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That would have been my intention Mark, but by the time I got the part from Japan, France had gone into lockdown and the extension of the MOT expired late January. No MOT means no tax, invalid insurance, means arrest and imprisonment if stopped by the Gendarmes. So, few alternatives. Couldn't have happened at a worse time afer six or so years of trips to the Charente without incident. The day it happened we had seen Estate Agents and were to put the property on the market owing to my health issues. Had to postpone and now- who knows.

Hello Michael, You don't actually say what you found as the fault? I'd be grateful to hear what the fault actually was? Don't want to mess with the headliner if its not necessry. So was it a Disconnected Y pipe / blocked Y pipe or what ?? Thanks - Stuart

No, things look bleak. The Car will need be trailered back to the UK or sold in France. Often see Polish drivers with trailers on the Ferries and may be able to do a good deal but too many imponderables to even consider, right now. Car is much further away in S.W France so five hundred miles to travel from Calais. Won't be cheap!

Nothing good to report Malc. Looks like it could be 2022 before anybody can visit France based on the noises coming out of the FO and Macron's Post Brexit peevishness.

Thanks Rich, thats good of you. I may come back to you on this but I can't see myself stripping out the existing until a couple of months so don't hold it if you want rid of it. Until I've driven this Car I won't know if its going to be a "keeper". Quite a few disppointing things but hope to drive it after next Tuesday when the wheel guys pick up the Grandstands and replace with what's in my Hall way. New lower Ball jojints have arrived from Rock today. Guessing they will need be replaced or want the reassurance. Oil on the cap and around it on the Power Steering made me look inside and not a pretty colour. Could even be engine oil- Doh! Will get the old Turkey Baster out and start to remove after the first drive.

I've been looking at Amayana to see what the cost is of a new Radio Amplifier - purely for interest sake and also because I've seen the attached connecter Cable which may allow me to put in my Sony at some time and bypass the Amp.. For my Vin number the data provides for two different parts between 1998 and 2001 and I am unsure how to identify which of the parts the car would require if I needed to purchase. 86280-30361 is for 08/1998 to 07/2000 whereas 86280-30362 is for 07/2000 to 07/2001. I checked a link online teling how to read Japanese Vin plates however it didn't answer the question as to how to tell the exact month of manufacture. Now a second line on my Vin Plate is as follow E11*98/14*0078. Is this telling me that it was made the 14th week of 1998? At $1151 if I were purchasing a new Radio Amp I'd want to be certain I bought the correct one. The Car is a 2000 Registration in UK though I've yet to receive my V5c - must be five weeks since purchase. What date will that show me? The imported date, or date of manufacture? So, accuracy seems important and for this chepy part which caught my eye after seeing Vids of disembowelling the wiring system from Amplifier https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Amplifier-By-Pass-ISO-Car-Stereo-Harness-Adaptor-Lead-For-Lexus-GS300-1998-2003/273860080043?hash=item3fc35531ab:g:otoAAOSwFtlc5wnm

Change of mind on the Magazine - photo's of new ones on ebay.com show different case shape. The good news is, that the Cassette player accepts and plays a continous Tape with my mobile phone and music. The bad news is that I seem to have to turn the volume knob forever just to get some sound. Is this an indication of a failed Amplifier? Also, out of interest I don't see how Speakers, front/back/left/right/ fade etc, happens on this Radio. Don't have a Booklet. How is it done?

Thanks Richard, I've seen it mentioned that BMW Magazines are the same as Pioneer and it could be that Lexus is just a re-branded Pioneer unit? May give it a try as seen one for a fiver if I haven't missed it. Don't want to spend £25 and find out tht the CD changer is knackered! Looked at installing an alternative Sony GT450U but one vid on vutube makes it look like a nightmare although I thought is was just a case of the right interface couple of plugs. Leave everything else in situ, alone?

Old topic but one which interests me. I just can't fathom why someone would take the Magazine out of the CD Changer and not put it back in after taking out their discs. Well, when you buy from Clacton you can expect issue after issue. Is the Lexus Unit basically a Pioneer unit as mentioned somewhere in this thread? If so, I'll be able to buy one cheaper than £25. Most annoying. Battery charged and Radio working. Wheels to go to be re-refurbed next week and will run with replacements 'til decide which to live with. Four Rims only to be returned and fifth with Tyre for my spare. May sell the refurbed four or Tyre up, sometime. Will be able to drive the Car first time next week. Been frustrating but that's Lexus - well my experience - pay peanuts get Monkeys!

Where would I be without this wonderful Forum and its illustrious Members? Thought I'd bu**ered the Car after messing with a poor battery in tandem. Turned over, but wouldn't start. Immobiliser light flickering. Sat in car for more than eight mins with ignition on and light still didn't stop flickering, however when switched back to lock and then turned on - away she fired into life. What a relief!

I'll have to check this out as ran a Net curtain wire as far as it could go (well at least a metre) and no sign of any dirt. Water in pass side footwell as you experienced. Is it the pipe join that is the issue? Disconnected? How did you fix it?

Yes. That's one throaty exhaust ! Wonder what he has done to get that sound? https://youtu.be/SDl7dlX0VrM

Any news on this subject?

Watched this, but yet to see if there is any truth or only applies to USA variant. https://youtu.be/4766Kib7uoU Two weeks in and yet to drive the Car. Spare tyre didn't hold air and front tyre flat. Managed to unscrew the Alan bolt on the plate that covers the Wheel nuts and it was very difficult Must have locktited the bolt. Rear wouldn't budge and too bally cold to keep trying yesterday, so will have to wait. Once I know the bolts will all remove I'm having the Grandstand Wheels taken away and refurbed whilst the replacements are substituted outside my front door. Then sell or re-fit?

