so I think I have still the same issue, even though warning is not showing on the dash.

Thanks for sharing,

 

[Mike Mike]

Had this a couple of times and both times after getting out of slow traffic. Both times disconnected the battery for few seconds and the problem was gone.

 

[gotarmor828]

Lexus replaced my timing belt. Since then, I have been getting this error message on repeat, AWD System Malfuncion, 2WD Engaged. Contact Dealer. Read lots of threads, Tighten Gas Cap. Clean Battery Terminals. Check fuses. Check spark plug connections. Check hose connections, clean fuel injectors. Replace the four Speed Sensors on the wheels. Replace Fuel Injectors. I am pretty sure the default error message is to always be AWD System Malfuncion, 2WD Engaged. Contact Dealer.. If you read the internet, this has been going on since 2017 with Toyotas and Lexus. No firm solution. I just went and took my car back from Lexus, I am not pumping more money into something that seems to be just a dog chasing its tail. Lexus wanted $5600 to replace my fuel injectors. Four weeks ago they elceaned my fuel injectros for $500. Four days later the message is back, they say they forgot to tighten a hose connection leading to not enough air getting in for combustion.

Toyota/Lexus has no idea what causes this.
I cleaned the battery terminal way back when and the problem went away for a day, but came back.
Currently, I am putting in the highest octane gas into my Lexus RX350, no ethanol. I have not had the light come on.
If the Lexus mechanic is blaming the fuel injectors, then I will put in the best gas I can. Going on 6 weeks with no messages.

 

[JayoValentine]

Why hasn't anyone stated if the dealer fixed it and estimated costs?

Million dollar question 😵

 

[JayoValentine]

Having this same issue in my 2017 nx200t except today it’s in limp mode. Showing AWD System Malfunction, Reduced Engine Power, Traction Control Turned Off, Visit Your Dealership codes and audible dinging noise constantly. Chugging like it can’t get air and black exhaust started coming out when I first started it. It was running so loud and then felt a release like it shifted down and the smoke went away. Hardly any power or speed when driving and it shakes back and forth. Just replaced the battery, had an oil change, drained the excess power from the computer and dealership scanned it with no answers. It’s 70 degrees out so it’s not weather related. 132k miles on it. Any one else have this issue or has a resolution been found?

Black exhaust, loss of power = Turbo 👀

 

[gotarmor828]

Million dollar question 😵

I have. The dealer has NEVER fixed the problem. They do not know what the problem is.

The problem is the sensors all default to the AWD system malfunction.

When your sensor on your gas cap has a fault, AWD system malfunction.
When your door sensor has a fault, AWD system malfunction.
When your fuel injector has a fault, AWD system malfucntion.
When your battery sensor has a fault, AWD system malfunction.
When your windshield wipers have a fault, AWD system malfuncton.

When you go in for a "fix" the dealer says well the computer says this, and that is all they go by.

The mechanic's job at a dealership is to not trouble shoot the problem, their job is to make as much money for the dealership as they can. The mechanic's read the computer read out, and go from there.

In my case, I paid for a new timing chain. That is important.

When they do that, they actually lift the body off of the chassis, disconnecting just about every sensor