Boot Lid & Tilt Motor Questions

[exsentric]

Hope someone can help me with these things

One, the boot lid on my recent acquisition ( ls 430- 2003 reg) is baffling me - the release button on the dash unlocks ok, but if I dont run like the clappers and lift it, the confounded thing locks again!

I put the key in that little button thing between the boot release and fuel door release and tried it both pushed in and out - seems to make no difference. Only had the car 6 days and the boot's bitten my fingers already!

Another thing that occurs to me, I now own a car that does everything bar cooking a gourmet meal, yet I have to lift the boot lid manually ( and it's no featherweight!) isn't the lid meant to open of it's own accord once the release is pushed?? Or am I expecting too much?

Two, can anyone tell me the best place/way to acquire a replacement steering wheel tilt motor.

I've taken mine out and taken the motor to bits, but it's knackered - which I have gleaned is a fairly common situation. I've put the motor back, set in a position that suits me, but would really like to sort it properly.

Just remember when replying, I'm a new member so am allowed to ask a few stupid questions till I get the hand of???? Be gentle with me!!

Richard

[Maduggo]

Hiya and welcome.

Tilt motor, you can sort a new mortgage and get new one from lexus, or maybe try a scrapper, a scrapper though may not be in any better condition then what you have currently got.

Boot lid does not fully open, would be nice.

It could be hard to open fully as the boot struts maybe worn and need replacing, mine do and the lid is quite heavy and im no weakling, it also drops when you least expect it due to the struts being worn and unable to hold the weight.

When the open boot lever is pulled, below right of the steering wheel, the boot should just pop up a small amount and stay there, then you lift it manually, the same should happen when you press the boot release button on the keyfob.

If it is closing when you press the button to open then i think it may not be opening enough, the boot lid auto closes when you get it quite close to the shut position as do the doors.

[exsentric]

Thanks for your swift response.

Seems things are much as I feared. I called at the local dealer and priced new struts for the boot lid - they also require a mortgage - around £150 a piece! So I resorted to e-Bay and got a pair for £54 ( not official Lexus ones of course) but they made no difference at all so I now have a spare pair ready for when and if I need them. Just have to build up some muscle - and remember not to lift it by the bottom edge!! Still find it hard to believe on a car otherwise so loaded with gadgetry??

Valid point about the tilt motor - so might have to live with that too, at least until I come up on the lottery and since I never buy a ticket...........

All that said I'm delighted with the car - money well spent in my book.

Thanks again.

Richard

[Maduggo]

I'm going to source some of them eBay stuts for my boot lid, the 400 model has a similar issue on the bonnet when the struts start to fail.

Members have used a couple of sources for replacements, i don't know if they have regretted buying non lexus ones, they have not mentioned it, so i assume all is good.

I think one source is http://www.sgs-engineering.com/car-boot-tailgate?gclid=CKO_poqymr8CFeyWtAodO1cA6Q

[Malc]

Just used SGS for replacement gas struts for my Mazda 323F rear window. Not in their portfolio ( BG model, car too old 1994 ) so they had the old ones sent to them and made new copies to fit .... and they do....... and the same price as the later model one's too.

And a 2 year warranty. The old couldn't be re-gassed, they had snapped, fatigue, on the irretrievable ball joint and had to be replaced.

Not bad, BUT they took a bit longer to sort them than they initially told me but all's ok now.

Malc

[exsentric]

Glad you're sorted Malc.

I'm still chewing on this boot lift thing. I accept the manufacturers never installed a self lifting set-up, but seems to me a modification should be possible. I think I might be losing some sleep on this one!!

Richard

[bookend]

The boot lid should pop up enough so it won't self close on the motor.

It sounds like somthing may need adjusting. How far is it opening when you press the button?

[exsentric]

Been playing with it and it does pop up and stay every time now so I'm coming to the conclusion that when it tried to bite my fingers off I must have pressed it down enough to trigger the closing action. Lesson learned - don't lift by bottom edge!.

Still can't work out exactly how the internal release switch system works, I pull the switch and hear some sort of action from the rear, but when I get round there it's still locked - unless of course I have the key on me! Maybe that's how it's supposed to work, but that means I can't leave the boot unlocked for any second or third party who has no key to use?

None of this is a really big issue, but first time I've had a car of this complexity so it's going to take me some time to sort out all the cans and can'ts with it.

Many thanks to all for your input.

Richard

[bookend]

Get some one to operate the internal release while you stand at the back.

It should pop up and need manually from there.

[Maduggo]

Been playing with it and it does pop up and stay every time now so I'm coming to the conclusion that when it tried to bite my fingers off I must have pressed it down enough to trigger the closing action. Lesson learned - don't lift by bottom edge!.

Still can't work out exactly how the internal release switch system works, I pull the switch and hear some sort of action from the rear, but when I get round there it's still locked - unless of course I have the key on me! Maybe that's how it's supposed to work, but that means I can't leave the boot unlocked for any second or third party who has no key to use?

None of this is a really big issue, but first time I've had a car of this complexity so it's going to take me some time to sort out all the cans and can'ts with it.

Many thanks to all for your input.

Richard

Wait till you start finding things you didn't know it had, trays in the front seats for example, found a first aid kit in mine after months of ownership.

[exsentric]

Stone me - so there is Chris! can't find a first aid kit though - nor any hidden stash of cash. Most disappointed!!

[cruisermark]

talking of money - have you looked under and inbetween the seats

[exsentric]

No, but I'm going to now!!! Knowing my luck though, the last owner will have been closely related to Ebenezer Scrooge.