steve2006

If you are supplying 16 LEDs off a 12vdc supply they will not work in series because each LED needs on average ( depends on type) 1.6-2.0 volts to operate so connecting more than 6 in series will not allow enough voltage to each one for it to work plus you will need a current limiting resistor which will reduce the voltage further. The recommended method is to put them inparallel each with its own resistor, the resistor value is dependent on the type of LED and its supply current requirements ( normally around 20mA) Below is a calculator to work out the value of the resistor. http://ledz.com/?p=zz.led.resistor.calculator

The central cloaking on mine works fine, I press a button and the car becomes invisible just like the Klingon Bird of Prey in Star Trek Seriously is the alarm system after market or the original Lexus fitted system? There have been problems with the switch on the end of the lock barrel and another is the courtesy light door switch ( open the driver's door and push it in and out and see if the interior light comes on when it should).

Subject: The Most Expensive Disasters in History --- At - 11. Titanic - $150 Million The sinking of the Titanic is possibly the most famous accident in the world. But it doesn't quite make the list of top 10 most expensive, and is here because of its historical prominence. On April 15, 1912, the Titanic sank on its maiden voyage and was considered to be the most luxurious ocean liner ever built. Over 1,500 people lost their lives when the ship ran into an iceberg and sunk in frigid waters. The ship cost $7 million to build ($150 million in today's dollars). 10. Tanker Truck vs Bridge - $358 Million On August 26, 2004, a car collided with a tanker truck containing 32,000 liters of fuel on the Wiehltal Bridge in Germany . The tanker crashed through the guardrail and fell 90 feet off the A4 Autobahn resulting in a huge explosion and fire which destroyed the load-bearing ability of the bridge. Temporary repairs cost $40 million and the cost to replace the bridge is estimated at $318 Million. 9. MetroLink Crash - $500 Million On September 12, 2008, in what was one of the worst train crashes in California history, 25 people were killed when a Metrolink commuter train crashed head-on into a Union Pacific freight train in Los Angeles. It is thought that the Metrolink train may have run through a red signal while the conductor was busy text messaging. Wrongful death lawsuits are expected to cause $500 million in losses for Metrolink. 8. B-2 Bomber Crash - $1.4 Billion Here we have our first billion dollar accident (and we're only #7 on the list). This B-2 stealth bomber crashed shortly after taking off from an air base in Guam on February 23, 2008. Investigators blamed distorted data in the flight control computers caused by moisture in the system. This resulted in the aircraft making a sudden nose-up move which made the B-2 stall and crash. This was 1 of only 21 ever built and was the most expensive aviation accident in history. Both pilots were able to eject to safety. 7. Exxon Valdez - $2.5 Billion The Exxon Valdez oil spill was not a large one in relation to the world's biggest oil spills, but it was a costly one due to the remote location of Prince William Sound (accessible only by helicopter and boat). On March 24, 1989, 10.8 million gallons of oil was spilled when the ship's master, Joseph Hazelwood, left the controls and the ship crashed into a Reef. The cleanup cost Exxon $2.5 billion. 6. Piper Alpha Oil Rig - $3.4 Billion The world's worst off-shore oil disaster. At one time, it was the world's single largest oil producer, spewing out 31,000 barrels of oil per day. On July 6, 1988, as part of routine maintenance, technicians removed and checked safety valves which were essential in preventing dangerous build-up of liquid gas. 100 identical safety valves were checked. Unfortunately, the technicians made a mistake and forgot to replace one of them. At 10 PM that same night, a technician pressed a start button for the liquid gas pumps and the world's most expensive oil rig accident was set in motion. Within 2 hours, the 300 foot platform was engulfed in flames. It eventually collapsed, killing 167 workers and resulting in $3.4 Billion in damages. 5. Challenger Explosion - $5.5 Billion The Space Shuttle Challenger was destroyed 73 seconds after takeoff on January 28, 1986 due to a faulty O-ring. It failed to seal one of the joints, allowing pressurized gas to reach the outside. This in turn caused the external tank to dump its payload of liquid hydrogen causing a massive explosion. The cost of replacing the Space Shuttle was $2 billion in 1986 ($4.5 billion in today's dollars). The cost of investigation, problem correction, and replacement of lost equipment cost $450 million from 1986-1987 ($1 Billion in today's dollars). 4.. Prestige Oil Spill - $12 Billion On November 13, 2002, the Prestige oil tanker was carrying 77,000 tons of heavy fuel oil when one of its twelve tanks burst during a storm off Galicia, Spain. Fearing that the ship would sink, the captain called for help from Spanish rescue workers, expecting them to take the ship into harbour. However, pressure from local authorities forced the captain to steer the ship away from the coast. The captain tried to get help from the French and Portuguese authorities, but they too ordered the ship away from their shores. The storm eventually took its toll on the ship resulting in the tanker splitting in half and releasing 20 million gallons oil into the sea. According to a report by the Pontevedra Economist Board, the total cleanup cost $12 billion. 3. Space Shuttle Columbia - $13 Billion The Space Shuttle Columbia was the first space-worthy shuttle in NASA's orbital fleet. It was destroyed during re-entry over Texas on February 1, 2003 after a hole was punctured in one of the wings during launch 16 days earlier. The original cost of the shuttle was $2 Billion in 1978. That comes out to $6.3 Billion in today's dollars. $500 million was spent on the investigation, making it the costliest aircraft accident investigation in history. The search and recovery of debris cost $300 million. In the end, the total cost of the accident (not including replacement of the shuttle) came out to $13 Billion according to the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. 2. Chernobyl - $200 Billion On April 26, 1986, the world witnessed the costliest accident in history. The Chernobyl disaster has been called the biggest socio-economic catastrophe in peacetime history. 50% of the area of Ukraine is in some way contaminated. Over 200,000 people had to be evacuated and resettled while 1.7 million people were directly affected by the disaster. The death toll attributed to Chernobyl, including people who died from cancer years later, is estimated at 125,000. The total costs including cleanup, resettlement, and compensation to victims has been estimated to be roughly $200 Billion. The cost of a new steel shelter for the Chernobyl nuclear plant will cost $2 billion alone. The accident was officially attributed to power plant operators who violated plant procedures and were ignorant of the safety requirements needed. And now for Number 1.... 1. Gordon Brown - $300 Billion since he came to power Since he came to power Gordon Brown has spent £300 Billion (c.$450 billion) with soaring public spending mainly wasted on inflation busting wage rises and non existent jobs, together with propping up the banks in the ailing economy which, let's not forget, he also presided over as Chancellor.. He also managed to sell the bulk of the UK's gold reserves right at the bottom of the market. What an arrogant *****. He’s the most expensive freeloader in British political history ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOW I'D LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT THE EMAILS I FORWARD TO YOU DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT MY VIEWS - BUT SOMETIMES IT'S HARD TO DISAGREE !!!!! AND BROWN IS SUCH A CHARMLESS NERD THAT HE DOESN'T HELP HIMSELF.

