Guys

Since I joined the Lexus LS400 scene, I seem to have a growing number of issues as follows..... now its the Electric gremlins turn!

1) Speedo .... about 50% of speedo needle does not light up - gone dark! Issue is with black conductive backing on the needle cracking and loosing current. Also the speedo is suddenly reading about 15-20 mph LESS ..... had to depend on mobile phone Google Maps and the Tacho reading to calculate correct engine speeds and keep within the many speed limits encountered yesterday on a 200 mile round trip.

2) Tacho..... then after first half of trip outwards, the Tacho decides to read ZERO ..... and then burst into life again after 10-20 mins driving..... arghhh!

These are common issues for LS400 cars ........Is there anybody this side of the pond (UK/Europe) who can either supply instrument clusters or will repair/re-condition my own one if I remove/send to them?....or does anybody have a working spare they might sell?

3) Temperature/Air Con./Time+Date Display.... this has also given up the ghost - zero LCD characters...just a blank display! This also seems to be a common problem and the solution appears to be a new replacement RHD Display which may or may not have to re-soldered on the removed display unit ..... definitely on a 90-92 LS400 and unsure whether the 1993-4 LS400 also needs pins to be re-soldered.

Searching eBay etc a replacement RHD version only appears to be available from a supplier in the USA....Anybody any alternative options or sources I could pursue.....

Otherwise the car LS400 runs excellently and achieved fuel economy of 30/31 mpg yesterday on that 200+ miles spin.... which I was well pleased with .

It truly is a car in a different class for its time ....and still is!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Simon hi

Mine too …….. for many years I’ve just learnt to adapt to the electronic nuances of my wondrous cars, adjusting my daily driving life’s experiences to acceptance of these irritants 

Many years ago on an earlier Ls400 I visited a Member here who had the experience to pop my dash dials out and fix them on his kitchen table   Sadly he’s long stopped this activity 

Coz I could do with his assistance now again too on both of mine ……. I’m in deepest darkest Kent and if anyone knows of a likely “ fixer “ do please tell …….. Their skills set would need to actually help me 100% by also removing the dash and the non-working dead screen strip showing the time and temperature whatever ……. things I can live without but would rather get fixed if possible 

we’re in the same boat I’m thinking and I guess many others are too 

Where’s our collective solution to finding the answers please everyone. ? 

Malc 

I'm still having issues with my steering tilt (tried different switches and ECUs) and the backlights for temp displays don't work (despite getting the correct new bulbs and soldering them in) leading to my indie giving up and recommending specialists https://www.autosparkselectricalservices.co.uk/. They are Kent based Malc but I haven't spoken to them yet. You may want to be my guinea pig:0)

I’m thinking there was or maybe still is, a likeminded business physically based nr. Rochester in Kent that might be able to sort out Ls400 “ screen and dial “ issues  🤔

Malc 

Thanks for replies so far guys - my agony aunties!

Had a feeling that there would be no obvious solutions or options to electronic issues in what I call modern classics like the LS400 and other 1990's++ cars 

Malc.... hear what you're saying about accepting these electronic glitches (speedo and tacho works....doesn't work ... oh, working again.....doh!)....it's just that I absolutely HATE certain things not working in a car...and speedometer and tachometer not working is a big "stress point" for me! 

Just a quick question....are Toyota Celsior instrument cluster bits the same as Lexus LS400... could be an option but probably at a much greater cost! 

After spending hours looking at Forum threads in UK and USA, the best options at this stage look to be the following

(a)Remove instrument cluster myself (God help me!).... Find somebody who can recondition/service the LS400 instument cluster - clean stops/paint needles and lubricate correctly.... re-install and hope to hell it works!

(b) Purchase RHD Temp/Time Display from USA supplier and try to fit (or solder) myself.

I'm also involved in 60/70/80's classics (Ford Cortina/Capri) and find the help/support/advice that's available is absolutely brilliant and I'm never stuck for options/solutions/suppliers etc etc regarding issues and problems encountered in solving electrical or mechanical issues on cars that are 50-60 years old - but then  again there are a myriad old Fords out there compared to Lexus LS400's so its to be expected!

So... let's get on with it and share any info or help/advice etc  between the select few! 

 

 

 

Ls400s are remarkable in that we still have them running more or less ok 

Chill and de-stress and learn to live with the slight glitches until we collectively pop up with a realistic solution ……. we really have no choice 

Be HAPPY  😇

Malc 

11 hours ago, Malc1 said:

Member here who had the experience to pop my dash dials out and fix them on his kitchen table   Sadly he’s long stopped this activity 

Chris Vince.    great guy down in Hampshire ….. made a good cuppa too 👍

Malc you

I thought I’d retired but yes I have spare needles and my TC soldering iron station.

If you’re stuck I can repair the cluster and Climate control unit (if you supply the RHD LCD).

The only caveat is that I can no longer test them as I sold my test car!

Ah Steve   You might be the saviour for some of us aged, aged  Lexus owners ……

I’ve got a couple of screen and rev dial issues with my 91 J reg beauty. ……. guess I should write to you specifically on this  👌

My N reg 95 speedo reading jumping about too …….. 

I’ll compile a separate note if I may ☝️ 

Malc 

Yes of course Malc, drop me a message.

Steve. Thank you. I’ve dropped you a “ short “ note on these idiosyncrasies on my 91 J. reg car 

on WhatsApp. Ok ! 
Malc 

Steve..... Thank you for offering...... will try to seek out LCD Display..... and when I do I will contact you to set something up if I'm still stuck in my Lexus depression mode!

Top guy!

Simon

I have bought a series 1 '94 LS400 and need someone with the skill to get a couple of the displays, the digital clock and display beside it have lights on but no display. The main screen needs a couple of needles replace. Is there anyone who does this work?

It looks like we are all in the same boat. I have a series 1 '94 and need work done on temp. screen, needle replaced etc. but not skilled to remove these. Would love to get them fixed. I hear what you are saying Malc but I am like Simon, hate to have small things not working. 

 

Any help appreciated.

Hi Steve,

Can you give me a contact number please as I may need to have a chat about what you offer and what I may need to do. my email is [email protected]