Birchall

Hi Rory, Thanks for that. The guy who was buying the car managed to get his insurance sorted out with another company, apparently when he did the comparison on the web many of the companies had problems with the model, but others were ok (probably used a different "database") So the panic is over. He is going to contact the DVLA and get it sorted. The information abput being able to go to a local DVLA is very helpful. Cheers Steve B

Hi, I am selling my Soarer and I am now having MAJOR problems due to the V5 having some major errors. For a start it has NO MODEL??? It is showing as a lexus but the model is blank. The purchaser is having trouble insuring it because it is showing on their database as a four door manual Lexus !!!!!! I have contacted the DVLA and they are saying that it is not a problem, all I have to do is to contact the owners club and ask them to confirm the details. any idea please how I do that? I suspect that there will be more problems too, the chassis number on the V5 starts with U2231 and not UZZ31 !!!!!! How can a V5 be so wrong? The car has been on the uk roads since 1997!!!!!!!! But any help on how I can get the right model on the V5 would be gratefuly received. Would anyone in the club be able to offer "official" confirmation of the model??? what would I have t show them to get this? A photo of the car? The chassis number would normally do but as I say, this is wrong too. Thanks Steve B

Why would it be dodgy to by any car without an owners manual, after all it is just an instruyction manual and is not an official document etc. I have all of the import documentation proving that it is OK and 100% legal? And as for the owners manual just saying "there is a problem with the TRC" Hiw am I supposed to know that if I haven't got the manual. I was asking for help not sarcasm. Up to now I have found this to be a very helpful site, you have just managed to prove that there is always someone who would rather be smart than helpful. Thanks for nothing, I am just glad that there are other more helpful members around. Steve B

Hi, Please can someone help me with this, even if it is just to quote what the manual says? Thanks Steve Birchall

Hi, I tried it but it did not fix the problem, could someone with a manual just ket me know what the warning indicates? It is the one in the speedo. Thanks Steve B

Hi, Your suggestion (or should I say the Dealer's suggestion) does sound a bit "off the wall" but with the Lexus, nothing surprises me anymore (apart from the fact that they are such a hidden "gem"). I will let you know how I get on. Cheers Steve B

HI, Can anyone with an owners manual please let me know what it says about the "TRC" warning light that apears in the dash? I have a 91 LS400 (Import) and after driving a few miles I get the orange TRC light appearing and it more or less stays on until the next time I switch off the ignition.. It is not the "TRC OFF" warning that you get when you switch off the TRC it is a warning light of some kind. Not having an owners manual means that I have no idea how to get rid of it. For all I know it might be short on fluid or something simple? Any help would be apreciated. Thanks Steve B

Hi, I didn't do the work myself but the switch is in the power steering pump (at the back of it where the two vacuum pipes are connected). If you want to check to make sure that this is the problem then temporarily disconnect the two vacuum pipes at the manifold and join them together with a tube and blank off the two pipe connectors (one on the manifold in the middle and one on the intake pipe). This should stop the smoke and possibly reduce the fluid loss but be careful the fluid will have to go somewhere and the pressure will force the pipes apart if you are not careful and you will get fluid over your engine bay and more seriously, your brake discs, so just try this out to confirm that it stops the smoke and the fluid loss and then reconnect them properly until you get the switch repaired. But don't run too long without the repair because the burning of the fluid will damage your catalitic converter. Good luck Steve Birchall

Hi, I am not sure that I understand your question but I have fitted an alarm to mine that also links to the central locking and so arming and disarming also locks and unlocks the car. This is very basic on most alarms, is this what you mean? If not then what is wrong with the standard way of unlocking the car with the small button on the key? Cheers Steve Birchall

Hi David, No problem, I knew that you were not complaining. :D I just wanted to say my bit in defence of the site in case any new browsers thought that it was hardly manned etc. Thank you for your comments. (I knew that you were a nice intelligent caring person anyway because you are buying a Lexus !!) Cheers :) Steve Birchall

Hi Dave, I have also found the site to be pretty slow to but I suppose it is better than having no site at all (like some Marques). I would have liked to help with your queries, but my LS400 is a 91 and a Japanese import at that and so my car is quite different. Black transmission fluid can often mean slipping bands (the black is the burnt lining material, probably verified by the "lack of creep") so you did well to avoid the car. Mine has a traction control switch on the central console above the ash tray so I would be suprised if the later models don't have one. As for MPG I am very pleased with mine, I have normally had large and thirsty cars and I cannot class the Lexus as thirsty. Try as I might I cannot get LESS than 20 mpg and at a cruise speed of 70 I would get around 23 - 25 mpg which in my humble opinion is amazing for a heavy car with a 4.0 litre V8. In all I prefer the Lexus to the Mercedes and BMW 7s I have owned because they age so well and they are at least different to most of the "ordinary" cars. I hpe that someone with a similar car to yours can offer some more relevant advice. And as for the slow response on this site then I would rather belong to a club with a handful of members than one that has so many that there is no common link other than a badge. Good luck Steve B

Hi Paul, This is just a switch for the transmission to set it to Sport mode, all that happens (basically) is that the shifts will happen at a higher rev range and the kickdown comes in quicker. Nothing happens to the engine power, just the higher shift revs mean faster acceleration (and faster fuel consumption). I think that the ECT stands for Electronically Controlled Transmission?? Steve B

