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Comments
That headlight issue is interesting. The headlights are supposed to be autoleveling. I think they still can be adjusted manually. The Lexus dealer shouldn't charge you for that as it is a warranty job. Does your car have those headlights that move with the car? (The RX does)
As for the climate control. The bulbs on my 92 LS were replaced by the dealer, and when the screen started to leak they replaced it with a rebuilt unit for $325. It was from Mikando (sp?) an outfit in California.
SV
Can anyone tell me how to check my EGR valve and the EGR modulator to see if one of those need replacing?
Also, would the code for the EGR system come on if i need a new oxygen sensor? are they connected somehow?
Thanks
Does anyone have any recommendations?
I've been meaning to try it as my driver side ecru seat looks a little blue at the bottom of the seat back. This was caused by blue jeans after a rainstorm, I think.
Sean
"HOW TO REMOVE DIRT"
l. Remove dirt using a soft clean cloth dampened with 5% solution of neutral detergent for wool.
2. Wipe off traces of detergent with a clean damp cloth.
3. Wipe off moisture with a dry soft cloth, then allow to dry in a ventilated shaded area.
NOTE: If a stain should fail to come out with a neutral detergent, apply a cleaner without containing an organic solvent.
Notice: When removing stains of dirt. Do not use solvents such as thinner, gasoline, or acid or alkaline solution, as these may cause discoloration and/or staining." (end of quote)
I had a stain from my brown belt and was never really able to get it to completely clean up to my satisfaction. I keep my driver's seat covered with a bath sheet. This helps to keep the leather clean and increases the air circulation of the seat air flow.
Are there any common maintenance items that need to be taken care of in the 100's?
With e-throttle it makes a lot of sense with respect to long term relaibility to delay engine high torque while/until the transmission downshifts.
Some of what is listed about the LS long term issues are true. I have a 1992 with 89K miles so let me give you my experience..
1) Timing Belt replacement is standard at 90K..Virtually every car needs this. The 90K service for my car was $1500, but that included a full 90K service, timing belt, water pump and Power steering pump replacement.
2) As far as the Power Steering Pump goes, just remember to Change the Fluid frequently. I hadn't done it in 8 1/2 yrs, so I was asking for trouble. I'm quite meticulous with maintenance but this somehow got by me.
3) I haven't had any issues with hood struts. A 1998 LS that I owned briefly did have this issue, but that was discovered on my initial test drive of the car (It was a Certified car with 24K on it back in 2001)
4) I did replace the climate control system unit on my 92. It was about $350 installed. They put in a rebuilt unit.
5) The car was involved in a major accident with damage totalling $7,500. The whole left front Suspension was replaced, engine mounts,coolant container. A short time later, the Cathode needles burnt out on the Tach. The dealer says this is uncommon at this mileage, as I've seen older LS cars with 150K plus that don't have this issue. They postulate the vibration damage may have something to do with this. Expected replacement cost ($900) though it may be possible to repair it for about $400-500.
In my 12 years of ownership, I've spent something around $3500 in maintenance. That includes all the issues stated above. The Lexus LS 400 is the most reliable luxury car out there. Keep in mind, that maintenance on a car with a 59K MSRP will be expensive. Repairs will be relatively infrequent, but expensive when they do occur.
I hope this helps,
SV
By the way, anyone know just how much life there is in this engine? 200-300K?
I think it would be safe to cut that number in half to get a real figure.
By the way, anyone know just how much life there is in this engine? 200-300K?
I own an 1990 LS 400 - pearl white and blue leather interior, 166,000 miles. This car was "Doctor Driven" in Minnesota by my uncle and sold to me for a song a few years ago - then transplanted to the West coast.
Fuel efficiency is 18/22, with a lot of pep on tap with the V8. I especially love the conservative 'stealth luxury' styling... there are far too many Mercedes and BMW drivers here in the Bay Area.
I met a fellow Lexus owner (same year and color) and asked him: 'any problems?' He quipped: 'yeah, I have to fill the tank with gas'.
There's been more than that for me. I've had a few repairs and have a few more coming, no doubt. I love this car enough to keep paying maintenance fees from time to time as necessary to cross the 250K line in style.
I consider myself a lifetime Lexus owner, and look forward to learning more about the recent and emerging developments in the premier LS series.
Diary:
2002:
-Acquired car (126K miles)
-Small paint chipping on white bumper shows ugly yellowing primer beneath (unsure how to stop or paint)
-Strange noises from the air control servos at times (very light motor noise)
-Stereo: LCD goes off about 2 times a year - turning interior lights off then on fixes this. OEM replacement antenna makes loud noise in trunk when stereo comes on, rear speakers are out, sub still works.
-Seat issues: Heated seat on driver's side is at about 25%, and one spring is a little loose under the leather. Seat memory doesn't work. One motor in driver's side front seat doesn't work, disabling one axis of tilt without angling the seat.
