brendangeorge

Did you see the post I put on about sgs engineering they made me stronger struts when they were replaced and have been better than before the others failed.

There service is spot on.

Yes thanks Steve - I think I may have some of their's on but from a long time ago. Perhaps the bloke there is not angry anymore because I called him a muppet :) So I'll give them a try.

Bren

Hi Chaps

Has anybody updated their LS430 Nav System to a newer generation? Mine plays up in cold weather so is on its way out (yes I cleaned it up etc and the DVD is not stuff) - the fault is failing to read the disk and this is common.

I saw this post on the US forums (thanks guys) where a gen 4 player from a Prius is plug compatible and works in a 430 with a gen 2 system.

http://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls430/665273-nav-ecu-upgrade-from-2002-gen-2-3-to-a-generation-4-out-of-a-prius.html

I suppose the obvious two questions are the one above has anybody done it and for those with 2004 - 2006 430s with Gen 4 Nav systems are they any good? Can you navigate to a post code and are other useful features available?

Another question is are any of the later gen DVD players plug and ecu compatible with the 430?

Bren

Just checked with the button pops up but does not open once past 1/2 way the struts take it to fully open without assistance

Do you have the original boot Steve or a heavy new one? MIne used to do what yours did but now needs a good shove to open to the top and closed like a gin trap - I suspect my struts are shagged again.

Bren

Do your gas struts open the boot from its lowest position ..... I mean if you press trunk on your remote or release from inside the car does your boot come up fully by itself or do you still have to help it to 1/3 1/2 open before it goes up??? Did that make any sense?

Your question makes perfect sense Paul.

My boot has never gone all the way up on its own - any of the 3 controls will or would pop the boot off the catch and then the struts assist opening (as you lift it) and damp the closing so it does not slam. If the struts made the boot open all the way it would be a heck of a job to close it afterwards :)

Bren

Does this just do the map colour or the audio screen as well? I have found this setting but thought it was just for the map

It's just the map colour that is changeable on mine Paul - I think if Mark has a 2004 he probably has an updated Nav that may have other controls.

You cannot change the Nav system with an update disk only the maps. I did see somewhere else that you can change the Nav ECU for an update. I think I saw somebody put a Prius ECU in a 430 so they could use the latest system - Youtube or eBay would be a good place to research.

I only looked because my system was playing up in the cold weather but is OK now.

Bren

Sorry didnt mean to rattle your cage !!!

Just looking at various sites, lexus gave admitted they have an issue in the earlier ls430. People have mentioned on others sites the exact same places that rust has appeared on my 315k model. So I was merely stating what other people, including lexus, have said .

Fair point - I think I'll have a look at mine :) My cage has stopped rattling :)

Bren, with reference to your struts . Buy some BMW bonnet gas struts, they are built much better, wash my mouth out, but are stronger than lexus ones. They are about half inch longer and can be a b£(:/&rd to put on but they work perfectly . I think mine were from a 5 series got the details somewhere if you need them....

Re the rust, it's obvious a perforation fault due to the fact when I had the Osf door card off you could see the rust internal but not in the outside, well yet anyway. I suspect the NSF door inner is very bad as the rust on the outside is a good 3 inches long .

Can believe it, fingers crossed and all that. If they do ***** on it, I am going to take it further but I doubt that I will have to

Paul

A bit out of phase with my posts here - something to do with going off half cocked about rust :) The strut idea sounds great Paul if you can post or PM the details I look at that - my boot lid keeps hitting my head and I am worried about damage (to the lid not me).

Bad luck with the rust - good luck with the fix.

Bren

Sadly I do have to agree the last 4 ls400's I had never had rust, but I believe it's a common fault in the early years of the ls430's.

Still if its covered, bugger it lol

I have had a 430 for 11 years and 204K miles - it is not a rust box none of them are so to say rust is a common fault among the early models is not correct Frosty. I had a replacement boot fitted because the interference fit of a piece of chrome caused the paint to be stripped and a rust spot to appear. It was crazy that the boot was replaced when it was not necessary - fix the rubbing and then paint it properly was the correct solution. Lexus have a warranty pot and it was probably cheaper for them to go down the replacement route rather than pay out for labour - they fixed the problem so no complaints from me.

