MLW

LS430, 2002. The car failed its first MOT on a leaking front air strut. Could not believe it. Never had a feeling of any problem. Supply cost £950 each + VAT + fitting! Big panic. Eventually I sourced a second hand one from lexusspares direct on eBay for £215 delivered. This is a posh breakers yard that specialises in Lexus spares, supplies parts to all over the world. I was so pleased, I ordered a second rear one that was a bit iffy but MOT OK. These air struts were always my biggest fear. In 60,000 miles the car has need just one lamda sensor (about £200 supplied and fitted). I spoke to Paul Frost the boss. What a friendly chap. Happy to talk for ages and is a real expert on LS430s as they service them, cam belts and all. I have no links to this firm, but I must say it was old fashioned honest speedy service. If you need 'bits', check them out. Lexus Spares Direct PAUL FROST Autotek Lexus Spares Direct Cotton Hall Street Darwen Lancashire BB3 0DW United Kingdom Phone: 07590072646 Email: paulnfrost@hotmail.co.uk 07590072646 Lexussparesdirect@gmail.com wof

This has been a constant problem over the years for me, and others. Last incident was 2 days standing, and then nothing. I had intended to go to an auto electrician to see if there was a drain. He also said he could disconnect the tracker 'from behind the dashboard'. In the end I went to Halfords and asked them to do a free battery condition check. The young lady checked the cold cranking output at 660 and said it was about 380, and the machine recommended a battery replacement. Can it be saved I said. No. OK because I bought it here 18 months ago and it has a 5 year guarantee. She replaced it on the spot. I fitted it at home (always a pig of a job on these) and put it on a trickle charge of 1 amp, as I had no idea how long it had been on the shelf. It took about 25 amps. The big test was to leave it for two weeks of no use. Then it started with gusto. So, was it a duff Yuasa battery, or a battery damaged by lock down non-use, (although I did periodically charge it), or is there still a parasitic drain down. No idea, but to be monitored. I did wonder how many new batteries are faulty. 'In the old days' I had batteries that lasted 9 and 10 years. As I left, having returned the old battery, the young lady said can I take some pictures of your 430 as my boyfriend wants one. She loved it, especially the inside. Said the moving steering wheel was 'so cool'.

Very Comprehensive. I think 120,000 miles for the spark plugs is too long. 60,000 seems a better target.

Can you help with where the PCV valve is on a 430. Picture would be amazing if possible.

My 430 again failed to start and the battery was very very flat. There must be a drain down somewhere. On a tracker, will it eventually be wired in to the fuse box? Will it then be a case of finding it and taking out the fuse. Will it affect anything else.

That is interesting. My LS430 has an old tracker but I never used it because of the high subscription cost and the car's age were never were worth it. It has always used a steering lock from America. 3 feet of steel is a statement!. However, the battery has a 14-21 day life and that is on a Yuasa 5 year new battery. I assumed it was the security system draining, but this has got me thinking. How to disable the tracker?? Help please?

Not sure, but the fabulous Mark Levinson audio on my 430 premium has never impressed me. The radio is hopeless at picking up stations. I reckon my old SAAB was streets ahead. I suspect that a £150 Pioneer, Sony, or JVC would beat it hands down. The problem is it is built in, so one has to live with it. But please.......Mark Levinson a stunning Hi-Fi.....I think not.

Sounds about the same as mine. You could have a look inside the throttle body and if it looks gungy, give it a clean with the correct spray fluid. Would do no harm anyway.

What is the cost these days at Lexus for a full job including water pump for old 430s?

This happened on my wife's Mercedes SLK. The mechanical lock was solid. Plenty of WD40 over 6 hours and a gentle gentle wiggle and slowly it started working. I suspect it was 12 years since the mechanical lock had been used, (probably from the factory) as everyone uses a blipper. The moral might be a squirt of WD40 ever 6 months.

I used Dextron 111, that's what the 430 manual says.

