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carlo

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Posts posted by carlo

    Bemused By New Battery

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    Hello all - My first post here. I have an SC430 that has had a lot of problems with a Flat Battery. Just bought preused, had a flat battery 6 times in one year. Lexus replaced battery once, kept testing testing, said no unusual drain showed up on tests, I insisted on the last time thewy had it that they stand it still for 5 days, test voltage everyday and show me the results - in 3 days the battery ran down to 3 volts. They started comparing voltage drains on various equipt / motors with a similar car. They found a huge drain when using the retractable hood motor (compared to other car). Note however we had not used the retractable hood. However they took out the motor, looked it over, put it back - and hey presto - on the next test the voltage drain was normal.

    The maintenance mgr called to say they had fixed it, tested drain over 3 days with only minimal drain showing- he also said he was embarressed because they had no idea how they had fixed it, but somehow by removing the motor and replacint it - it giot fixed. The money is on a bad earth or short of some sort, bearing in mind the motor was draing power even when not being used.

    I have stood the car in the garage for 5 days, measured voltage drop every day at same time and it shows average of 0.04 v drop per day from 12.25v start. I am assuming this is normal security system usage level unless anyone advises differenty.

    Hope this is usfull to someone. Best Regards.

    Hi Avril,

    Glad you discovered the earth leakage. I ended up buying another Battery since I got fed up arguing with Teesside Lexus that their Battery was faulty. Their tests said otherwise so that was it. Took it to an auto elect. garage who said the tests showed OK but that with it being sealed they could not say conclusively that there was no fault. I don't think I have a drain since the replacement Battery hasn't lost charge even with the car not being run for several days. I'll not be buying a Battery from Lexus dealer again, that's for sure!

    Cheers,

    JM

    Ls400 Rolling Road Result

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    I took my LS400 down to Janspeed Salisbury last Saturday and had it put on their rolling road. It has done 113K miles and is an auto.

    209 bhp and 200 ft lbs.

    Derry.

    PS the guy running the test said it was the quietest car he had ever had on the rollers and by far the nosiest thing was the air blower they used for cooling. At the back end all you could hear were the tyres on the rollers.

    I tried to do same with my 1990 LS400 but 2 companies said the car was too old for their diagnostics & didn't want to know.

    Guess there's a threshold for these guys?

    JM

    Ls400 Judder

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    :duh: Hi Guys,

    Please help throw some light onto this problem. I posted a few weeks ago about the judder at mi-speed. Things getting progressively worse.

    1990 LS400 142,000miles. Recently started to judder at 40mph after running for 15 minutes or so & having accelerated OK. Had plugs changed. Air filter. Petrol additives to clean jets etc. No change. Sent to garage. Diagnostics showed code 41 so new throttle position censor fitted. Worse!

    The diagnostic also showed Codes 25 & 26 ( air fuel ratio lean / rich respectively ) but garage said that was related to need for replacement cat at OUCH! cost. I don't want to be paying big bucks for new cat if that isn't going to solve the judder problem. But will, if it's the problem.

    The judder was so bad today at 40mph car almost stalled. Revs are OK at idle. This problem doesn't happen till car has run for awhile so garage wasn't able to feel it.

    Advice please before going back to garage & becoming much poorer!!

    Thanks in advance.

    JM

    Sods Law Trouble

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    :angry: Hi Guys,

    Thanks for all the comments on this. Had to travel in the 1.4 Almera & got tennis elbow for the pleasure after 650 miles.

    I don't think it's a gear shifting issue as the judder is quite pronounced. I think it's a petrol thing & hopefully just the filter. It goes fine on first use with the auto choke on but after a run & around 50 mph it judders badly. I'll probably book it into Teesside Lexus ( near Yarm ) in the next week or so if my general mechanic guy can't suss it ( rather significant differences in labour costs prompts this action ) though I'd apprerciate comments on the benefits of having a Lexus diagnostic done.

    Meantime,

    Thanks again for the help.

    JM

    Sods Law Trouble

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    Hi Guys,

    Thanks for the thoughts.

    I know it's a strange one. I've put additive into petrol to ensure it's not carbon build up & to clean out jets. The plugs were Denso & the Battery was kept on trickle charge over winter.

