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Blowky, I think you've hit the nail on the head. I remember, one of the times I called out the Dutch AA/RAC, the guy removed the passenger side kick plate and pushed a safety pin through two of the wires to get the fuel pump to work.

Tahir, Sorry I couldn't be more help. I think you might find that the wire you are looking for is the power for the fuel pump. Unfortunately, I don't have wiring diagrams, but I'm sure that someone else on the forum will.

Hi Tahir, Sorry for the delay, yesterday morning took longer than I thought :( I've read this thread very carefully and the problems I had are not the same as you have, although I did have the Scorpion alarm and it worked very well for 15 years. I, habitually, had to leave my LS 400 in airport car parks for extended periods and suffered flat batteries as a result. The first 2 times it happened I called out the Dutch equivalent of the AA/RAC and, after a lot of trouble, they managed to get the car going. The real problem was the fact that the power for the fuel pump is routed through the alarm (that may be why you can turn yours over but it won't fire up). I decided that all this hassle was unacceptable and there had to be an easier way to reset everything after a flat battery. After a lot of experimentation, this is the solution I came up with........... I realised that what the alarm wanted, was to be put back into the situation it was in before the battery became flat. In my case this was: all doors, bonnet and boot closed, and locked using the key fob. Finding the battery flat, I had to manually unlock the door.......this messed up the alarm logic. So, I bought one of those portable emergency start batteries and left it in the boot. I made up two leads of thin wire (each about 3m long) with mini crocodile clips on the ends. When I found the battery flat, I opened the car using the ignition key. After lifting the bonnet, I attached the two thin leads to the battery terminals then closed all the doors, boot, and bonnet - leaving the thin wires hanging out the front I attached the other ends of the thin wires to the emergency start battery and, with a bit of power restored, could now lock the car using the key fob. The car was now in the situation that I had left it!!!! I opened the door using the fob, lifted the bonnet, disconnected the thin wires and, using PROPER JUMP LEADS, started the car. I had to do this quite a few times during the time I had the car, and it never failed. It does seem, however, that your problem may be more alarm oriented rather than battery. Before spending a lot of time on this, it might be an idea to connect the alarm again and give my method a try.

Gents, I posted previously how to get round this problem on a Scorpion alarm. I'm just about to run out the door so, if you check my previous posts, you'll find it. If it hasn't been found by the time I get back (this afternoon) I'll re-post.

I had a 1994 LS 400 with exactly the same key fob...........and it worked very well for 15 years (OK, I changed the fob battery a few times). I've mentioned somewhere else on the forum that a Lexus Dealer (Glasgow) told me that some LS 400's had non-standard alarm systems fitted because a particular batch of OEM alarms didn't comply with Post Office Transmission regulations. How true that is, is anyone's guess. The non-standard alarms were British and had a second, small, plug-type key. This could be inserted on top of the under-bonnet unit; a quarter turn of the key resulted in a 'de-sensitised' alarm system. I think it switched off the motion sensor.

There is some interesting information on the LS 400 in the Daily Telegraph.........Honest John Classics: http://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/reviews/lexus/ls400-xf10

This may or may not help. When I had a Mk 3 my wife called me to tell me that 'she couldn't get the fob to work'. When I got to her she had the same indications as you - press the button, the light flashes, but the doors wouldn't open. After messing around for a while I found that the little slide on the side of the fob had moved slightly. I moved it back and forth (exercised) it and tried again - it worked. I can't remember which position is which so you have to try it both ways. If, however, you have inadvertently 'altered' the sequencing of the alarm or, have fried some of the electronics, then that is outside of my sphere of expertise. I'm sure, though, that somebody on here will be able to help.

Here is an aerial tip I learned on a 1994 LS 400. I took the car through a car wash with the aerial extended (yes, I know). I took the car to the Lexus/Toyota dealer in The Hague in Holland, expecting to pay a fortune for a new aerial. The Service Manager said 'no problem, the insert is exactly the same as the Toyota Camry'. He changed the insert in 5 mins and charged me 55 euros. So, if like me, you're stupid enough to take it through a car wash with aerial extended, or anything else which only damages the insert.........get the bit for a Camry.