If you have a few days there get the hotel to book you a taxi for half a day and the driver will take you on a "city" tour, then include the palm and the beach road, they will stop wherever you want them to and wait for you, even take the pictures for you. Some hotels provide courtesy shuttle buses to the beach and malls and will arrange transfers to and from the airport Dubai is suffering from the recession just like everywhere else so haggle the price ( normal proceedure over there). There are loads of shops and upmarket malls. If you want to visit the 6/7 star hotels you have to book in advance and pay just to go in but the cost sometimes includes a drink or you have to spend a certain amount whilst in there. Most of the hotels sell alcohol to tourists but expect to pay £5-8 for a bottle. There is also a "pecking order" when it comes to service the "locals" come 1st normally followed by "europeans" so don't get upset if a Sheik pushes in front of you or is offered service before you even if you are in front in the queue. As regards swimming "mixed" bathing even with a married partner is frowned upon.

Also check the heater flow valve which is situated on the rear engine bulkhead behind the intake manifold/plenem chamber. There should be a plastic cover on it and once removed you will see the valve. With the heater on check that both the inlet and outlet hoses are the same temperature if the outlet is cooler try opening the valve manually or get someone in the car to reduce and increase the temp and see if it activates the valve. Another thing worth checking, the outside temperature display is it accurate? If not this could confuse the system.

Excellent result, don't tell me the coil HT lead to the distributor on the passenger side was the damaged lead as it passed through the hole in the upper cambelt cover and the rubber grommit was missing?

Whether it's a similar setup on the GS I don't know but on the LS worn transmission mounts can cause this and the rubber coupling on the propshaft gives this effect.

Hi, Welcome to the LOC. Was everything OK before you changed the exhaust system? Is the Engine Management Light on? Does it rev to the red line when in neutral?Is it changing up through the gears OK,does the transmission kick down when you floor the throttle pedal? Sorry for all the questions but we need a little more to go on here diagnostics over the internet are not easy at the best of times.

Cheers Steve, Only one problem how do I send a PM ? Dave Click on this link http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?act=members enter benfur in the members name box click on GO then left click benfur (underlined) a dropdown will appear click on "send message" write message and send.

You could sent a PM to benfur ( Maurice) as he breaks LS400's and may have one. Also they appear on Fleabay from time to time.

Some good news I contacted the seller by email ( the wheels belonged to his brother who doesn't have an Fleabay account) and he was very apologetic as this defect was unnoticed ( I must admit I didn't see it until I cleaned it) and they have refunded me £40.00 which I am hoping will cover the repair.The guy even had the wheels professionally refurbed before selling them and even they didn't see the dent!! Next question is does anyone know where I can get the repair done in the Notts/Derbys/Leics area, I have found a place at Melton Mowbray but closer would be nice. I even considered at one point getting a piece of wood shaping it to the curve of the rim and belting it with a hammer to see if it would straighten out but dismissed the idea out of safety concerns and knocking a piece out the rim so will go professional.

You're so clever Richard. Also for Q2 it could never have been done unless there was a hole cut out the fuel tank as it sits behind the rear seat ( don't try this at home!!)

