whysub

Mine did the same, but no sign of fluid anywhere under the car when parked up and the brake pedal was pumped. Lexus said it was "probably" the brake fluid leaking back into the servo. It had used lots of fluid but there was no smoking from the exhaust to show the fluid burning off.

Then by a complete fluke I found an ex-Lexus technician with his own business, and he said hew would look at it-turned out that the back to front brake pipes on both sides where perforated like a teabag-brake fluid misted out under pressure-and the X piece connecting the brake pipes was corroded to hell, internally blocked with flakes of rust. The misting meant that the pipes did not leak without any pressure, hence no fluid under the car, despite it being laid up for a few months when I thought the problem was expensive and possibly terminal!

New pipes, X piece, brake fluid and complete brake check was £100 and it's been perfect since.

I went to look at this car today-no air suspension and equipped no differently from other MkIV's I have looked at. Higher mileage than I was told, rust on one wheel arch (first rust I have seen on an LS400) and the leather had worn badly on the drivers seat bolster.

To be honest, none of the MkIV's i have seen have had a body in as good a condition as my car, drove any nicer, or has supension that felt as cossetting. My car has the DHP wheels on it and I expected it to have a harsher ride than on 16 inch wheels. All the MkIV's I have driven have been on 16 inch wheels.

I am asking myself whether the extra outlay for a MkIV is worth it. I'm now thinking that I should spend a little on mine getting the niggly little faults (no backlight on the radio or gear lever panel, bit of paintwork on the front bumper) sorted.

I'm bloody useless with a soldering iron-anyone know a company or individual who can repair the radio/gearlever lights on my MkIII?

I currently drive a 1996 Mk III which I really like-I have had a couple of problems with it(corrosion of the rear brakes and the front to back brake pipes both side were perforated like a teabag, and a front spring broke last winter) but for a car with 225,000 miles on it, I expect some issues. Luckily I have found a really good Lexus trained mechanic (and Lexus nut) in Essex to maintin it.

However, I have a hankering for a Mk IV and have driven a couple, both with convential suspension. I liked them both but can't really choose between them-they are even the same colour! A mate rang me yesterday to tell me one of his customers is thinking of selling their 2000 year MkIV and I've arranged to see it. I know little about it except for the mileage (higher than the other two I've seen, but I have been assured it has been nearly all covered on the motorway), it has a full Lexus service history, has air suspension and has the "Premium Pack".

I've used the search facility here, but can't find anything regarding the relaibility of the air suspension, or what over and above the standard luxuries the Premium Pack offers. Anyone give me any pointers?

Thanks

Hi

On the Mk3 the Amp is definitely under the drivers seat

Move the seat fully forward and you will see the amp cover, using a stanley blade remove the 2 X screw caps then remove the 2 x screws and then you will see the amp and its loom connectors.

I break quite a few of these - so if your amp is faulty let me know

Thanks

Maurice

07957 530340

Thanks Maurice-I'll have a look in the morning under the drivers seat for anything that looks like screw covers. As it sometimes works (albeit rarely) I am hoping it is just a loose connection somewhere. If not, I'll be in touch.

Have you looked on the tutorials. Heres a link. http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/

There isnt much about the stereo system but you mioght spot something in one of the pictures.

PS. please dont get tempted to fill your boot with subwoofers though.

Thanks all-butstill cannot find a photo of where the amp is situated-and sir john there is no fear of my filling the boot with other subs-the standard one is more than enough (when it was working!).

I've trawled through search but can't find what i am looking for, so maybe someone can help here?

My off side rear speaker and central sub woofer are not working. Occassionally they will work for a couple of minutes, then stop. I presume I have a loose connection going to or coming from the amp.

However, i can't find it! I've a 1995 MkIII and have looked under both front seats to no avail-I can't see a cover with two screws either. Does anyone have a photo of where it is situated?

Thanks

All sorted!!!