FWIW, I used to have a 1994 LS 400. According to the dealer (Lexus Glasgow) the alarm on this model was a 'UK fit only'. Apparently the original Japanese alarm didn't conform with the Post Office Radio Transmission Laws. These alarms had a very recognisable key fob. It was rectangular, black, and had 2 buttons - one red and one black. There was a small leather strap on which was attached the ignition key and a small plug type key. The control unit was under the bonnet on the bulkhead passenger side. On top of the unit was a small hole into which the small key fitted. The key would turn one quarter. This would 'de-sensitize' the alarm (I think it switched off the motion sensor, but don't take that as gospel). If I remember correctly (it's been 15 months) this also affected the flash/bleep sequence. There were instructions for this in the Owners Manual. I hope my memory isn't playing tricks with me.

The LS 460 and LS 600 both have timing chains. I'm pretty sure that ALL LS models up to, and including, the LS 430 have timing belts. The replacement times for the belts vary, my 1994 LS was every 68,000 miles (100,000 kms)

I had my 2007 LS 460 adjusted a couple of months ago. I'm pretty sure that setting 5 is what you're looking.......it means that the lights come on as soon as the light starts to fade. If the local dealer is going to hook up his laptop to your car, you might want to get him to personalise all of the options. I don't know about your car but in my owner's manual, the list of options starts at page 625.

Malc, That sounds like a great adventure. I think the Lexus is at its best as a long range cruiser. I'm sure you've done your homework as far as driving regs in France and Spain is concerned. I've driven in France a lot and the French police like to stop cars with non-French plates.......particularly British. They love to check if you have things like spare bulbs and alcohol testing kits. The AA/RAC websites have got lots of good info on what is required. That aside, they are both beautiful countries.......have a great trip.

Malc, I used to live in the UK and had a 1994 LS400 which I bought way back in 1997. Like everyone else, I thought the car was fantastic. But in 2012 I moved to Holland. I had lived here for a few months a year for quite a while but when I decided to live here permanently it meant getting rid of the LS400 (getting it through the Dutch registration system was financially prohibitive). I decided to buy a Lexus here in Holland. As you can imagine the market for the Lexus is very small here and there were very few cars available. I, actually, bought a 2009 RX400h but very quickly realised it was a mistake. It was a nice car.........but it wasn't an LS. So I went looking for one. I had bought the RX from a main dealer and he did me a swap for the 2007 LS460. It only has 45,000 miles on the clock and they gave me a print-out of the service history. The LS is incredibly rare here.......in fact I can't remember seeing another one. There are quite a few RX's and IS's but that's about it. I did see an LS600h but it was Belgian registered. Reading the US Lexus Forum, it is worrying how many problems the LS460 has. The air suspension and the front suspension bearings seem to be the main problems. The fact that the American ones are made in the USA and those for the European market are made in Japan may have a bearing on things. The price of a new LS460 in the USA is around $75,000 which is amazing. I can't help wondering what they have to do to keep the price so low. There isn't a large database, in the UK, on the LS460 so if anyone here has info I could use, please feel free to pass it on. However Malc, to go back to your question......the LS430 didn't appeal because I don't really like the shape - but that's just me.

Guys, I fully understand what you're saying and I hope your LS400's last for years. The problem is that ALL modern cars are electronic marvels and, eventually, you will have to take the plunge. Years ago, I used to enjoy taking the engine of my Triumph Herald to pieces .......then putting it back together, just for the fun of it. There were always bits left over but it didn't seem to stop it running Nowadays, as you know, everything is factory sealed and not very user-friendly. In my opinion, the LS400 is probably one of the last luxury cars that can be substantially worked on by DIY owners. The LS460 has an amazing amount of electronics (to be honest, I think Lexus put some of the features in just because they could) and I have no idea how reliable it will be. I'm putting my faith in the fact that it is a Lexus and that my previous experience of the marque is excellent. One real plus is that the engine now has a timing chain rather than a belt. If I do have problems, I'll let you know.

