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I forgot to update this but a while back I ordered the BAR ASSY, STRUT cushions from Amayama and it sorted my front clonk under braking 100%. Thanks for all suggestions. £50 plus fitting vs £660 for the full arms from UK!

Hi @Swan55 I have, this very moment, just had the very same experience as you had. The starter on my 1999 LS400 has been playing up as of late, often only providing a click instead of a full start. Then for the first time, on this cold January evening, I started her up and to my disbelief I heard the starter keep cranking. I proceeded to remove the key from the ignition, however to my dismay, the starter motor continued to turn. Luckily, I remembered that Lexus equipped these fine motors with a small tool kit in the trunk, so quick as a flash I grabbed a spanner and disconnected the battery. Now I am looking at replacing the Solenoids with the kit listed on eBay. Tell me, did that solve your issue? A mechanic said that a safer bet would be to buy a new starter motor entirely however I would rather save the pennies and help this green earth by repairing/refurbishing my existing unit instead, if possible. Kindest regards, Jack

Well fair play to those that suggested it was fuel related Update: Sorted! Timing was fine - an injector was blocked due to debris coming through from the fuel running dry episode. I have learnt my lesson! Didn’t think dirt could make its way past the fuel filter but I now know that’s not the case seemingly !

3 people have now said as much and the mechanic who I contacted today has confirmed also that this won’t be the case in his opinion

Hi all Just had my LS400 ‘98 timing belt changed today. Didn’t have much fuel in the tank when i gave it to the garage - they actually said as they were getting it to temp it ran out of fuel so they put a gallon in and finished the job. I just drove home now and it feels down on power by a fair bit - 70hp at a guess and also is idling funny (feels like it misses occasionally) though does rev out fine. Take a look at the attached video. Every 5-10s the revs at idle dip below 1k then back again. Initially I thought that maybe that running out of fuel meant dirt was stuck in the engine and that ECU was in some kind of safe mode but now not sure that this is the case and more likely there’s an issue with the timing belt installation. Going to call the garage obviously ASAP but just wondered if anyone had any thoughts on likely cause? Thanks IMG_3494.MOV

Thanks both

Hi all, I am having an issue which appears to be getting worse, though it is intermittent Sometimes when I go to start my car, I get on crank for 2 seconds and no more Key out, back in again, perhaps one more crank and nothing, no turn over Then maybe 3rd or 4th time i get it fire up fine as if nothing happened Battery is tested as fine Doing some research it looks like this could be starter motor related? What would be the best course of action? Thanks Jack

please

No need to worry - was more curious than anything else. Still I think that even for the well-heeled residents of twickenham, richmond and surrounding areas that quote is taking the biscuit.

Good afternoon Jack, Thank you very much for your email. Please note we would advise to replace the water pump and tensioners in replacing the timing belt as if the water pump fails in the near future you would have to do those again. The total cost for this work is £1523.40 Incl vat. We could arrange an appointment for later on this week and would need the vehicle for at least a day.

So i have just received a quote from Lexus in Twickenham for replacement of Timing Belt, Water pump and Tensioners. Any guesses? Feel like a sweepstake (hint: not pretty)

Hi All, I'm nearing my LS400's (1999) 2nd cambelt change (will be first in my ownership). My question is, would you say that an average independent garage/mechanic would be able to change it without hassle? I know its supposedly quite a job. Would you also replace the water pump and pulleys? Anyone have a good link to the parts? Thanks Jack

This phrase would put me right off!! Clearly clueless owner! I say it drives like a Chinese Rolls-Royce

Thanks, unfortunately Amayama is not currently shipping to the UK due to COVID-19. Additionally, postage seems expensive at GBP 30 for two units from Japan to UK.

Have found what I believe to be UK stock! Will be ordering soon. https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181385847044

Weirdly none seemed to fit just right.. If you get a chance to pull your tray and take a look I’d be grateful - no worries if not.

Job done! @ambermarine I can’t begin to tell you how useful your pictures of the switch were. My hands are cut, my head is bashed (hit on surprisingly sharp metal bit of steering column!) but we made it! One last thing - I can’t remember which screws / nuts went in the silver locations in pic attached for the coin holder / would you be so kind as to remind me of the type? Thank you to all who have contributed to this thread - happy motoring!

That’s where we’ve gone wrong! Now where’s my tool kit 🙂 What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!

Thank you so much for this So I had put the ball bearings in the gully shown in your second picture but I had not taken care to place them in an exact location within Must the balls be placed in a specific location and should they sit nestled against the holes with springs in on the black unit once inserted in? Thank you ever so much jack

Quick question on the two ball bearings in the switch - should they sit at the bottom of the white plastic just acting as a buffer between the plastic and the black item with the springs? thanks

Blimey that was one hell of a job. 4 hours total for me, 30 mins spent getting the darned second screw of the switch out! replaced everything back as I dismantled and whilst everything works, the switch does not feel quite as it used to. Instead of “crisp” feeling intervals between ON / POWER / START etc, there’s now a bit of a mushy feeling especially when turning off the car. In addition, the final twist between phase II and ignition fire feels shorter In twist than it previously did. Not sure if I have re-assembled the switch incorrectly to cause this? In any case I will mull over next steps, whether I order a replacement from amayama and pluck up the courage to do it all over again or leave as is for now and see how we go. Thanks to all who have provided direction! best jack

Hi all, Going to make a stab at cleaning my switch this weekend - bit nervous as this is a big job for me!! Just to confirm, the switch in discussion is the switch highlighted in red on my attached picture (pinched with thanks from previous poster!) ? So: Step 1 - remove screws of lower dashboard (how many out of interest? Step 2 - pull lower dashboard out inc clips Step 3 - locate said switch Step 4 - remove switch Step 5 - clean switch Step 6 - refit switch Step 7 - beer time Wish me luck! Best, Jack

Hi all, I've been on a multi month mission (good eh) trying to find some OEM black mats for my 99 LS400. They are no longer manufactured for the UK market and aren't in stock at dealers as a result. Does anyone know if they would be available from Japan or anywhere else for that matter? Thanks Jack

Thanks Have you got part number for the bolt and washer/nut? Assume the 48674440051 cushion can be used for both LHS and RHS

Thanks, Razor! Did those century bushes need adapting or they fit just with a bit of pressure applied?