Ben01

I did not hard reset lamps yet, I did not risk to touch OBD and any wires in my morning zombie mode. But I noticed VSC lamps off on key on and even engine running, and they ON when car moves. I have a feeling they were steady ON before, but I don't bet my arm on this. But it does not bother me too much at the moment, I have a lot of nice black tape to cover them, if they annoy me more. Another minor thing I forgot to mention and reflection in other car on my way work remember me - car came with aftermarket white LED lamps for rear licence plate, I had to fix one. And I decided to complete things around and I put white LED in front, ugly frogface looks suprisingly nice with HIDs and LEDs.

Only reason I could imagine... but I understand them, messing with three times more cables, some HV and hi amps, much more risk with the same money like with normal car? Some day, when they will have no other choice, maybe 😉

This is the crucial point, IMHO. Everybody think Lexus or some aftermarket sources or fabricators delivery bulletproof eternal exhausts, because they are shiny and stainless steel (SS). Yes, they are, nobody lies, this is SS, with small deception. Because what we need (and wrongly presume we got) is highest grade heat-resistant stainless steel. Automotive typicaly use lowest grade SS, very good in room temperature and with some water action, but not with exhaust temperatures and exhaust agressive chemistry. It is slightly better than mild steel, but don't even think about 20yr or more. Good fabricators use any marine grade SS, much better, designed and certified for decades in salty enviroment. It withstand much longer, but still could be nasty suprise in very hot parts, because still - it is not heat-resistant enough or at all. The problem with real heat-resistant SS is: it is not only expensive, but very difficult to form and work with and insanely difficult to weld. Only applications I remember are aircraft industry, maybe military and some exotic chemical equipment. And this is main reason even car manufactures with such a price tags they could afford any technology, prefere same as aircraft industry - not the best heat-resistant SS, but titanium or similar alternatives.

Thank you for advice about starter, I missed this point. I have seen some tutorials about manifold jobs, like "move up a bit at angle" etc. and probably I could handle this easy. But I am fine with "hack" and connection to one sensor at the moment; the risk is minimal in my mind. I need to fix couple of other things first. BTW trust me, "kick" on low pressure LPG when hi output looks much more dangerous at the moment than any knock sensor issue. I tried "hard reset" for VSC lamps weeks ago and it did not work, BUT I forgot to mention, after sealing exhaust and two days of daily driving, I have zero errors at OBD2 today. So maybe it is worth to try one more time this paperclip reset, but not tonight.

I forgot to mention - in the beginning I found one broken device, shame on you Lexus! I don't get it, how you call yourself premium if in 16yr old car the bulb for ashtray is off. And lumbar support does not work in driver seat, I think, but again and again I forgot to test it properly. More serious, I just back home after 3h in GS, I built in some mp3 player, found in the bottom of the drawer. It's cheap stuff, lacks of any decent navigation, but it works good enough (and it combines all: AUX, BT, SD card, USB and radio). I put the same in first GS and I dont get now why I did not install this spare one in second GS. And speakers subject is cancelled now - I know myself, with mp3 player on board I am too lazy to touch CD changer ever again and it is no point for any upgrade of the system if source is this kind of device.

With this kind of rims and if you like dark batmobile apperance - IMHO dechrome her now. And tint rear lamps a bit. BTW if you want real information and feedback from two-option pool, always put third option "I don't care / I have no idea / It does not matter", not only "yay" and "nay".

If bumper shape is really wrong and no enough space to fit lamps, only solution I could imagine is cut out the back of lamps "pockets" in the bumper, and fit lamps "from behind" with some kind of brackets. But this is pure and simple wrong and insane if you have to play like this with (I presume) expensive bumper. Other stupid thought - is any possibility your local painter put a lot of filler or thick layer of paints into "corners" or "behind edges" of lamps pockets? Maybe somebody design bumper on low tolerance and additional 1mm of filler+paint ruined fitting?