Malc, I owned a 1994 LS400 for 16 years and I know how great they are but..........the LS460 is a whole different machine. It is more expensive to maintain, particularly as you have to get the dealership to hook up their diagnostic tools to get things done properly. However, so far, mine has been totally reliable and the running costs have been minimal. I think one of the secrets is to make sure that bits don't go astray (eg tyre valves) when you're not looking

I have a 2007 LS460. Last week I suffered a tyre blowout after picking up a nail in the sidewall. I popped into my local KwikFit and arranged to have the tyre looked at. Because the damage to the sidewall was excessive I needed a new tyre. There were none in stock so I left the wheel and asked them to give me a call when it was fitted. The LS460 has a tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) which is very clever. The tyre valve stems incorporate a pressure sensor, transmitter and battery. The transmitter sends a pressure signal to the central computer which, when selected, displays the pressures on the instrument panel. This includes the spare. When I went to pick up the wheel I noticed that the valve stem looked different. You've guessed it...........KwikFit 'as standard' replace valve stems when they fit a new tyre. I had to get them to root around in their bins to find the old one. Luckily, they found and refitted it: when I dropped the wheel into the boot the TPMS worked perfectly. These valve stems are not cheap. Each one costs about 200 euro (plus tax) and to fit a new one, balance the wheel then synchronise the new one with the central computer is about another 150 euro. I hope my experience serves as a warning to others.

I had the same sort of problem with a 1994 Mk3. I had to leave the car parked for quite long periods of time in the staff car park at the airport. Everything was fine till they moved the car park to the end of the runway. People started to report that their car alarms were activated by the power vibrations from departing aircraft or the high energy radar emissions from landing aircraft. I came back from a trip to find that the key fob wouldn't unlock the door. I used the actual key to open the door, found that the battery was flat then, when I tried to get a jump start, found that the car considered me to be a thief. It took a lot of hassle and visits from the RAC to get it started. After it happened a second time, I decided to try and devise a way round the 'thief' problem. This is what I came up with: I made up two electrical leads, one black and one red, 3 metres long and with crocodile clips on each end of the leads. The leads were very light gauge, about 3mm copper. Next time that I had a flat battery, I used the key to open the door then popped the bonnet. I connected the leads to the battery terminals then, because they were so thin, I was able to completely close the bonnet on them. I made sure that all the doors and boot were closed. I then connected the leads to a good battery (AA, RAC, friend, passing motorist, etc) Now there was enough power to operate the door locks so, using the fob, I LOCKED the doors. Electronically, the car was now back where it started. I UNLOCKED the doors using the fob and raised the bonnet. I now disconnected the small leads and used standard jump leads to start the car without any problems. I used this method about 5 times in the life of the car. It took me a while to discover that, unlike other cars, the Lexus wasn't really bothered by aircraft landing and taking off...........the real problem was an intermittent boot light switch. Every time I tested it, it was OK........but, every now and then, the light stayed on and drained the battery. Overnight was no problem but, up to a week in a car park, drained the battery completely. The fact that the car park was moved was just a coincidence.

Thanks for that Shiner, I, too, hope that the legendary Lexus reliability continues with the 460. The 400 was incredible; it never let me down. I had it serviced regularly and it repaid me by giving me sterling service. The only problems were self inflicted by myself or my good lady. There were a few front and back bumper scrapes and we both managed to take the car through a car wash with the radio aerial extended. The first time was in 2000, in Scotland. The Lexus dealer told me that the complete aerial needed replacing at a cost of 285 pounds. The second time it happened, in 2002, we were on holiday in Holland. I called into the local Lexus garage expecting to have to pay the same again. The mechanic told me that Lexus recommended an aerial change but that it only needed an insert. The insert for a Toyota Camry is a perfect fit. He fitted it for me in 5 mins for a total price of 30 pounds. Hopefully, with integral antennae and parking sensors, I won't have these problems with the 460. Famous last words..........

