SimonT2

Many thanks for your advice Colin. Did have gearbox fluid changed at Lexus dealer Summer 2004 but will try your angle of diconnecting the battery for 5 minutes. Many thanks again Regards SimonT2

:mat: Am very pleased with my 1997 LS 400 (with Sat Nav mind !!) with 163K miles on the clock but recently noticed if I am slow in traffic and then put my foot down get an unpleasant jolt happening - seeming coming from the automatic transmission before car picks up speed and powers away. Does anyone know why I get this jolt (like a bad gear change on a manual car) and what needs doing about it (as if I could afford to have it repaired !! ) Also putting car in to have new front brake discs - what should I ask the mechanic to check out on the front suspension while the front wheels are off?? i.e. what normally needs replacing with a car this age - new bushes etc Many thanks in advance SimonT2

Hope you can help me? Occaisionally start getting creaking/suspension type noises coming from front of my Lexus 400 1997 Mark IV? Am pleased to have Mark IV but it has done a lot of miles - 168K Seems to come on when the car is warmed up after a long run. When I take it out again and it is cold - noise not there? What do you think it could be? creaking noise - thought at one stage might have something caught in the brake but tinkling noise/creaking like a spring ?? Any thoughts much appreciated ? Regards SimonT2

Finally got my hands on my new car on last Saturday - R reg - Mark IV Lexus 400 . 162K miles on the clock but all I could afford. Struts have been replaced and last owner said he had the cambelt changed about 10k ago but could Moderators tell me whether this model has anything else to watch out for in the coming months. Many thanks - SimonT2

Many thanks for all your advice - I will inwardly digest and start trawling round the garages (What about a grey import - quite like those V8 Soarers - £5K for a 99 reg -that what I call value!!) Kind Regards SimonT2

Dear Colin Many thanks for such a quick and to the point reply. I read somewhere with Lexus it was better to get the newest car regardless of miles rather than an old car with few miles but you seem to think the fewer miles on the clock the better?? Regards SimonT2

Dear Moderator/Colin Barber/Greybeard In all your vast vast experience - what is the best, most reliable, trouble-free, cost free, noiseless LS 400/430?? I have £10K to spend max and I don't want leaking power steering problems; water pumps that fail, seat heaters that fail, etc etc. Should I wait for the new LS 400 coming out in 2005 (so current LS 430 falls in price and buy one of these??) What in your opinion is the best LS - the Mark IV with a VVTI engine or a Mark III When did Lexus finally stop fitting leaking power steering pump for example?? Look forward to reading your answers Regards SimonT2

As a newbie - many thanks for help in solving problems with my Mark III 400 - (got seat memory working/stalling problem cracked - cleaned out valve throttle) only thing I can't seem to solve is why the heated seats don't work. Fuse is OK - the lights come on when the buttons are pressed but no heat. It is unlike Lexus to have something which just breaks - without a reason. Is there a separate fuse under each seat for example ?? Has anyone else had same problem Would be grateful for any ideas ?????????????????? Many thanks in advance - Regards SimonT

Has anyone had the problem of hot stalling - say on the A1 - come to a roundabout and Lexus 400 Mark III stalls - have to put it in neutral - turn key and then it goes all right until next roundabout. Am told it might be some sort of throttle potentiometer?? - has two bolts which connects it to engine casing - costs £184??? Anyone heard of this gizmo? Other minor problem I have is that can't get two front seat heaters working - checked fuses - seem OK - are there any specific fuses under the seats - lights come on when you push the buttons on the dash but no heat ??? Also how does the rear seat cushion come out?? New Member??/ Please help - any ideas anyone ??? Simon T2

I had exactly same problem with my Lexus 400 Mark III ie water collecting in the tyre well (collecting !!! - it was full). I asked my Lexus garage Parts Department and they said it was common problem and I needed to buy new rubber seal right round boot - it was £75 but sure enough it solved the problem immediately because like you I had looked everywhere else for a solution. Seems the rubber seal distorts over time with the boot lid forcing it flat and then it lets the water in. Regards SimonT2

Has anyone had the problem of hot stalling - say on the A1 - come to a roundabout and Lexus 400 Mark III stalls - have to put it in neutral - turn key and then it goes all right until next roundabout. Am told it might be some sort of throttle potentiometer?? - has two bolts which connects it to engine casing - costs £184??? Anyone heard of this gizmo? Other minor problem I have is that can't get two front seat heaters working - checked fuses - seem OK - are there any specific fuses under the seats - lights come on when you push the buttons on the dash but no heat ??? Also how does the rear seat cushion come out?? New Member??/ Please help - any ideas anyone ??? Simon T2