Peter L

Thanks guys, Not sure about the taking the whole gear surround off thing but cannot locate the 'internal' fusebox ??? Tried looking under the steering column but couldn't actually see anything (other than an air vent I never knew existed before !)

Hi All, Long time member but been away for a while ... anyway plugged in my tyre inflator into Cig Socket and must have been on too long as Lighter socket no longer works. I have checked in the fusebox under the bonnet but no fuses blown ? Any ideas ? Thanks

Glad to here everyone ok - I had a Rover 820i a few years back (when I was skint - still am but ...) had it for 2 weeks before somebody (looking for a cassette - her words) didn't notice my (parked car) went into the back of it (with my wife still in it). Wife suffered whiplash (car parked, so had seatbelt off) all captured on CCTV (by the company the driver worked for !) luckily as she disputed she was at fault ???!!! Her company reviewed the CCTV footage and sacked her on the spot. Anyway I digress, car was written off even though there was a slight indent on the bumper and a little scratch ! (apparently the whole bumper would have been replaced and cost more than the car's worth ?). I paid £895 for it and got £1200 after showing similar ads from Autotrader, I asked what they were going to do the car and they offered it to me for - zilch ! Apparently I was doing them a favour as they would have had to pay for storage and recovery costs ... I sold it on for £650 so result ! It pays to ask ...

Most independents can access 'Car Data' which lists the relevant service items for each particular make/model - ask if your garage has access to it. When I got my 1995 series 3 with 52k on the clock, I changed everything I could think of including genuine cambelt water pump etc. I got all the stuff from America and was genuine Nippon Denso stuff etc. even some obscur parts that my garage didn't know what it was for (and now sitting in my garage collecting dust !) I think I still had change from £250 even with the express DHL courier which cost about £50 to send. If anybody needs the address for the chap who supplies just about every serviceable item for Lexus then pm me. (Not known to me and I have no financial interest - just good old fashion service with great prices, just helping out a guy who helped me out !) BTW - ATF = Auto Transmission Fluid

If you've got Costco membership those Goodyear wipers are ace and only about a tenner a pair - flat blade and silent too ...

Ok everything fixed now - 3 hours labour @ £45ph - not bad. I didn't need the ball joints in the end (anybody need a set for £50 pm me ?) in the end as they were fine as well as the shockers and got car back - so glad as have to drive around in Mrs BM 5 series (new shape) which is no way as good :winky:

Thanks Adev but if you're mechanically incompetent like me (broke 2 wheel studs just putting wheel back on !) then it's cheaper (as will have to pay the garage again later to fix my fudged attempt)and safer (Springs can be lethal if you don't know what you're doing) and if you damaged some items doing it - think of the destruction I would cause !!!

Just an update - Special thanks to Steve2006 as have ordered those KYB springs - rang them up and they were actually a tenner cheaper each so result ! Just waiting for them to turn up now. Thanks to ACLex and Benfur for getting back to me too ... I managed to get the car transported on the back of a tow truck as it was covered by a £65 maximum at home service and the 12 mile trip cost £59 !!! A plug for Auto Aid (part of Autonational)as for only £38 a year you get rescue and recovery and at home for you and a partner in any car !!! (NB You pay claim first and then claim it back). Only issue was he drove it up the low loader and reversed it off again - hope it's not damaged further ! Have read the thread about the ball joints being a weak point so have ordered these at £50 a pair (which is too reasonable ?) and have asked the garage to check if they need them otherwise hang on to them when I need them. Was tempted to get a new pair of shockers too but pocket rules head and have decided to use the old ones if I can - although they are 16 years old the car has only done 65k from new (I know it doesn't quite work like that as age is another contributing factor to parts failure). Hopefully all parts arrive tomorrow and garage can get it back on the road again (at a reasonable cost) next week as I'm off all next week ... :winky:

Interesting - I take it that's for x1 and I will need to order x2 ? There is only one type listed for Fr(ont) but 2 types listed for R(ea)r ? I'll probably order these but will wait for those two you mentioned earlier to get back to me first ... I'm trying to think of a way to get the car towed to my mechanic (who's recently sold his tow truck - doh !) and let him decide whether or not I need new ball joints but in fairness I have been hearing a creaking/knocking sound over bumps in the road before the spring snapped ? Thanks for the suggestions and advice - much appreciated - it's what I joined these forums for !!!

