LS Jasper

Gliptone Leather Cleaner and Conditioner

Got to agree with Purvesh, Gliptone is the business! A mate let me have half a bottle each of the Gentle Cleaner and the Conditioner to have a go on the front seats. Gentle Cleaner is a gel and is gently brushed into the leather with a nail brush. After cleaning up generously apply the conditioner and leave to really soak in. This method removed so much engrained dirt from the leather that I now have to buy some more to do the whole car because the front seats look completely different to the rear! I hadn't even thought my seats were dirty!

Jim

Does the used key you bought from the US have a triangle detent in the "Unlock" section, a Dot in Lock and a white car/boot symbol in the third. The ones without the triangle are more common, but do not operate the LS400.

You can buy blank Denso keys from Ebay for around a fiver, and have them cut by any reasonable security locksmith. (I would suggest avoiding the Cobblers type of key cutting service though).

I did this myself, and discovered the triangle after 2 aborted attempts..... I then bought a 2nd hand key (with triangle) and transferred the inner Denso electronic pack to one of the earlier cut key fobs, and hey presto! A breaker may have an "old" key with triangle (You only need the innards).

Once you have this done, search here for "key programming" or "pedal dance".

Picture of Denso 12459

best wishes

Thanks for your response. Turned out that the Scorpian system had been disconnected and partly ripped out. Had a new Toad system fitted so now have remote locking and alarm working. The Mk3 had a separate fob and so am happy to pass that on to someone.

Cheers,

Jim

Where abouts are you?

Jim

Essex, just outside Braintree

1)Using 2 flat screw drivers...........remove these and your done.

miq

Thanks Miq-sounds pretty much the same as the MkII in getting the trim off which is what I wanted to know.

Put the shift into 'L' to start. There is a clip either side at the cup holder end about 2cm in from the end. The other two are about level with the front of the gear shift panel. The final two are behind the ashtray. With the shift in L and the other four clips released you can gen tly pull the whole unit back to release the remaining clips (I lifted the storage lid, which helped).

Jim

I took mine out the other week to try the solder fix on the stereo backlight - didn't work! Not too tricky but complicated to put on paper.

Where abouts are you?

Jim

They appear rarely on ebay, have you contacted ACLex for a price? Dealers were selling some early model parts off cheap due to lack of demand.

The same transmission (A340E) is fitted to many other models (including some Volvos!) so other sources may be out there.

Thanks, Steve. I can see plenty on US eBay but not one of the suppliers ships to UK. Might have to bite the bullet and contact the local Lexus dealership.

Has anyone sourced a transmission filter / sump gasket recently for a good price? US or UK?

Cheers,

Jim

Wow, that is so fine ...... absolutely noway that I could ever possibly " fix " the problem personally ......... it would be oh so good to know of a kind soul who could achieve this for me when my time has come !!

Malc

Actually, you probably could. And I will write it up soon.

Hi Steve,

Were you able to write up your fix for the stereo back light? This link was on an earlier post, is it different to what you were working on?

http://www.totalfish...s/BackLight.pdf

I have the same problem on my 1995 Mk3 and not sure I feel confident enough to tackle it myself!!

Jim

Just checked and that link doesn't work, hopefully this one will:

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=46931&st=0&p=492278&hl=+stereo%20+light&fromsearch=1entry492278

Bought a used remote fob for my Mk3 on US eBay for £30 a couple of weeks ago, only to find out that my alarm system has been disconnected - duh!! Am getting an after market fitted on Friday so no longer in need of the fob. Not sure however if LOC rules allow me to see if any other owner wants to buy it?

There is one currently on UK eBay, which is identical, although I can take a picture of it if need be.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GENUINE-LEXUS-TOYOTA-LS400-REMOTE-KEY-FOB-RARE-BARGAIN-/260797815995?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb8c2dcbb

Jim

Got a used remote fob from US Ebay and tried to programme it using the directions on another thread. No luck. Also realised that when locking using the key I never get flashing indicators. Can I assume that the alarm system is not working? Does the remote fob work only if the alarm system is working? What should I do to, a) find out if my alarm system is working and, B) get my remot fob to work?

Have been looking at threads all evening and can't find an answer. Did find one (which I now can't find again!) which mentioned getting an after market alarm fitted with remote locking facility. Any suggestions?

Mine is an LS400 Mk3.

Cheers,

Jim

I believe the mkI and II have a button under the dash, left of the steering wheel, to disengage remote locking. Not entirely sure if the mkIII still has one.

Worth checking I suppose :)

Correct about the remote button. At one time when I was cleaning the interior I accidently switched it off, and then assumed the remote wasn't working. Don't know about the Mk3 though.

Can't find the button on the Mk3. Gave the window down open the door trick a go and no alarm. Had a look under the wheel arch as read somewhere that the alarm siren is located there. Nothing, just a whole where something used to be connected. Like other owners, I suspect the Scorpian alarm has been disconnected. Therefore any recomendations on an after market set up? What do I need to satisfy the insurance company??

Jim

Got a used remote fob from US eBay and tried to programme it using the directions on another thread. No luck. Also realised that when locking using the key I never get flashing indicators. Can I assume that the alarm system is not working? Does the remote fob work only if the alarm system is working? What should I do to, a) find out if my alarm system is working and, B) get my remot fob to work?

Have been looking at threads all evening and can't find an answer. Did find one (which I now can't find again!) which mentioned getting an after market alarm fitted with remote locking facility. Any suggestions?

Mine is an LS400 Mk3.