I cannot speak about the later/face lift model but I haven't seen many rotting at the side of the road or abandoned on waste ground :)

I had 3 LS400s and all were great - my 430 is brilliant and I would never consider going back.

I'm only grumpy because I still have to get over Saturday evening :(

Cheers

Bren

Did that no screen settings?

Hi Frosty

Menu Setup Map colour - gives auto and 4 options for day and night screen colour on my 2002. It is worth noting that the face lift model has a different version of Nav system so may not be the same.

Bren

It might be worth visiting an electrician anyway, just to check your alternator is behaving correctly.

I was just about to do so and my drivers seat suffered a small mechanical failure - so I need to fix that first :)

I think the system is charging ok - I checked it myself being an electrical engineer - I'm not an auto-electrician and cannot get my big fat hands where they need to go.

Cheers

Bren

Hi there just thought I would share, after cleaning the old girl this weekend .

Found rust beneath both wing mirrors on the top edge of the door and also rust around the rear number plate lights and also above the bottom mould strip NSF door. Noticed a couple of weeks back the the Osf door also had rust, but internally where the trim button sits, exactly the same position as the bad rust in the NSF door.

Contacted lexus under the 12 year anti perforation warranty, now off to the lexus Bodyshop to get it submitted for repair under warranty .... How cool is that !!!!!

Will keep you all posted as and when I get feedback from lexus and also what the Bodyshop says .....

Hi Frosty

I had a new boot fitted because of the number plate light trim rust problem - they painted it twice and then gave up and put a new boot lid on. Problem is the new boot lid is a lot heavier than the old one and kills the struts. Good luck with the rest of it.

Bren

Hmm thats interesting, do you have more information on it? Perhaps a SIB number from your invoice or a recall number ? Struggling to find anything online.

Hi Sam

It was a very long time ago - the air con pipes that go over the back axel corroded and the system lost gas. It was repaired by Lexus at their expense and the service manager said it was a know problem - I may have been a little enthusiastic with the term factory recall - that only happens for safety items. They pick this kind of thing up at a service.

Bren

Who is doing these installations ?

The first one was a Parrot reseller using a new kit I supplied and it worked for years - the second was my local garage.

Bren

Ok found the issues.

On the pipe going from the front to the back I did find some little spots of UV due. However one area just had loads due to compelte corrosion. Observe below.

I highly recommend that anyone with an LS430 and rear air con gets their car up, check out the pipe and put extra padding and covering around it to protect it.

To fix this, instead of dropping the tank ,prop etc etc. I am going to first go down the pipe leak self amalgamating tape method. Very good stuff for leaking plumbers pipes etc. Should do the job here at least.

There was a factory recall to replace the rear pipes years ago - I know mine rotted and were replaced for free and have been good since.

Bren

My figures are at the poor end of the ranges being quoted above (about 17 round town and 21mpg on a run. I am pretty gentle on the throttle in fact I drive it in snow mode to make sure.

When I did the research it seemed to me that the energy content of LPG was nearer 70% than 80% of petrol. And that fits exactly with the results from my LS430.

If this is true, I worry that the only way the LPG engineers can get better than '30% worse' is to tune it to run lean - which has got to be a bit worrying surely?

Mike

Hi Mike it is 80% if you are a chemist - it may only be 70% when used in your car because of other efficiency factors.

Bren

Hi Chaps

I have a Parrot hands free kit and it has failed - the symptom was a really noisey phone connection (on several phones) so I had the unit replaced with an eBay special and that has subsequently failed. Has anybody had a similar experience and any ideas? I have had to resort to sticking a BT head set in my ear which is sub-optimal to say the least. The replacement unit did work after it was installed and has sunsequently failed as well.

Any pointers before I go to an auto electrician would be great.

Cheers

Bren

Success - I took Matt's advice and went round to Auto G's fancy new unit in Northmapton and they sorted out my rain sensor - it is no longer hanging by its wire and it works. As Matt said they should have put a new gel pad in (didn't look new to me) - the guy who fixed it said it was not fitted correctly during the replacement - a glue problem as advised by Matt.

I am now happy and will only be happier if we smash the sheep botherer's in Cardiff tomorrow - yes I will be there and will be driven home by a couple of botherer's - I hope :).

