adc

I have a beloved but increasingly troublesome LS430. Last year I had an total engine coolant loss and subsequent huge bill, with NO appropriate warnings or temperature increases. Just in the last month, I have had a wide variety of clearly computer related temporary faults; it is an exciting start to the day to start the car and see what's not working today. Sometimes it's just the radio; sometimes radio and Satnav; sometimes all audio joins in; and one time I couldn't get the car to open and had to use emergency key manoeuvres to get it going. Oh, and did I mention, in the middle of this, my rear passenger door won't open now; this is probably mechanical and unrelated, but is adding to my stress levels......!! It all seemed to have calmed down a bit (apart from the door thing) until this week, when the engine management warning light has come on. This worries me. Can someone tell me what this means and how urgently I need to write large cheques to Lexus just to look at the problem, with no guarantee of success? Why is the electronics of this beautiful, but complicated, car not guaranteed for life? Or is it? Any views much appreciated, David C

Just had my LS430 re-gassed today - great local company but no use to you, as they are in Paisley!! BTW my gas pressure was ZERO mbar (i.e. = empty) and after regassing they didn't replace the filter even though the A/C filter warning was coming on (and still is). I guess I'll need to let Lexus charge me a bomb for that one one day, but my A/C is now working fine.

Watsofilms, thanks for going to the trouble to reply. I'm not sure the Camry issue is similar enough for me to start attacking the door, unless I have a good guide how to get the trim off (which I don't currently have). Any idea where I can get good instructions? Nothing good available on Lexls.com.....

I have yesterday developed a strange electrical problem on my 2001 LS430. The rear offside passenger door suddenly could not be opened by handle either from inside or outside, even though the door is showing as unlocked. And when I switch on the ignition, ALL the door locks lock and unlock themselves 2 or 3 times, as if the system is trying to clear a fault (? maybe in the rear passenger door, I don't know). After that the car starts and runs OK. I know I can take it to Lexus who might charge me a fortune ( :winky:! ) but before that I wondered if anyone had seen this before? The Lexus garage man said he'd never seen this on a Lexus, but had seen it on a Toyota Camry..... ADC

Oh, what fun! 2004 Lexus LS 430 2001 Lexus 300GS 1997 Audi 100 1994 Ford Escort Ghia 1991 Audi 300 1986 Ford Capri Ghia 3 Series before that too many to mention........................

Thanks Glenn. Very similar on mine.

Thanks, mate. Very similar on mine - your tip helped me. On mine you push the button and slide towards the front, then push the button again to eject. Cheers. BTW Lexus called me with the instructions just after I had successfully replaced the disc!

Just bought an upgrade SatNav DVD from Lexus for my 2001 LS430. "Dead easy to install" they told me, then gave me no instructions! I have located the player in the right side of the boot. It is secured by two bolts, after removing these the player tilts upwards and has a single button, which when pressed...does nothing. Obviously I am doing this with ignition ON but have also tried with it off. There must be something else I'm not doing, probably something very simple (but apparently not known to my local Lexus service department.....). Would be most gateful if anyone could help. ADC

As Bazza says Firstly why and how have you lost your coolant. Was it a leak or faulty waterpump or damaged radiator etc. That's a good point. My LS400 has a low radiator level warning light on the dash does the 430 not have this feature? It says in the earlier post a damaged radiator. Do Lexus say the damage was "act of G*d" type stuff rather than mechanical failure so that's why they won't assist here? If so could fully comp. insurance help? Turns out it was NOT a damaged radiator. Lexus do not yet know what caused it. The 430 has all the warning lights, gauges and messages that could have warned me but they didn't work. I met the local manager and a Lexus GB preson and they were very reasonable and have made me a fair offer which I accepted, so the car's being fixed now.