Thanks for those wise words Steve, I live in North Manchester and they (speed bumps) have popped up everywhere !!! :tsktsk: I have contacted my mechanic who has advised the same as what you have recommended about driving etc. but I'm sure I have one of those stupid policies which doesn't cover recovery as I'm parked outside my own house !!! Can you tell me where you found those KYB springs (any good ?) I'm at work at the moment and can't access fleabay :shutit: I have also been told to check the lower ball joints by a chap at Japarts as he reckons Lexus springs just don't break ? Keep coming back to this forum as it's so helpful unlike the other ones I am a member of (BMW) Thanks again

Hi Guys ! Drove off to work as usual this morning in my Mk3 1995 LS400 and 50 yds from my house there is a speed bump, went over it at 10mph (tops) and very loud crack ! Stopped and saw the remnants of a coil from I guess what would be the o/s spring as that side looks slammed ! Pretty good when I was a Max Power kind of guy but reaching 40 means that I have grown out of all of that !!! :winky: I guess there was warning signs as there was a strange metallic sound each time I went over bumps and uneven roads previously. My Question's are - I know the springs will need replacing as spares but do I/should I replace the shocks as well ? Is it safe enough to drive it to the nearest garage or will I need recovery ? What kind of costs would I be looking at ? (Sods law - totally broke this month !) :tsktsk: Anybody know where I can get a pair of springs reasonably from ?

Yep it is a shame alright, if they would fit I might buy them, but sadly the lights are different. But at least, when compared to 95 model 98 has more power :) Yes but for power I have a Saab 9000 Aero Turbo :winky:

Shame I have 2 virtually brand new LHD lights for a MK3 1995 model (previous owner 'emigrated' to Spain for a month before changing mind !) which I will never need going spare ... shameless plug for anybody who is after a set ...

Holy Sugar !!! Tried Lexus as mine is up for renewal - wanted over £1400 for a 1995 series 3 ! I'm 40 with 18 years NCB - no points or claims and best price I can find this year is £550 with Admiral on a Multi car policy - anybody know where else I might try ?

Not sure what the difficulties are here but on my Mk3 I have bought replacement curved blade aero replacements from my local Costco made by Goodyear for about £6 each (different size for passenger and driver sides) and they took 5 minutes (for both) to fit, slide on slide off affair though I found the driver side easier to fit by 'parking' the wiper arms at 12 o'clock'. Have had them on for 2 years now and still going strong, good ability to clear water without leaving an arc and no noise, they haven't rusted like the ones that were on before either ...

I owned a 95 GS 300 Sport for 3 years, a 2000 IS 200 Sport for 10 months and currently have 95 LS 400 and must say that my preferences have to be the 300 & 400 (300 for sporty look and 400 for power and refinement). I do like the look of the 200 Sport but it's just not 'Lexus' enough and compromises in every way - small boot, 2.0 engine that as thirsty as 3 & 4 litre and not as refined. Wanted to get another 200 recently but settled for BMW 5 series instead. As for the IS 250 - what a horrible looking Toyota that is ! In Japan the IS is badged a Toyota Altezza albeit it's turbocharged and doesn't look as out of place in the Toyota line up as it does in the Lexus line up buth then again look at the ugly duckling RX ... horses for courses ...

Not sure about a MKIV but on my MK3 it is actually a 'rolling code' to prevent the remote from being copied. To get the remote to unlock you have to hold the lock/unlock key for 10 seconds to synch the alarm to the fob and then let go an activate/deactivate as normal. First time this happened I thought bugger the car won't start as it's also immobilised but managed to read in the manual about the above procedure which was in the glovebox - luckily !

I hope you find a fix as BBA reman. as recommended on another thread have replied:- "Thank you for your reply. At present we are not able to supply these units, so it would have to be a repair of your unit subject to condition. To test the part is £35.00 plus carriage and vat. If faulty and repairable the typical cost is £270.00 plus carriage and vat. The test fee is included in the repair cost." £270 to change a light ??? Gulp - I'd rather buy a cage and stick a single Din CD player in than pay that !

Thanks fellas (and/or ladies !) Cruise light doesn't come on, I guess it was very rarely used (only covered 50k in 15 years) could there be a blown fuse or relay somewhere for this ? I'll give the boot seal a go when weather picks up but do I need to replace with a new seal after siliconing ? Won't bother with heated seats, not really necessary ... Be interested to hera about the cure for the radio Also noticed, sometimes my car stalls (!) when I'm at trafiic lights when I put into neutral and then engage drive ? Is this a common issue for this model as I'v never actually stalled an auto before now ! It always starts back up though

Hi All Been away from these forums for a while and the look of it has completely changed ! Did have a GS 300 Sport a while back and briefly owned an IS 200 Sport (with 27k and one previous owner) before the kids arrived ... Anyway back to business. I bought my 95 Series3 2 years ago from an old bloke in Derbyshire (best guys to buy it from as it was spotless Full SH and everything noted down with receipts including every time it was filled up - a bit OCD but hey, what records !) best of all only paid £2500 for a car with 50K on the clock ... Few niggling problems:- Heated seats don't work - lights up on button though (I realise that these may be down to knackered elements and on a car that's 16 years old I'm not too fussed) Cruise control doesn't work Radio back light doesn't work (common issue I guess) Aerial only comes up half way and makes a thudding sound when coming up Boot - damp and musky smell (I think I read on here that boot seal perishes and is a common and easy fix - replace boot seal ?) Bonnet struts knackered (a common trait of ALL Lexus's I guess) Anybody got any ideas on how to rectify some of these issues and where to go ?