Bren

but on cold frosty freezing mornings i leave it running, blow the fuel my arse needs warming.

I'm with you a warm chuff is worth a little fuel - I done it for 204K miles and my 430 runs like new. If your car is maintained correctly it will be fine and from a cold start will be ready to do what you want in 400m. It will be fine if warmed up as well.

Bren

Bren - the plastic cover, hate to say it, may have had a tab broken on it, which is why it keeps coming off. If this is so, then the replacement company should buy you a new one. As for not working even though the gel is there (it won't be new, as we're never provided replacements for it; it's classed as a reuseable part - essentially, because it is), that is a strange one, and may need to be put on diagnostics to find out why.

Granted, in the non summer months, this job can be a nightmare. The rain is a major problem - water and glue don't mix. Same goes for snow. Sadly, even though I always explain this to the customer before starting a job on a day that it's been raining and looks like it will continue to - and even when I arrive and it's currently raining - many of them refuse to accept my warning is for their benefit, and rather think I'm just trying to get out of doing the job. Usually met with "Well, it's not raining much" or similar. I then explain that if they want me to fit it despite my warning, then I will do, but there will be no warranty offered on it should it leak, or worse, no compensation offered should they have an accident and are injured as a result of the screen not being fitted correctly. This usually gets the message home ;) Cold can also give problems with the glue, which is why the tech mentioned about keeping it on the dash vents. Personally, I don't do this as all it does is localise the heat to one particular part of the "sausage" (the glue "tubes" are foil wrapped sausages), but instead I keep the whole box of glue (12 tubes) in the passenger footwell, with the heater on, and my spare fleece covering them. This traps the heat in, and warms them all the way through.

Creaking is to be expected on most cars after installation, on newer cars, it's a more and more common trend to but the inside trims (roof lining, a-post trims, dash) right up to the glass so it's touching. Problem there is many of these cars have leather, or faux leather plasticy covered trims, which when they rub against the glass, will make creaking noises. Fitters are reluctant to fit the screen so it sits slightly higher, as the customer - who's never looked around the screen before in their life, but as soon as they've had a screen fitted suddenly becomes an expert - claims it's fitted incorrectly as there's a "gap". Add to that, the fashion with new cars is to have the "floating glass" look (no trims around the edges of the glass on the outside, and the gap around the edge of the screen and the body work getting so much smaller with each generation of new model (honestly, the A5 and A6 Audi's have a ~2mm gap between the edge of the glass and the roof on the outside!) that you have to fit the screen at the bang on height otherwise it just looks wrong. On cars with exterior trims, such as the IS200, or Yaris, Avensis, etc, creaking is to be expected from the exterior trim also - especially since in most cases a new trim is fitted, and this is harder and less supple than the original as it hasn't "weathered" in

The things you really need to look out for are leaking (obviously), and windnoise. Windnoise usually comes from incorrect glue line (ie if it has a gap, wind whistles in) and from incorrectly fitted exterior trims (including scuttle); wind gets in and around them and makes noise over x mph.

It's why if at all possible, I'll push for a repair (on a stone chip) rather than replacement. I understand that it doesn't look as pretty, but it means that none of the original trims, scuttle, sensors, wipers, scuttle, etc etc have to be interfered with, meaning nothing can go wrong. I've repaired two stone chips on my own screen on my IS, and countless others on cars I've had before, rather than replace the screen - even though I'd love a new screen because mines weathered and pitted. But I won't change the screen until I need to, but rather repair it where possible.

Bluesman - thanks, but I do enough mileage as it is! Maybe I should start my own company, specialising in Lexus/Toyota only screens, and just do Owners Club members cars? :D (actually, doing Owners Club members cars is one of the jobs I hate the most - I once attended a job for a member of the Ford RS Owners Club with a Focus RS, who preceeded to tell me that he only wanted a Ford dealer screen because "patent part screens (the ones we use - his words) don't have as many heater elements as the dealer screens". I then watched him count each and every heater element in the screen I'd brought (a non dealer screen) only or him to have to recant that statement when he realised it had the same amount of elements. He then stood over my shoulder the entire time, hawk eye'ing me, and reacting to every "crack" noise as I stripped the car down and refitted. People - cars make cracking noises when you take things apart; it doesn't mean I've broken anything!!! Wipers make the most awful "CRACK" sound when you pop them off the spindle - this usually sends OC members franticly looking for something I've broken. Sometimes I like to wind them up by muttering a discreet, but just loud enough to hear, "oops" while under the bonnet :D