Bazza, Fair points - my answeres: whether or not a sensor exists, the TEMPERATURE GAUGE failed to indicate a temprature rise. Even the "old-fashioned" cars told you they had no water!! - I have witnesses to this... Lesus have examined the car for a minimum charge of £2500 + VAT - not quite free......!!!!! Car is indeed outwith warranty - hence the appeal to the "fair value" policy Never hear of this before, neither have Lexus They won't give me a written costing, just "Lexus GB won't contribute". I have a "crisis" meeting face to face tomorrow with Lexus Glasgow. Coolant loss may be a burst lower nearside radiator pipe (don't know, that's just what the Lexus rescue man said Let em ask YOU a question: given no temperature gauge rise and no sensor indication, how could I have been reasonably expected to avoid this disaster? What could I have done differently? was merely an objectional view not assigning blame or fault £2500 +vat seems extortionate i imagine that you dont know what distance or time occured between loosing the coolant and the breakdown, as it may help in assessing wether engine failure or a temperature warning comes first If no other cases are heard of, i can understand Lexus being reluctant to hold their hands up as it doesnt appear to be a manufacturers fault or problem, although i would have thought in a one off case they would be a bit more comprimising ;) i wish you luck, i hope you get a good result :) I finall did get a good result! Lexus Glasgow's general manager intervened and "made me an offer" with a much decreased cost plus throwing in full service and alloy touch up so all's well that ends well!

NO WARNING LIGHT NO TEMPERATURE GAUGE RISE Engine management light ALREADY ON due to manifold sensor failure one month previously that Lexus had tried to fix but were still "waiting for a part". VSC WARNING MESSAGE 5 mins before disaster struck - irrelevant warning but now Lesux think the CPU had its wires crossed. ANYWAY happy ending, Lexus Glasgow has a great general manager and he intervened and "made me an offer" with a much decreased cost plus throwing in full service and alloy touch up so all's well that ends well!

I have a 450H while Lexus are fixing my LS. It is SERIOUSLY quick but not hugely economical (25-30mpg). The boot is unbelievably small! Makes the old GS boot look spacious... Not hugely roomy inside (please get rid of the "moonroof", Lexus...some of us have long backs!). A great car but I also played with an LS460 recently and there is no competition, the LS is magnificent.

Bazza, Fair points - my answeres: whether or not a sensor exists, the TEMPERATURE GAUGE failed to indicate a temprature rise. Even the "old-fashioned" cars told you they had no water!! - I have witnesses to this... Lesus have examined the car for a minimum charge of £2500 + VAT - not quite free......!!!!! Car is indeed outwith warranty - hence the appeal to the "fair value" policy Never hear of this before, neither have Lexus They won't give me a written costing, just "Lexus GB won't contribute". I have a "crisis" meeting face to face tomorrow with Lexus Glasgow. Coolant loss may be a burst lower nearside radiator pipe (don't know, that's just what the Lexus rescue man said Let em ask YOU a question: given no temperature gauge rise and no sensor indication, how could I have been reasonably expected to avoid this disaster? What could I have done differently?

I already posted how my Lexus 430 (2001) lost coolant with no sensor warning and no temperature gauge rise. Lexus GB responded to the "fair value" challenge (suggested on this forum) by saying they would consider my claim, but first it would need to be established what the problem was. Like a fool, I agreed, now they say there is serious damage to one of the valves and Lexus GB say they won't support any part of the claim how stupid was I to believe they would really genuinely consider it!) as it is "outside their parameters" - whatever the f*** that means !!! I now expect a bill for repair that exceeds the resale value of my car and I have no redress it woud seem. This is vaguely criminal so I'm afraid legal action is going to follow, along the lines of: 1. all cars should reasonably warn their drivers that engine coolant is low 2. this car gave no such warnings 3. all consequent damage was a result of this 4. how could I have reasonably avoided this situation??? If the answer to (4) is "I couldn't" then I think Lexus will face a legal claim from me. It's not how I want to proceed but does anyone think I have an alternative? ADC

That's an interesting thought. Where can I find a listing of recalls? It did look like the bottom right radiator was visibly damp, but that could have been splash through from a ruptured pipe as you suggest.