cabbos

Thanks Steve i know OBD11 readers won't work, he has the old code reader for Lexus and Toyota's. He has been working on these cars for years.

Here's his website http://toyotacentre.co.uk very helpful, he also raced supra's years ago too.

Thanks Steve just back from my hols, i must of printed out all the info i could get on the fuel pump and relay for some strange reason on trying to start up there was no 12v from +B and couldn't get diagnostic port to communicate to code reader once it started all ok? hence the bypass after that everything works as normal. He seemed to suspect that part of ecu is not communicating (maybe capacitors like what happens to dashboard lights?) might be at fault and as i needed car in a couple of days to get to airport i was more than happy for him to get it going.

Update, took car to an independent Toyota specialist he located fault to part of the ecu not sending 12v's to efi so now been bypassed with inline fuse, relay and resistors now car starts, goes and stops. 😀😀😀😀😀

Does anyone know why i am not getting power to my EFI relay in the fuse box?. Anyone pls Help

Update: I have tried to bridge fp and b+ (not starting). B+ does not seem to have 12v (when ignition on) also efi relay port does not have 12v (when ignition on) does anyone know why this is so?, where does the power come from ie : ecu etc help is needed (only as need car for holiday in 2 weeks 😳😳😳)

Hi all hope someone can shed some light on a very annoying problem, it started a couple of weeks ago drove car about 6-8 miles stopped done my chores go back in car and wouldn't  start. Turns over but not firing called AA he found there was no power to fuel pump (saying suspect fuel pump relay). he them put a power probe on blue wire to fuel pump and bingo it started :). followed me home, got home turned it off and on you guessed it nothing! turns over but not starting. 

So then i went to Local main dealer who said no not fuel pump relay (does not have one on my model?, its the starter relay) but very much doubts it more likely to be fuel pump £500+ labour (don't think so) why would it start when powered directly from Battery?. I have tried another starter relay and made no difference when i use the power probe it works. Can anyone HELP don't want to get rid of car, does anyone know of a relay somewhere else?. i have also tried swapping other relays around still nothing and there was no warning to any  problems before it was just something that happened overnight.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give.

Cheers Steve went to Maplins this afternoon, they only do capacitors at 85c ones

A lot of people like to go for the "closed" wheel types on the LS400 it's all down to personal choice and in my case cost.I did have some nice chrome alloys on mine when imported but after 3 British winters they were savaged by the salt and grit so I bought some new Mitsubishi Evo 9 wheels (17 x 8J).Mazda RX8 also fit as do some others providing they are 5 stud PCD 114.3 and clear the brake calipers on later models.Picture below was the car at purchase with the chrome alloys, bottom picture with the EVO 9s.

Liking those evo9 wheels

Having looked at Maplins available stock it appears they have nothing suitable, most of their capacitors are 85 degree rating not 105 degree and they are at that non specific manufacturers.

If you PM your address I would be glad to send you the 3 parts needed which will be high quality Japanese parts.

If you were closer I would have fitted them for you.

When removing the cluster move the steering wheel down and out all the way then disconnect the negative battery lead.

Do not power up the car with the cluster disconnected or you will have to reset the airbag system.

Hi Steve I have PM'd you not sure if you got it?

Thanks Steve looked on Maplins website too, I think I found a site called uk.farnell.com have some but I think they are for trade was going to call today. Will pm my address thanks for offer but I think your just a little too far :(

Will do Phil

Cheers The-Acre (Phil) been looking up capacitors got a Maplins near me will go there at the weekend, I have noticed when cluster flashes my fuel gauge drops to zero and up slowly then fast. I presume its the fuel gauge capacitor that's at fault.

Just noticed this morning that my back lights on radio/heating controls are on when headlights switch is off then go out then headlight switch is turned on and lights dim on dashboard (found out they dim to reduce glare at night)

so problem is just with lights going out on radio etc, I have a issue with flashing dashboard (capacitors need sorting?) but is this a seperate issue if so ideas would be greatly received

Thanks Del

............ a separate issue I would think, maybe you need a good autoelectrician to sort it out for you unless someone on here knows an answer..

btw, I sent you a msg !

