davidlexusls400

i would certainly be interested in the electric dia can i just check...... are you saying the key lock locks both the boot opener AND the fuel cap opener? my fuel flap opens just fine.... the boot doesnt..... i had assumed the key lock (which i dont have a key for) only locked the boot opener. i have a '91 ls400 btw many thanks for this info. I will check this keylock in the morning, but not sure that my model has this. I would be very interested in the electrical diagram as am taking the car in to have a tow bar fitted next week. Kindest regards, David Hi all it seems that my car works fine as I hadn't realised how the key worked. I assume there were originally 2 keys, one to give the garage or attendant to park the car, who wouldn't have any access to the boot. This is is the same as in my (ex) RR, which had this facility on the glove box. Many thanks to all you kind people!

Hi Andrew and thanks for the kind welcome! I have never knowingly seen a 430, so would appreciate having a quick look at yours if convenient. Just please don't tell me it is for sale! I have an old (1956) Land Rover for the dirty stuff, but haven't used it since buying the 400. I am sure that this will change as the weather warms up and we go rag top or perish the thought - even topless! (Presently hard top!) Kindest regards and will look out for you. David Hi Andrew, just a thought - can you recommend anyone for Lexus servicing? I don't want to pay main dealer money, but I do want to use genuine parts etc. Kindest regards David

Thanks Steve Yes I have a motor in good order if your interested can supply the arms if their splines have worn too Thanks Benfur Hi Benfur, That is excellent news and may well take you up. Tomorrow I will do a bit of fiddling and see if I can assess the problem, following Steve's practical advice. I will then let you know what I will need to fix my 400. Very many thanks, David

HI Steve, That is excellent advice, thanks. This is a nasty problem with the car, that needs fixing before I do any long trips. I will do as you mention and get a second opinion at my local garage. Kindest regards and with gratitude! David

Hi Andrew and thanks for the kind welcome! I have never knowingly seen a 430, so would appreciate having a quick look at yours if convenient. Just please don't tell me it is for sale! I have an old (1956) Land Rover for the dirty stuff, but haven't used it since buying the 400. I am sure that this will change as the weather warms up and we go rag top or perish the thought - even topless! (Presently hard top!) Kindest regards and will look out for you. David

Hi and beautiful car. I assume the 430 is even better than the 400 which I drive. One day I will copy you! Enjoy your new love! All the best, David

Hi and thanks to all those amazing people who have given me such excellent advice. I have yet to find an answer to this quite serious problem on my otherwise silent LS400: The wipers do not always seem to remember that there is a part position during operation and annoyingly strike the stop below the line of the windscreen during when in position 1 2 or 3. If the rain is light, then the wipers work perfectly - most of the time! Then when in continual mode (position 2) and with heavy rain, the wipers go absolutely mad and whack the windscreen pillar with such violence that they bounce backwards, only to bounce back up when they hit the horizontal stop position (below the higher stop position). The noise is alarming and will become a problem if I am driving more than a few miles. Is this something that Lexus have introduced to keep awake the slumberful motorist?! Please can anyone offer any advice as I really love this car and would hate to become like Bail Fawlty with his Austin/ Morris 1100/1300 and be convicted of corporal punishement! Many thanks and am sure that someone can help me! David

Hi RP and many thanks for the interesting info. I didn't have any trouble with warped disks on the RR, but only travelled about 5,000 miles in the 3 years of ownership. I have driven a Granada and found it most comfortable, if a little unsubtle when pushed! The Lexus reminds me a lot of the RR on cornering and I have yet to discover the limits of adhesion. I have owned Citroen XM's for many years and these cars are far more stable than the LS. However it must be said that I don't find this a problem as although I love the acceleration of the LS, I don't feel inclined to drive it like a Lotus around corners! I will certainly take your advice about genuine parts and just hope it doesn't bankrupt me! However I have always believed that if you can't afford to drive a particular car - - - you should buy a cheaper one! Kindest regards and many thanks David

Hi and yes will post some pics when I find out how to do it! The car is lovely and drove 70 miles today in absolute luxury, save for the wipers making an unholy din. I will post again about this subject! Kindest regards David

Hi Mark thanks for the advice! I will do that next week as have also found that the ariel was a bit loose. Have tightened up, but think I should pop a bit of silicone there as well, once I have slackened it off again. The boot absolutely stinks, but now all the fabric has been removed to dry. I have left out the drain plugs to give a bit of ventillation. Kindest regards - and didn't know the LS had any problems............................................! David

Hi and thanks for your note. The RR is a superior car in many ways, not least that wonderful 'SPIRIT OF ECSTACY' - so much more alluring than that offered by MB! One day I will buy another more modern RR or a Bentley - maybe a Corniche Convertible. At the moment am concentrating on a business move, so am putting expensive decisions on hold! Kindest regards David

