murphy jim

LEXUS LS400 VARIOUS ELECTRIC/SIGNALLING PROBLEMS

Several items have stopped working:

passenger front door remote locking

dash switch for boot release

eng check lights up

I suspect a fuse might have blown are they all on the same fuse I wonder?

Any suggestions?

CIAO

jIM

You have got yourself one beautiful machine man ... I thought I was looking at a DHP ... not sure it needs to go any lower.

Problem when low is - whenever you park nose-in the front air dam gets twanged.

Beautiful... just beautiful

JJ

Hi thermoacc,

Whereabouts are you in South Wales?

Can I PM you?

Hi Alan,

Probably a bit too late to give a reply to this topic, but as a a/c and refrigeration engineer it is my area of knowledge.

As nitmoi said above, pressurise the system and use a spray leak detector on all visible components. If no leaks are found using this method leave the system on a pressure test for a few hours to check the severity of the leak. If the system holds around 5Bar of nitrogen with little or no deviation it is therefore evident that it is a small leak and further work is required.

A small amount of R134a is added to the system and this is again pressurised with nitrogen up to around 5Bar as a starting point. An electronic refrigerant detector or "sniffer" is then passed over all components and pipework. These "sniffers" are very sensitive and can locate the smallest of leaks. When the sniffer beeps, the leak is found!....spray the area with leak detector and check for bubbles...if none are found, increase the pressure 2Bar at a time untill the bubbles are formed. This is how to exactly locate a leak. The easiest way to eliminate the evaporator (the component behind the dashboard) is to place a sniffer in one of the floor vents..if it gets a reading the evaporator is leaking...much quicker than taking a screwdriver to the dash and airbox..Especially on a Lexus!!!

After a leak is repaired the system must be pressure drop tested using dry nitrogen at around 8 to 10Bar for at least 24 hours to check that there are no further leaks present.

If all ok, the system is then given fresh oil (pending an acid test and quantity check) and it is always necessary to change the filter/dryer after any refrigeration system is opened or the system is open to atmosphere after a leak. The system is then evacuated of all air and moisture using a double stage vac pump in conjunction with a electronic vacumn guage untill under 500micron is achieved. Correct evacuation of the system is crucial and the time taken to achieve this reading (or better!) will ensure the best possible "air off" temperature at the vents.

The correct amount of refrigerant is then added as a liquid using an electronic weighing scales to the manufactures specifications and the system run.

Pressures are then taken as the system is run and refrigerant can then be added/removed to attain the correct operation conditions.

After all work is done, spray the access ports with leak detector to check the valves are correctly seated and are not passing and fix the screw caps back on checking that the o-rings are present and correct.

Phew!....if any further info on this type of work is required, you are more than welcome to contact me as the above is a very general overview.

Kwik Fit would never carry out work like this and the adverts saying "10% cooler or your money back" always make me smile!

I TOO HAVE FOUND IT DIFFCULT TO UNDERSTAND THE ANSWER TO THE SIMPLE QUESTION- WHAT YEAR IS THE NEW DISC.

I SUFFER FROM A SIMILAR FAULT AS THE ORIGINATOR OF THIS TOPIC - BUT HAVE NEVER SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED TO FIND OUT A NEWER DISC DATE AND THEREFORE HAVE NOT BEEN CONFIDENT OF SPLASHING THE £100+ COST IN BUYING A NEWER ONE.

A YEAR OR TWO AFTER OUR CARS 1999 THE LS400 WENT TO A DVD BASED NAV SYSTEM AND I SUPPOSE LEXUS LOST INTEREST IN ANY SIGNIFICANT UPGRADES TO THE OLD CD BASED SYSTEM.

ANY IDEA HOW MUCH A MIGRATION TO DVD BASED SYSTEM WOULD COST?

JIM

After being ritually mugged by local Lexus dealer for changing a battery and its terminal clamp, I decide to renegue on my vow not to work on cars anymore.

To replace a well-busticated nearside air dam (the wee flexibe thing under each side of front bumper) I purchased one from said dealership and, arriving home, prostrated myself before the beast. But there are no bolts, setscrews, rivets, self-tappers, etc!

Anyone know how to get the old one off?

Sadly no... but will do shortly cos i have to replace both ..how much is the part?

I do like a romantic ending ... and this is a romantic ending!

I've joined the corroded alloy club - I thought we'd left these behind with the IS200/300 :( I'll wait for the next service to get them changed and make sure I go out with 4 chrome valve caps.

