New owner. LS430 2004. Introduction

Woodpeck · December 30, 2018

Hi guys.

Well I've been looking at one of these motors for a coùple of weeks now and made the leap yesterday.

2004 (March) model with a few scrapes (understandable after 14 years). 120k miles and no working AirCon so I know it is going to cost me to get that sorted lol.

BUT it had a Polish LPG system fitted (no lubrication though) only 1k miles ago which seems to be fine so far.

First things first, a lube system, then I want to get the AC sorted.

So if anyone has a handbook for the Navi going begging it would be appreciated and also a couple of pointers ?

1 - Up to date map disk which works with TMC too

2 - Anyone prepared to recommend an independant Lexus guy for service etc in the North West (Warrington) area ?

3 - is there a decent eBay (Or otherwise) code reader / programmer available for these cars ?

4 - Anyone got a manual for the satnav going cheap ?

LOL

Thanks for letting me join. I hope I didn't break any rules here ?

Hoping to get the benefit of the long term experienced Lexus owners and modders on here.

I have just scrapped my 3.2 Vx Vectra Gsi having retrofitted EVERYTHING possible to it but the electronics finally killed 3x ECM modules so I am "starting over" with Lexus lol

Thanks for having me guys

Woody

Malc · December 31, 2018

welcome to the Club

Malc

ColinBarber · December 31, 2018

Welcome Woody 🙂

The-Acre · December 31, 2018

Welcome to the LOC. I would say the sat nav is hardly worth the effort. Even with the latest disc (and I don't think it's that late) you still can't put in post codes. You can download the manual, I may still have the link somewhere. The AC problem may be due to the rear pipes being corroded, a common enough problem. If so you can cap the rear off or replace the pipes, the latter being a big job though needing fuel tank removal.

skyway · December 31, 2018

Welcome to the forum Malcolm on the matter of aircon I had two of mine that did not work at all when I got them, so I bought them to an aircon specialists in london where I was living he proceeded to kick the tyres off my aircon system then finally begrudgingly offering to try and fix my system for £1800 and even then it might cost more!

Now having just spent £1600 on the car I thanked him for his kind offer and left and just googled the pants off car aircon systems and it seems that it is not rocket science I could not break it anymore than it was broken so I bought a condenser from US ebay for £80 including delivery with a lifetime warranty swapped mine over an easy job bought some gas from Halfords in a car and squirted it in the car.... and DADA working aircon so don't look past the fact you can do it yourself. I am no mechanic

good luck let us know how you get on

Woodpeck · January 2, 2019

Thanks guys.

Can anyone advise on the diagnostic / programming tools for these cars ? I want to get a 2nd "key" ordered and from what I've read so far, it seems to be fairly easy to setup a new master key except that it might need a Toyota programmer to finish the job ?

Also, can anyone advise on satnav disk updates? I want to retain the TMC functionality.

Cheers

Woody

BigBoomer · January 2, 2019

Welcome Malcolm,

Plenty of SatNav disks around on Fleabay such as this:
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2017-18-Toyota-Lexus-Sat-Nav-Disc-UK-West-Europe-Latest-E1G-Map-DVD-Version-2/163353777335?hash=item2608a4d4b7:g:2nsAAOSwDfNakxme:rk:2:pf:1&frcectupt=true

I don't know of any software publicly available to programme new keys but there is the TechStream software for configuring some of the defaults in your LS (headlamp delay times, etc.)
Pretty sure that for the key you will need to go to Toyota/Lexus dealer.

Cheers,
George

jonthetourist · January 3, 2019

Hi Woody

Is your current key a 3 button master key? If so you have no problems if you find someone with techstream.

If it's a 2button job you have problems. I did 😒

Jon

lexus707 · January 3, 2019

You can get online manuals here FOC https://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/resources/owners-manuals?model=LS 430 &year=2004&type=omms

Woodpeck · January 4, 2019

Thanks George Jon and Lexus 707 😁

Satnav - George I've just ordered it, many thanks. It seems that I can just download the Lexus software (unless I missed a "catch" somewhere lol) if I can just download it, is there a particular device I need to purchase to use it ? Any "pointers" for me ? 😁

Master Key - Jon my key is a 3 button master key with a hideaway blade. Am I right in thinking that a 2nd Master key can be programmed to my car with a sequence of events using door lock and other stuff or is this a Lexus programming tool option only ? If so, can anyone in the Warrington or North West area assist me with this ? 😁

Lexus707 - Many thanks for the very helpful link for manuals but there doesn't seem to be anything for the SatNav ? 😁 (unless I missed a link to click on).

Again guys, your help is much appreciated, thank you muchly 😁

BigBoomer · January 7, 2019

2004 Owners Manual
https://www.dropbox.com/s/5bx02wle7m9m1es/2004 (early) LS430 Owners Manual.pdf?dl=0

2004 Navi Manual
https://www.dropbox.com/s/qf0gdmiwbxlyiaa/2004 LS430 Navi Manual.pdf?dl=0

Links will be available for 7 days.

I think you need the right cable for the Techstream software. I bought a set with a cable but it never worked for me and I don't have time to fiddle with it.

Woodpeck · January 7, 2019

George, much appreciated. The Manuals are downloaded now ready for reading up on 😄

I've seen some listings on the bay of e for techstream but the Chinese sellers give nothing by way of explaining what they are offering. Unlike the Opel product I used previously to help me retrofit and activate lots of previously missing original factory options for pennies compared to dealer prices.

Anyway, I'm still looking and let's see what happens 😄

Next tasks a spare key, updated satnav disk and some kind of A/V interface take my fancy. Ideally to use the Raspberry Pi previously fitted to my Vx and used as a media player . Oh, and of course AirCon lol

Thanks again George 😄

jonthetourist · January 8, 2019

Hi Malcolm - sorry, missed your question. You are very fortunate to have the master key - saves a world of pain. Any competent auto locksmith can now turn a used Lexus key (eBay or Paul Frost) into a second key for your car. If you and the blade to work, i.e. to physically use it rather than just press a button, you will need the dealership to programme a blank for you. Hope all goes smoothly.

Jon

Woodpeck · January 8, 2019

Thanks Jon,

Good to know that a used 3 button smart key can be reprogrammed to my car 😄

My car doesn't have a keyblade ignition / start keyhole just a slot that the fob engages with so I suppose it's a proximity thing. My smart "key" also has a hideaway blade for emergency door opening.

Will I need to involve a Lexus dealership at all in this case ? Or can a used smart master key be reprogrammed and new emergency hideaway blade cut by an autolocksmith ? I see these being sold by US Lexus dealerships on eBay for more realistic prices.

Woodpeck · January 9, 2019

OMG

My autolocksmith just asked me if I realised that USA cars use a different radio frequency for these fobs from the UK.

More research needed lol

jonthetourist · January 9, 2019

I think the main virtue of the key blade is getting into the car if the electrics have failed for some reason. I don't *think* you can recut an existing blade, because it already has a set of bits cut out. A US key could be a cheap source for a blank blade, but otherwise useless as it works on a different frequency.

You can get there in the end, and all these issues pale into insignificance compared to starting with a 2-button key.

Cheers

Woodpeck · January 9, 2019

LOL Jon.

The smart keys being offered on the bay of e in the USA seem to come with a new keyblank for a new cut, not a lot of use to us UK owners have cars which need a smart key on a different radio frequency though.

I'm ever so happy that I got alerted to this difference before splashing out lol 😄