rich1068

Honestly, if you want anything doing... 

Sorry Malc. It's a Merc.

Off to iPlayer with you Malc. We need a screenshot.

12 hours ago, hockeyedwards said:

Mine are on the never-ending to-do list, but they function despite looking tatty so not of concern... yet! 😆

Same. I've wondered if there's some tricky way of getting the LS400 wiper arms to stand up on there own and meant to ask here but there really isn't is there?

11 hours ago, b4u2 said:

NICE I REALLY LIKE LEXUS CARS

Good. 

When the rot set in across the the brand imo.

One or two suggestions I can think of...

7 minutes ago, hockeyedwards said:

Afternoon! Had the LS on the road now for about 2 weeks, lovely wafting about here and there, very relaxing.

A few things have yet to be resolved, any insight/ information would be welcomed.

I have 1 manual key only, it unlocks all doors if used in the front passenger door, but if used on drivers door only unlocks that door - wondered if this was purposeful or a problem? That rings a bell. I'll have a dig back from when I got my '97 but it may be a feature. Or when I'm with the car I'll try it. Sourcing a remote fob solved it.

Each door window switch works its own window, the drivers multiswitch, only does its own window, doesn't do any of the passenger windows and the 'auto' feature, does not work. I have tried to 'reset' without result and replaced the window switch with a spare without result - dodgy wiring? Not sure about the Auto feature (only works "down" anyway) but that sounds like the other windows are disabled with the button on the multiswitch.

Cluster randomly will randomly decide to not work, give it a tap and springs into life. No pattern to it working/ not working.

Backing lights to radio unit do not work, opened it and replaced the bulbs but still doesn't work, wondered if there was another known problem with the radio unit? @steve2006 fixed mine. It's a thing. Solder cracks or somesuch.

Occasionally on start up, the car will 'spit' a few times before firing into life - no pattern, just random. It will be getting new plugs soon, just waiting for space to manifest itself at the unit... I read about the coil pack problem, so can look into that as well but any other items to check?

Occasionally whilst sat waiting in traffic or at the lights, the idling rpm will fluctuate quite a bit, anything from 200-1000. Since fuelling up twice with a full tank it has settled, wondered if it was crap fuel as it had been sat for 6 months or more whilst work was being carried out and only really moved to be swapped in/ out the unit. Anything else known to cause this? Was going to check all lines in case of air leaks etc. I get this with the A/C pump on and it's extremely noticeable and also a "feature". But you say your A/C is broken...?

Temporary fix on the AC lasted 2 days, so now getting it repaired correctly!

Aside these minor niggles, happy as larry in this car, especially in this weather with the sunroof open 😄

Thanks. Looks well 

22 hours ago, Howplum said:

I bought from Halfords a cassette aux adapter

Spooky. Recently did the same. The Belkin one?

Was quite temperamental for me as it kept activating the auto reverse and was quite noisy. So I dismantled it, took out the auto reverse mechanism and greased the back of the cogs. Works perfectly now.

19 hours ago, Howplum said:

Cue gratuitous picture of my Mercedes, which is now advertised for sale:

Link? 

I certainly wouldn't risk the motorway.

On 6/12/2021 at 2:36 PM, Malc said:

maybe try your RAC / AA Breakdown cover to then get it to the garage ?

Malc

When my alternator failed they came out and swapped the Battery over to one with a full charge and followed me the 10 miles to Lex-Tek.

Certainly wouldn't run without a tray. The risk of grounding or something flying up makes me shudder!

How big/long is the crack? I think I'd be tempted to patch it. PITA the LS trays. So many fasteners and two different types 

Not any more. The LS is too special to use every day.

44 minutes ago, MotorDevil said:

The steering wheel looks very worn

Without getting too much into this, I have to agree. That right hand seam is split either due to use or damp.

MOT ran out in 2015. Could be totally rotten.

One of my favourite quotes is Sainsbury's exist to keep the riff raff out of Waitrose.

These do seem to break. Mine cracked the other week and I've noticed it on other LSs. 

All sorts of reasons. I wanted to take my plate off my Saab and put it on the Subaru. In theory I should have been able to take the plate off online and pass the retention certificate on to the dealer for the Scooby Doo. As it was DVLA said no to doing it online for reasons I still don't understand and I had to do it by post. I'd had the Subaru a fortnight before the docs came through.

As far as online plate makers are concerned I've used Plates For Cars many times. And their details are barely noticeable in the bottom right corner.

Rock Auto is popular on here. I know members have used them with no complaints. In fact I was only chatting to @steve2006 about them the other day.

Regarding your parts, I'm not sure the RA alternators and PAS kits are genuine which may explain your problem with the part numbers. Personally I'd be wary of buying remanufactured from the US and when I needed an alternator and PAS pump for my '97 I sourced them from Euro Car Parts and eBay respectively.

Give me shout if you need more details.

On 5/25/2021 at 4:51 PM, MerchantOfVenice said:

Dear friends 

What are the dimensions of the plastic battery cover that goes around the battery please?

Also does anyone have one please?

Many thanks 😊 

On 5/27/2021 at 10:08 AM, MerchantOfVenice said:

I need both if possible please 😊

Not sure if you've had any luck yet but I think it's just a case of keeping an eye on eBay. I was just in the right place at the right time and managed to get both off @steve2006. Like you I wanted both items for "completeness".

Unfortunately I think the Battery jackets get thrown away because they warp out of shape due to heat from the engine. Mine's warped but just fits when it's secured in place.

1 hour ago, Malc said:

I understand you are allowed to drive a MOT expired car to a pre-booked MOT without penalty BUT it MUST be insured ......  and roadworthy

............ driving on Trade Plates overcomes all of this with the car on the traders insce of course

Malc

Exactly this.

And I always use https://www.tempcover.com/ when I go to collect a new to me car and need insurance for a day or two.

That's excellent. I'm going to use that next time I'm at Bicester Scramble.

A similar problem affects the V70. As you say, only Lexus/Toyota would engineer a solution like this.

10 hours ago, harrylime said:

but don't like the idea of the CVT gearbox. It seems like an appalling choice for such a refined car and a poor engineering decision.

Don't believe the hype. Or more accurately, don't believe the 15 minute reviews in the motoring press or online. I really can't stress this enough. I've owned or driven quite a few CVT gearbox cars and yes you do have to adjust your driving style a little but that muscle memory from a regular gearbox quickly passes. I'm currently in a brand new Subaru Outback, reminds me very much of my old RX 400h and I'm extremely happy with how it will hustle along when you want it to.

I watched a few more of these "Fails" vids last night. It really is astonishing that some people believe their vehicles will a) make it or b) still function after driving through that depth of water. One of them includes a Mercedes Sprinter van that is actually floating. Keeps the locals entertained I suppose.

And further to my post above, we did get the Scooby and we did have fun crossing back and forth over the ford at Tissington! But the water was probably no more than a foot deep. Any more than that and I'd worry about the plugs on the boxer engine. I even stopped halfway and let the stop/start kick in just to scare the kids 

Really no offence to you personally Vlad but I do see on here new members posting up about their 220 or 200ds and the first thing they get are responses regarding issues owners have had and how they should have bought a 250. Some owners have had issues, not all. And if I'd spent my hard earned on a motor I fancied and when I joined the owners forum all I got was "you've bought the wrong one" I'm pretty sure I wouldn't come back.

Again, nothing personal. This occurred to me the other day with another thread, this one just gave me a nudge.