Got the wheels last night courtesy of a workmate who was passing Swindon, the seller had nicely wrapped them up individually in bubblewrap so I had a quick glance last night and put them in the garage for the night. If you have seen them on Fleabay you will know they look excellent, now I have them in the metal so to speak they appear to have been professionally refubished as there was still masking tape on the metal valves but the inner sides needed a good clean. Armed with my newly purchased "Award winning alloy wheel cleaner kit" I set about cleaning and they were coming up like new only to find on the last wheel there was a dented inner rim where it meets the tyre beading. The tyre hasn't lost pressure but I think this needs sorting before I replace the tyre. I have contacted the seller to try and get something towards the work required as it would be uneconomical to take them back plus I've spent hours cleaning and polishing them. This is what happens when you are born on Friday the 13th!!!! Oh well wait and see

Try a PM to Maurice ( benfur) he normally has some parts.

It's all seems good for Lexus dealers tonight! To find your service history they normally need your VIN and possibly some proof of ownership. BTW how much did you pay for the Type IV ATF? When I got mine a few weeks ago I went to Lexus Derby and thought it was taking a while only to be told that he had to go to the Toyota dealer across the forecourt as they only had 5 litres on the shelf and "borrowed" the other five!

We don't have all these problems on the LS400s the front wheels face the direction of travel and the rear wheels follow the fronts simples!!

So nice isn't it? I only use Lexus Derby for the odd part now and again but it is always the same, greeted by the lush receptionist as you walk in along the plush carpet, taken to a nice leather chair, "Would like like a drink sir? Sean the parts manager will be with you shortly" Sean duly arrives takes my order,returns back with it and to save me having to move brings the chip and pin machine to me to pay then always has 5 minutes to chat. I wonder if they will get me a taxi there and back next time!

Well after yet another British winter with the salt on the roads my chrome alloys are not getting any better. After pricing the cost of refurbishing them I decided to look for some suitable replacements. With me having nearly new tyres fitted I did not want to go to the expense of buying tyres to fit new rims so needed some wide ones to take the present tyre set up ( rears 255-40-17 fronts 235-45-17) and finally came up with these on Fleabay. Two have nearly new tyres on so I may either leave them on ( depending on make and quality) and just swop the other two tyres over from mine or if they are budget brand sell them back on Fleabay. My old rims may also go on Fleabay as they are. After my last attempt with new wheels ( chrome ones for which I got some stick on here! lol) I am hoping these meet with everyones approval. BTW although they look chromed in the pictures I am assured they are not. Anyway have a look and make your comments. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...%3D1&_rdc=1

Open the box or take the money? Phone a friend or ask the forum? They do some nice Lexus Jackets/coats. Depends on what you are looking for something personal or something for the car. Or you could donate the prize and let me have my car filled ( almost) up!!!!!!

Very common, take the boot seal off clean it & around it , run a bead of silicone sealent around the metal lip replace the seal & all should be well. Cheers lads I'll try both just to be safe Look you have PMd me 3 times asking about the Koi carp, pondlights and water feature but now you are saying that you are going to fix the leak do you want these fish or what!!!!lol

Hello, Welcome to the LOC. I am sorry to hear of the problems you have with your LS. Firstly with the wiring loom being damaged was it all checked for damage in the area where the starter motor cables were as there could be other unseen damage to adjacent looms. You don't have to go to Lexus to get the codes read they are OBDII diagnostics so any reputable garage should be able to do this for you. As you may be aware the starter motor is positioned under the intake manifold between the engine V and there is a lot of dismantling required just to get to it and there is therefore the possibility of damaging other components during removal, the most common is damage to the knock sensors just to the rear of the starter motor which if damaged would flag up a fault code and may cause the engine to go into "limp home mode" giving you the lack of power you describe and the management light being illuminated. Getting a diagnostic check will of cause confirm the fault area. As the garage carried out the starter motor work and you have already paid them insist they take the car back and do the necessary diagnostics and repairs to bring you car back to it's pre work condition, excluding the starter motor of cause. You also mention the transmission is jerky I had the same problem on mine after replacing the starter myself and found that I had mis adjusted the throttle cable link to the transmission which has to be removed when doing the starter so it may be worth checking this. I hope you get everything sorted but I would certainly insist the garage sort the problems for you without further expense.

There were some new coils on Fleabay at £38.00 each and a set of leads at £78.00 I can't comment on quality. You also really need to check/replace the distributor caps,rotor arms and plugs at the same time. For now I would start the car from cold at night and have a look under the bonnet to see if you can spot the arcing/tracking main suspect is the RH coil ( passenger side) HT lead as it passes under the timing belt upper cover, there is a gromit there which may not have been refitted correctly so the lead will chafe. Running it with a misfire could damage the cats.

Suggestions like that could get you banned! You must remember this is a quality car and therefore koi carp, some floating pond lights and a water feature are required.

I only have one of those Ebay CD ROM Mitchell ones but it does the job.

Hi, Welcome to the LOC, You say the radio is completely dead with no display? as they normally ask for a code when the battery is disconnected. You could check the fuses fuse no. 4 and no.18 both located on the passenger side fuse panel below the glove box. Recommended oil is 10w30 a decent semi synthetic use a genuine filter only.