rich1068

I know when I've looked at imported Volvos that are post 06 and have fruity engines I've thought they're a much better proposition than the equivalent £565/£580 UK cars. But I have no experience of insuring an import so I don't know how much of that £300+ is swallowed up there.

Is the tax just a flat rate for imports?

Unfortunately they're what I'm trying to upgrade from. As you say, sound quality isn't great but I also don't like the look of it sticking out of the ashtray all the time. No hidden socket on the 400.

Disappointed to say the harness didn't fit. No Bluetooth for Richard If you're as disappointed as I am then have a read of this to distract you.

Lets off road!

Pretty sure they're standard fit on the 400h too. Best check the handbook Andrew.

I was thinking the same thing.

Dension kit has arrived today and I intend to fit it over the weekend. The supplier isn't 100% sure the harness will work but he's said I can return it if not. I'll keep you posted.

I'm going to have to have a go at this because it's not getting any better or bearable. If I can just drop the lining a touch on the NSR I might be able to see what's going on. Any more tips welcome.

Had this with one of the 9-5s. Fitting garage assumed the bushes in the new control arms were fixed in after manufacture but they weren't so clonk clonk. Looking under the car everything looked fine until I got an MOT station to put it on their shaker plate ramp. Scary stuff.

It is truly foul and I don't know if you've been following their social media campaign but they've done a pretty good job of upsetting their core market too.

Thing of beauty that BMW.

A while ago I read on the LS boards some worrying reports of bulbs having to be replaced on the '89-'00 400. These stories will only push more drivers towards German marques.

ECP part number for what we refer to as the MK3 LS 400 is 401820111 https://www.eurocarparts.com/search/401820111 As you can see it shows as unavailable but just speak to a branch. Have to say that with the replacement PAS pump and alternator the car is extremely quiet again. Both must have been on borrowed time for a little while. Could just be speculation but it's possible the original pump had been leaking onto the original alternator and the clean up the engine bay received prior to sale hid this. I remember when I picked it up the PAS reservoir was low but I just topped it up and didn't give it another thought.

All sorted. Alternator was a perfect fit and hopefully I won't need a new battery though I'm keeping an eye on it. Usual excellent service from Dave at Lex-Tek. I'll post up the ECP part number later in case anyone needs it in the future.

Hi Qi Xie. You might be better uploading that to YouTube.

Extremely. I use him every 30 years, regular as clockwork. Country's going to the dogs.

It is a daily driver but this will be the route I'll take if the ECP part is wrong. In fact before they came up with one I called at an auto electrician in Sheffield that I've used before and that specialised in this sort of thing only to find he retired last year.

Well there's still a chance it could be the wrong one. The one for the MK3 is different to the more widely available one for the MK4 though both are unavailable from Lexus. There are also two different alternators listed for the MK3, one rated at 80A and one rated at 100A. The 100A was also revised during production but the part number for the substitute went down rather than up which I'm told is unusual. On top of all that, suppliers ask me for my registration first which never brings up anything because my car spent so long in the Isle of Man it lost its original reg and had a period one issued. As you can see I've learned a lot about alternators in the last couple of days!

400ish plus VAT I think. Can't really remember because it was really just the part number I was after. Moot point anyway because it's unavailable. £1k+ from Amayama but that wouldn't have materialised either. So because they're not available the non genuine route is the only one to take. Your model would be a bit more. Around £300 plus VAT from ECP.

Funnily enough I've just got off the phone with Euro Car Parts. They can do me a reconditioned Lucas exchange unit for £163! I snapped their hand off. It might not be the best but at least it's from a bricks and mortar store and there's some come back if it breaks.

Confirmed by Lexus Assistance (the AA) as the alternator. I did manage to get it started with a view to getting it to Lex-Tek where it could sit until I sourced the part but barely made it a mile down the road. AA came, put on a fresh battery to get me going and followed me to Dave's. Stirling service from the AA as usual and incidentally the 5th time I've used them since 2017 but the first time for a Lexus. Trying to find a part now.

Still holding out it could be this simple but I fear it won't be.

As previously mentioned, I don't think this car has had much use over the last few years and suddenly getting driven daily is making these bugs appear. Hopefully this will be one of the last! Agreed. My thoughts too. Remembered today that I do have a tester of sorts. Unfortunately it's at the office but I have one of those Bluetooth/FM transmitters that plug into the ciggie lighter. Like others I've had it also displays voltage pre and post start up. Unknown I'm afraid. It came with the car and there aren't any date labels on it. My cunning plan (not very cunning at all) is to give Lexus Breakdown a call tomorrow. They can confirm either way, hopefully get it started and then I'll get it over to Lex-Tek where it can wait until I've sourced an alternator. If it turns out it's just the battery then I'll just pick one up or they supply one. Not likely though.

Welcome