Malc

Just seen msg flag on top I'll have a read Malc

Thanks The-Acre that would be great, to add to the problem took the misses to work this morning to find the lights on the radio/heating control are on when headlights off, then go off when i turned the headlights on, so would changing the capacitors likely to fix problem? Or is this a separate issue?

Anyone got any pictures of what needs to be replaced to fix flashing dashboard? Or live in Kent that's done it themselves

Is it obvious which part needs replacing ?

Herne bay

I found his number on one of your old post Malc, and gave it a call (left message) hopefully get back to me. Not a good start to my Lexus ownership but at £1200 and 87000 miles I think it was reasonable bit of tlc and it should last awhile (fingers and toes crossed).

Where abouts in kent are you Malc?

DASHBOARD FLASHING!!!!!!! I know this is a common problem but does anyone know if Chris Vince still repairs them? Only just picked up car about 2 hrs ago and just started flashing ( didn't do it on test drive typical ) or is there someone closer to Kent area? (Malc?)

Thanks Del

Thanks Tulpen I'll look into it :)

Thanks Malc I need to brush up on mk's here's mine collecting it tomorrow

I know there's a thread on here for 400 vs 430, but I've been in a position today to compare a Mk4 LS400 to my Mk3 which I thought I'd share, and thought it would be interesting to see what views others might have.

So, here's my current barge:

1996 Lexus LS400 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Bought last year with indeterminate history quite cheaply from a client who does a bit (well, a lot) of banger racing. Apart from the intermittent cut-out issue it's been very reliable and I've enjoyed my time in it so far. I suspect that long-term it will need some things sorting, but for now I've given it a stay of execution from the oval racing track. MoT is due next month...

Last year I took some photos of this local Mk4 and had a chat with the owner:

1998 Lexus LS400 Mk4 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

1998 Lexus LS400 Mk4 by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

He gave me a call this morning as he's looking to sell it soon. Sadly his wife is unwell and he finds that he doesn't do the mileage to justify something so capable. Done 153k with nine previous owners, no history but timing belt reputedly done recently. Four new tyres, new battery, MoT until Nov 2015, generally clean and tidy although a few minor bodywork issues. At the price he's offered it to me that really is no great problem. As he lives just a few minutes away from work it seemed like good use of my lunch break to go and visit him and take a look.

1998 Lexus LS400 Mk4 - interior by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Compare with mine:

1996 Lexus LS400 - interior by Spottedlaurel, on Flickr

Not really that much different between them, just extra toys.

He was kind enough to offer me a drive in it, how could I say no? Doubtless mine is in need of a good service, but the VVTi engine gave it much more pick-up low down in the rev range. Mine doesn't really come on until 3000rpm, which is a little inaccessible on public roads in higher gears (I used to find the same with my Camry V6). Do these later models have a revised auto 'box too, maybe that helps it be a little more responsive?

I was surprised to find the ride a little firmer in the Mk4 than mine, despite the fact I have 18's and low profile tyres. Could it be that the one I looked at is a DHP model, how could I tell? I don't think the 16's it has are original, he mentioned putting them on to replace what it had when he first got it.

He's suggested a price which is really rather tempting, were it not for the fact that:

A. I already have an LS400, albeit its MoT is due very soon and it may need too much spending on it to renew. However there are options to make money from it should it fail which would pretty much cover the purchase of this new one.

B. I'm hoping to buy another Datsun soon, an opportunity to get an incredibly rare model which I can't really say no to.

C. I have two Camrys which need getting back on the road.

In some respects I prefer the overall feel of my Mk3, so in an ideal world it'll gain a new MoT with minimal work and the Mk4 will go to another good home.

What alloys are on your mk1 Spottedlaurel?

Ok will try and find it, thanks Malc

Hi all this has probably been done a thousand times already so I appolgise in advance. I will be the owner of a 1994 LS400 tomorrow (my 1st Lexus) and I'm looking to replace alloy wheels any recommendations on sizes etc would be great, pictures even better

Thanks Del