On a different note my paintwork is really looking bad, stone chips all over the front, much worse than the IS300.

what about them flush valves ... they look like there is nothing to steal cos they are flat to the rim ..not had them meself but piccies look impressive..anyone any experience of them?

So i'm looking at a set of 8j 18" offset40 wheels which i'm thinkign should fit, any thoughts?

Would 225 40ZR18 be the size of tyre i'd want to keep sameish size?

Si

Any joy ? I am finding it difficult to locate a supplier for 17" I understand th eoffset is 38 - 42 dependiing on wheel design ..didi you find anything yet ...if so any photos?

cheers for all that.

Will need to look for wheels soon, well may as well, as will need a new set of boots for MOT anyways.

Question mode round 29, what are the standard tyre sizes on 16" wheels as i had a spare set in the boot when i bought car but noticed they're not the same as currently on.......

I'll have a look later.

Thanks

Si

Hi Scooby,

Think standrad is 225/55 ... did you get your newwheels or tyres yet ?

I to am looking. I have a series 4 1999 ls400 and had a set sent which didnt fit so am wary of offset issue.

hey up, I'm very close to you, over in Worcester.

*waves*

Hiyer Pirate Pete,

You're just 10 mile north of me ... any decent Lexus outlets your way... scrap yards etc?

£8 from dealer if i remember correctly.

Roughly £16 from dealer.

Bought the one you flaggedon eBay for £10.50...thanks for the assist

JIm

on here CAPS DOES IMPLY THAT YOU ARE SHOUTING SO DONT WRITE IN CAPS AS IT ANNOYS PEOPLE!!

Corrrection - It annoys you.

Its an old convention made up by some geek years ago and is not relevant. Emoticons and suchlike are proper signsof annoyance nt caps.

Get with it man and chill baby

xx Jim

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHETHER A 1999 ls400 CAN ADJUST THE HEADLAMPS ELECTRONICALLY FOR DRIVING ON THE RIGHT. I KNOW SOME CARS HAVE A SWITCH IN THE CABIN OR SOME OTHER AUTOMATED WAY OF FLICKING THE HEADLAMPS OVER TO SUITABLE RIGHT SIDE DRIVING...ANY ONE KNOW IF THIS WAS DOEN IN 1999 ls400'S?

Firstly. Caps imply you are shouting so no need.

Second. There is no such thing as an IS400

Third. There is no button in the IS 200 or 300 to change the lights for driving on the opposite side of the road.

1. I ALWAYS WRITE IN CAPS .... YOUR INTERPREATTION IS NOT CURRENT

2. MY MISTAKE x 2 1.1 ITS AN LS400 1.2 ITS IN TH EWRONG FORUM

3. THANKS FOR SPENDING THE TIME TO ADVISE ..ITS APPRECIATED.

4. I HAVE REPOSTED IN THE LS FORUM ( I THINK)

B)-->

YEAH I'M ON THAT ONE... BUT I WANT SOMETHIING SOONER. I LOOK LIKE A TW*T DRIVING ROUND WITH AN EMPTY BADGE SPACE!

THANKS ANYHOW FOR CHECKINHG eBay ( I ASKED HIM FOR A BUY IY NOW AND HE SAID NO!)

sOMEONE STOLE MY RADIATOR GRILL BADGE.. ANY CHEAPO SUPPLIER TIPS ? ls400 1999. THANKS

DOES ANYONE KNOW WHETHER A 1999 ls400 CAN ADJUST THE HEADLAMPS ELECTRONICALLY FOR DRIVING ON THE RIGHT. I KNOW SOME CARS HAVE A SWITCH IN THE CABIN OR SOME OTHER AUTOMATED WAY OF FLICKING THE HEADLAMPS OVER TO SUITABLE RIGHT SIDE DRIVING...ANY ONE KNOW IF THIS WAS DOEN IN 1999 ls400'S?

B)-->

nope ..no entry on link for ls430

JUST HAD MY RADIATOR GRILL BADGE NICKED... ANYONE ELSE SUFFERING FORM THIS?

I'M IN GREAT MALVERN BTW

CHECKED eBay ...IS THERE ANY OTHER REASONAL PRICED SUPPLIER ?

B)-->

NOPE CHART ONLY COVERS LS400 FROM 91 - 94 NO POST 1994 INFO AT ALL

did you get this sorted?

