chris vince

I can confirm through bitter experience that only Lexus CD's will work, I have bought and tried 2002 Toyota discs also other Navteq discs and they do NOT work. The only good news was that I made a couple of pints when I sold them through ebay. Regards, Chris Vince

Dear All, Re: this upcoming show. I took my LS for a MOT last Saturday in Yateley, Hampshire, when I was there I met the bloke who had been buying the 5 cars requiring tarting up, he told me he bought most of them off ebay, and was giving them the once over on a ramp to make sure nothing was falling off. I saw a pretty grotty Corvette, and a good MK1 LS that really doesn't need too much (couldn't sell him a climate control LCD refurb though) he told me it cost £1500 from Bournemouth, well worth every penny if correct, one owner with all the proper paperwork, and although quite dirty, mechanically still running like a swiss watch. He was telling my tester mate Bob and myself that he had also bought a Merc S500 off ebay for £1300 (I recall?), with double glazing etc and that in his opinion it was the better car, until he received a broadside from the pair of us. Got to stand up against the less well informed! Best regards, Chris Vince

If someone emails the company, please would they ask if they also fit a 98 MK4, mine are a little lazy also? If they do I will join the new strut gang. Regards, Chris Vince

Hi again Dave, I hate not being able to find things, and am unable to give up so I kept going! Try this link http://www.cureline.net/lex/howtos/howto_hood_shocks.htm Sadly the price has gone up, my memory let me down their $15.99, this is a considerable saving on Lexus parts (as ever). Best regards, Chris Vince PS I did get in touch with the supplier and they are willing to post to the UK. Chris

Hi Dave, My bonnet struts had also gone on my '93, I was going to replace them before I bought a bargain price MK4 off ebay absolutely perfect, FSH etc. but you don't want to know about that. The struts I was going to use were from a USA source and were universal ones that would fit LS's, I think they were approx $15 a pair. I recall seeing this on a Lexus maintainance website but can't remember which one, though I am sure someone else will know, or a quick google search will come up with it. The posting also had full fitting instructions and the suppliers details as well as the correct part numbers. From reading other owners postings it would that these are beginning to fail due to age, so it might make sense for individuals to club together with a bulk purchase? I've just had another look for it without success, but it is there somewhere, good luck. Regards, Chris Vince

Dave, This is a very easy repair, the time consuming part is getting access to the reservoir, you have to remove several covers and pieces that make our engines look so tidy. Once you have accessed the pump the reservoir is held on by a single (I think 10mm) bolt, remove it and lift the pot off, not forgetting to suck as much fluid out before as possible, then put a rag underneath to catch any residue fluid (we don't want that entering the alternator). The original 'O' ring will be clearly visible on the pot spigot (I can't remember the size, I recall around 8 -10mm), chances are it will break up as you try to remove it, they really do get very flattened and brittle. The best advice as before, is to ensure you have a top quality replacement 'O' from a hydraulic specialist these are designed to work in the harsh environment of hot oil based fluids. I may be wrong but I believe that LS's from Mk4's use a PS pump that has a redesigned fluid reservoir, perhaps Lexus became aware of this problem and have already designed it out, once again endorsing the Lexus ethos of excellence through improvement. Good luck, regards, Chris Vince

Adam, Just a thought, this may seem a silly question, but have you located the source of the leak? My own '92 LS and both of the others I have repaired with power steering fluid leaks turned out to be a hardened and then split 'O' ring on the spigot of the PS fluid reservoir where it goes into the PS pump body, if may not even be split, they harden and flatten with repeated applications of engine heat and age, just enough to let hot fluid pass by as the pump then expands with heat build up. If this is your problem, this is easily repaired without removing the pump body at all, but make sure you buy a proper 'O' ring from a hydraulics specialist not one fron a motor factor or DIY store, or you'll be back at square one in next to no time. Regards, Chris Vince

Hi again Tom, I have had mine off for a door lock problem cured it with plenty of lubrication they do seem to suffer with this, particularly drivers doors with drying out. Try this link I wish I had found it before I tackled the job, from what I remember not too bad, just fiddly. http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/body/fdoorpanel.html I hope it all goes well. Regards, chris Vince

Tom, Try not to use a liquid lubricant in locks, in the short term it will ease the mechanism but over time it will attract dust and fibres aggravating the problem. Try to use powdered graffite lock lubricant this should be readily available at locksmiths. Regards, Chris Vince