To get back to the main theme of this thread...........I have recently gone from a 1994 LS400 Mk3 to a 2007 LS460. I bought the LS400 in 1997 and, until the end of 2012, it was our much loved main transport. In 2012 we came to live in Holland and, because the cost of Dutch registration was prohibitive, we decided that it had to go. It wasn't worth much and we decided to give it away. Some of you may remember that I offered it, here on the forum, to anyone who would give it a home. One of the 'senior' members of the forum did just that. We had always had 2 cars; the LS 400 and a hatchback to carry all the bits and pieces for DIY etc. Here in Holland, used cars are pretty expensive so we decided to replace the LS 400 with a 2009 RX 400h. This was not a complete success. Don't get me wrong, the RX is a nice car .........but! For a start, the turning circle was terrible (apparently, the older ones are even worse). The starting battery was not reliable. I left it at Rotterdam Airport for 2 weeks and when I got back, the battery was flat (apparently this is known glitch and.......older ones are even worse). The batteries take up a lot of room and the luggage carrying capacity is not as good as you would think. Anyway, my lovely lady wife and I were discussing the car one day and I asked her what she thought. Her answer was short and to the point 'It's not an LS'. So.......a few days later I went back to the dealership where I bought the RX, and came to an arrangement with the sales guy. For a small consideration, he was willing to swop the RX for a 2007 LS 460. The 460 was the garage demonstrator for 2 years before becoming the personal transport of a company director. It had just over 40,000 miles on the clock (62,000km). I don't need to tell you how great it is to be driving an LS again. The LS 460 has lots of electronic wizardry, some of which I doubt I'll ever use, but some of the innovations since 1994 are really useful. I find the automatic parking brake and the parking brake ''Hold' function really useful. The 8-speed box is a joy and the 'looking round corners' headlamps are amazingly useful. The automatic parking function is, in my opinion, a bit of a gimmick, and I prefer to do it myself. The parking sensors have already justified their inclusion. The main thing is - it's an LS. Going from the 1994 LS 400 to a 2007 LS 460 was absolutely no problem. All the controls, switches and indicators are exactly where they should be. It is quiet, powerful, comfortable and great fun to drive.......just like the 400. As I said, it's an LS. So, don't worry if your 400 gets to the end of its days (or becomes un-economical to maintain)......the 430/460 is waiting.

Thanks for that, particularly the tip about AFS.

I live in Holland and have just bought a 2009 RX 400h. The owner's and navigation manuals are in Dutch - the dealer is trying to find an English version for me. In the meantime I have downloaded the complete manuals from the Lexus USA site (you have to love the American Freedom of Info System) The download was free. Unfortunately, there are quite a few differences between the American and European specs. Is there anywhere that I can download a set of European manuals in English? Secondly, the headlight question. I will be bringing my RX across to the UK from time to time. Is there an adjustment on the headlights for RH/LH drive or do I have to use the 'stick-on' option? Needless to say, the American manuals didn't mention it. Thanks, in anticipation.

No, I'm afraid it's a Mk3.......just not registered till '95.

In 1997 I was looking to buy a nearly-new BMW 7 Series or Mercedes S class. I went to visit my local dealers in Glasgow but, probably because I was dressed 'in a casual manner', they weren't too interested. The Mercedes salesman wouldn't even shake my hand! A work colleague asked me if I'd thought about a Lexus......I had no idea they existed. A few days later I visited my local Lexus garage and was given a 2 year-old gold LS 400 for a day. The car sold itself and I bought it. I still own it and it has become like an old friend. Back in 1997 there were very few Lexus around and we used to wave at each other when passing. The car has been exceptionally reliable: apart from regular servicing, the only things that have gone wrong are one indicator bulb and the front part of the exhaust had to be replaced - not because it had failed but because the metal flanges attaching it to the car had rusted away. The British made security system (since discontinued, I believe) failed on me twice and was replaced under warranty. The only large cost servicing items have been the timing belt replacements at every 68,000 miles. The car has done 162,000 miles and still passes it's MOT easily. As the topic tag says - a good decision. In the past few months I have moved to Holland and will be here for the forseeable future. It is just not possible to drive a British registered car here for any length of time (paricularly on the insurance side) so I've bought a car here - a 'first registered in 2009' Lexus RX 400h. This means that the LS 400 is, unfortunately, surplus to requirements. I had thought of putting it in the classified section but there is a difference...........I am not trying to sell the car; I am trying to give it away to a Lexus enthusiast. There is no catch in this; it is not worth very much and, if no-one wants it, it will go to auction. I would rather not do that. It has been a very reliable car and will continue to be so. The Lexus Owners Club seems, to me, to be the place to find someone who wants it. It has tax and MOT until Apr 2013. And it has NEVER been smoked in. The car will be in the Glasgow area for a couple of weeks in the middle of November. Anyone interested can just pick it up. Please PM me if you want any more info. To the Moderators: if this is against the forum rules, I apologise. Please feel free to delete or move as necessary.