(ps, I'm not tarring all OC members as the above - thankfully it's the minority, not the majority. But there are some serious plums out there. Rest assured, after 10 years, 15,000+ windscreens, and working on nearly every make and model of car on the roads, I do kinda have an idea of what I'm doing ;) )

Thanks Matt more really good stuff - you are right about doing jobs for OC memebers and friends - I have been stuck fixing two computers over the last couple of weeks. OK I am an engineer (comms) but have never learned to so no when somebody says you know all about computers don't you :) At work it is all on the clock with satisfaction guarranteed - provided you let the clock run :)

Great advice is all I need no house call required.

Cheers

Bren

As a windscreen fitter of ten years, problems do arise now and again. Sadly, you only ever hear about the problem jobs on places like car forums or review sites, and not about the thousands of perfectly fine jobs. Here's a quote from a post I made in another thread about replacement windscreens

In every walk of life you get a bad fitter, and even good fitters have bad days, and/or can be unlucky. I've had cars come back leaking after I've fitted a screen to them, and I think of myself as a good fitter. It's just life. I've probably fitted in excess of 15,000 windscreens, and have maybe 5 or 6 "leakers" a year on average, which is 50-60 over ten years - let's call it 100 just to round it off. Sounds like a lot right? It's actually not even 1%.

I pride myself on being a good fitter; I've been doing it long enough, am still happy to learn everyday and don't think I'm a know it all, and actually care about the job I'm doing (of course there are some that couldn't give a toss, and just slap it in regardless; I actually do care about doing it, and do the best job I possibly can, often taking much longer on a car than is normally needed just to make sure it's as perfect as I can get it). But from time to time, a problem presents itself, and accidents happen.

Regarding the rain sensor falling off, I'd need to know if it's the sensor that's fallen off the bracket, or the bracket that's come away with the screen. Because if it's the latter, it's not the fitters fault, that's a faulty product. I had a brand new C Class Merc on today, and did a great job replacing it. However, when I went to clip the scuttle into the tracking that comes glued to the bottom edge of the glass, the tracking twisted and bent. That's a faulty product, and completely out of my control. I spent a further 10 mins attempting to get the scuttle to sit in the tracking, but short of pulling it off the screen - which wouldn't achieve anything, since then it wouldn't hold the scuttle to the bottom edge of the screen - there's nothing I can do. So I showed the customer, explained, apologised (even though it's not my fault) and then pushed through a DMR report on it, and we'll be changing the screen for him next week to rectify it.

Anyway, if the bracket has come off the glass, it's easily fixable by a windscreen tech. It takes about ten mins, and can be bonded on using mirror boss glue (two part liquid and spray activator glue, used to glue the metal bosses that mirrors fit to). I've done it plenty of times; ironically, the last time was on an RX... If it's the sensor itself come off the bracket, you'll be able to fix it yourself, or just take it into the branch that did the work for you and they will remount it.

As for the sensor not working, it's entirely possible it's as simple as the "gel" missing from the sensor (if memory serves me correctly, the sensor on the LS has a rectangle of a gel like substance (not liquid gel, but more of a gum like gel) that sits between the sensor and the screen. If this isn't replaced, and I've seen it overlooked or missed several times, then the sensor won't work.

Lexus are right; the sensor cannot be calibrated, because that wouldn't do anything. It can be activated or deactivated by the ECU. Merc's have a problem whereby if the sensor is removed from the screen and the ignition is turned on, the ECU thinks that it isn't working when it does a system check, so it deactivates it. Likewise if the sensor is unplugged and the ignition is turned on. This can only be reactivated by Merc by having a dealer plug a computer into the ECU and turning it back on.

From memory, this doesn't affect Lexus', but to be on the safe side, I never unplug any sensors, or turn ignitions on until the sensor is reseated on the new screen on any car...

