steve2006

Hello and welcome to the LOC. Congratulations on finding the Lexus for you, 2 years is a long time but you now hopefully have the exact model specification you wanted. Sorry no idea about the air suspension switching but I'm sure other members will have the answer, I know I can switch mine on the move but it's not on air. As always we welcome a few photographs of your new car.

According to the data I have the transmission should be an Aisin A760E used in many Lexus and Toyota models, there are variants for all wheel drive and front wheel drive vehicles. There are 10 solenoid fitted for both shift and pressure, has the specialist replaced them all. There are complete overhaul kits available including the valve body. I would be looking at obtaining a complete replacement secondhand transmission of the same type or as Messi suggests purchase a reconditioned unit instead of continuing the costly route of replacing parts in the existing one, I am in no way an expert on auto transmissions but suprised the clutch band has been replaced for a shift fault. The link below shows the various types of Aisin transmissions and their applications. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_A_transmission Try this ebay seller for a replacement, he seems to have a good reputation and can probably find a transmission for you, the A761E transmissions he has for sale from LS430s have exactly the same gear ratios but check to confirm fitting obviously. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-Ls430-Six-6-Speed-Gearbox-Transmission-Automatic-Facelift-2003-2006-43k-/202055439537?hash=item2f0b7154b1:g:-B4AAOSwYGBZkxoh

The stalling problem is a known defect, the engine ECU was the problem and these were replaced with upgraded ones under warranty at least in the USA.

Regarding the front suspension knock I would be checking the LBJ first then the UCA ball joint.

Is the battery going flat or the charge warning light coming on?

I have a series IV which I am slowly restoring, if you would like to pop over and take a look around it to give you an idea what to look for when buying send me a PM as I'm not too far away here in Derbyshire.

The strut with the broken spring is out and now stripped down, it actually takes longer to remove the rear seat and parcel shelf! This is TEMS strut so has the wiring which controls valves inside to vary the damping, the connector took a bit of working out as it has 3 pieces to enable the top mount nut to pass over it. Bushings and mounts are all reuseable even after 23 years.

Hi Stephen and welcome to the LOC UK. To accurately diagnose the fault you really need the fault codes read, Lexus vehicles can be a little picky with aftermarket code readers and Lexus will charge around £60.00 I think to do it. A very common cause apparently is a clogged up EGR valve which can be cleaned on a DIY basic ( this is not done routinely as part of a service). It may be worth doing this to see if it sorts out the fault. Have a read here Type in "Lexus IS220d EGR cleaning" into google and look for the video tutorials.

Interesting you should mention this Malcolm as there is a new scratch on the offside rear quarter panel and the corner of the bumper, I always hand wash the car so you tend to notice new marks and defects. Admittedly these cars tend to take more than the standard hotel provided space but looks like some ****** without a care or indeed conscience and probably no insurance decided it was a good target. This is the broken bottom section of the offside spring, the other was discovered to be intact but nearly fully compressed due to all the weight being on it but given the price of the replacement springs I'll replace both sides as recommended.

I left the Celsior at a hotel near to East Midlands airport whilst on holiday and came back to a very slammed rear end. On the near side I could just get my fingers between the tyre and arch but the offside was so low there was no gap at all. Got the AA out and discovered that the offside spring had broken and slipped over the bottom mounting. No other option but a rear lift tow back home, the AA have some clever little devices which they fit around the damper/shock absorber to stop the suspension from bottoming out completely during transportation. 2 new KYB springs ordered, job doesn't look too bad but mine has the TEMS so may be a bit more involved, can't grumble with 23 years old springs and UK roads.

Hello Rob and welcome to the LOC. Just seen your other thread, looks like a project for sure.

"Cam belt changed in 2002" is slightly worrying, for complete peace of mind that's a £500.00 expenditure immediately.

Hello Xavier and welcome to the LOC. Looks very nice in the pictures with some subtle modifications, there have been some fitted with super chargers in the past or the V8 engine from the LS400.

If you still have the old one I would appreciate it for research purposes.

Unfortunately this is for the earlier type motors not the 98 on models .

Pretty sure looking at the size and design these are brushless motors maybe synchronous types similar to the ones used on microwave oven turntables but more complex as they have an ECU to drive them. If some one has a faulty scrap one to donate I would be glad to see if they can be reverse engineered and repaired.

There should be no customs charges from Lithuania being a member state of the EU but from outside you are sure to be hit by HMRC :) Given the usual price differences it generally does work out cheaper than buying in the U.K. but certainly less savings since the pound dipped.

But before doing this make sure you have the 3 button Master key and not the 2 button valet key as only the master key will release the lock.

No response from Toast for nearly a week now, I hope he hasn't joined the keys in the boot!

What is the PCD of these wheels?

I bought some snow foam last week the container attaches to the hose pipe and then mixes with the contents to produce the foam, smells like bananas. Says on the bottle "up to 20 washes"..... maybe based on a Fiat 500 not a 5 metre long LS400 as used over a quarter on two washes or perhaps using too much which may explain why the neighbours came around last time with wine and beer for the foam party.

It seems to be back to normal now so logged in all the time, perhaps an Apple iCrap problem!

OK this method applies to the LS400 so I am assuming the LS430 has a similar set up. The boot lock motor is activated by the door control module which when commanded by the internal boot switch or remote sends 12 volts to the motor releasing the lock and the boot opens. You need to gain access to the wire which supplies the motor, on the 400 this is inside the loom which runs under the front passenger side sill cover (just pull it off the clips). Once you have removed the cover you then have to remove the tape on the loom under it to access the individual wires. You are looking for a black wire with no colour stripe on it, just plain black, once located you need to cut this wire and then apply 12 volts from the battery to the cut section that is going towards the boot. This will power up the boot motor and the boot will then pop open, if there are 2 plain black wires the wire you need is the thinner of the 2 (the other thicker wire is an earth).

I would imagine that like all Lexus models the pads would be fitted with wear sensors, the problem is they only tend to have one sensor per axle so excessive wear on the in-monitored side could appear due to a defect like a sticking caliper but not flag up on the dash warning light. The light also may only appear when the sensor has contacted the disc rendering it scrap and at around £50.00 for a replacement not cheap. The only sure way to check your brakes accurately is to physically check the pad thickness during a service and not to rely on a dash light which is generally to late to save the sensor.

Has anyone else had to log in every time they come back to the LOC since the last upgrade, I am normally already logged on but now I have to log back on with every visit.