GS430 SE 2002 I bought like month ago, it is my third lexus, and another bargain barge in my life. And it is damn good and fast barge 😉 Typically I prefer as daily car any gasoline/LPG cheap old executive saloon about 200HP (so our first and second GS300s fit perfectly). I am familiar with V8 (we had once american V8 and it was a lot of fun, but not very practical nor cheap). In fact, I tried to convince some pal like year ago the V8 is absolutely pointless as daily commuter, but somehow here we are... because nothing could replace fun and effortless push and sound of V8. OK, maybe V12 could. Some other background - I am DIY and "self-sustainable" dude, with no respect for any mass production stuff, even from Lexus. I admire Lexus quality, engineering, etc. I love Japanese culture and way of life, but if we talk about cars I modify and chop-shop anything I found annoying or anything I like to improve (or "improve"). And in fact, it is major reason I like oldie but goldie cars – I have something to do in my boring life. So, Lexus purists, be warned, possible heavy blasphemy ahead. After a month and all this work below, I am still very happy with the car and it was surprisingly good idea to jump from GS300 to GS430. I have much “more” for such a small money, and I have a lot of fun to ride and to mess with. Shockingly commuting is one of the best part of my day (I ride to work 22 miles one way). I am very happy I cancelled plans for “summer toy” (like MX-5 or MR2 or SLK) or DIY motorhome. To the point - GS430 SE sourced from Pakistani London (mostly Welsh pedigree) has long MOT, starts, drives, brakes, it was easy drive from London to Glasgow. She was cheap lady for reasons: painting in epic tragedy, gasoline in minor drama; exhaust in classic choir, no, classic roar; LPG in tragic-comedy. Bright point: VSC lamp (but ABS lamp is off and it works). And some marks and dents here and there, age relative. 1) Painting - car was resprayed by some drunken painters party, or looks like this. Not once, but a few times. There is a lot "dusting" and discolorations, some peeling. I don't care at the moment, we will wrap the car in the future maybe, keyword "maybe". 2) Gasoline works harsh a bit - ECU set error on one of knock sensors and minor error on cat. Sensors are cheap, replacement is easy BUT access to sensors under manifold inside V8's V is mental, so for now - I wired the broken sensor input to good one. The ECU is happy, engine is happy, everybody is happier. Error on cat is probably exhaust relative, so: 3) Exhaust - from the night of living welders. But on second thought and review not very bad, nothing critical or drops now, couple of very minor leaks, and only one real blow: flange after cat is in bad shape and sealing mostly gone. Results - epic roar, possible reason for ECU error (leak between O2 probes), and no easy way to fix it. Because Mad Welder cut out other side flange and welded some pipe instead, so big Y after cats is fixed on one arm and no way to replace damaged sealing without rebuild half of exhaust. I put some steel wool with exhaust’s glue into gap of flange, and next pressed all with solid steel band, and is much quiet now. We will see, how long this patch stands, week or year, and if it cancels cat error on ECU. BTW when do you recognize your exhaust is really holed, not leak? When random boys from random, bold and badly customized golf VR6 in front of you gave you thumbs up… 4) LPG system from low shelf, Polish parts (probably any Welsh-Polish LPG workshop, I have seen couple of them in the net). Harsh, hesitates, kick on high revs and under high torque; barely driveable. Before I receive interface for LPG ECU, I checked all vacuum pipes etc. There are plenty of them around V8 and a lot of “fun” to dig into them. I found one pipe loose on stub, one of PVC stiff on age and oil and loose, and one with crack on elbow (it was critical, vacuum for LPG evaporator). After sorted them LPG was much better. With LPG interface – no errors, no drama, I did some fine tuning, nothing critical. But car was still hesitated on high demand, like press the pedal to metal up hill. I ride a bit with LPG monitoring online, and I have literally LOL when I have seen numbers – LPG pressure under heavy load drops faster than Chernobyl cooling system, like bullet train dropped from cliff. So, two options, evaporator too small, or any “orifice” or thin pipe before evaporator. After some consultancy – OMVL evaporator somebody put in the car is good (I used them once or twice last decade), but very experienced friend claims it could reach a range of 280-300HP only on Italian papers. So, to really fix LPG, I need bigger evaporator (or two of them). It is not easy to fit this next to V8 and people wants money for them. So, I stay for the moment with a little hesitated LPG on heavy load, like hard overtake uphill. For normal ride, even motorway overtake, it is fine. But this subject stays on “to do” list. Other minor problem found – oily differential. Not so much oil, but it was nasty surprise, I never see lexus differential in oil; honestly, I did not see oily differential last 15 years in more than 10 cars. It looks non critical, but on “to look at it carefully” list. VSC off don’t bother me, if ABS works, I’m fine. Three of five tires had some problems (cut, bubble, and spare wheel nicknamed “hedgehog”, with so many nails). Normally I put some part worn tyres, but I had no time to look for, 235mm tyres are not very popular size, and GS deserves any gift, so I put four new tyres, some unknown China-made summer-type stuff. I prefer something like Nokians all-weather or similar level, but my wallet said “are you kiddin me?”. I was very pessimistic about those new tyres, but they surprised me positively. I expected no grip, the noise and harsh ride. I have normal ride, normal grip and normal noise level, so, for half of price of Nokian, Continental or Michelin I am happy, for now. Some other minor jobs and modifications: new licence plates; I tinted a bit rear lamps (I like them very much compare to pre-lifting ones, but originally they are too bright against silver for my taste), I put clear side indicators and 6 sensor parking help (“standard” set I put in many cars - 4 rear, 2 front and small LED panel). I bought some rear camera with nice folded screen, but I did not figure out any good spot for screen on dash and not to ruin the feeling of “lexury” and I don’t like to drill and mess with trunk lid for camera and cable. And some “spit and polish” jobs: front lamps in bad shape and it looks like somebody spray them with sort of protector or varnish, so a lot of polishing, and I could still spend a few hours on them. General washing of beige carpets (they were really dirty) mostly successful, but I could spend couple more days to make interior really clean. Some tip painting on worst dents on body and bumper. Some points to think about – to do something with grinded rims, probably some quick cheap paint, as I have no will nor money for pro refurbish, and no time nor will for wrapping wheels myself. And golden badges of this GS430 annoy me, it is “not my kind of porn” definitely. If they annoy me enough there will be some drastic moves – rip them off, paint them silver, or else. After 2000 miles or so over Scottish potholes the suspension knocks for attention. No big drama, I found one front upper arm gone and possible stab links. Some parts ordered, it will be this weekend job I think. Possible next moves, not simple maintenance: LPG evaporator area and bad paint solution (wrapping probably). Some work on audio is possible, like any player connection and some speakers rebuild. Some extension on audio: I am a bit music and audio freak. Car has standard Pioneer set. I could live with Pioneer amplifier, but I don’t like too much Pioneer’s speakers, especially 15yr old. I don’t like so-called Mark Levinson amps and speakers (in my world: Harman-Kardon), so upgrade to MK is not an option. What is an option: if I’ll find a bag of coins, I would swap main or all speakers to good stuff I like, like Scanspeak. Of course, full set for GS from top level of Scanspeak (or similar) could easily cost twice a car value, but they have some slightly cheaper pieces too. Most important question, except cost of good speakers, if I want to mess with boxes and rebuild all doors etc. (it is a lot of design, craft and tuning), or simple bolt off – bolt on some speakers. (Sorry for long post, I like to write, even if I have no clou about grammar)