Hi Matt - thanks for your note about my sensor that falls off. It is the plastic cover that keeps falling off mine - the piece of gel you describe is stuck to the screen but does not look new. I will take a trip to auto you know who when I find some time.

I can see you have a great deal of experience and are pretty good - my problem is I have had trouble every time my 430 has had to have a new screen. last time was not a water leak it was a loose and creaking installation (3 goes to get right). I can see that in cold weather this could be a problem if you are doing the job outside. So I discussed this with the latest fitter and he said no problem I have had the cement warming up on my heater vents for a while and he was correct. So for fun he put the wipers back on incorrectly and my rain sensor does not work - this is not bad luck it is lack of care.

You can imagine after the screen replacement every bump and rattle had me looking for a windscreen creak.

Thanks for your really helpful and useful post Matt you have restored my faith in screen fitters.

Bren

I changed the water pump at cam belt change time and was glad I did as it was showing signs of being about to leak (122,000 miles)

Pete

It is a few mins more labour if you change the pump at the same time as the belt - if you have to do the pump on its own it is the same labor plus 10 mins as the belt so it is smart to do the pump and the belt at the same time.

Bren

Just checked my spreadsheet my LPG figures are on the LS 430

Long run 23.56 mpg

Around town 19.4 mpg

Lowest ever heavy Trafic 16.59 mpg

Great numbers Steve better than mine - are you a steady driver or do you boot it along (like me)?

Bren

I recently had my front screen changed due to a crack. Now that the screen has been changed the auto wipers do not work. They have tried replacing the sensor but this did not work. They then said that I should get it re calibrated by Lexus. When I spoke to Lexus they said that they can not re calibrate them, but will have a look at anyway. Has anyone had similar experiences?

Hi Barry

I have just had my screen replace by autocrap and not only did they stuff the rain sensor (it fell of yesterday) they did not put the wipers back on in the correct place. The good news is they put the screen in correctly - last time they managed to get is right on the 3rd attempt.

My first problem is to stop the sensor from falling off - anyone got any ideas. I was thinking about driving to the fitters workshop and asking them to fix it but think that may be a waste of fuel and time.

Bren

I have no doubt your cars windscreen was replaced by one of the big corporate windscreen replacement companies who only fit windscreens and yet they still cant get it right first time. Why cant they do the job correctly first time every time? Mike

You are spot on Mike - Autocrap did the work because they are my insurers preffered supplier. I could have used who I wanted to but then the insurance company say they will limit what they will pay - I did not want to test this and if I went to a Lexus dealer guess who they call ?

Just how hard was it to put the wipers back on prpoperly? I suppose I can understand the old stick on detector not making through 4 windscreen changes - however it made it though 3.

When the weather warms up I'll go and see them and get it fixed.

Cheers

Bren

I recently had my front screen changed due to a crack. Now that the screen has been changed the auto wipers do not work. They have tried replacing the sensor but this did not work. They then said that I should get it re calibrated by Lexus. When I spoke to Lexus they said that they can not re calibrate them, but will have a look at anyway. Has anyone had similar experiences?

Hi Barry

I have just had my screen replace by autocrap and not only did they stuff the rain sensor (it fell of yesterday) they did not put the wipers back on in the correct place. The good news is they put the screen in correctly - last time they managed to get is right on the 3rd attempt.

My first problem is to stop the sensor from falling off - anyone got any ideas. I was thinking about driving to the fitters workshop and asking them to fix it but think that may be a waste of fuel and time.

Bren

At the moment I am getting 15 to 16 MPG on LPG - I use this calculator (http://www.mpg-calculator.co.uk/). This is short runs so not too bad for the winter. On motor way runs I used to get 20 ish on LPG. I don't drive slowly and have notices the lads who run 400s reporting better fuel consumption on LPG than 430s - I thnk Dave pointed this out.

LPG has abpu 80% of the energy of petrol so on short runs I used to get 16 or so round town and overall 22 - with LPG 15 on short runs and 19 on the motorway - that is pretty good. I could always lighten my foot and improve consumption.

I have a BRC system that is supposed to optimise consumption automatically and has done 80K miles + so is it worth upgrading the electronics or putting in a different system to improve ful economy? Has anybody any experience of doing so?

Also if one of you has nicked the Sun please put it back in the sky because I am freezing to death :)

Bren