Thanks spikes and great logo! what part of bristol are you from ? will have to keep an eye out for you :) Hi I am from Almondsbury (South Glos) and have a bed shop called 'Bedlam Beds'. Maybe I could offer a discount to these cool new friends that I have found in the LOC! Cheers David

Hi Graham and the 'unbiased' bit was a bit tongue-in-cheek! I know nothing about the 430 as have enough trouble getting my head around my own 400, but know that time will tell. Kindest regards David

Thanks for all the welcomes and am really loving my 'new' car! Kindest regards to you all! David

i would certainly be interested in the electric dia can i just check...... are you saying the key lock locks both the boot opener AND the fuel cap opener? my fuel flap opens just fine.... the boot doesnt..... i had assumed the key lock (which i dont have a key for) only locked the boot opener. i have a '91 ls400 btw many thanks for this info. I will check this keylock in the morning, but not sure that my model has this. I would be very interested in the electrical diagram as am taking the car in to have a tow bar fitted next week. Kindest regards, David

Thanks Redsteve, I will have this checked out - cheers!

Thanks spikes and great logo!

Hi all A few months ago my other half persuaded me to part with my beloved Rolls Royce Silver Spirit (1982). This car adorned my warehouse shop and took up valuable selling space. However I was able to drool from my seat all day and every day. Sadly she had to go (not the other 1/2!) as was rarely used and I had a niggle that rust would be knocking at the door very shortly. More sadly the price of these great British cars has fallen through the floor and I got peanuts from a lovely gentleman from Germany - where euros count! Not many months later I start looking at Lexus on ebay and found the LS400 series. Within a week I am the proud owner of a gold 1997 Lexus LS400. There are a few imperfections and I was surprised not to find anything aquatic within the soggy depths of the boot floor - not even rust - surely this vehicle isn't British?! Driving this car is a revelation. I love the gearchange, the subdued hum of the engine and the sublime comfort of the ride. This evening I noticed the dimming rear view and door mirrors. Wow this is a far cry from my old Austin Maxi or even the regal elegance of the RR. This won't be my last Lexus as my fingers get a bit itchy after about 18 months and am sure I will be moving up to an LS430, which appear to be even better? Can anyone give me unbiased view on my next acquisition? In the meantime I will enjoy and keep filling the fuel tank. Kindest regards to you all and thanks for reading my musings! David

Thanks Stav, I read postings that seemed to indicate irritation that new members hadn't joined. You have set my heart to rest as I am loving the forum and have found some invaluable information. Kindest regards, David

Hi thats about right for a towbar with twin electrics ( tow equipe I presume ) you wont need the oil cooler. Its a good 6 hours to fit it, Good luck Mark Lexus quoted me 1 hour for the fitting of the oil cooler! Not tow equipe but I did a little bit of haggling with the manufacturer! Many thanks for your kind help. Hi I was talking about the tow bar you should give yourself a day, if you have access to a ramp or a pit it would go quicker ta Mark Thanks for the help Mark am most obliged

Hi thanks for this great information. The key fob indeed works if held for 3 seconds, so great tip thanks. The pull button inside the car doesn't appear to work still whatever position I put the ignition key in/out and engine on/off, door open/closed! Hope to find out answer without having to go to Lexus! Kindest regards David same here.... the button inside the car does nothing unfortunatly i only got one key with my car.... and its only got one button on it (i assume its not the master key).... for the central locking. unfortunatly the key only fits the drivers door the ignition and the boot.... not the passanger door, the glove box or the key hole near the boot release button (which i assume enables/ disables the release button) my long term plan is to get all the locks changed..... but im guessing thats going to be expensive (if possible lol) As a tempory solution (assuming my assumption about the key hole near the boot release is correct0.... is it possible to remove the lock and bypass it.... or force the lock to the other position??? Best of luck with your car and sounds a whole lot of expense! Many thanks

Hi and thanks for both of these. I will try the forehead bit tomorow if only to amuse the kids! Engine off is a great bit of help thanks will try that again also Kindest regards and thanks for helping a newcomer!

Hi I am a bit confused as to what is allowed here. I am not a GOLD member and wonder if it is OK to post topics. Am I allowed to post as often as I like? Sorry to be so dim! 1997 Lexus LS400

Hi thanks for this great information. The key fob indeed works if held for 3 seconds, so great tip thanks. The pull button inside the car doesn't appear to work still whatever position I put the ignition key in/out and engine on/off, door open/closed! Hope to find out answer without having to go to Lexus! Kindest regards David

Hi thanks so much for the information. The key is at 12 I think always - please read next post!