Mine seems fine, but ever car seems to tramline these days to some extent as British roadbuilding is so poor. New roads seem to 'sink' in no time. Could be tyres? Are they the same and fairly newish?

Halfords oddly enough. 5 year Yuasa.

Mechanical key in the door lock. Pull up bonnet lock. Did this when my 430 had a dead dead battery so the central looking would not work. Charge the battery slowly over 1-2 days and all should be OK.

Oil is simple. Use what Lexus say. They spent millions choosing the oil. It is usually 5w-30 fully synthetic at SJ standard or better. These days I use Shell or even ASDA oil at £16 for 5 litters as it all exceeds the original SJ standard. Always use a Toyota, or Bosch, or Mann, or Hengst oil filter. Change the oil at least ever 10,000 miles. 5,000 is even better. A DIY oil change is £25-30, do not get in a tiss about something so easy and simple.

I have been doing car key fobs and watch batteries for years using £1 shop batteries. Never had a problem. Takes 3-4 minutes every 18-24 months or so. Most batteries are made in China anyway. Once got charged £9.50p at a Toyota dealer for a Prius key battery. Could have done it for 25p myself but I thought batteries were included in the big service programme. They are sir, the desk said. We mean battery, not batteries, i.e. we charge for the spare key!

Had a big drain down on my 430 recently. Had a brake fluid change and wanted to check they had done it correctly. Opened the bonnet and accidently opened the boot. The latches are close. Two days later the battery was really really dead.....nothing. I also could not close the boot. Had to disconnect the battery from the car and charge it. It look days on a trickle charger, but then all OK. The boot then closed when electrical power was sorted out.

I took 2.2 litres out of my gearbox at 80,000 miles and put the same in again. Always use genuine Toyota oil. Mine has a dipstick so can be sucked out. No issues. Probably changing a little ever 1-2 years is best. On my old Mercedes E class 124 I changed the oil ever 15k and oil and filter ever 30k. When I sold it at 148, 000 miles the gearbox was still silky smooth. It also used Dexron 111 so the oil was cheap. Filter and oil seal was about £10 at Eurocar parts. You could even drainn the torque convertor easily. Then they all went 'sealed for life', i.e. might go at 80k but then it is not our problem.

One key is always dangerous. You can obviously open the boot from the inside button, but what if you loose that key or it fails to work? These cars, I think, were once voted as the most difficult car to steal, because of all laminated glass and the double locking system.

I had a 3-4 year old battery that would drain after about 2-3 weeks of non use. The virus has made it even worse. In May I bought a Halfords Yuasa with a FIVE year guarantee for £99. I paid £90 as I had a discount voucher. It was a 75 amp, as opposed to 70 amp on the old one. It starts on the button. However, I find these 430s with all the electrics need a good run or trickle charge regularly. For me, the five year guarantee swung it. Took 25 mins to fit. They do need a trickle charge during the virus. On my AA trickle charger of 1-1.25 amps it takes about 40 hours, but as it is sitting there, it is no hardship. I do want to preserve the battery. This is a good charger. https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-Batteries/dp/B00DW6RHN2/ref=sr_1_5?dchild=1&keywords=AA+trickle+car+battery+charger&qid=1613082858&quartzVehicle=29-405&replacementKeywords=aa+trickle+car+battery&sr=8-5

According to Denso: Denso Spark plugs torque = 22 Nm dry

A bit high but OK I think. I am amazed how You Tube mechanics put in the specified amount. I like to put in 4.5 litres and slowly add until it is 3-4mm below max. Always go lower and you can always add in the morning. You cannot easily take away.

It is a poor system Garmin or Tom tom knock spots off it. It works best I find on the 'take me home' button.

That is what happened to me exactly. Lambda sensor was faulty. After a while the VSC came on. Fixed lambda sensor and VSC was also extinguished and all OK. Check the OB2 and a fault should reveal itself.

Wondered if a cheaper make like Bosch or Mann would be OK. I must say, the Denso filter really looks top quality.