Then find a mechanic you could trust. Free advices from internet don't substitute somebodys, his or yours, dirty hands and digging under your car.

In my humble opinion, there is no point to compare prices in such "distant" countries like PL and UK, for luxury or "luxury" global products. This is not about cars or prices, but fortunetelling and babling about marketing visions of different departaments of giant corporation. And it is same all around the world, not only Lexus nor automotive (and we look at Apple, becouse why not). If you think other way, you could try to explain me why basic LC500 costs in Poland roughly 30 THOUSANDS POUNDS more than in UK (yes, in UK roughly 80k, in Poland roughly 110k pounds).

Other thought - to exclude malfunction of OBD2 port or ECU, I would ask any toyota/lexus service in the area if they could connect to this LS, and if yes try them once. Even if you have to pay, it is valid informaton about OBD2 port and about misfire. I got same story like 7 years ago with much more exotic, Pontiac with ALDL from 1994, I tried all ALDL converters and all normal opel/vauxhall/daewoo interface I could found, zero results, maybe port broken? next given up. But one day I recognised at some very fashionable and expensive "americans" garage the owner keeps an oldsmobile similar to my pontiac. I jumped in, discussed a bit, guy dug into drawer and brough ancient handheld diagnostics for all old GMs. Next he has connected immediately and brough all details from ECU like modern OBD2. I was proper shocked, with guy comments too "There is a reason this handheld cost, even now, more than this car or my oldsmobile, probably it is last one in whole country". And he was superfriendly and this check was for free.

Short answer, as far as I know it - Toyota used standard OBD2 in theory (OBD2 came in USA 1996, and Toyota implemented OBD2 wholesale), but they modified communication protocol a bit (a timing for handshake between processors, and other details like this). And there is no any modern and popular IC for serial communication which fits this deviation. And nobody has money nor will to produce very special program/processor just for a few old toyotas and lexuses. I don't remeber exactly date, but Toyota changed mind around 2000 something, and fit the "normal" protocol. For example, I could not connect fresh WiFi OBD2 to GS 1998, same box works flawless with GS 2002. Only practical option to connect to elder toyota/lexus is to buy original toyota interface ("cable"), probably second hand and still bloody expensive.

