stericker

Hi all. Whenever I go away for a few days (maybe a week) the battery (Lexus- two years old) is flat when I return, although I am careful to turn everything off. I am concerned about the alarm going off as the battery runs down. Is there a way of securing the car (LS400 '99) without the alarm or is it best to disconnect the battery ? If the battery is disconnected for a week what electrics might I lose ? I do not seem to have a radio code. Because the radio is built in perhaps it doesnot need a code. Thank you in advance for any advice.

Further to the 'running rough' problem. Am a happy bunny today as the problem has been sorted by my little independent local garage. He suspected coil(s) as the spark plugs had been renewed. By process of elimination he found that it was not coil(s) but that the O/S rear fuel injector was not injecting. It transpires that the front 'pots' have a different fuel injector to the rear 'pots' For some reason he had to send to Germany for the part - (he did not want to fit a second hand one)- £146 plus VAT- but it came within three days. Total for the job £295 (inc. VAT) which I thought was pretty good. Is it unusual to have a fuel injector problem on an LS400 ? And what might have caused it ?

The LS400 ('99) had a full service and new spark plugs yesterday at JEM who are a large Japanese vehicle garage in North London. It is still running rough. They say it is either ignition coil(s) or fuel injectors.If it is coils where is the best place to source them at a reasonable price ? And is it likely to be more tha one coil ? Is there an easy way to test them ? I notice that it is taking a lot longer to reach running temerature in the morning - any clue here ? Any suggestions gratefully received. Incidently nothing is showing up on the dash. They plugged in an analysis thingy and all that came up was a faulty (?) oxygen sensor.

Many thanks Steve and Mark. Nothing has come up on the dash. Probably is plugs and/or coils. Will get it checked out.

My 99 LS400 has started to run rough over the last few days, particularly on start up. When warm it gets better. It is like it is not firing on all eight cylinders. Spark plugs ? I do not know when they were last changed. The car has done 125,000 and most of my driving is in urban areas. Any thoughts gratefully received.

Hi Bluesman. I bought a Pure Highway three weeks ago following a post some months back. I am very pleased with it. Whereas the ariel cable is quite easy to fit and conceal I find the cigarette lighter adapter a bit of a pain (I like to use my lighter and those multiple adapters do not work well). Is there a simple way to wire the adapter cable into the electrics ? It is a shame that the battery operation does not work in the car. A tip to those who might be buying a Pure Highway - do not use the self adhesive to fit the ariel to the screen (use Sellotape) if you want to transfer it to another car at a later date. I bought mine at John Lewis (Brent Cross). They had delisted it but I had a tip off by the lady in charge of the DAB section that she had two in the back. There might still be one left. It cost £49.99 as compared to nearly £100 on Amazon. She said there were still some at John Lewis Aberdeen.

Thanks abs66, I have checked behind and around the number plate - could not see anything. Went to an auto electric guy on Friday and he was mystified as to where the sensors are. He thinks they must be behind the 'plastic' bumper but he would have to take it off to check. I have been spoilt with the sensor and am now missing it, particularly for tight parking spaces. If I can't get the existing fixed soon I will resort to one of the number plate kits.

Many thanks Cruisermark. Could be helpful. I will try to 'fiddle around' when I have time.

Judging by the lack of replies and no mention of the sensor in the owners manual I am wondering if the rear parking sensor was added at a later date. Was it fitted as standard to the late Mk 4s ? There are no 'holes' in the rear bumper so I am not sure how it works.

I have a '99 LS400. The rear parking sensor (does not have a front one) has always worked perfectly. However, after a long drive in continuous rain over Christmas the sensor has stopped working. Strangely, it came back on again for one day but has now been silent for the past three days. Could it be the damp or the fact that I inadvertently hit a bad pothole at about the same time. Maybe the bump dislodged something. I am not very techno minded. Any help much appreciated.

The bulb in the interior 'dome' light of my 99 LS400 expired some months ago. You have to have the courage to remove the cover. By gently using a sharp knife (penknife blade) just gently tease it out. If I remember correctly there are two lugs on the top and two on the bottom. The cover is quite strong and will not damage if you are careful. To replace the cover insert one of the two sets of lugs and then gently bang the cover into place.

I am getting a creaking/groaning noise as I drive my 1999 LS400 over humps and uneven ground. My local small independent garage says it is the 'passenger side rear upper suspension arm' Does that sound right ? He says Lexus want about £208 plus VAT for the part and then the fitting would be another £150 ish Any help gratefully received

Hi. Well done joining the club. In Ebay UK try typing in Lexus LS400 workshop manual. Not a lot to choose from but it might help.

I have Kumho tyres on my 1999 LS400. Very quiet and usually a reasonable price.

Hi MikeyV. Good pics. It looks as if you are missing some Lexus symbols on the hub caps. I had the same problem with my '99 LS400. In the end I got some from the USA - good value. Google 'Lexus Hub Caps'. Although my wheels have been resprayed the alloy look of the new hub caps works well.

I bought some Bosch blades from Halfords 18 months ago and they are still operating in a smooth and silent way.

Yes. Thanks Steve. It was the first and most obvious ebay ad that I tried. Unfortunately they do not answer their 'phone or return calls, so I was working my way through the other Ebay ads.

Thanks Parrot. Good site. One of the breakers has got an 'M' reg front indicator light assembly. Do you know if it would fit my 1998 model ?

Hi Guys, Some idiot has done a U turn into the front wing of my parked LS400 Mk 4. Apart from damage to the bodywork they have broken the drivers side front indicator lamp assembly. Anyone know where I can find a replacement ? I have tried Maurice - no luck.

Steve, Many thanks. You have answered my very badly put question in your usual impeccable manner. I am too old (ah!) to do that sort of job myself and so will show my local garage your instructions. Tony

Steve, I missed your article in CM about lubrication points (??) - you can see I am not a mechanic. My 1998 LS400 is uttering the odd 'groan' from underneath in this hotter weather - particularly going over road humps. I want to take the car to my local garage. Will he know where to lubricate (WD 40 ?)? Due to copyright I know you are unable to reproduce your article but do you have any tips you could give us ?

Hi Have you tried Dan or Josh at simplycarmats (01827 312322) Type in 'Tailor made floor mats' in the forums You will see that some months back I won a set of car mats courtesy of the Lexus Owners Club. Because they were free I do not know how much they charge. Mine are still fine and seem to be of good quality.

Hi The battery on my 1999 LS400 failed twice this week. Yesterday I called the AA who got it going - said all looked OK but he reckoned the battery could be the original - 11 years old!!! He wanted £125 for replacement so went to Lexus Edgeware Rd (London) who charged me £59.75 after my 'GOLD' discount. So- Lexus are not always that expensive. Thanks to Leo at Lexus Edgeware Rd.

Hi. If you go into the forums you will find useful advice and illustrations. Try typing in 'steering'

For those interested I should have added that the Halfords replacement bulb is a clear one. So when you remove the original 'peel' off the green rubber cover and carefully replace it on to the new bulb