    I do think it's engine related since the hesitation ( judder ) in power feels like fuel starvation. I've heard of judder from prop shaft rubbers but would that tend to occur at a certain speed or be a constant symptom?

    I've always used normal unleaded petrol ( not supermarket ) 85 octane & wondered if a higher octane was needed?

    What is the throttle body that might need cleaning inside?

    All suggestions gratefully received - but beginning to look like a long uncomfortable trip in the Almera!

    Gulp!

    Cheers,

    JM

    Sods Law Trouble

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    Hi Guys,

    Just put the Mk1 LS400 back on the road after its winter rest to get ready for trip to France this weekend. Felt it wasn't performing as well as usual on its way for service. But, new set of plugs, clean air filter, general service, & it seemed ok.

    BUT! get it up to normal running temp. and accelerate to 70ish, then drop down between 40 - 55 and it judders - feels like a petrol starvation but the revs are ok & it idles smoothly. Ok at low speeds, 30ish but that mid range brings back the judder. Any ideas of cause? Plugs are recommended for model. I've onl;y one day before leaving & will have to revert to Nissan Almera instead if no solution. HELP!!

    Cheers,

    JM

    Service Pointers

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    :duh: Hi Guys,

    With Spring in the air it will soon be time for my LS400 Mk1 ( 1990 ) to be put back on the road having been stood since end September. Run over the Summer for 5000 miles to France & back.

    I get it serviced & MOT each Spring by a jobbing mechanic - all fluids, brakes checked etc. Is there anything you might suggest should be specifically examined for peace of mind? The only thing I'm aware of is a bit more play in the steering.

    Cheers.

    Carlo

    Bemused By New Battery

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    Hi,

    I read somewhere a while ago that you shouldn't test certain types of new car batteries with the 2 spikes load method as it can damage them.

    Cannot remember which types but be careful.

    Steve

    I had the same problem - purchased an OLDHAM Battery failed after 18 months (6000 miles) but obtained a replacement no trouble at all on production of original receipt - incidentally cost of original Battery was £54.00 inc. This was from a local Tyre Battery agent - Mk IV LS400 1998

    Hi,

    I read somewhere a while ago that you shouldn't test certain types of new car batteries with the 2 spikes load method as it can damage them.

    Cannot remember which types but be careful.

    Steve

    I had the same problem - purchased an OLDHAM Battery failed after 18 months (6000 miles) but obtained a replacement no trouble at all on production of original receipt - incidentally cost of original Battery was £54.00 inc. This was from a local Tyre Battery agent - Mk IV LS400 1998

    Hi Guys,

    Thanks a lot for the replies. I'll look in Yellow Pages & get it to a local Battery specialist. This baby caost me £72-00 & that was with discount for having Gold at the time. I'll keep you posted when deed is done.

    Carlo

    Bemused By New Battery

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    :duh: Hi Guys,

    Bought a new Toyota genuine part Battery for my 1990 LS400 last April. Ran the car fine for a trip to France, then down to Hastings ( from Darlington ) no problem. Then whilst in France in July quite out of the blue the car wouldn't start one morning. I couldn't believe it was a flat Battery a) because it had just done 500 miles, B) the indicator light was green. Long story short - it was flat. had to get jumped to a garage. Alternator checked & was charging ok. Lots of frustrating days later ended up buying another Battery in France. The Toyota one registered charged, would start the car once, then die. All the while, the green charged indicator remained on green. Toyota Lexus ( in Yarm ) took the Battery & checked it. Said their procedure showed no fault. I put it back on the car & within two days standing it was flat again - still with the indicator showing green. Toyota refused to change it or refund since their tests showed no fault. So, any suggestions? I feel inclined towards the small claims court just out of principle & because of the hassel I had in France. Any thoughts on how the Battery can be tested further?

    Cheers all.

    Carlo

    Its Insurance Time!

    in LS 400 / Lexus LS 430 / Lexus LS 460 / Lexus 600h / Lexus 500h Club

    Posted

    Hi Guys,

    Interesting topic. I pay 324 quid with Saga but take the car off the road for 6 months each year. Finding a 6 month policy was really hard & with Saga I get a year's cover but just suspend the policy from Octoer - April. They send me a cheque for the suspended period. They'll catch on some day I expect & give me grief. Anyone know of a decent compan that accommodates short-term cover I'd be interested.

    Cheers.

    Carlo

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