Hi, Sorry for the delay in replying. I bought it from J & R Motors at Ashford (middlesex) they have a lot of Japanese imports. Yes mine does have leather electric memory seats with electric inflatable lumbar support. I definitely agree with the Paulrwales you should try to find one here, much less hassle. Cheers Steve B

Hi, I bought a celsior from a dealer in the UK. It is 11 years old and drives like a new car. It is the same as a Lexus LS400 (virtually) so the same applies about the amazing economy and faultless performance. I am WELL impressed. The biggest differences are the speedo in KMs and the speed limietr set to 180kmph and the cruise control does not function above 100kph. Apart from this I have found the car to perform exactly as I want. Comfort, power (when I need it) amazing economy considering the weight of the car and the size of the engine. 20MPG plus is EASILY achieved, more on a motorway. Lexus dealers sometimes refuse to work on them (they claim that it is an insurance problem???) but there are plenty of alternative options and lots of spares available. But I would check the dealers over here before going to the expense, time and hassle of importing one. I paid £4,250 for my '91 and that is a LOT of car fror the money, especially from a dealer. Good luck

He did not remove any seats or the steering wheel. He removed the plastic surround of the dash to drill a hole and fit a button. As I said they are prepared to pay the bill but I am not sure where to take it, Lexus dealers won't touch it It may be badged as a Toyota but I can't see a Toyota dealer touching it A private garage would probably not have the equipment?? Cheers Steve B

Hi, I recently had an aftermarket sat nav system fitted (Smartnav - quite impressed with it actually) but the air bag light now stays on. The fitter told me to take it to a Toyota dealer (mine is an imported Lexus LS400 badged as a Toyota celsior) and they would reset it and the fitters company would pay the bill? Lexus dealers wont touch imports (they CLAIM that it is something to do with their insurers not covering them for imports ????) What are my options? The fitter insists that he did not disconnect anything and the airbag will still work, but I would rather not trust that in an accident. Does a dealer have to reset the warning? Can a Toyota dealer work on a Lexus import? Is there a DIY option. Please Steve Birchall

Hi, I wanted to replace the front shock absorbers on my Toyota Celsior (Lexus LS400 in Japan). I rang the Lexus dealer and he was quoting me silly prices (from only £25 !!!) He said that he needed the Chassis number, model etc. I gave him that and he rang me back and quoted a figure of £1,200 !!!!) This went from the sublime to the rediculous. The trouble is that I think that the higher price is probably correct as the car does have TEMS (Air suspension). But I didn't think that the car was that different from a normal Lexus. This prompts two questions, are there replaceable shocks on the car? and if the car is air suspension then surely they are probably either working or completely US? The car drives well but I did get the impression that the offside shock absorber was weak? Perhaps that is just how they drive??? Anyone any experience of this subject please? Steve Birchall

Hi, I guessed right. Strangely enough the smoke was being generated from the power steering fluid being sucked up into the air box through the special vacuum pipes that are fitted to the power steering pump. I temporarily bypassed them and the smoke disappeared and the power steering fluid no longer disappears. I will replace the pressure switch that they are connected to and that should solve the problem permanently. So if you are having clouds of smoke when starting the car don't replace the engine, check the vacuum pipes on the steering pump first, it could save thousands. Cheers Steve Birchall

Hi Terry, Yes this does help. Thanks very much Steve B

Hi, As a new Lexus owner I feel that I can honestly say that you really must try a Lexus if you haven't already. I have a 10 year old LS400 (import) and apart from one or two minor niggles I am super impressed. Value for money, Luxury, reasonable economy, lots of "toys", reliability etc. etc. I only paid £4,000 for mine (from a dealer too) the only Merc I could get for that would be a clapped out. star ship mileage early model and then you are talking big bucks for repairs. I give the car 10 out of 10 and believe me I have owned nearly every type of car on the road before buying the Lexus. (from a Jag XJR to an EVO 7). DO it, you won't regret it. Steve Birchall :D

Hi, I have a strange problem with my imported LS400. I have two separate problems that look very expensive but I was wondering if there is anything that could connect the two (It might be something unique to a Lexus) The car puts out a huge white smoke screen when started from cold ( the longer it is left the worse it is). I would normally assume that this was due to worn valve guides or the like, but this is normally a bluer smoke. It also smells more like burning transmission/steering fluid than engine oil. I am also suffering from a major loss of power steering fluid. It uses around a litre in a week. The strange thing is that there is no sign of the leak on the floor even though the car is parked in the same place every day. Is there any possibility of a connection between the too. If it had been any other car I wouldn't even ask the question but a Lexus (especially an import) could have some kind of "pollution control" that burns any excess or leaky fluid? It is a very long shot but can anyone indicate if there could be a connection?/ Thanks Steve Birchall

Hi, Thanks for the help. I have tried everything but the height is not moving even an inch. I will try lexus for a manual as you suggest and see what happens. Cheers Steve Birchall

Hi, Thanks for the information. I have just had a look at their site and they don't list the Toyota Celsior (Lexus LS400). I have emailed them just in case. Cheers Steve Birchall

Hi, Sorry but I am still baffled. Does anyone know where I can buy an owners manual so that I can figure out all of the buttons, switches, etc. etc. Cheers Steve Birchall

Hi, thanks for the quick reply, it hasn't been converted yet (I don't know who can convert it) so that explains why the cruise control would only set at 100 KPH and no more. Any ideas about the air valve under the bonnet? Cheers Steve Birchall