Wardair

This Guide explains what to look out for when buying and when the model changes were made. It looks like 2004 was last suspension change and 2005/6 last cosmetic (e.g. wheels) and tech upgrades (e.g. bluetooth). Bottom is a model history I pulled from somewhere. https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/used-car-buying-guides/used-car-buying-guide-lexus-sc430 HISTORY The SC430 arrived amid a blaze of publicity in March 2001 but initial test drives proved that Lexus had one eye firmly on their biggest market - the US. With its comfy seats, enormous stereo, prodigious thirst and lazy power delivery, the SC430 didn't translate too well to the UK market. One of the criticisms of the original version of this car was that it was too soft for European tastes and remedial action came at the tail end of 2002 with a package of handling changes. The suspension was re-tuned and incorporated different springs and dampers: as a result, say the engineers, the car responded more crisply, yet ride quality and refinement were as good if not better than before. These changes failed to turn the SC430's fortunes around and they remain a rare sight on our roads. In mid 2004, further changes to the suspension were introduced in a bid to boost UK sales and at the same time there were various hi-tech specification upgrades. Then late 2005 saw a very mild facelift, so mild that the layman would be extremely hard-pushed to tell the pre and post facelift cars apart. Look for a set of revised 18" alloys along with slight modifications to the grill, bumper and headlamps.

I have just added Bluetooth music streaming capability to my car and thought I should share the info as others may wish to do the same. My car already had Bluetooth Phone capability so I only needed to add audio streaming but the same company does a dual module that adds Bluetooth phone as well as music streaming if that is needed. First I purchased a Y cable that intercepts the signals from the radio to the amplifier. (There are many videos showing how to remove the radio to add the cable). Unfortunately the first cable I purchased didn't fit as it was for the earlier radios with three connectors at the back. My 2007 SC430 has the radio with only two connectors. It has the 20 pin connector P3933 radio but I understand the Bluetooth module should work with the other radios you just need to use a different Y cable. Once installed you press the CD button twice and the radio switches to the Bluetooth module and the radio indicator on the left shows CDI. Pressing the CD button again switches the radio back to the standard CD player which works as normal. You search and pair your phone to BlueMusic and then any audio from the phone (other than phone calls) are played via the module. I use Spotify and the radio controls also switch the tracks. I also use Google Maps for Satnav and the instructions are played through the radio perfectly. It took me a while to find the right bits but the end result is great and sound quality superb. Both parts were bought on eBay and came from Germany (see links below). Bluetooth Module https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/254491526428 20 pin Y cable https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/202495696446 Btw - I have two Y cables going cheap a 5+7 (for the three connector radios and a 6+6 (TOY2) which is for some other cars/radios. Any questions just ask. Martin

Hi Neil E, If you get a chance could you perform an active test using Techstream to retract mirrors. I am trying to determine why the ignition has to be on to fold the mirrors. The door ECU's have constant power so I assume there is another signal that is needed to tell the Door ECU to fold the mirror. I don't know the Techstream system but maybe you can see what other signals the door ECU needs to activate? Regards Martin

Quick Update. The 'cheap and cheerful' Auto Side Mirror Fold System box has arrived. It is around 7cm x 4cm (see picture 1) the power feed is has a 15A fuse (small black holder on red wire). The wiring diagram of the module is shown in picture 2. I have now explored the Mirror Fold wiring extensively using the Repair Manual and the power feed polarity to the actual fold motor is reversed to open or fold the mirror. The simple box looks like it provides a power to fold on one wire and power to open on another. I will need to test the box outputs to confirm if it is also putting a ground signal on the inactive line. The standard dashboard manual fold switch is a ground signal which is routed via the Drivers side Junction box to the two Multiplex Network Door ECU's which then provide signals to control the door mirror. It seems that power to fold or unfold the mirrors is only available when the ignition is on, so folding the mirrors with the remote key will probably require the new box to provide power to the Door ECU in order to fold and unfold. It is a lot more complicated to work out than I thought it would be but I haven't given up...yet. to be continued...

The reluctor rings have been replaced and the ABS is now behaving itself perfectly. One thing that was disappointing was the mechanic at my local garage said putting a new shield in the hub was not necessary? On reflection many other cars do have exposed reluctor rings. Does anyone know why the SC430 rings are so well protected (two side shields on the drive shaft plus a hub liner/shield)? I was reluctant to get into an argument over him not fitting the hub shields but they must be there for a reason, although that said the hub liners/shields are also the reason the rings fail when the hub rust pushes the liner/shield inwards onto the rings per the picture below. I like to do things properly so is there a reason to take the hubs off again and fit the hub liner/shields?

Thank you for this info. I agree with your opinion regarding cleaning and hoping for the best. I now have a quote from South West Rustproofing unfortunately the cost has increased quite a bit since 2ddesign had his SC done. I am now thinking it over but will probably get it done as it looks like they do a proper job, although I am surprised they only offer a 1 year guarantee?

Thanks

Hi yes, car already had an advisory regarding one rear brake pipe corrosion under the wheel arch where it is exposed. I had checked myself and the inspector added 'corrosion to under body and suspension parts'. It is quite heavy rust and looks awful but there is no sign of any structural damage. He said he always adds advisories regarding the brake pipes because they are plastic coated and water can get underneath the plastic and rust the pipe unseen. Not sure if this is an issue or he is just being overcautious/covering himself? I certainly am not trying to hide the rust, I want to stop it and protect hence not rushing forward with covering it with Waxoyl.