More advice needed. Tried to unlock the Boot with the key as the keyfob "unlock" rubber is no longer exposed but sunken. All hell broke loose with Car siren and flashing lights, much I'm sure to the annoyance of the neighbours and me having a meltdown. Somehow managed to stop the commotion pressing the "close" button on the fob as the "unlock" didn't seem to do it. When I have unlocked the Car and opened a door, the car remains unlocked possibly until I decide to lock it. Is it the only way to switch off the system? The car is boxed in and nothing of value inside, so could leave unlocked until a solution is found. The keyfob has a rubber mat that seems to be stuck to the RF transmitter part. I bought a replacement blank key with a new Rubber mat. Can I cut off the original Mat and replace? or will that cause an issue with the keyfob no longer working. Anyone done this? Don't have a Manual but seem to recall security switch mentioned in LS400 manual (also in b**ly France) . If I can cut out the lights from flashing this would lower my anxiety level. They don't on my LS. Thanks

Hello John I was thinking of replacing the Radio as I have a brand new Sony head unit with USB and Aux. However having watched most of this video on the subject I may not be brave enough to take that step. Pity because I so need the Aux. Not the same using one of those things that operates by FM frequency via the Cigar lighter. https://youtu.be/aBCt0waGtSk

That's interesting Rick. One wheel is particularly poor with corrosion. Daresay they would refurb up though. I'm not looking forward to changing them, weightwise. Desigining a device to be able to rotate the wheel when at right height using one of my Sons's Skateboards upside (or just the Trucks) attached to a long plank. All my tools left in my LS in France. Haven't been able to release the Centre plate with an Alan Bolt so far. Praying there is no wheel locks as no key found. Tyres are also a mismatch I think. One on front is a 240 / 40 / R18 and I'm told the 240 should end with a 5, as the other three Tyres. Perhaps explains it being fiat and half can of Holts Tyreweld in the boot. I hope to run with them for a few days to see how the car performs. Will use the remains of the Tyreweld. Will check for the SEC messsage on the radio. Thanks for advice.

The LS I seem to recall from somewhere had a 0000 code which could be removed or replaced. My LS didn't have a code. Doubt this has a code. No Manual, no Radio Booklet which would mention coding. Photo's in the wet always improves the look of a car. Empty fuel tank, only one key glued togther (managed to un glue and change cell battery which only operates from about six inches away. Won't dare to leave the key in the ignition if filling with petrol and closing the door just in case Car locks itself. Pretty sure this happened on my LS but I had an extra key. Binding brakes on just reversing in my drive. (only movement I've witnessed) May be just the Handbrake. MOT with no advisories. yeah right!! New 17" wheels photo - hope they fit! Cam belt kit and waterpump on order from Rock, just hope those bally Brakes don't need new Calipers. Doh!

Ouch - as if!! Had a nasty health scare last night - may have been to do with lifting the new wheels in doors. Here's a photo and photo's glamorise so I'll let you see reality sometime next week. What I can tell you is that on the UK Car statistics site this car has only had 12.5% faults against my Corolla 21.1% (four years younger) and my LS400 27.8% faults (seven years older).

That's interesting Richard. Hence the Motorcycle battery wired in parallel to the terminals before I take them off the battery to remove it in doors to charge with the de-sulphating process. Not sure of the CCA for this Car but will check this Halfords battery to see if up to the task.

Hi All, Bought an old dog of a GS300 last week and already set about improving it. Need a few Q’s answered. Does this have the dodgy Radiator? (year 2000) Need change or add an oil Cooler. I have the latter but no idea how easy to fit or to where. Could this also have ECU problems at some stage? Got a swimming Pool in the passenger side boot. Likely the Sun roof Drains blocked or something else? Mat not wet so probably not Boot seal. Lots of rain recently. Can see a plastic tube up the corner. No hard panels each side in the Boot to support the folding Mat. Should there be panels? No panel covering the rear parcel shelf Speaker Why do people treat their cars like this? It was driven to me 8 miles, but yet to drive. Awaiting 1st Feb to Tax. Battery to be de-sulphated as car only driven 10 miles + delivery since previous owner bought it – not sure how long ago. /waiting V5c. Batt Reg 12.08v yesterday. Will link M/Cycle battery to Pos terminal before removal to charge in case Radio coded. Wheels and Tyres are 18” Lexus, but in poor condition. Front Tyre already gone flat since Car arrived. Doh! Just bought some very nice replacement 17 inch Wheels with Bridgstone tyres. Pleased with purchase. Toyota wheels but no idea from which Car. Photo's eventually.

That GS300 with twin LPG tanks seemed to go very quickly. Had it been down the road, I'd have been tempted.

Yes, I don't understand why the Brake Back plate should be available for one side (Actually I believe its the Passenger side) and not the driver's side. When I saw them listed they were at completely different prices and although I could order a Drivers side, I later got a messge "no longer available". Have to say that this would be a pig of a job and high on labour to replace, (4 small Bolts will shear) so suggest strengthen remains with Glass fibre. I hooked my loose part to the Caliper on a non moving part. 47782-50020 Drivers side (LHD) $41.46 47781-50020 Passenger side (LHD) $22.55 - Why?

Sincerely hope you are not losing it through a new Water pump.

Not sure about this, but do you/did you undo the Nut at the front of the Engine which is for bleeding air out of the Head? Did you put the Heater on full when refilling? I think these may be important points to condsider but someone else will verify or shoot down in flames.