I bought a set of 18's with 235 35 tyres with 45 offset, these has been on a soarer import before and fitt my S1 perfectly without any steering lock rubbing, don't have the suspension lowered though.

Official off set is 45, 50 should not have made that much difference. :duh:

No havent got an offical offset number that I trust ( given my earlier probs) I asked Lexus and they washed their hands o f it by saying they have nothing on the DHP version!

Hi Jim

Have you considered a different size of tyre on the DHP wheel?

I am running a standard 98 LS400 with DHP wheels fitted with 225/55/17 tyres.

This keeps the overall circumference the same but give a much better ride compared with the 245/50/17 that were fitted when I bought the car.

This size is available from a wide range of tyre manufactures. Dunlop, bridgestone, yokohama, goodyear Etc and is a lot less expensive.

Wacko

Yes I had to do just that and fitted Kumho 225/50 x 17 Extra Load ...£93 each... cos I was in a rush ... the old tyres were on the wire!

Now I'm wanting to know what my offset is so i can reliably order a new set of alloys and refit the Kumhos to them.

My LS400 is a 1999 series 4 with the dynamic handling pack this lowered the suspension and puts on larger wheels/tyres 245/50 x 17. I have read ALL the posts on this topic ..quite informative.

I have been planning a new set of wheels for several reasons:-

1. Tyres worn out

2. Only supplier for my current size tyre is Pirelli at £200 each total £800

3. I'm on 245/50 x 17 factory sport pack fitted .. standard for Lexus is 225/50 x 16

4. This set means suspension bumpier, roadnoise greater.

5. Price for new smaller wheels & tyres is £600...therefore no brain required.

6. I also then get improved sound damping,wet grip and mpg.

Nevertheless, I must say it does hold the corners v well.

I ordered and had delivered a set from Rochford Wheels near Southend and prior had them chat with the manufacturer to ensure they would fit …Sadly despite assurances; they didn’t. So they’ve had to go back.

This forced me into just fitting 4 tyres ( 225/50 x 17 Extra Load ...£93 each ) on the original wheels cos I had a 300 mile trip to do.

So I am continuing to look now for 17" new wheels ... thing is:- what is my offet 45 or 50 ?

It was the size of the brake calipers that resulted inthe new wheels not fitting. So I'm a little nervous.

So I'm looking for a multi spoke style wheel ( 12 or so ) in silver.

Also conscious that some wheels stick put out from the tyre wall and so offer themselves, rather too easily, for kerbing/scuffing any suggestion what makes to avoid?

But need to guarantee the offset 50 or 45 ?

Any advice and or piccys gratefully rec'd.

Thanks

My LS is a 1999 with the dynamic handling pack this lowered the suspension and puts on larger wheels/tyres 245/50 x 17. I have read ALL the post on this topic ..quite informative.

I have been planning a new set of wheels for the Lexy - several reasons:-

1. Tyres worn out

2. Only supplier for my current size is Pirelli at £200 each total £800

3. I'm on 245/50 x 17 factory sport pack fitted .. standard for Lexus is 225/50 x 16

4. This set means suspension bumpier, roadnoise greater.

5. Price for new smaller wheels & tyres is £600...therefore no brain required.

6. I also then get improved sound damping,wet grip and mpg.

Nevertheless, I must say it does hold the corners v well.

I ordered and had delivered a set from Rochford Wheels near Southend and prior had them chat with the manufacturer to ensure they would fit …Sadly despite assurances; they didn’t. So they’ve had to go back.

This forced me into just fitting 4 tyres ( 225/50 x 17 Extra Load ...£93 each ) on the original wheels cos I had a 300 mile trip to do.

So I am continuing to look now for 17" new wheels ... thing is:- what is my offet 45 or 50 ?

It was the size of the brake calipers that resulted inthe new wheels not fitting. So I'm a little nervous.

So I'm looking for a multi spoke style wheel ( 12 or so ) in silver.

Also conscious that some wheels stick put out from the tyre wall and so offer themselves, rather too easily, for kerbing/scuffing any suggestion what makes to avoid?

But need to guarantee the offset 50 or 45 ?

Any advice and or piccys gratefully rec'd.

Cioa

I have a DHP it has 245/50 x 17 tyres and is lowered..also has the colour keyed grill.

Am thinking of switching it to 16 ins wheels cos of ride quality...any views?

I will use 225/60 x 16 tyre wheel set. To get more spring in the sidewall and a smaller rubber footprint for reduced road noise.

Any recommendations as to a supplier?

JIm