davepruce

This August I purchased a 1996 (series3?) LS 400 with FULL Lexus service history. It is a superb car! The best I have ever driven! BUT..... It stalls at junctions after a long run. I have tightened the petrol cap - no good! It has 104,000 miles but is due for a "B" service - not by mileage but time (18 months) Any suggestions as my wife refuses to drive it! Has anyone used an independent LEXUS specialist in Kent? This is my "weekend" car - I am running it like a classic - low mileage and do not really wish to pay LEXUS service prices - £100 per hour labour! - (Quote of £450 for "B" Service). I am in a real dilemma as regards where to have it serviced. If anyone has any suggestions I would be very grateful. Even with the intermitant stalling it is a superb car for 11 years of age! I have used a local (to me!) garage for the last 6 years for all my MOTs and servicing and they have never had any problems doing whatever is needed. They are Pickwick Motor Co Ltd, The Old Forge, Dunn Street Rd, Gillingham. ME7 3LX -telephone: 01634 388048. I have no affiliation with them other than they look after my car for me when needed!

The end of the rod is splined and over time rips the connecting splines out of the socket on the cog. A while ago somebody posted about glueing the splines together with Araldite, but (mines gone too) mine never worked with Araldite, but luckily mine broke in a position which is quite comfortable for me, so I just ignore it. The rod is very high tensile steel so drilling and bolting it is not (for me) an option - I blunted 3 drills trying! If you come up with a solution let me know! Not much help I know - sorry Dave

If you did just delete it, it may still be in the Recycle Bin. Doubleclick the recycle bin and see if its there, if so, just right click the folder in the RBin and click the restore button and it should come back. An alternative is Open Office (http://www.openoffice.org/) which is a free application and as long as you dont use any of the more esoteric options of the Office Package (99% of users dont) then it should work a treat HTH Dave

A boat docked in a tiny Mexican village. An American tourist complimented the Mexican fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it took him to catch them. "Not very long," answered the Mexican. "But then, why didn't you stay out longer and catch more?" asked the American. The Mexican explained that his small catch was sufficient to meet his needs and those of his family. The American asked, "But what do you do with the rest of your time?" "I sleep late, fish a little, play with my children, and take a siesta with my wife. In the evenings, I go into the village to see my friends, have a few drinks, play the guitar, and sing a few songs. I have a full life." The American interrupted, "I have an MBA from Harvard and I can help you! You should start by fishing longer every day. You can then sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra revenue, you can buy a bigger boat." "And after that?" asked the Mexican. "With the extra money the larger boat will bring, you can buy a second one and a third one and so on until you have an entire fleet of trawlers. Instead of selling your fish to a middle man, you can then negotiate directly with the processing plants and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave this little village and move to Mexico City, Los Angeles, or even New York City! From there you can direct your huge new enterprise." "How long would that take?" asked the Mexican. "Twenty, perhaps twenty-five years," replied the American. "And after that?" "Afterwards? Well my friend, that's when it gets really interesting," answered the American, laughing. "When your business gets really big, you can start buying and selling stocks and make millions!" "Millions? Really? And after that?" asked the Mexican. "After that you'll be able to retire, live in a tiny village near the coast, sleep late, play with your children, catch a few fish, take a siesta with your wife and spend your evenings drinking and enjoying your friends." And the moral of this story is: ......... Know where you're going in life... you may already be there.

Computer Sayings * There are two ways to write error-free programs; only the third one works. * A printer consists of three main parts: the case, the jammed paper tray and the blinking red light. * The programmer's national anthem is 'AAAAAAAARRRRGHHHHH!!'. * At the source of every error which is blamed on the computer, you will find at least two human errors, including the error of blaming it on the computer. * Beta. Software undergoes beta testing shortly before it's released. Beta is Latin for "still doesn't work." * Computer analyst to programmer: "You start coding. I'll go find out what they want." * Computer Science: solving today's problems tomorrow. * Hidden DOS secret: add BUGS=OFF to your CONFIG.SYS * Hit any user to continue. * I wish life had an UNDO function. * If your computer says, "Printer out of Paper," this problem cannot be resolved by continuously clicking the "OK" button. * It said "Insert disk 3..." but only 2 fit in the drive. * Microsoft Windows: computing While U Wait * 665.9238429876 - Number of the Pentium Beast * I have yet to meet a C compiler that is more friendly and easier to use than eating soup with a knife. * My software never has bugs. It just develops random features. * Programming graphics in X is like finding sqrt(pi) using Roman numerals. * "To know recursion, you must first know recursion" * Life's unfair - but root password helps! * Mountain Dew and doughnuts... because breakfast is the most important meal of the day. * Hey! It compiles! Ship it! * "Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the Universe trying to produce bigger and better idiots. So far, the Universe is winning. * Intel: We put the "um..." in Pentium. * Helpdesk tip #2: When the support analyst says "Click...", wait for the rest of the sentence. * BREAKFAST.COM Halted...Cereal Port Not Responding * BUFFERS=20 FILES=15 2nd down, 4th quarter, 5 yards to go! * As a computer, I find your faith in technology amusing. * Disinformation is not as good as datinformation. * Smash forehead on keyboard to continue..... * Enter any 11-digit prime number to continue... * All wiyht. Rho sritched mg kegtops awound? * A good programmer makes all the right mistakes. * Managing programmers is like herding cats. * "There is an old saying that if a million monkeys typed on a million keyboards for a million years, eventually all the works of Shakespeare would be produced. Now, thanks to Usenet, we know this is not true." * "A good programmer is someone who looks both ways before crossing a one-way street." * C makes it easy to shoot yourself in the foot. C++ makes it harder, but when you do, it blows away your whole leg. * A computer scientist is someone who, when told to "Go to Hell," sees the "go to," rather than the destination, as harmful. * 1010011010 - The binary number of the Beast * APATHY ERROR: Don't bother striking any key. Application has reported a "Not My Fault" in module KRNL.EXE in line 0200:103F * "The three most dangerous things in the world are a programmer with a soldering iron, a hardware type with a software patch and a user with an idea."

