Razor61

Ok, so I discussed this situation with one of the mechanics at Lexus Bolton. Good news maybe on the diagnostics side but bad news on the symptoms of the problem. First, they still have the diagnostics equipment to connect to a 95 Lexus LS400 and read the engine/transmission codes so I would guess a Lexus dealership in Spain would maybe have the same. I explained the symptoms, gearbox work/rebuild and the golden colour ATF (probably Mercedes ATF) Solenoid issues are possible but not likely because there is no forward drive at all. Opinion is the clutch pack/plates are the problem (maybe other parts as well, who knows) and using the wrong ATF has ‘destroyed’ the gearbox/clutch pack/plates. Transmission rebuild or replacement needed - this is the opinion of the Lexus mechanic. Forward gears are driven through the clutches, reverse is driven by a gear assembly which fits with the symptoms of the clutch pack/plates being at fault.

2-change transmission oil, because the one you have is not ATF due to color and smell, ATF is cherry red, this one is gold, I think the previous owner did Mercedes transmission oil I think you have figured out why the ATF is not cherry red as it should be for Toyota/Lexus, I watch the YouTube channel below, SPR Autos - Mercedes Specialist, when they drain the Transmission the fluid it is a golden colour so I think you are correct. I think Mercedes use mostly Gold coloured ATF but also use Red ATF, depending the model/transmission/year.

I'm not sure it will connect and read the codes on OBD1. I will be at the Lexus Dealer later to pickup my wife's IS250 after MOT and Service so will ask what is needed to read the transmission codes on a LS400 94-97. Link to Lexus Intelligent Tester 2 information: Toyota Intelligent Tester 2 Dealer level Diagnostics IT2 - Pro Auto Diagnostics

Have a look at the link below, this is maybe what you need. It looks more of a 'monitoring' tool than a code reader but may read codes as well. From what I can see. it is a module with Bluetooth, bare wires to wire into a diagnostics plug, TOYOBD1 software on a tablet to read the data from the car. OBD1READ with Bare wires

I know there is, or was, a Toyota handheld scanner/code reader, maybe the Toyota/Lexus workshop still have one that will work and will let you use it? I remember seeing one of these for sale a while ago, I’ll find more information about the scanner, part number etc., and post it here or message you.

Eso será un problema, el sistema OBD1 y tal vez solo un concesionario Lexus/Toyota tenga el equipo correcto para comunicarse.

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Do you mean the button in the picture, Shift Lock Override? If that's the button you mean, I do use it now and again on the drive to move the car back without starting the engine.

Hasta donde yo sé, su modelo LS400 Serie 2 o MK3 no tiene un botón de 'overdrive' y por lo tanto no tiene una luz de 'overdrive'. Para los códigos de transmisión/caja de cambios necesitará Toyota Techstream o un equipo de diagnóstico compatible. 89-94 LS400

I did a post about doing the rear brakes on my LS400 recently and it includes the extract below from the manual for ‘settling parking brake shoes and discs’ or ‘bedding in’, maybe it’s the same for the LS430. https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/148138-ls400-rear-brakes/

This Car Care Nut video on YouTube may help, he's replacing the complete power steering system including the pump, he removes the radiator (for more room to remove the pump) and loosens the condenser so the pipework can be taken out.

My memory is working again and I think the lights on the boot are only the rear fog lights and reverse lights not side lights as well but if someone can check and confirm it I would be grateful🙂 Son in law maybe took the photo when I had the rear fogs on and I probably checked all this a while ago and forgot, the memory isn’t what it was and takes a while to warm up and function🤣

After taking those photos, no lights on the boot and I think there should be when the sidelights are on. I seem to remember on my 95 LS400 there were lights on the boot lit when the side lights were on. When I had the 95 LS400 my son in law ended up following me down the M66 early one morning, took a picture and sent it to me, he was the passenger, and I vaguely remember lights on the boot. Can’t find the pic now though. Some investigation needed at the weekend maybe. Could someone confirm whether the lights on the boot should illuminate with the side lights on please? When I was checking and sorting the initial ‘no brake lights issue’ the boot was open so didn’t look at the boot lid lights while testing etc.