Due to work commitments which took me away from home, I've been unble to do anything to the car since the problem occurred in May. I had been let down by no less that three local garages who all promised to come out and look at the car but didn't. Then a friend recommended a garage owned by a former Lexus mechanic who he rated as "a brilliant mechanic".

Finally I had this weekend free, and the garage could look at it on Saturday, so bought a new Battery for it (the old one spent 3 weeks on a Battery conditioner with no effect-it was dead), which is a story on it's own. I put the Battery on and she started first turn of the key. The brakes worked well enough to do a proper emergency stop, although the pedal travel was a bit much. Armed with a fresh bottle of brake fluid I drove to the garage VERY carefully. Funny how much I missed driving in such comfort for the last 6 months.

And the diagnosis? Rotten brakes pipes, both sides, front to back. He said each was perforated in a number of places, which, under braking,misted fluid out in a number of places, but the underside of the car showed no obvious signs of leaking fluid.

Will pick the car up on Tuesday-repairs will cost about £100 all in. The car can't be at all bad, as he offered to buy it should I ever want to sell it. looking forward to getting it back and enjoying the luxury!

I would try and jump it first but either way you are likely to have the usual issues with resetting security and radio codes (unless your code is disengaged) but you will definately have these issues if you take the battery off for charging.

You are obviously disheartened and any other issues are likely to :tsktsk: off all the more. The problem you are having finding a willing motor engineer is not unique - many of them can't be bothered to fetch the vehicle. Round here there are a few who do everything possible to help. How competant are you with a spanner? Doing it yourself will save money and provide a sense of satisfaction on completion.

Here is a link for the removal of the master cylinder http://www.2carpros.com/how_to/brake_master_cylinder.htm

You can sign up and ask about the replacement of the seals and/or Google for the answer. I suggest looking on fleabay for seals/replacemnet cylinder and contacting Benfur as previously suggested. If you send him a private message he will get back to you - give him your email address.

I'm fine with the spanners, it's time that I am short of, hence not running the LS up to keep the Battery charged. Thanks for the tip about benfur-I'll pm him now to see what he has in stock.

lo and behold, the local brake specialist has failed to contact me, despite promising three times to ring me back. Since then, work and other committments have meant that the car has been left.

I tried to start the car tonight, but the Battery is flat-so, before I attempt to jump start it, are there any precautions to take, or should i remove the Battery and recharge it first.

I am still having trouble finding ANY garage that will help, and fear a trrip to a main dealer and their prices will result in me having to scrap what is otherwise a perfect vehicle. looked everywhere on the internet for a master cylinder rebuild kit (as I am sure that this is the problem).

Thanks for the links-all very interesting and, apart from a lack of white smoke (or any smoke) from the exhausts.

Seems like when the garage call me tomorrow, I have some idea about what the problem could be. I'll check out cost of a rebuild kit too.

Thanks again for all the links.

Hi

I would Google for a brake specialist in your area. No point in going to a general mechanic.

Thanks for the tip-found one near me and will ring them on Tuesday to see what they can do. i remember reading somewhere once that the brake fluid can leak into the servo, but, after yet anotjer look, this doesn;t seem to be the case.

I had the rear brakes rebuilt by a main Lexus dealer, but driving it the 40 odd miles to them to check it over is a bit of a risk!

I've been away for the last couple of weeks (biking around Czech Republic, Poland and Germany) so only just looked at the car. Filled the resevior up (with the engine running) and, although the brake pedal was a lot firmer, it was still somewhat spongy. repeatedly applying the brakes shows the fluid level dropping, but there are no leaks to be found anywhere. No puddles, nothing wet or with any sign of being wet.

So I am now stuck as to what it can be-anyone have any further suggestions or can recommend a good garage near Braintree in Essex that can check this problem out for me? I miss driving it a lot!

I parked my 1995 LS400 up for a few hours last Saturday-I came back and drove off. Approaching the junction at the top of the road, the brake pedal felt really spongy and had a lot of travel-usually the pedal is firm and just needs a slight touch to stop.

