'95 Ls400 - Its Great Apart From....

Netbiz · March 10, 2011

Hi All, First post on here though I've been a regular reader in the past. Just got my 3rd Lexus, a '95 LS400 with is pretty tidy and 144k on the clock. My previous cars were quite new and required no attention what so ever so this "mature" LS is a new departure for me. Anyway, to the point! The car is generally great and I'm very pleased for there are some issues to sort out which would make me even happier. Advice on all or any of the points much appreciated.

Drivers seat height adjustment - it will move in either direction but doesn't seem to go down anywhere near low enough
I think the climate control works but if I hit the front screen demist button nothing happens
A flapping noise on pull away from the engine which stops once you get above about 25 mph
3 out of 4 heated seats work but not the drivers (switch lights up)
Got a leaky sidelight that fills up like a goldfish bowl! Need a new one or easy fix?

Thats it for now I think. Loving the car but just want to make it perfect!!! B)

Many thanks

ACLex · March 10, 2011

Hi All, First post on here though I've been a regular reader in the past. Just got my 3rd Lexus, a '95 LS400 with is pretty tidy and 144k on the clock. My previous cars were quite new and required no attention what so ever so this "mature" LS is a new departure for me. Anyway, to the point! The car is generally great and I'm very pleased for there are some issues to sort out which would make me even happier. Advice on all or any of the points much appreciated.

Drivers seat height adjustment - it will move in either direction but doesn't seem to go down anywhere near low enough

I think the climate control works but if I hit the front screen demist button nothing happens

A flapping noise on pull away from the engine which stops once you get above about 25 mph

3 out of 4 heated seats work but not the drivers (switch lights up)

Got a leaky sidelight that fills up like a goldfish bowl! Need a new one or easy fix?

Thats it for now I think. Loving the car but just want to make it perfect!!! B)

Many thanks

Welcome :)

good choice of car, I have the 95 LS as well ;)

Seat does not go as far down as other cars I have driven but you do get used to it.

Front screen demist only moves the airflow unless you are on auto IIRC.

Not sure about the flapping noise :(

Heated seats are a common failiure and are most commonly the elements failing.

Take the sidelight out and run either some hot glue or silicone sealer around the lens to lamp body join :)

Have fun,

Andy

TigerFish · March 10, 2011

A flapping noise on pull away from the engine which stops once you get above about 25 mph

Maybe a loose engine cover or undertray?

ACLex · March 10, 2011

A flapping noise on pull away from the engine which stops once you get above about 25 mph

Maybe a loose engine cover or undertray?

LOL, my undertray didnt make a flapping noise until 80+ :winky:

scared the hell outa the wife

Andy

TigerFish · March 10, 2011

A flapping noise on pull away from the engine which stops once you get above about 25 mph

Maybe a loose engine cover or undertray?

LOL, my undertray didnt make a flapping noise until 80+ :winky:

scared the hell outa the wife

Andy

SteveLS400 · March 10, 2011

Hi All, First post on here though I've been a regular reader in the past. Just got my 3rd Lexus, a '95 LS400 with is pretty tidy and 144k on the clock. My previous cars were quite new and required no attention what so ever so this "mature" LS is a new departure for me. Anyway, to the point! The car is generally great and I'm very pleased for there are some issues to sort out which would make me even happier. Advice on all or any of the points much appreciated.

Drivers seat height adjustment - it will move in either direction but doesn't seem to go down anywhere near low enough

I think the climate control works but if I hit the front screen demist button nothing happens

A flapping noise on pull away from the engine which stops once you get above about 25 mph

3 out of 4 heated seats work but not the drivers (switch lights up)

Got a leaky sidelight that fills up like a goldfish bowl! Need a new one or easy fix?

Thats it for now I think. Loving the car but just want to make it perfect!!! B)

Many thanks

Even the perfect car might have the odd issue fron time to time. Even Clarkson described it as (probably) the best car ever made!!

Mine is also a '95 MkIII.

At 6'2 I have never had an issue with the seat; tip the long adjuster front and back until the swab is virtually on the floor.

Please be a little more desciptive re C/C and front demist. C/C will set the a/c if you hit (I'm using modern terms )auto. Revs will increase. The f/s demist will overide the auto and the blower will direct everything to screen. The orange light will come on. Does some or all of this happen?

Notwithstanding other suggestions, the flapping noise may be due to engine cover or wheel arch liners, something trapped between the grill and condenser (front radiator to some folks), something trapped in the air intake or previous owner clinging on for dear life .

Heated seat needs new element. Most dont bother because of the difficulty of fitting and warms it up in moments due to quality of upholstery.

Side light issue; in some years of ownership and membership on here, this is the 1st time I've knowingly come across such an issue. They are not easy to get to so I would suggest aquisition of a replacement from Benfur ( use the pm facility, he's a trusted member). In the meantime drill a small hole for drainage.

Netbiz · March 10, 2011

Hi All, First post on here though I've been a regular reader in the past. Just got my 3rd Lexus, a '95 LS400 with is pretty tidy and 144k on the clock. My previous cars were quite new and required no attention what so ever so this "mature" LS is a new departure for me. Anyway, to the point! The car is generally great and I'm very pleased for there are some issues to sort out which would make me even happier. Advice on all or any of the points much appreciated.

