Paul Brooksbank

Thank you very much. That makes sense having looked at it.

My neighbour had his Nissan X Trail brought home last week in a recovery truck, his serpentine belt had snapped on the motorway. Anyway, I picked a new belt up for him the next day and fitted it in about half an hour. The Nissan has a tensioner pulley that you move against spring pressure using a spanner, very easy. This prompted me to take a look at mine and I was surprised to see only one little belt between the crankshaft pulley and the water pump, but I can't see any mechanism for tensioning the belt. Anybody done one?

Could it be possible that water has entered one of the brake lines? Freezing and thawing, thus allowing for the failure then reinstatement of the braking.

It's quite common in saloon cars. There's no air flow in that spot. Try wedging some tissue paper along the bottom to soak it up.

The reluctor rings on the Rover and Smart cars used to crack. This caused a gap in the teeth that threw up a spike in the reading going into the sensor. Essentially, the sensor is a proximity sensor that reacts to each tooth passing it, setting up an "on/off" signal, or sine wave similar to a DC current reading. Any difference in the sine wave indicates to the system that the wheel is locking up or spinning, thus activating the ABS. The trick on the Smart was relatively simple in that you removed the broken ring, cleaned up the hub, then fitted the ring back with epoxy resin, holding it in place (closed) until it set. Then give it a light coat of Hammerite and all was good. If this link works, it gives the instructions https://www.evilution.co.uk/?s=Reluctor+rings

Because you're still angry, and rightly so! 😁

If you're handy, you could rub the clear coat down with wet and dry, then spray it with clear lacquer, unless of course the actual carbon fibre has shattered. Otherwise, as above, wrap it. There's a really good supplier in Stoke, take a look at their stock and instruction videos. You can make all sorts of parts using their kits. Easy Composites, Longton. https://www.easycomposites.co.uk/

I can still send it to you Eric, I'm not really bothered if you can't find the fault. Since fitting the replacement I haven't had time to strip out the PCB and photograph the IC's as everything else seems to have gotten in the way. If you PM me your address I'll get it sent to you, it doesn't matter how long you take. It does beg the question as to whether it's worth repairing though as my replacement only cost me £199 and the other units for sale on Ebay and ACD Lexus breakers in Oswaldtwistle haven't shifted in months. However, even if you only ascertain what's blowing up to help anybody else with the issue, it'll be worth looking at.

It's tuned in now and working perfectly. The manual shows the same message in the screen shots too. 😁

Some good news at last. I saw a radio on Ebay at a breakers in London, the model number was one up from mine, an 86130 53172, mine is the 53171, the other number is NXF-9038ZT2, the original being NXF-9038 ZT. I took a punt on it as he only wanted £199 posted and it arrived yesterday. I've just pulled the two amplifier fuses, radio, ECU Acc and IG1 to deaden all circuits and fitted it. I then switched all the lights on and reinstalled the fuses. There was a nervy moment when one of the amplifier fuses drew a spark though, but it works! I've got everything back except DAB tuning, it says "No Signal" which is strange as the pre programmed stations work! Weird, but I can live with that. 😁 All the vehicle settings I had were retained, as were the phone book entries, even though I didn't transfer the contacts list. Out of interest, Lexus wanted £6200 for a replacement unit, but offered £3100 back if I exchanged the faulty one! That's funny, as she started off by claiming they can't be repaired. I'll also be trying a small claims court against Lexus, I can only lose £30 after all.

Do you mean to tell me I've got headlights? 😁

Which ones did you fit?

It's also got a breakdown warrant, should that be a search warrant? 😂

The wing mirror indicator unit is sealed but detaches from the housing as a separate unit with its own two pin plug connector. It simply slots in at the bottom and is then held in place when you fit the cover back. However, buying the light unit might be difficult, call Lexus Parts Direct in Swindon.

Do poly bushes still need regular lubrication?

Lock them in the shed at home. 😂

It'd probably be easier to take the rear seat out and stick the bike in the boot!

I've got the red interior in my white IS300 F Sport. Everyone likes it and I've never had a negative comment. I've never had a problem keeping out looking good either.

I've banned eating, children and well, just about everyone from my car. The mother in law has dandruff so I get her a taxi and pay for it from her own bank account! 😂 Seriously though, knocking bits through the holes lets them drop into the air channels in the cushion. You'd have to remove the seat to clear them.

Well, I've spoken to Lexus Stoke and according to them, and I suspect they're lying, it's never happened before when they've changed a 12 volt battery and it's my fault for changing my battery on my own car. I don't recall signing a contract when I paid for the car outright, on the day I collected it, that stated that it was still their property! I'll be sourcing my own replacement and referencing the numerous posts on this forum regarding the on going issues to take to a small claims court.

Real carbon fibre should be thoroughly impregnated with clear epoxy resin. It shouldn't be affected. Of however a milky surface does develop it can be polished off with cutting compound. I believe Carbon Composites and their sister company Easy Composites sell a black cutting compound.

Exactly my experience. I reckon the guy in Byfleet, Cartronics, was going to source a second hand one and charge me £1810.00. I can't see a repair possibly costing virtually as much as the brand new item in 2013.

When I'm sorted I'll be willing to send mine. Obviously, if Lexus chip in and want it back I'll have to comply, but if they don't and I end up paying for my own second hand unit, it'll be doing the rounds. I don't mind if the three of them pass it around for their research. If they fix it economically I'll pay them for their time.

My source is Tom at Car Audio Repairs in New Mills, Derbyshire. He's highly rated but doubted he could help for that very reason. I also emailed Pioneer UK, but they claim they don't support units made specifically for a car manufacturer. Now, that I CAN'T believe.

I've tried three repair shops and none of them are confident. Pioneer will not supply the testing and repair instructions after Lexus threatened court action. It's all a big quango.