I have trickle charged, taken it off and charged it and put it back, I have even used one of the 'battery in a box' thingys to jump it, and jumped from another car, all at different times, not once did any of these different solutions cause me a problem BUT "your mileage may vary" just make sure that whatever you do you do it with care and attention, good batteries are dangerous things, even flat ones can pack a punch! Good luck Dave

You dont need any combination of any buttons (or at least I didnt!), and Lexus were the cheapest place to buy when I replaced mine! if you undo the 'nut' on the top of the aerial mast 'holder' then switch the radio on, the mast will just eject itself as there is nothing to stop it coming out. Ensure you make a note of which way the teeth face! Installation is a reversal, just stick the toothed plastic bit down the tube till it stops (making sure its the right way round), turn the radio off and the mast will be retracted. Dave

Tried a standupper in France in one of the laybyes? Now they are an experience in balance, my mates wife said she just stood and did it like a bloke (no1 that is) Sorry mods - dont kill it...................

Well thats what I thought (mpg wise), most of the time on N roads (comparable to M/A roads here) we were doing 55-65 mph so not hanging around. We gave the A roads a miss (tolls) and saved ourselves about £80 each way! Not sure I'd like to tow at 125 even on a private runway, I know just how thigh clenching it gets when you get a wiggle on at around 70!!!!!!!! Dave

Hi All - Back from a great 2 weeks away. Car behaved faultlessly, but split a valve in a caravan tyre day 1 travelling back and wrecked the jockey wheel and severed the black cable (caravan lights) in Rouen (an AWFUL city) on a lump of concrete day 2 coming back! Stopped in Chartres on the way back and had a wander Friday evening, the cathedral is AWESOME (and I'm agnostic). If you get the chance visit it! 1180 miles all towing a 1500kg caravan (we went around whilst there in my mates 320d touring (not a bad motor!)) OK - the figures - all with ECT switched on just to see what happened - 1180 miles - 292.47 litres = 64.12 gallons = 18.4 mpg - so it really is better with it on than off in ALL situations

My mark 2 replacement mast was 25 or so from Lexus - not too bad really - and v easy to fit

Sounds like you have a Series 3! I use Vredestein tyres - not a common make but easy enough to get hold of, quiet and longlasting. Look here http://carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalLexusLS400str1.htm for stereo removal, bulbs are just that - normal bulbs - but littered all over the place!! Have fun with your great car Dave

Ohh I know these exactly, this is the fifth year running I've towed through France about 500 miles each way, and I tow in Britain about twice a month for weekends away! My 'van is about 1500kg all up, and the LS does 17 mpg when towing. Compare that with an LR Vogue (roughly same size engine) and they get about 12 towing! :o I know it sounds like a hefty price, but if you know what the costs are you can budget for it, we all do anyway to own these wonderful cars!! Anyway, just off to finalise packing and get on the road, 10am ferry from Dover. About 250 today, an overnight stop then the same tomorrow, then 2 weeks of sun sea sand and s....omething or other!!! (I'm getting old!!!) See ya Dave

Well, you tell me a better car for the job..... Last towcar was a Rover Sterling - when it worked it was great..... Before that a shed on wheels - oops sorry - a P reg LR Disco - just about the WORST towcar I have ever encountered! :tsktsk: Before that an Audi 100 2.8 - on a par with the Sterling :winky: Before that a Rover 216 company car - less said about that the better Before that - my first towcar for my first caravan - a Cavalier - 120k and still went like a rocket - just fell apart regularly Clarkson isnt always right you know, with the right towcar, serviced properly, and loaded correctly you can tow at 70 quite safely (in France where its legal - and I will tomorrow)!! Cheers Dave

Thanks Johnboy - all is sorted now - new igniton barrel and towing electrics all sorted out and no more current drains. The biggest problem was the Smartcom relay box that I got from Towsure was faulty from new, so me not being a brilliant electrician was unable to diagnose the problem. Luckily for me a mate (who is a brilliant electrician) came round and sorted it yesterday afternoon with a new updated Smartcom. For those interested - the orange Smartcom has been superceded by a black one (how techy is that!!) which is more sensitive to voltage changes (apparently!) from the car. Off to France for 2 weeks 0800 Friday - the weather looks slightly better in Royan than here so I might get a tan this summer!!!!!! Cheers Dave

Just fitted an 12n and 12s to my car, if there is nothing connected to the socket all should be OK Regards Syd Thanks Syd, hopefully when I get the new barrel in there will be no power drain!!!