Cheers,

Jim

Have had my Mk3 for two months now and want to say a big thanks to those who have posted invaluable advice and help - as well as sales of parts, all of which has transformed the car. Here's my list:

1. Replaced the o-ring on the power steering resevoir (leak gone)

2. Used retractable ariel motor (ariel now fully working)

3. Used alloys and help with the transportation of them

4. Touch up paint colour

5. Rear speaker

6. Solved the creaky suspension with the aid of WD40 alone

7. How to programme a remote fob

Thanks all!

Jim

Have had my Mk3 for two months now and want to say a big thanks to those who have posted invaluable advice and help - as well as sales of parts, all of which has transformed the car. Here's my list:

1. Replaced the o-ring on the power steering resevoir (leak gone)

2. Used retractable ariel motor (ariel now fully working)

3. Used alloys and help with the transportation of them

4. Touch up paint colour

5. Rear speaker

6. Solved the creaky suspension with the aid of WD40 alone

7. How to programme a remote fob

Thanks all!

Jim

Still Looking ... So Any Members Thinking Of Selling Give Me A Shout ;)

Hi Graham.

Have a look at these. http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/lexus-ls400/81274648

http://www.gumtree.com/p/cars-vans-motorbikes/lexus-ls400/80896737

Mike

Interesting that the pictures on the first of those two gumtree ads are Jan 2008!

Jim

Sorry, should have read thru to the last thread!! Pic dates already spotted and enquiries made.

There are a couple of Mk 4's on Autotrader at the moment for under £1500.

Jim

If you can get them on a pallet securely, I may be able to help.....

I'm a Logistics Manager and could have a word with my haulier.

Would need to be secure on a pallet though.

PM if you're interested.

Mike

That is a really nice offer. Thanks Mike. What do you think Steve? I am happy to buy the wheels if we can sort the transport? If the pallet suggestion is gonna be tricky for you then let's do the swop in Bristol.

Jim

Hi Steve,

Price is nice but not sure how to get them. Quite a treck from Henley/fuel costs! In think paying for delivery would add another £50.

Any thoughts??

Jim

Whereabouts in the country are u? My alloys are well tatty but gonna have to convince the wife to let me spend MORE money on the Lexus!!!

Jim

Hi Steve, did you sell your alloys?

Jim

Hi All,

For those, like me, with an LPG conversion with the tank in place of the spare wheel, what do you do for a space wheel? Is there such thing as a space saver spare for LS400's?? I recently bought mine without any spare at all.

Cheers, Jim

I like the look of the Mk4 on eBay with 66,000 miles which won't start. So cheap at the moment and perfect for someone with a bit of LS400 know-how, and an LPG conversion...... Wish I had somewhere to put this one to work on it!

Jim

Hi, without seeing any pics if your car is White over silver, it should be ... DIAMOND WHITE PEARL .. 051

Check your chassis plate to confirm before sorting any paint.

Cheers steve

Nice advice, I'll check the plate. Colour is the same as the one in the Tv ad recently that folks have been commenting on.

I have a similar situation, a dealer stamp showing the first change (and a sticker on the engine), then a Nissan receipt for new belt and tensioner kit dated a couple of years back.

I came to the conclusion that it would have to be a very clever operator to backdate a proper invoice for a cambelt change, and that clever operator would have to be very silly indeed to not bother with said cambelt change! The car was part-ex'd to the dealer I bought it from so any trickery like that would be pointless.

If you have an LPG system you should have it serviced by the installer, just to keep things tip top. Mine charges about £50 or so for an annual checkup. Things can drift.

The original LPG installer is in Slough, close to me, so took it back there for an LPG service. Like you said, I wanted the peace of mind that it was tip top. He charged £95 but said he didn't expect to see me for another 30,000 miles!

Cheers,

Jim

Hello All,

I'm another new member having recently bought a 1995 LS400 Mk3. Paid £1500, already LPG converted and running very smooth (so far!). Appears well looked after although second owner was a bit hit and miss at keeping receipts/records of work done. I have a receipt from his Lexus Dealership for a new cambelt in Dec 2005, when the car was on about 80,000 miles, but no receipt for fitting it and no sticker on the engine! I am guessing, hopefully, that it was actually fitted. Any other way that I would know? The car is now on 120,000 so I'm not looking at a change for a little while IF a new one was actually fitted!

I am loving the drive and my wife is saying she has become a Lexus widow! Never enjoyed cleaning a car so much in my life!

Slowly working my way through the small but clearly common issues; retractable ariel motor not working, getting rid of evidence of the previous owners smoking habit (car had been valeted but front and back ashtrays still loaded with butts!) etc.

Any advice on a colour match for the lovely pearlescant white for stone chips etc? Dealership?

Thanks for all the super helpful advice.

Jim

Here you go Mike.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/TOYOTA-CAR-MAT-FIXING-RETAINING-CLIP-FREE-POST-/170638625896?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item27badacc68#ht_1359wt_1139

Many thanks. Brought them

Mike

Me too!

Cheers

Quick update, the injectors aren't knocking on the plastic cover (although I'm going to put some rubber blocks between the two to ensure they don't), but the clickety-click of the injectors is pretty loud compared to the engine. Its like slightly cold tappets. Nothing wrong with them and on any other engine you'd never hear them.

I chucked a travel blanket over them with the bonnet open and that kills most of the noise. I'm therefore looking at some simple manner of soundproofing, something that will of course be immune to the heat under there. It only needs to 4 square feet or so.

I did slightly under 100 miles today and were it not for that faint clicking at idle, I'd never have known it was running on LPG.

If you come up with a sound proofing solution to the injectors lcicking, i'd be interested. Bought my 1995 recently, which had been converted in 2003. Took it back to the garage in Slough who did the original job for a service (£95) for peace of mind really. Asked them about the clicking and they said it was normal and there was nothing that could be done. I'm getting similar mpg as you, which for a 8 year old conversion is good news for me.

Jim