You could always fit a 120 litre tank aswell & have 205 litres :D You must have a very heavy right foot I get 220 round town & 280 on the run from 56 litres, more if I pussy foot it. But you have a mkIV. More economical :) Anybody recommend a system and fitter for a 1995 Mk3 round about the Bury/Manchester Area ? Forget all the rest and go straight down to Profess Gas just the other side of the Seven bridge. They will lend you a car for the day amd when you get back all will be done Just over £1000 and in an instance you have almost halved the cost of motoring paradise. Mike Thanks Mike but South Wales is some distance away from Manchester ... have you had a system fitted by them ? What makes them stand out from the other fitters out there ? Anybody recommend a fitter closer to me ? I normally use Dual Fuel in Woking Surrey but they wanted more than twice the amount Profess Gas wanted and they also wanted the car for a week or more so after looking through the internet I came across Profess and trawled the WWW for anyone that had a bad thing to say about them but apart from one guy whos car couldnt be finished, they put him up in a nice hotel for the night free with lots of applogies there was nothing. I rang them and spoke to them they came across as professional they use Italian Polish fitters who have been fitting these systems for years and when they work they work dammed hard and thats not the same as most UK garages think means working hard. They offered to give me telephone numbers of past customers which I didnt take up but thought I would bite the bullit and book it in and was I glad I did. I arrived at 8.15am for an 8.30am appointment they took the car straight away lent me a Toyota LPG for the day they said it would be finished by 5pm and it was, they filled the tank up asked me to go for a 20min run to see if I was happy with it there were no problems I took it back and while I paying they refilled the tank after the test run. The installation was extreamly neat no greasey marks inside or out and its been in a year now no problems. They do ask you to take the car back after about 1000 miles just in case it needs tweeking but that took 5 mins and all is well. I shall be taking my wifes new Mondeo estate down there for LPG with no reservations at all. I can give them and you no better recomendation. Manchesters not that far down the M5 I had to come from Surrey. Thanks for that Mike - extremely helpful and it sounds like a trip to sunny Wales for me when I decide to get it done (probably during Summer now) I'll have to make a 'day trip' out of it with the wife and kids ... :)

You could always fit a 120 litre tank aswell & have 205 litres :D You must have a very heavy right foot I get 220 round town & 280 on the run from 56 litres, more if I pussy foot it. But you have a mkIV. More economical :) Anybody recommend a system and fitter for a 1995 Mk3 round about the Bury/Manchester Area ? Forget all the rest and go straight down to Profess Gas just the other side of the Seven bridge. They will lend you a car for the day amd when you get back all will be done Just over £1000 and in an instance you have almost halved the cost of motoring paradise. Mike Thanks Mike but South Wales is some distance away from Manchester ... have you had a system fitted by them ? What makes them stand out from the other fitters out there ? Anybody recommend a fitter closer to me ?

You could always fit a 120 litre tank aswell & have 205 litres :D You must have a very heavy right foot I get 220 round town & 280 on the run from 56 litres, more if I pussy foot it. But you have a mkIV. More economical :) Anybody recommend a system and fitter for a 1995 Mk3 round about the Bury/Manchester Area ?

Hi It will almost definately be the battery pack in the siren. Before that, just check that its not turned-off use the barrel key. Assuming its not turned-off, you will need to take the siren apart. Take it off the bracket that secures it to the wheel arch or bulk head. Turn it over and remove the 2 screws which hold it together. Remove the end with the depression - carefully as this is the speaker which should still be soldered to the circuit board. Undo the plastic nut securing the cabe to the unit and free-off the cable grips. Being careful, push the cable in to the unit to push the circuit board out. Observe the slots in the unit so that you know how to reassemble. Look at the battery pack. Does it look dead/corroded? New one needed. If not, very carefully look at the circuit board to see if its damaged or wires have come unsoldered. These joints are delicate. Take remedial action as necessary. Assuming its the battery pack you will need part number 544-0188 from RS Components - Google it- which is a total of 6volts 1Ah which need the wires from the circuit board soldering to it. Hi Steve Thanks for that but sounds kinda technical and unlike most on these forums, I'm not very technically minded/gifted :( Guess it'll have to be a job when the sun comes out and I get a spare few hours (or in my case - days !)

Mine's exactly the same - arms/disarms by locking/unlocking doors but not a peep ! press red button and indicators flash but no 'alarm' any suggestions ?