Drivers seat height adjustment - it will move in either direction but doesn't seem to go down anywhere near low enough

I think the climate control works but if I hit the front screen demist button nothing happens

A flapping noise on pull away from the engine which stops once you get above about 25 mph

3 out of 4 heated seats work but not the drivers (switch lights up)

Got a leaky sidelight that fills up like a goldfish bowl! Need a new one or easy fix?

Thats it for now I think. Loving the car but just want to make it perfect!!! B)

Many thanks

Even the perfect car might have the odd issue fron time to time. Even Clarkson described it as (probably) the best car ever made!!

Mine is also a '95 MkIII.

At 6'2 I have never had an issue with the seat; tip the long adjuster front and back until the swab is virtually on the floor.

Please be a little more desciptive re C/C and front demist. C/C will set the a/c if you hit (I'm using modern terms )auto. Revs will increase. The f/s demist will overide the auto and the blower will direct everything to screen. The orange light will come on. Does some or all of this happen?

Notwithstanding other suggestions, the flapping noise may be due to engine cover or wheel arch liners, something trapped between the grill and condenser (front radiator to some folks), something trapped in the air intake or previous owner clinging on for dear life .

Heated seat needs new element. Most dont bother because of the difficulty of fitting and warms it up in moments due to quality of upholstery.

Side light issue; in some years of ownership and membership on here, this is the 1st time I've knowingly come across such an issue. They are not easy to get to so I would suggest aquisition of a replacement from Benfur ( use the pm facility, he's a trusted member). In the meantime drill a small hole for drainage.

Netbiz · March 10, 2011

Thanks for all the replies chaps... good advice a plenty.

I'll check the undertray etc for "looseness"

I'll learn to live with the seat height... feel better knowing there's nothing wrong anyway

I'll also learn to live with a cold bum if thats a major hassle

on the climate control, to expand on the issue a little, when i press the demist button the light comes on but the reason I suspect nothing is happening is that the fan speed isn't changin. On other cars I've had the fan speed would go to full on demist.

Sidelight I'll attempt to remove and seal

Thanks again all ... something to potter about with at the weekend

Ruud · March 10, 2011

Thanks for all the replies chaps... good advice a plenty.

I'll check the undertray etc for "looseness"

I'll learn to live with the seat height... feel better knowing there's nothing wrong anyway

I'll also learn to live with a cold bum if thats a major hassle

on the climate control, to expand on the issue a little, when i press the demist button the light comes on but the reason I suspect nothing is happening is that the fan speed isn't changin. On other cars I've had the fan speed would go to full on demist.

Sidelight I'll attempt to remove and seal

Thanks again all ... something to potter about with at the weekend

The front demist button just directs the air to the windscreen. The fan speed remains unchanged.

Bluesman · March 10, 2011

I'll also learn to live with a cold bum if thats a major hassle

Buy a pair of good quality Sheepskin covers. Warm in winter cool in the summer.

Mike

Ruud · March 10, 2011

I'll also learn to live with a cold bum if thats a major hassle

Buy a pair of good quality Sheepskin covers. Warm in winter cool in the summer.

Mike

LOL

My advice would be to just live a non-working seat heater. You'll hardly notice it and it's better than inviting all sorts of farm animals in the cabin :)

TigerFish · March 10, 2011

The front demist button just directs the air to the windscreen. The fan speed remains unchanged.

Are you sure? On my mk1 and mk2 GS's it would up the blower speed, which makes sense to demist. Would seem odd that Lexus would deliberately make the function half pointless by not changing fan speed. i.e. The usefulness of the button is a single press to clear the screen.

Ruud · March 10, 2011

The front demist button just directs the air to the windscreen. The fan speed remains unchanged.

Are you sure? On my mk1 and mk2 GS's it would up the blower speed, which makes sense to demist. Would seem odd that Lexus would deliberately make the function half pointless by not changing fan speed. i.e. The usefulness of the button is a single press to clear the screen.

umm..now I'm starting to doubt myself..lol

I'll check...hold on :)

Ruud · March 10, 2011

yep I'm sure. No change in fan speed. Just checked :)

I now also remember that my other car (a Kia Cee'd SW) does change the fan speed and how happy I was the Ls didn't. I find it rather annoying.

I am well capable of adjusting the fan speed myself ;)

Netbiz · March 11, 2011

Again, as with the seat height issue, i'm just happy its as it should be and there's nothing broke

Just out of interest... on the drivers seat heater, has anyone had this "fixed" by a garage or somewhere? Don't know if specialists exist for such things?

SteveLS400 · March 11, 2011

Again, as with the seat height issue, i'm just happy its as it should be and there's nothing broke

Just out of interest... on the drivers seat heater, has anyone had this "fixed" by a garage or somewhere? Don't know if specialists exist for such things?

Hi. Its not a specialist job, you can diy. Ive done it on other cars and the gain isn't worth the pain.