Driving with a bit of caution on the motorway and a few miles of B road showed that when needed the pedal travel was nearly to the floor, but if I released the pedal and reapplied it, it made it a bit firmer for a second or two. Then the brake warning light came on a mile or so from my mates house. Checking the resevior at his house showed it was well below the minimum mark. Topped it up (with the engine running) and the brakes felt much better again.

Driving the 12 miles home from his, the brake pedal again went spongy and the warning light came on a few miles from my house, but, despite the pedal travel, the brakes worked with no drama (although I did slow right down). However, on checking the resevoir again, it was below the minimum level again. Can't see any leaks-all the wheels are dry inside and out, as is the resevoir and engine bay, so what's happenning to it?

I had rear brakes rebuilt in January which included new discs, pads and brake shoes. A couple of months ago I had a new front suspension spring changed, and the garage gave the car a check over too.

I got my alarm fitted by a auto electrician (Johnson's of Chelmsford I think it was) who came to my house and fitted it within an hour. What I also liked (aprt from having remote locking again) was that he sensors he fitted on the A pillars are the same colour as the A piller covering, and look like a standard fit. Siren is loud enough for me to hear when it's parked outside my house, two remotes, and a very tidy installation of the wiring.

Only just seen thisw thread, but glad you got it going.

My 95 model came with no remote keyfob and the Scorpion alarm was "missing". I was not really bothered with the alarm aspect, but I missed not having remote locking. I had a new Cobra alarm fitted (with remote locking) for about £150 all in. I find alarms tempremental and who pays them any attention nowadays?

My leg can now bend, and so I took a look under the car this morning, and found a part of the spring under it. So everyone's diagnosis was right.

i found an independant Lexus place in Rayleigh (Westfields), and someone able to transport it there for me, so hope it will be sorted by the end of the week.

I just took it to my local garage where they ordered the part from a Toyota dealership 5 miles away. I had to wait for three days and the mechanic said it was a pig of a job, but I got it all done for £150. It's not terminal by any means.

Due to the leg injuries I received I can't drive at the moment, and anyway I wouldn't be happy driving as it is to a repairers. It looks like i'll have to get the RAC to shift it away from my house to a repairers. Anyone know a good mechanic in Essex? And i don't mind if they have it for a week or so-i'm hoping to have recovered enough to drive by then.

So far I have had a quote for one spring-cost is £136 plus VAT :o

Thanks for your replies-I never brealised broken springs was such a common occurance.

Not sure if my car is a DHP, but it does have the wheels from a DHP model.

Are there any aftermarket springs that anyone knows of, or is it best to stick to Lexus? And I presume I can replace just one rather than a pair like with shocks? Won't be for a few weeks at least-these injuries just won't heal quick enough-unless I can find a decent mechainic with Lexus knowledge in North Essex. Anyone know one?

Went out just now and as I walked past my car I thought it looked low at the front. At first I thought it was a puncture, but on closer inspection, the tyre was fully inflated. It looks like this:

I can't bend down to have a proper look, as 10 days ago I had a motorbike-black ice coming together, the resul of which is I have torn some major muscles in my thigh. the car has not been driven for about three weeks, and has done 225,000. It was MOT's in early Jan b a Lexus dealer, and they gave the car a thorough going over (at my request) and found a few tiny faults, but the suspension was said to be good.

So what could it be, and why would it go overnight (it was fine at 6pm last night)? Whats more scary is if it had dropped when driving it, as it is usually driven with 4 passengers.

Hoping to get full mobility back in a couple of weeks, but until then I am stuck as to what it could be.

The "Pioneer" and "Lexus" marked ones work the same-I have a few now, as no matter what 6 CD's I have in the magazine, I find I want to listen to something else, hence I now have three magazines in the car, the two spares purchased cheap from eBay.

My 1995 MkIII came with a fob, but it was not the right one for the car (it was for an LS460). Tried high and low to find a replacement on eBay etc, with no luck. Not sure the correct one would work with mine though, as the siren was missing from the bulkhead.

