Instrumental

[Rodt]

1996 LS400 140,000 miles and going strong. What a fabulous car and I still can't believe it cost me less than £1k.

All going well until a few weeks ago when the water temperature gauge packed up, just flopping down. My local non-Lexus garage gave her a quick checkover for free (thanks, Will) and concluded that it was the gauge that was at fault.

The £460+ "supply and fit" estimate from my nearest Lexus dealer came a a shock. As I have 3 other middle-aged cars that leave love and care - and access to my bank account - I decided to take my chances on it and start saving.

Today, the speedometer has done the same. Needle just gone floppy. Odometer seems to be working OK. Again, not something that is too urgent as my Tomtom satnav provides a speed readout but I suppose I ought to check prices again.

Just had a thought though. 2 instruments fail within weeks of each other. Is this the start of losing all gauges? Does anyone have any thoughts as to keeping the cost down (DIY not an option due to physical limitations added to general mechanical ineptitude) and avoiding further failues, if such a thing is possible.

[PEPE]

Hi Rodt,

I bought my LS 400 in March 2012 with 222,000 miles on the clock. I've never experienced the problems you mention. However, my able independent mechanic used to break up LS 400s for a living so he knows them inside and out. If you PM me I could give you his details as he seems to be able to solve a lot of problems using second-hand parts.

Take care of your classic!

Pepe

[Malc]

Never heard of this before ........... wonder if it's an electrical issue ????

Malc

[Rodt]

Well, there's a turnup for the book! Working as an insurance broker I am naturally disposed towards being a miserable old git so the news of the possible expense of minor repairs to Shirley my LS400 didn't help my mood.

I drove rather too quickly over the office car park speed humps and, hey presto!, I once again have a functioning speedometer. Must be a loose connection which I will have my man check asap. Sadly the water temperature gauge remains floppy but that could be a loose connection as well so fingers crossed.

[ColinBarber]

I have heard that the speedo and tacho needles can get stuck on the rest pins. Give it a bit of a whack on top of the dashboard if it does it again to see if it frees it up. Something to do with hot weather and the lubricate used on the spindles, which is more of a problem in the US than the UK.

[Rodt]

Nice to know that 'a bit of a whack' is considered acceptable in the rarified atmosphere of the Lexus forums. That tends to be about the limit of my mechanical ability.

My bouncing over the speed humps must have caused something of the same effect.

[ColinBarber]

actually stopping it from happening is a little more involved though as you have to strip down the instrument cluster and clean it.

[Rodt]

actually stopping it from happening is a little more involved though as you have to strip down the instrument cluster and clean it.

That sounds like no fun at all.........