Hello, Did anyone else see the BBC Watchdog program this week featuring Audi TT's? We think we have instrument electrical problems! Audi have now acknowledged a defect within the TT instrument 'pods', this fault causes inaccurate displays and readings leaving the drivers to run out of fuel, get caught speeding, getting expensive recovery due to erroneous oil warning lights coming on, odometers adding and subtracting many thousands of miles, etc etc. During their 'investigation' the BBC contacted many Audi dealers until one openly admitted it was a known defect within Audi, the featured cars pod was replaced free of charge and Audi have agree to look favourably at other TT's less than 5 years old with the same disease. They have now rectified the fault on post summer 2004 cars. Its a pity Lexus didn't do a similar public relations exercise on LS model dashboards years ago!!! regards, Chris Vince

Re: spark plug check, try giving the leads a fine spray of salty water, see if the misfire gets worse at the same time also looking for the errant sparks. regards Chris Vince

← Get in touch on: chrisvince@btopenworld.com Regards ← Get in touch on: chrisvince@btopenworld.com Regards Aquasurfer this is the posting you need. Regards, Chris

For No.8 See postings on this site under LCD Screen Problems - Recommended Repairs Regards Chris

Whoops. SOOOOOO sorry! It's the fading brain cells. It happens to us all in time......I must be in sychronicity with the display? Will download this and have it on paper! (I used to be a Librarian in a previous life!) Though 'prising up the wood' sounds ominous! Will advise my prospective buyer.....if I get one! :) Chris, I am the bloke who refurbishes the Mk 1 & 2 LS climate controls with new LCD displays, I have a detailed attachment with photo that I can send you re: removing the radio and c/c units. Trust me they are very simple to remove with hardly any tools required as they are mostly held in with spring clips, you really will be surprised just how easy this job is. I have sent these instructions out to owners of all abilities who have posted their units to me for repair, all have sucessfully removed them without any problems, get in touch if you still want the instructions. Regards, Chris Vince

I reiterate Johns previous comments it is very easy to turn off the operating switch this must be your first check. Regarding vehicle batteries I have just had to change mine and have done a fair bit of research into them in the course of this have helped to rewrite Exides catalogue. I was informed by my local dealer that a battery from your local Lexus dealer will probably be made by YUASA and not original equipment, this due to the weight involved and shipping costs. I checked the performance of most available batteries and in my humble opinion the Exide TE range offers best performance and value. I did have a hell of a job though obtaining the correct battery due to incorrect information being printed in their catalogue and on their website, the correct batteries are: !990 - 97 MK's 1,2&3 W249TE 1998 - on W030TE JIS code 80D26L (Jap. Ind. Standard) The TE range offers a 4 year guarantee and far superior CCA (cold cranking amps) performance as well as improved amp hour performance. I paid approx £55 (trade) for a W030TE and was quoted £77 for a Lexus YUASA. I am writing this at work if anyone wants the performance figures for the Exide batteries get in touch and I will go through my catalouges to supply it. Regards, Chris Vince

Hi Kenton, I had exactly the same door locking problem on my LS, easily cured, just lubricate all of the joints and linkages, its a bit of a job removing the door card to get at them but oil cured mine straight away. On a dark night, try fine spraying slightly salty water onto the plug leads any errant sparks due to electrical leakage should then show nice and bright. Can't assist with your alternator problem by email though, but before you replace it, (you don't mention which model LS you have) you must check that there are no leaks from the power steering pump mounted above it, I have repaired 2 LS's with fluid leaks. If it is leaking chances are that this fluid led to its premature end and there is no point replacing it until the leak is cured, if you do have a leak its not the end of the world, and once again probably very cheaply and easily cured (dependant on the model LS you own). There is a small 'O' ring on the spigot of the fluid reservoir that connects it to the pump body, they tend to heat and age harden and then split allowing fluid to pass drop onto and contaminate the alternator, replace this tuppenny 'O' ring with one obtained from a proper hydraulic workshop (less than 10p) don't be tempted to buy an inferior DIY store type, as although this job is pretty straightforward it is quite involved removing covers etc to gain access and you don't want to repeat this too soon. Regards, Chris Vince