As I wanted remote locking & unlocking I had no option but to go for an aftermarket alarm with remote locking. A local bloke fitted a basic Cobra alarm and with what I got for the 460 fob on eBay, the total cost worked quite reasonably, and has proved a reliable unit

On Wednesday I took my LS to a Lexus dealer-they have a good reputation-for an MOT (runs out 2nd Jan) rather than a local independant, as this would be the first MOT under my ownership and I wanted to ensure all is well. It was, apart from two things.

The rear parking brake was inoperative on the near side rear. I knew as much, as the pedal went down a long way, but as I use "P" when i stop, it was not an immediate issue.

The dealer then said that they were having trouble removing the rear disc. Funnily enough, when I purchased the car there were a new set of OE Lexus brake shoes in the boot, so I'm guessing that the previous owner had the same problem. The garage warned me that if they tried to remove the disc, they may damage it. As the car had been issued with a failure certificate I wasn't happy driving it home (have you noticed that at the moment every other car on the road seems to be a police car?), so gave them the go ahead (it needs fixing anyway)

20 minutes later, the disc was off, but had been damaged. they showed me the damage, for which they were very apologetic, and that the problem had been seized parking brake cables. And it really was rusted solid. Unfortunately they didn't have a disc or cable in stock, and won't get one until the 5th.

My car has 225,000 on it, so hardly suprising that something has seized over 15 years, but not seen anything anywhere about seized cables.

The second failure point was the number plates-for some reason the last owner had plates made up with 1 extra space in it when he bought the car and the owner before him took his personal plate off of it. It passed the last MOT with this plate on-it was made up at the MOT station too!!!

Still, apart from petrol, the car has cost me nothing in the six months of ownership. Compare to my last car-a Jag- which was a complete money pit in the 6 weeks or so I owned it.

Theres a fine line with these cars between cool and stupid looking.

I couldn't agree more. I have the DHP wheels on mine whih do look better (to me) than the standard LS wheels. Been looking for ages for something else but nothing I've seen really takes my fancy.

A mate of mine owns a paintshop, and I have seen some of the wheels he has painted on the hot rods he does-centres and outer rims in different colours, so I may go down that route just to see how it can work (or ruin the cars looks!).

I had a 1995 Jaguar X300 (the face lifted XJ6) before the Lexus. Now, we are all aware that the LS has one or two common faults (such as the blinking instruments and blackening Air Con displays on early models), but not too much else. The Jag had a long list of common faults, and unfortunately, my car had them all, one after another. fix one, and another would appear. Although the ride qualiy was fantasic, I had just about enough of it after 10 weeks of ownership, so sold it (at a loss, let alone the money I spent on it repairing it).

No matter what i read, about how good Jags are, I'll never have another in preference to an LS. I lived and learnt a bit too late.

Whatever you do, inform your insurers, and you will NOT be penalised if it is not your fault. It seems more and more body shops are offering this kind of "Bring it in, and we'll sort everything" service, and have not seen anything bad about this in the press, but you never can be sure.

It is also worth visiting the industrial estate and asking at the units if anyone at any of them recall the black ice there, and the council to see if it was reported to then for gritting, and even the police as there may have been more than obne incident down to this black ice that day. Take some photos of the road, and mark on the photos your position and his at the time of impact.

The reason for this is that I had a no fault motorbike accident. The other party admitted it was his fault (he had no option but to) but there were no witnesses. Three weeks later his insurers blamed the accident entirely on me. Fortunately, I had been back to the scene the day following the crash (despite my injuries) and took photos of where my bike had gone over and dug into the tarmac, his (amd my) skid marks, measured the road width, etc. Two days later they admitted liability. Without doing this, I'm sure it would have been settled knock for knock at best.

And if you are happy to have the car repaired at where you were going to get your bike screen sprayed, say so (I'd rather my friends bodyshop spray my van and bikes than anyone else, as he is superb). The insurers can only say no, but a £1,000 saving to them is still a £1,000 saving.

Good luck, and i hope all goes smoothly.