SteveLS400

Hi T have to confess that the privacy glass was done when I bought the car before anyone asks me how to do it. It prevents much being seen from outside but has little effect when on the inside; the view from the rear view mirror is fine as is the over-the-shoulder life saving view when overtaking. Had it not been fitted, I would have done it in this scheme of changing the appearance, which was done to give me that new car feel for a few quid (mind, the reg was £400! But in theory at least, its mine). The most difficult part of the tinting process was masking-off the 4 clusters; they are a difficult shape so each took a good while to do. Don't even consider trying to spray them on the car. I had them horizontal (to prevent runs) on the bench with the garage door shut. The process was, mask the reversing light and reflector areas, then lightly sand the lights. Unmask the reflectors, clean down. Mask the units, remask the reflectors and reversing lights, clean down again to remove finger prints. It took about an hour and a half to spray. I used many light coats of tint and a couple of coats of clear laquer. Its not necessary to use the laquer but it protects the tint and i can use any cleaner/polish on them without risk of removing the tint. It was relatively warm when I did the job, but I still left the lights for 24 hours to harden. Whilst they were off I washed (carefully so not to fill the car with water!) and polished it. I also took the boot seal off and cleaned out and made good the channel. Apart from paint, masking tape and Tesco bags, I also used some double sided tape to refix the plastic trim inside the channel, it being these that help prevent water ingress to the boot. Please note that the tint is very feint and the colour only develops with multiple coats. You can go to jet black but I don't recmmend it. There are a couple of tutorials on tinting the rear lights. None of the processes were difficult 'cept the main masking. Its just a time thing and allowing for drying time means the car is unusable until the lights are back on.

Thank you for that, much appreciated.

If you have been following other threads over the course of this year, you may recall my mentioning some changes I have made to the baby's exterior appearance. As a rule I am all for original, original, original. I was toying with the idea of upgrading to a MKIV or even a 430. For a variety of reasons, I settled on a little modernisation. This involved replacing the front indicators and repeaters with clear lenses, tinting the rear lenses and buying a dateless reg from DVLA auctions. The spec for the reg was 3 numbers/letters with no reference to the car or to me (FAT GIT 1 wasn't available anyway ) The front lights can be seen here http://s1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb457/steveLS400/Clear%20Front%20Lights/ and the rear lights here http://s1206.photobucket.com/albums/bb457/steveLS400/Tinted%20Rear%20Lights/ Hope fully these links work. Certainly the car looks very different. I was originally going to go for the black rear lights but the Cooper S failed its MOT due to it having blacked-out reflectors, so I went for a mid tint and masked the reflectors and the reversing lights. Anyway, there here for you to view.

Upload the pics to a site like Photobucket, then use the "insert image" button to enter the pic's URL :) Thanks. I'll have a go later. Right, I've uploaded various pictures into Photobucket but rather than hijack this thread I will post them seperately. Now all I have to do is try and resize the avatar which is where I left off 6 months ago!

Upload the pics to a site like Photobucket, then use the "insert image" button to enter the pic's URL :) Thanks. I'll have a go later.

Apols in advance if this is a bit basic. Start with the power steering; has it got fluid and a belt? Can't see this as being an electrical issue. If you havent done so yet, check all the fuses and relays. Interesting that you have a steering issue and issues with the lights and wipers. Have the cowling off the steering and check that the lights and wipers are wired up. Whilst you have the cowling off, check the dash is plugged-in correctly. The reason I say all this is it wouldn't be unknown for somebody to have a look ata problem - say the dash lights - and to simply not bother reconnecting everthing.

Original wheels on mine but I have put clear indicator and side repeaters at the front end and tinted the rear lights (but not the reflectors or reversing lights) and bought a dateless plate which does the biz. If I could work out how to post the photos, I would.

have a play around with the search facility on this sub-forum and the electrical one.

No, we haven't resolved the original problem; and without knowing what the "button" is, I don't think we can.

The heater for the seats is rather like an elecric blanket but without a thermostatic control. The elements tend to wear out from constant sitting on them rather than from excessive use of the heater aspect. They can be changed although its a bit of an effort.

What button? They must have changed the 95 as I have the "button" on my 92 I feel "so" privilaged I was trying to understand the "button." My 1995 has a lever for remote unlocking of the boot and a combined lock and button to disable boot access with a valet key. Otherwise no "button."

What button?

Just a thought, but is the transmission fluid at the correct level?

Hi I get around 25k from mine.

It would certainly appear so. Have a look here http://www.carbibles.com/tyre_bible_pg4.html There's a calculator included which will enable you to check. You will need to determine the rim size - it tells you how. But assuming your wheels are OEM, it looks as if someone has fitted cheaper tyres. Let us know how you get on.

Hi Steve, thanks for that. They look a bit long to me but I will contact the seller.

Its a start! Thank you for that.

Hi Anyone know where I may obtain some bulbs to replace those blown in 1 of my heated seat switches and the headlamp wash swich. These are very small and green, although the light given off is not. My local spres shops do not stock such bulbs.

Hi. Hopefully the key you do have is a master key as you will need it to enable programming of any new keys as the immobiliser will not recognise a new key without doing so. The obvious place to go is lexus but it may cost you and they may want to charge you for the reprogramming. I would try Fleabay and the .com version. The following link is instructions for reprogramming. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=45917&st=0&p=483364&hl=keys%20for%20430&fromsearch=1entry483364 Having an LS400 myself, I cannot vouch for the quality of these instructions. Note the need for a master key.

No worries. It was me pussy-footing about. They just needed a sharp tap for the bulb and holder to drop out. just got to find some replacements.

Afternoon I have removed the centre consul and ashtray panel in order to change 2 of the 3 bulbs which illuminate the 2x heated seat and 1x headlamp wash switches. It appeared that the bulb holders were slotted and do indeed turn with a flat screwdriver but they do not come out. Anyone know how to get to these bulbs without breaking the unit?

What about the air filter and assembly? Throttle body? Appreciate you must be very frustrated

Hi. Are you running original wheels or replacements? If the latter and you still have the originals, can you stick the Dunlops on these and see what happens.

I agree about the looks of modern cars, but I rather like the LS400 styling which was based on the big Merc and BMW form the mid/late 80's, its intended target market. Mind you a favourite of mine from the past is the Jensen Interceptor.

See what he says when his is crushed and yours still going strong!