Martin Hughes

Before: After: I wonder if I'm the only one who thinks Lexus overdid the rear lights on this model...

Thank you for your replies but I think it may have something to do with the car no longer recognising the master key as all the glitches have something to do with the key (steering column won't lower when it's inserted, blipper not working and the personal settings of the seat). I'll try reprogramming it and see how far I get!

Hello. I've recently had my battery out for a charge which upset the immobiliser, preventing me from starting the engine until I'd reset it (ignition on for 6 minutes, learnt from the forums, thank you). But now, the steering column won't lower when the key is inserted, the key blipper won't lock/unlock the car and the memory seat function has stopped working. Is this all down to the same thing? Any help would be much appreciated.

I don't suppose you know where I would find the driver's door ECU?

I have this mirror problem. I've just removed the horn fuses individually and turned the ignition on and the mirror shifted out slightly so I'm guessing it must be the radio fuse. But, I can't find any mention of a radio code anywhere in my paperwork. I thought the radio code was something that prevented radio theft but as the radio is integrated into the dashboard, I can't see the point. Do all Mk4's have a radio code?

I thought DHP wheels were only 17"?

Mmmm.... 255/45/17 :heart:

Thank you for your pictures and feedback so far. The pictures tend to confirm my view that standard LS400 wheels and tyres can make the car look as though it is on tiptoes whereas the DHP wheels (and mine for some unknown reason) make it look more glued to the road, no disrespect intended to the fine (and much cleaner) examples on display.

16 inch with 60 profile tyres.

When I was looking for an LS400 to buy, I always fancied the DHP version because with big wheels filling their arches, they sat really well on the road. Normal wheels and tyres always seemed second best but I was prepared to bite the bullet. However, the LS400 I eventually bought (the blue one below) had normal wheels that still managed to fill the arches. Is it simply a case of higher or lower profile tyres (though the profiles below don't look that different) or does worn suspension come into it somewhere? It's my first go at adding pics. I hope it works

I've owned some oil-smoking cronks in the past so I can spot the difference. If my LS400 was started every day, I would never know it had a problem. Not a trace of blue smoke. But, because it is left 4-5 days between start-ups, it gives the oil time to find its way through the seals and collect in the combustion chamber, showing up as a blue haze on first start-up. Like someone said on here, it's not a major problem, but it is a little dent in my confidence in Lexus and Japanese engineering. Anyway, thank you for your concern.

I went to view this one in Plymouth before I bought mine. He's right when he says its not in perfect condition. In addition to what he states, the interior is quite grubby, there are some terrible (big and black) after-market reading lights fitted front and rear, there is a phone set-up taking up most of the armrest storage and the front indicators are full of condensation. Definitely looking its 15 years. I walked away when it was at £1700 on auto-trader. Still, I bet its valve stem seals are fine, unlike mine :(

No, it's definitely got a blue tint. I don't tend to get much steam on start up. I know it may not be as serious as I mistakenly thought but it's still a bit of a blow to have worn valve seals. But, I haven't had my LS400 long so there is still plenty of time for it to prove itself.

Probably condensation burning off Steve My car is left idle for the week and started at the weekends. On first start up, there is a fine haze of blue smoke visible. I think it's oil smoke but I don't know where it could be coming from. Any pointers? The Blue smoke that occurs on startup from cold after standing for a period of time is probably oil that drips down the valve stems though worn seals and collects on the top of the piston, it starts occuring on older post 150k engines .It is nothing to worry about and makes little difference to oil consumption or the cats. Worn valve seals on an 118000 mile Lexus? That's shocking. There must be hundreds of cheaper cars with many more miles on the clock (including my old Mazda 626) that don't suffer with worn valve seals. I am very slowly losing my faith in Lexus engineering. Sorry, I may be getting valve seals and valve seats mixed up. Did you mean valve stem seals?

Probably condensation burning off Steve My car is left idle for the week and started at the weekends. On first start up, there is a fine haze of blue smoke visible. I think it's oil smoke but I don't know where it could be coming from. Any pointers? The Blue smoke that occurs on startup from cold after standing for a period of time is probably oil that drips down the valve stems though worn seals and collects on the top of the piston, it starts occuring on older post 150k engines .It is nothing to worry about and makes little difference to oil consumption or the cats. Worn valve seals on an 118000 mile Lexus? That's shocking. There must be hundreds of cheaper cars with many more miles on the clock (including my old Mazda 626) that don't suffer with worn valve seals. I am very slowly losing my faith in Lexus engineering.

I would guess the mileage is missing a 1 at the front. Or maybe even a 2 or a 3!

Probably condensation burning off Steve My car is left idle for the week and started at the weekends. On first start up, there is a fine haze of blue smoke visible. I think it's oil smoke but I don't know where it could be coming from. Any pointers?

Did you notice any smoke when you started the engine?

Under the bank of flap releases and the bonnet catch I have a mystery switch. It's a round, black push button affair but it doesn't appear to do anything. I also have a strange looking nodule with a wire coming out of it stuck to my interior light surround. Can anyone shed some light on these?

Yes, the mirrors fold in. What I think it may be is that according to the DVLA (thank you mikeyv) it was first registered in the middle of January 2000 so it probably was made in 1999.

My LS400 is supposedly year 2000 but when I enter the VIN into a decoder website, it comes back with 1999. Can anyone tell me what numbers on the VIN correspond to the year of manufacture?

I had my heart set on a LS400. Big, boxy and beautiful, just how I like 'em. But, I grew impatient waiting for the right one to come along. Then my boss said he knew of a early LS430 for sale in my price range but he couldn't arrange a viewing until the following Monday. I must have spent the entire weekend trying to get my head around the 'different' looks of the LS430 and I eventually managed it. Monday arrived and we went to take a look. Wasn't an LS430. Was a GS430! At the time I couldn't work out whether I was disappointed or relieved, but having since taken in a lovely LS400, I'm very glad I kept the faith.

My LS400 column wouldn't go in and out. I took off the covers (after finding the hidden screws!), got a spanner on the offending thread and forced it to come out further than it had before. I tried the switch again and, giving the steering wheel a good pull, got the motor to push out the column. What I'm trying to say is, if you help the motors by pushing, pulling or lifting, they may move some more.

I've just bought a Mk4 LS400 (year 2000, 118k, £2500). I'm pretty happy with my purchase but a couple of things have since revealed themselves. Every time I start it, the driver's door mirror moves out a little, meaning over time it is pointing in completely the wrong direction. Luckily, the 'close mirrors' button fixes it. The steering column will move up and down but not in and out. The ceiling mounted interior lights don't come on when the door opens, and the boot was soaking wet inside but I've since found out it was due to opening the boot after being washed by the dealer. The water pours onto the back window and a lot misses the drainage gulleys and ends up in the boot. Other than that, it drives like a dream. I went to see four LS400's and only one had red transmission fluid. Mine didn't. You just have to weigh up what's important to you.

I rang my local Toyota dealer regarding coolant and the parts guy said the red stuff goes into your engine as is, like the pink stuff. So I don't know where Toyota concentrated coolant fits into all this...