Sounds like the water pump. Why dont you try something like Forte cooling system conditioner and if it improves or stops the noise you know it is the pump. ← WELL SOME 1 NOWS THERE STUFF I WOULD LIKE 2 REPORT THAT MY LS400 1990 IS GOING LIKE A DREAM THE NOISES WRE ALL DOWN 2 THE WATERPUMP BEING SEIZED SO WEPLACED IT TOOK 11HRS 2 DO THE JOB BUT WE DONE IT NOW ITS WORKING NO NOISES2 REPORT I WAS THAT CONFIDENT I SET OFF FROM CUMBERNAULD 10 MILES NORTH OF GLASGOW WENT 2 LIVERPOOL AND MADE IT BACK 2 HAMILTON 10 MILES EAST OF GLASGOW TOTAL 430 MILES AT 90MPH MOST OF THE WAY ON CRUISE CONTROL BY *** DONT U JUST LOVE OWNING 1 OF THESE A LS400 HAS A 80 LITRE TANK X85.9 PER LITRE HERE =£71.12 2 FILL I GOT 70 IN MINE AND LET HERE RIP I DRIVE FOR A LIVING AND HAVE COVRED ABOUT 1000000 MILES IN THE LAST 10 YRS AND NOTHING COMES CLOSE 2 THE LS400 ITS A 15 YEAR OLD CAR HOW MANY FORD SIERRAS COULD YOU SAY ABOUT THAT GOOD INFO FROM LEXUS OWNERS CLUB STAY IN TOUCH GUYZ PS LOOKING FOR THE LCD FOR THE AIRCON THEY ALL FK UP I NO THAT BUT LOOKING FOR A CHEAP DECENT 1 IF THERES SUCH A THING +ANYTHING ELSE FOR LS400 WOULD LIKE NEW INTERIOR MINE IS CREAM BUT WITH A LOT OF CRACKS IN FRONT 2 SEATS ANY 1 GOT ANYTHING I CAN TRADE LOADS OF OTHER BITS I HAVE A 2ND LS400 FOR BITS ← Do a search of this site for: LCD Screen Problems Recommended Repairs

Dear All, I came across this site during my daily duties. http://www.vosa.gov.uk/vosa/apps/recalls/default.asp VOSA is the Vehicle & Operator Services Agency. Its not a lot of use to us lucky Lexus owners! however there are quite a few recalls out there for our cars. It may be of more use for any other make you may also own (hope yours are all done). Regards, Chris Vince

Kingkens, Further to your post I think it right to mention, in order to save other members all of the hassle of returning a hopefully unsoldered LCD for a doubtful refund, that the LCD’s you mention for $122 are most probably American spec ones i.e. for left hand drive cars. This means that the clock / temperature readouts are on opposite sides compared to UK spec right hand drive cars, also adjacent to the temperature display is the max cold / hot display, fitting the wrong spec LCD will confuse the PCB and electronics resulting in an incorrect display most if not all of the time. As with most Lexus parts very little is straight forward and great care needs to be taken selecting after market replacement parts. Regards, Chris Vince

did they have screens for the ls400 buddie let me no kingkens ← Kingkens, I have LCD screens read the posts (I think on page 4) entitled - LCD Screen Problems Repairs Recommended Chris

did they have screens for the ls400 buddie let me no kingkens ←

← Get in touch on: chrisvince@btopenworld.com Regards

Make sure its not switched off. Look at the switch just to the left of the steering wheel and on the knee roll, I knew a bloke once was going to shell out £140 for a new key convinced his independant garage had broken it fitting a new battery, until I told him similar advice, when he thought back he had left his grandaughter in the drivers seat and she had switched it off. I hope its this, a nice easy fix, don't point this out to the seller though, negoitiate a discount!! Regarding your previous questions. Defective dashboards and displays I wouldn't worry too much about them, these are well known faults and there are plenty of specialist about who can repair these defects, usually using better than original componants for a fraction of the Lexus spare prices, if it has a defective clock/climate LCD I can help you there (80% less than Lexus) look around this site for similar electronic repairs if needed. Good hunting, Chris Vince

Phill, There are plenty of pieces on power steering pumps on these pages do a search. Make sure it isn't the failure of the 5p 'O' ring on the base of the PS pump reservoir causing your leak before you shell out a fortune, I have repaired 2 cars with this fault it is not uncommon, and an easy fix. Chris Vince