Nigel Coleman

Thanks. Looks like it's in or under the centre arm rest/console?

Where is the alarm motion sensor located in the SC 430?

Don't think it was the battery as it only needed a hour and a half trickle charge to get to full charge.

Retractable Aerial: One of the minor issues with my car is the aerial is closed and not working. However the FM radio works just fine? Is it possible that a previous owner had it bypassed? I found an excellent 3-part video on YouTube on how to replace and fix it. The degree of technical. know how required is very low but it is an EXTREMELY LONG PROCESS and would probably take me all day? Is it worth doing it - or should it just leave well alone? Members thoughts please

Do you need to do this every time or is it a reset?

Still no noise from the roof. Just checked the gorilla tape applied to the 2 front roof/windscreen pins. The tape around the thin part of the locating pins has already been worn away during numerous opening and closings - tolerance to tight as I thought - but the tape around the top fatter part of the pin has remained in place and is acting as a cushion. I'll keep an eye on it and see how long it lasts? Still, much better without the noise.

Hi Jack. Padding out with fabric tape is not so easy on the SC430 as on the IS250C in the video because of major roof design differences. Like you I have only done to 2 front into the windscreen locating pins so far. The tolerance is not great so I only wrapped around it twice - about 2+ inches of tape - but it has definitely firmed the fit up and cushioned a little reducing movement and noise. Used black Gorilla Tape - it seems to have more texture than most others?

Bad Battery? Don't know when it was last changed

So the last few days the alarm goes off by itself for a short period then stops. It's happened 4 times and I'm now getting funny looks from the neighbours! I checked that the boot, bonnet, doors and windows are properly closed - and they all are. Any ideas please?

Well finally the sun has been out all day today in Torquay so I was able to half open the metal roof to look at the fixings. They are totally different on my SC 430 to the hooks and spindles on the IS250C. In the video the IS250C fittings are a lot larger and easier to cover and cushion with duck tape. I'll just do an experiment with a thin covering of tape on the 2 hooks connecting the rear screen panel and the main roof panel and see if that helps? I have already coated all the rubber seals with Gummi Pflege Stift www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004B8GTQG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details which did soften the seals reducing roof noise and I did a 4th. application today. Don't now get any rattle going over potholes unless lateral movement occurs.

Re: The roof rattle video:- Well finally the sun has been out all day today in Torquay so I was able to half open the metal roof to look at the fixings. They are totally different on my SC 430 to the hooks and spindles on the IS250C. In the video the IS250C fittings are a lot larger and easier to cover and cushion with duck tape. I'll just do an experiment on the 2 hooks connecting the rear screen panel and the main roof panel and see if that helps? I have already coated all the rubber seals with Gummi Pflege Stift www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004B8GTQG?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details which did soften the seals reducing roof noise and I did a 4th. application today. Don't now get any rattle going over potholes unless lateral movement occurs.

Wow! While doing some more OCD research I came across the following on YouTube. Surely it's to simple to be true? But then metal against metal makes noise. Not sure how permanent a fix it is? - but if it works it's cheap and can be repeated. Could be the answer to SC 430 owners roof rattle problems? Going to try it when the rain stops. I was concerned about the thickness of tape he applied to some retaining brackets/spindles - however if you read the YouTube comments replies he states that what he did has worked and lasted 6 years.

I was concerned about the thickness of tape applied to some retaining brackets/spindles - however if you read the YouTube comments replies he states this has worked and lasted 6 years

Wow! While doing some more OCD research I came across the following on YouTube. Surely it's to simple to be true? But then metal against metal makes noise. Not sure how permanent a fix it is? - but if it works it's cheap and can be repeated. Could be the answer to SC 430 owners roof rattle problems? Going to try it when the the rain stops.

Thanks Neil. I did not know about the parcel shelf - I'll have a look. My knock/rattle is not when you go over ANY pothole but when you get a lateral producing impact? Before and after getting my car I read many posts on this site and I thought a slack roof cord might be the problem? When I briskly polish the centre roof panel I start a slight motion and I can hear a slight tapping/knocking from inside that panel. That's what makes me think its a slack roof mechanism cord? Don't think that I would be able to fix this myself though.

Sorry about upsetting some members. I did not know anything about Richard Walker until I purchased this car from him.

Hi Graham. I really was not trying to "big up" Rich Walker (Lexusman) but simply relating my experience of buying my first SC 430 and running it for several weeks. I have to again say that I am very pleased with my purchase. I found Rich to be fair and knowledgeable in particular about the Lexus SC 430 and was pleasantly surprised to find that the person I was buying from had 3 of them on this drive. I later found out that he had 65+ SC 430's over time and that in my book makes him somewhat of a specialist/expert dealer in this model of car. I am very sorry if some members have had problems with him - I can only relate my experience. I have only ever had 3 brand new cars but have purchased many used ones. When buying used you have to remember the phrase "buyer beware". It is up to the buyer/member to do their own research/due diligence to try and minimise risk. Before buying from him I did an MOT history check and there was nothing out of the ordinary in repairs/replacement or advisories apart from back in 2020 mention of rear subframe corrosion which the previous owner addressed and had undersealed. Of course the car was/is not perfect. The retractable aerial does not work (radio works fine), the rear parking sensors are faulty, drivers seat has a 5mm. rip and the leather seatbelt retaining strap is detached under the headrest and needs repair. These are all things I can tackle myself and have more than been accounted for in the price. The mechanics are good which is more important to me. My post was about my lovely SC 430 - not about any individual. In any event I am happy and proud to now be the owner of a SC 430 and member of the Lexus SC 430 Club. 😁

Thanks Peter. Yes I'm over the moon with it. I was going to buy one for my birthday in July but this one came up and with buying in March and the economic climate I was lucky and secured a bargain.😍

Hi all. So over a month ago I purchased my 2006 SC 430 Facelift Model in Indigo Ink Pearl with Rutland (Ecru) leather Interior from the "Lexusman" in Gloucester. Apparently Rich Walker has had 65+ SC 430's go through his hands and when I went to purchase it he had 3 on his drive including mine and his own car. After doing lots of research it was a facelift that I was after with the 6 speed auto box, factory fitted bluetooth, revised lights and slightly firmer ride. Mine also came with a stainless steel exhaust and 19 inch split rim alloys and 4 brand new tyres. I thought that a facelift might be out of my budget - so looked at higher mileage examples. It had 143,000 miles on the clock with a full service history with 14 stamps (12 Lexus main dealer and 2 Lexusman Lexus specialist) so as I usually only drive about 3500 miles a year - I went for it. In the paperwork there is a receipt for a timing belt replacement at 96,835 miles in 2015 so I suppose It needs doing again within the next 2 years? The asking price was £6,500 which Rich said was the cheapest priced facelift for sale in the UK - it was on auction on eBay and I got it for £900 less - result! I've been driving it for several weeks now and I love it! Mechanically it's sound and drives great. No warning lights on and every thing works apart from the aerial. The leather interior does need a little attention which I should me able to do myself over the coming months. The only other fault is a knocking noise at times from the centre folding roof panel which after reading this great forum I have identified as a "slack" roof mechanism cord/rope which probably will need to go to Lexus to fix? Without doubt this is the best car I have ever owned. My last 3 have been Mercedes CLK 320's which are good but no match for the SC 430's quality and standard features. Also another bonus because of being registered in late March 2006 - the cheaper rate road tax! Here is Lexusman's pre sale video: (87) facelift model sc430 - YouTube