AdeV

Gaaaah, I've just failed my MoT :tsktsk: on "Nearside rear Coil spring fractured".

From reading other posts, it looks like a big old job :(

Where would the assembled readership recommend I get a replacement spring(s) from? Lexus (£££), or is there a good indy parts source?

Cheers!

Ade.

Hi adeV ref the brake drum warning light coming on under heavy braking . Ive had this a few times to and have had it checked out, Have been advised fluid level ok but under heavy braking the level moves away (i.e, forward ) of the sensor.

As soon as u stop the level settles and the light goes out. Nothing to worry about, just check all fluid levels regulalry to be on the safe side .

steve.

Thanks Steve - I did wonder if it was something like that... the levels are fine, but I can see how an emergency stop would cause that.

When I replace the front pads, I'll probably do the fluid at the same time, as it'll be at least a year old then.

Cheers!

Ade.

Whereabouts in Spain? A mate of mine's an auto electrician, moved to Almeria (a few miles from Huercal Overa to be precise) last December. He's got various kit that may be able to nail the problem if your mate's not too far away.

Wrong side, unfortunately.... he's out near Cádiz..

Anyway - the good news is, it turned out to be a loose fuse in the footwell fuse box (I'd only looked in the engine fusebox); pushed the fuse back home & all the improper lights went out.... I can only surmise that the flakey contact between fuse & circuit was confusing the panel...

Thanks for the replies!

Take to dealer, have them plug in a diagnostic computer. Most likely any faults will have been logged in there.

I take it these faults weren't apparent when he took it for a test drive? Did he get it from a car dealer (of any type), or was it a private sale? If from a dealer, they should really be looking at it first... assuming he's not had it months that is!

Ah, apologies - he's had it for months (about 8 months, I think). Worse than that, he lives in Spain... he bough the car in the UK and drove it over.

There was no indication of any actual faults - at least, none of the ones on the dash. e.g. oil level (that was fine), failed bulb (no bulbs were on, and all bulbs checked out OK). The brake system seemed fine & both brake lamps are operational. I couldn't tell you about the alternator - there was some oil on the rear of it (obviously, a small leak going on somewhere), but without a VM I'm not able to ascertain whether it's functioning or not. For the avoidance of doubt, I don't believe any of the fault lights - I think whatever is controlling the lights has gone screwy....

Amazingly, despite the lack of Lexii over here, there actually is a reasonably local dealership! However, he's taking it to a local independant guy first, to see if there's anything he can do.

Cheers!

Ade.

As you are aware of the pad condition, why not just join the wires [to put out the warning light] and replace them when you do the front pads?

Would joining the wires work? I'd guessed that simply disconnecting them would be the best option (as the disc is currently completing the circuit between the two wires).

Anyway, I'll have a play with the various options next time the car is near the ramp...

Cheers,

Ade.

Hi,

Not sure about the Triangle warning light as I cannot locate the symbol but the other problem you have is the old chestnut problem of the wiring loom breaking in the boot where it passes over the left hand boot hinge ( looking from the rear).

If you do a search there are loads of threads on here for the same problem.

Apologies - it's not a triangle, it's a "brake drum" symbol (circle with stylised shoes outside of it), and an exclamation point in the centre.

The only thing the Lexus manual has to say about it is (paraphrased): "Serious braking system problem - get back to Lexus ASAP before you crash through someone's garden wall!"

As I say - most of the time it's just a flakey brake light (I will check the loom out, sounds promising); but it also lights briefly if I have to brake REALLY hard...

Hi,

A friend of mine bought a GS300 (about a week after he saw my LS400 ). Anyway, he's had an odd "bouncing" problem which we today diagnosed as a knack'd tyre; but while on the brief drive out, a load of warning lights came on on the dash. These were:

- Alternator not charging (red Battery in rev counter/speedo (I forget which))

- Low oil level light (the amber one, not low oil pressure)

- Brake system fault (red brake drum symbol with ex. point in it)

- Low washer fluid

- Faulty bulb

Switching the ignition off/on did not clear the lamps. Also, when switching on, not all of the lamps lit (only the ones described, plus the "check engine" and "oil pressure" warnings - both of which extinguished when the engine was started).

Oil level is fine BTW, we checked that.

SO - crashed ECU? Or something more serious?

Any thoughts/ideas most gratefully received.

Cheers,

Ade.

My LS400 brake wear sensor came on the other week (whilst I was towing a car on a trailer..... always good for the nerves, that). So today, I finally got around to checking all the pads. Rears were well down (replaced), but the fronts still have over 1/2 the pad thickness remaining, yet both sensor wires are down on the disc!!

:tsktsk:

I reckon I've got at least another 3-4000 miles in them yet. But obviously I'll have to buy a new set of sensor wires, as by the time I'm ready to replace the pads, I'll have worn my way all the way through the wires.... that'll be another £60-odd then. Of course, I would save myself the cost of the wires & just change the pads (or take the wires off), but one of them's already worn all the way through the lead contact & is eating the wires, so I'd need new ones even now.

Grumble.

Oh, a couple of questions:

1) If I have to do an emergency stop (or very hard braking), the warning triangle on the dash lights up. It goes out again as soon as I've stopped braking. Had that twice on the motorway recently (usually when some eejit pulls out from behind a lorry, having failed to notice me "making progress". Any idea why this should be? Brake fluid level is fine, maybe it's getting a bit old & wants replacing?

2) I've obviously got a dicky stop-light, as sometimes the warning light comes on & stays on. Usually, opening & closing the boot is enough to cure this for a period of time (or, firmly tapping the light cluster with the palm of my hand). The trouble is, I've never managed to diagnose it... Is it likely to be a loose bulb, or a bad joint somewhere?

Update: Well, 2000 miles on, she's going great guns :)

No more pics yet, as I've not washed her (and she's very dusty....) must get around to that soon. Maybe...

The only issues on my trip were, shortly after getting off the boat, the "radiator low" light came on. Cue much cursing, don't remember seeing any water leaks, etc. However, a pitstop later, no sign of any water loss (I managed to squeeze about 50ml into the tank). The light continued to come on & off for another 300 miles or so, then went out & hasn't come on again since.... water level has been fine throughout...

Nothing else serious, although there is a bit of a whine from under the bonnet; I suspect maybe a pulley bearing is making some noise. It doesn't seem to be particularly excessive, however, so I don't plan to worry about it just yet.

Well glad I bought one!

Hi folks, newbie here (to this forum at least).

Just thought I'd say... I've only just joined the Lexus ownership experience, with an elderly (1994) LS400, in great nick for the money. 150k miles, service stamps (Lexus & then independent) upto about 140k miles, running at 160k now. All the toys work, with the exception of the heated seats (boo! - anyone know what's likely to be wrong? The lights come on, but the seats don't get warm).

Tomorrow, I start the 900 mile drive to Spain, where the car & I will be spending winter

Will post some photos once out there, in the sunshine... after a good clean & polish...

(PS: This is the one I bought: 200158034255 - I'm not convinced the number plate is worth anything like 500 quid, though!)