Car had MoT last week and passed but the inspector commented on the amount of rust and suggested I get the underbody cleaned and coated. There are lots of companies in the UK offering this service with various procedures, products and highly variable pricing. Have any SC430 owners had underbody treatment done and if so what company and product was used? I did think of doing it myself with Waxoyl but then cleaning would only be a pressure wash and then some Waxoyl clear or black?

Out of interest I just connected my iCarsoft Diagnostic Scan Tool and found the mirror fold signal under Body2 signals. A manual live read shows it changing when button pressed. I have now ordered the cheap module that LexusRBest suggested as I guess that will be a fairly easy and quick fix 🤞

I have ordered one now - 👍

Thank you for looking anyway, this confirms what I found looking at the Personalised Settings sheet. I have trawled through the 6327 pages of the repair manual and found the attached information on the mirror retract cct which is helpful so I am sharing it. SC430 Door Mirror Cct.pdf

Having worked through the wiring diagrams I have identified the Door ECU's have the MR (Mirror Retract) signal and of course the MUL (Motor Unlock) and ML (Motor Lock) signals, I wonder if the LS switch that Neil E shared is simply linking two signals in the door. Does anyone have the LS wiring diagrams to see what the switch is connected to? M

Thanks for that link in my watch list - M

Based on your input I tried a lot of button pressing and think I found that the fold button has a memory which only results in action when the ignition key is put in and the ignition turned on. I am beginning to think that maybe the mirrors have no power until the ignition is on and might behave differently if powered via a delayed power source such as the interior illumination cct. I will have a look at wiring diagram.

Hi LexusRbest, thank you for your response. when I looked behind the wheel arch liner the wires disappear through rubber grommets into the car, if you look at the picture below you can see the grommets, so the connector is inside the boot area. I gave up trying to access them and instead spent some extra effort to get the ABS sensor out of the hub. Thanks again + regards Martin

After a few hours investigating I am cancelling this request for info. I removed rear seat to discover that is not where the connectors are located. So into the boot and some time later I had got several panels out but the left panel requires a few fittings to be removed so I went back to trying to get the ABS sensor out of the hub and after a lot of gentle persuasion success! See picture one and you can see why that sensor was struggling and a peek in the hole picture 2, shows the ring is well worn down. So the car is now ready for my local garage to remove the hub and fit a new reluctor ring and shield. I am not really equipped to get the hub off (no garage so all work is on my drive}. If anyone needs a brand new nearside rear ABS sensor contact me, otherwise it will be returned to Germany for a refund.

Hi everyone, I am replacing my rear reluctor rings and need to remove the hub but the nearside ABS sensor is seized in the hub and will probably break when forced. In anticipation of this disaster I have bought a replacement sensor (from Germany it is a hard to find part in the UK) and want to know how to access the internal connectors somewhere behind the rear left wheel arch, are they accessed behind the rear seat or do you reach them from the boot? Also where do I get the wheel arch liner edge fixings, they look like small plastic rivets? I bought a repair manual pdf on-line but whilst it has lots of great info, it does not include things like seat or internal panel removal. Can anyone out there tell me where I start or perhaps where I can get some internal body fittings removal info? Thanks Martin

Hi Neil E, My car has a dash button to fold the mirrors. The other cars I have with auto power fold capability allow you to fold the mirrors manually via buttons to get through a narrow gap. Nothing on my OBD (iCarSoft JP V2.0) either. Hope your Techstream check finds something, if not the I will start checking the door lock signals to see if I can do something with a mod. Martin

Hi Anthony, Well that is good to know and thanks for trying as I was planning to visit my local dealer. Did they indicate that it was possible if they had the right kit? I don't want to start modifications only to find it is a simple factory setting. Tried looking at the secret menu on the sat nav screen but it looks like there are no settings just vehicle diagnostics and fault records. Also currently trying to get a audio interface connection working (my radio is a P3933 with a 20 pin connector). But that challenge is for another thread. ATB Martin

Thanks Anthony, yes the first two 'owners manual' replies were a bit disappointing tbh. I think the ability to fold on lock gives you a clear visual signal that doors are locked and of course stops them getting damaged. Having had to replace one on my RX some time back I know how expensive they are!

For a downgraded model the SC430 has a lot of amazing standard features that many other cars of the same era didn't have. tbh I am very impressed and I am not easily impressed! I will get on with the project and provide feedback in due course.

Thanks Neil E. Strange they took the option away on the SC430. Yes I was thinking the same thing but instead adding the relay to the door lock circuit. it is a momentary press on the manual dashboard switch so only a short pulse is needed to close the mirrors when the doors lock. I have downloaded some wiring diagrams and will start checking the door lock cct signals now to see if one can be used.

Thanks NEMESISUK, There is no Customisations section in the owners manual. I have found the Personalised settings sheet on the Australian Lexus Owners site https://au.lexusownersclub.com/ . This shows many remote activation settings for locks and lights etc but cannot find Power Fold Mirrors on the list. So has anyone modified their car to do this (I guess I could add a relay)? Lexus_Personalised_Settings_SC430.pdf

The owners manual (page 148) only refers to folding the mirrors using the button on the dash board. I was wondering if auto folding the mirrors on locking was one of the Lexus Personalised Settings that can only be done by a dealer? From the two response so far I am guessing I have either read the wrong section of the owners manual or it is not possible?