Last weekend, doing some electrics, (actually installing new towing electrics), car on ramps, ran a big thick cable from the battery to the boot to serve the 12S socket. Finished them off, wife called me in as lunch was ready, I reached in and extracted the ignition key and went and ate. Later, I decided to check out the fridge connection (OK the electrics are for towing a caravan...). Went out, inserted the ignition key and found that the ignition lock was jammed and would not turn. Half hour later still no joy but luckily I had got it to the ACC position so was able to easily pull the barrel out. Long story a bit shorter, ordered a new one from Lexus, and left it. Went out to the car Sunday late on, - battery COMPLETELY flat..... THE QUESTION Anyone know if the ignition being left on ACC (with nothing obvious switched on like the radio or lights) would drain the battery, or have I screwed up the electrics in some way. My new barrel has arrived and will go in tonight so I can test my electrics with the engine running (and get it off the ramps!!!) Hoping someone has more of a clue than me!!! Cheers Dave

Petrol and Oil (obviously) are the only real running costs apart from tax and insurance. My mpg is around 20 day to day in traffic, 17 towing my 1300kg caravan and 28ish on a motorway run (without the caravan!). Change the oil every 5000 costs you whatever you can get oil for - Halfords own semi synth does me fine with a filter about a fiver. Tyres last around 30k (well mine do anyway) - Vredesteins at about 120 a pop - not the cheapest but last well. Other than than, things just dont wear out. I just had replaced the rear trailing arm bushes - £14.99 a pair and 2 hours work for ANY competent garage, ALL other bushes on the car are fine. I replaced the original rear discs and pads last year - less than £100 the lot. The things replaced above are standard LS400 things and at 168k I think mine is doing me proud Only you can know whether these prices are affordable but if they are, and your purchase is checked out fine, then you have some great driving ahead. Good luck Dave

Yes but what a rocket ship the 827 is! I had one for 2 years before I got the lex and while there really is no comparison regards comfort or quality, for downright right foot appeal its just the dogs danglies :whistling:

Well...... Hesitantly, I will say that having used about half a tank the consumption appears no different BUT, it is certainly livelier under all conditions, and I regressed about 20 years when I was cut up joining the M20 at J6.......... all he saw was my boot disappearing into the distance - very juvenile!!!! It seems that whereas before while just trundling around, when the load pedal was pressed, the first thing the gearbox had to do was work out whether it needed a lower gear(usually YES) and then sort it out. Now with the switch on, it always seems to be in the right gear and just moves along very nicely thank you. At the moment I'm keeping it on.......

It has a built in subwoofer (mine still not blown after 16700 miles and 14 years). It has an almost unused foot operated parking brake - Park is much easier. Brake pads so easy to change (not sarky - they really are) It just goes supremely well - gets there effortlessly - and stops on a sixpence - time after time! I could go on (the wife says I do but thats another story) but I wont! Biggest problems ? The 'slot' in the rubber surround at the back of the bootlid gets full of crud, and the air intake at the bottom of the windscreen the same - not exactly showstoppers! Just enjoy the best car you will (probably) ever own Dave

where will i find the radio code, regards, Ian Sometimes the last 3 numbers in the Vin No so I've heard, but mine isnt protected so I cant say if mine was/is (whatever) Dave

http://carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalLexusLS400str1.htm There you go, it really is quite easy (not quite as easy as my old Mini, but things change...) - have fun Dave

So which type do you order from powerflex to replace the lexus ones? I gather you used Supra ones, If so which model and year. Also a powerflex number would be helpful. Sorry bazgtr , I dont know the Powerflex part number as they were supplied in error and just happened to fit, but I do know that Superflex (http://www.superflex.co.uk/SuperFlex_Lexus_ES300,_LS400,_SC400_&_CS400_Prices.pdf) do them very cheap, and others on here have used them.

Went to the garage in Ashford where my son works (Jap Specialist) for them to work out just what needed replacing. Up on the ramp, looked at the t/a bushes - yup completely sha99ed - empty - no rubber at all - I did think that the back end was a bit clunky! So, the boss looked and said 'I ordered some PowerFlex for my Supra that look just like that - hang on...' so he went away and came back with a pair of bushes that looked exactly right. So out came the spanners and saw (to cut through the old one), 50 minutes later, both sides done, a perfect fit!! WOW, what a difference, even going in a straight line it feels a lot more 'together' and bumpy corners and roundabouts, it feels like a new car :D :D Take a look at yours, Lexus will want to replace the whole hub at about £150 each side for the parts (as they dont sell just the bushes) and then labour on top. :angry: Powerflex or SupaFlex are around a tenner each for the bushes and about an hours labour in any competent garage (rocket science it aint!). You do the calculations...................