Idea of "keep WiFi for networking, BT for OBD2" sounds valid in theory, but I prefer WiFi OBD2. They work much easier with any device, no more BTs connectivity issues. And WiFi range is better, I could check the OBD2 from home 😉

Try to knock gently not only resonators and silencers for droning sound, but every thermal shield (this thin metal sheets here and there, over the pipes and under the car). Their screws and clips are easy loose a bit after years, especially if anybody works next to them and touches/moves them, and next they could rattle as hell. In fact, I had this problem yesterday, I patched a big leak under GS, car was much quiet now, but she annoyed me immediately with droning (it was masked before by roar of V8). I had to jumped under the car one more time and solid screwed one of the shields.

In my case, "proper damage" is defined as something really bended or torn off. I sort of scratches and dents a bit if they could bring rust or if damage is very visual and home-grown fix is not very risky (like - don't try to paint whole bumper with Halfords spray at parking yard). But don't listen to me, I use such cheap cars I could scrap the car if she annoys me with to much scrapes. But on the other hand, it is easy to comment to other peoples cars damage "pshaw, deal with it", but if it is somebodys beloved dreamcar, it is always a pity. I still remeber first unnecesary damage to my first nice car, the stupid garage door moved by wind before I locked mechanism, and the heavy door barely touch the roof of the car, with deep sharp dent, like after sharp hammer. Not easy to fix and I have seen this [censored] dent daily, next few years...

Thank you for warm welcome

Sad story. I survived a similar storm once, 25y ago. All cars in the area were dented as on pictures, or much worse. All children toys in our yard, solid plastics lying on the sand, were shattered to pieces like by machine guns. Half of houses in the area damaged, especially plastic sidings and windows, and some roofs. And in the middle of massacre my first car, sh...ty small fiat, intact, not a (new) scratch - under very "solid" and leafy tree, which lost all leafs and a few branches, but cover the fiat... But I am with Chris - there is no point to care too much about cars, it could be a storm, a lorry hit, any scratch or bump, etc. If car should be pristine, it belongs to museum, not everyday road. IMHO car on the road shall fit the purpose and feeling of owner/driver, and brings the soul (with MOT 😉 ). My current GS was cheap as chips, so half of painting is pretty good for 16y old, but another half straight form drunken painters party - who cares, she flies everyday and I have a lot of fun.

Great stories! I tell one more, from another time, another country - some moto journalists (sort of lost cousins of Top Gear, let say) put local celebrities into LS first generation, in 2007 or so. To be honest LS was mint, from some club owner. And next they ask celebrities about age and price of LS - average they given half an age and triple or quadruple the price... About lexus reliability, other old joke "after Armaggedon there will be darkness over sea and land, and there will lay dust and ashes, and lexus V8s here and there"

Farqui, I have a couple of stories and thoughts and even I have written them down, but in another language unfortunatelly. But we could try google translator (it is not very bad this way, only mediocre and sometimes epic fails on idioms and jokes): Last entry about GS430 List of so-call-cars entries Webpage about so-call-fleet Britprius, yes GSes are great. I thought of an LS for years, but GSes are more reasonable and better suit us now (we are middle aged couple, our daughters grown adult and move on so even GS rides half empty). The goal could be an old SC400 (I don't like SC430 body too much). But IMVHO there is no such a thing on the market like cheap old SC400 in reasonable condition (even for my low standards). About hybrid and future - we will see. Economy is not critical, last two GSes have LPG, even GS300 on petrol was OK for me. Performance of hybrid is better for sure, but I am not sure if it equals systems and parts "non-serviceable" at scrapyard. But future is bright, LC500 non-hybrid exists 😁

Hi, I am newbie here, but not exactly to lexus. It looks like I stuck last years with Big L, first GS300 1st gen 1996, next GS300 2nd gen 1998, and now GS430 2002. I am too old to be serious, too poor to be proper lexus' owner 😉, too cheap to think about any car other than "is this another comfy bargain barge or not?". I was once a fan of big old fords, next americans, and now of Lexus (GSes by accident). But I admired Lexus all time, and they are pretty good as bargain barges too, no doubts. I am addicted to low cost old scrappy cars and I like the change, so it looks like I owned a 18 or 19 cars last 20 years. And sometimes 6 or 7 at once (but this madness is over). I do my maintenance and DIY last 15 years or so, somehow I don't like professional mechanics 😉 Sometimes I like to talk about cars, life and universe, so I am here. (I am not native speaker and 5 years in Scotland somehow did not improve my accent or grammar, sorry)