Side lights on Brake lights on

It’s more cost effective for the manufacturer to have the same wiring loom and fittings for all models/configurations and just not use some of the wiring/functionality rather than manufacture different wiring looms and fittings for each model/configuration. In this case I think it’s the Lamp Failure Module that is internally configured differently and some other bits maybe, cheaper to have different Lamp Failure Modules and other smaller bits than different wiring looms and light fittings. A member on here checked his rear side lights and stop lights, pictures weren’t great but good enough in the end to prove it was the same as my car so that was it for me. This was after a few days of chasing my tail with a power probe, multimeter, examining wiring diagrams and a lot of head scratching and frustration. I got obsessed with an ‘issue’ that in reality didn’t exist.

MOT test states for the relevant bits: Front and rear position lamps Vehicles must have 2 front and 2 rear position lamps, except for tricycles or quadricycles that are less than 1,300mm wide. Stop Lamps must have 2 stop lamps, one on each side. Stop lamps exceptions similar to the position lamps, less than 1,300mm wide etc. Maybe it's the number of lamps that is the issue, it doesn't state 'at least' 2 lamps so maybe it 'has' to be 2.

I thought the same thing but didn't know how it would affect the Lamp Failure Sensor module, different part number for USA spec Lamp Failure Sensor module as opposed to Europe spec. I guess for the USA spec the 'internal' configuration is different, maybe a USA 'spec' Lamp Failure Sensor module would fit and all the lights would work. As to why they are different, maybe there is some EU law about how bright/how many lights are allowed on the rear of a vehicle - it wouldn't surprise me.

For my 98 LS400 I figured out that although dual filament bulbs are fitted, 5w/21w, both filaments are not used - either the 5w filament or 21w filament is used depending on where it is. Your lights work the same as mine and is normal as far as I can see. I think in the USA they were wired to use all of the filaments and looked very pretty across the car but the UK cars (at least mine) are not configured this way, that's the conclusion I came to anyway. See this for the whole story, its started with no brakes lights after doing some other work which sent me on the wrong fault finding path. Anyway, in the end it was 1 or 2 blown bulbs, plus one of bulbs which was a single filament bulb forced into dual filament socket.

I'm pretty sure fan/aux belt 'idler pulley no1' comes with the aux/fan belt tensioner as one assembly.

My mistake, I did look at both sides to see if the price was the same so must have done the screen shot of the lh side instead.

From Amayama the cushion itself is £123 plus £40 shipping plus import duty/tax. That's assuming it's the correct bit/part number you need.

I think £89.99 for a used camera, assuming it's good and working, is a bargain 🤣 Compared to a Lexus genuine new one which is £999.37 from Lexus Parts Direct.......yes £999.37 😬 and around £400 plus other costs from Amayama in Japan.

According the manual it's in the engine bay.

Maybe it only applies to the Mk4 wheels.

In case anyone is looking for 'ultra' slimline wheel balancing weights for their LS400 there is an Ebay link below to buy some, I've just purchased some. Reason is the standard LS400 alloy wheels are designed for knock on weights on the outer rim which looks cr@p and you wouldn't want them on newly refurbished wheels/rims, I wouldn't. Trouble is, on the front, the gap between the inside of the rim (where the stick-on weights need to go) is very close to the caliper so the normal thickness of stick-on weights are too thick, foul the caliper (not by a massive amount but enough) and cannot be used. Normal thickness is 4 & 5 mm but I've found some which are 2.2 mm thick and should do the job nicely. I contacted the seller about some other 'slim' weights, explained the situation and they told me about these 'ultra' slim line weights they sell and sent me the item number. Of course these need to be supplied to the tyre fitting company so they can use them and will cost you more but this only applies to the front wheels or rears if you plan to do some wheel rotation. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/273966106818