-A/C Doesn't Cool
-Lexus dealer estimate: $2700
-Local repair shop estimate: $400-800
-Not yet fixed - using local shop
2004:
-Car made funny noises at low speed turning
-New struts / suspension work (155K) - $2,000
-Front panel under bumper is hanging down a bit
-Not yet fixed
-Failed Califonia Smog - NOX - GROSS POLLUTER
-Local repair shop estimate: $???
-Saw a thread on here about this $400-800
-Have some very minor dents, was thinking about paintless dent removal. Can't imagine owning a more expensive car, how much those little dings would have bothered me, but at $5K for this fine Lex, I just shrug it off.
---
My uncle took care of the car, but Minnesota was harsh on it. For example, the E-Brake had been basically rusted shut - now fixed. The Lexus is doing well here in California, but I've been replacing some pretty big parts. Sounds like this is par for the course.
Regarding the A/C. I don't trust the Lexus dealership because they quoted me an OUTRAGEOUS quote to fix this and wouldn't budge. The thought of paying 1/3 what I paid for the car to get A/C back really chapped my hide.
But what really did it was the young salesman, who did the whole "are you sitting down?" routine with me when I asked for the bottom line.
My Lexus is very reliable, and always gets me from Point A to B in speed, style and comfort. A fine stereo compliments the quiet interior. great tunes in its quiet interior. I now compliment the stock 6-CD player and now use a mini iPod which is stored in the glovebox. 1000 songs on tap.... beats poppin' the trunk to change the CDs.
Thanks again for the community, looking forward to adding my $0.02
-"sven"
I had to replace my strut inserts around 78K on my 92 LS400. I think the Suspension on this car allows for the replacement of the insert rather than the whole entire strut. It was about 1.5 hrs of Labor for each one, and the total charge was $325 for rear replacement at the Lexus dealer. Hope this helps
SV
130,000 miles.
Is it possible to have an non-Lexus shop do it for you? The Lexus dealers charge outrageous labor rates, and I suspect you'd be able to get the parts fairly cheaply at www.irontoad.com. I believe they're a Lexus dealer in the Carolinas that sells genuine parts at discounted prices. I've used them in the past, and they are pretty prompt with getting back to you.
How is your LS treating you? My 92 just hit 90K. I've been entertaining some thoughts of replacing it (it's my second car), but hesitate to do so. The build quality of this car is better than anything I see out there today.
SV
Failed California smog as a Gross Polluter. Mechanic (heretoforth trusted) replaces two catalytic converters - smog actually got WORSE - all for $1000.
Now searching for a new mechanic... (sigh) ....
I would think a junk yard unit (like wwest put in) is very risky (Who knows age and it if will last!) to purchase and install.
A new unit (Just put in a request @ irontoad.com for price) is possibly a small fortune.
Is there a fuse or loose wire here, or a dead dash ? please advise.
Also, if I need a new whole cluster is it a complicated unit for me to install myself?
Thank you , Sheldon
Mine was doing that a couple years ago so I took it to the dealer. They wanted $1400 to replace the circuit boards that are contained in the instrument cluster. They also wanted several hundred to then correct the odometer to reflect the true mileage. The mileage is stored on a chip on one of those circuit boards.
Well, I went home and thought about it. I decided to just live with the problem. Then the problems began to get worse and other things began to fail. The fuel gauge was at first inaccurate then just quit operating altogether. Other lights on the center console began failing as well. The speedometer was working but you couldn't see it. After my wife ran out of gas, and then got a speeding ticket, I decided to have a look at it myself.
I'm an electronics engineer by trade, so I decided that I was determined to find and fix this problem on my own car then offer help to others with similar problems.
Well, I did just that. I have now repaired hundreds of these from all over the world!!!
It is not a simple fix that I can tell you to replace this or that part and it's cured. It's just not that simple. There are a number of things that can and do go wrong on the circuit boards and cause several different symptoms. The most common symptom is the blinking needles and back-lighting on the instrument cluster. Second most common is the fuel gauge not working or not accurate.
I have compiled an informational email that tells you exactly how to remove the instrument cluster from the car and then how to remove the circuit boards from the instrument cluster. I also have a more comprehensive description of all the symptoms. Last, but not least, I have information on how someone can get those circuit boards repaired.
If you will Email me at jimlwalker@sbcglobal.net I'll email you all that information.
Jim Walker
My 1995 LS400 runs great on short trips, but it does have a tendency to stall after it's been driven for more than 30 miles or so at highway speeds. It re-starts OK, but will continue to stall thereafter if you lift off the gas at speed and thereby allow the revs to drop right down.
If anyone has any ideas, I'd be delighted to hear them. Thanks.
The Lexus dealer informed my that the Strut Bushings on my 92 are cracked and need replacement. They quoted $550 for the repair. I'm not familiar at all with suspensions, but will they be able to replace the shocks at the same time? Given the age of the car, they're probably due for replacement as well. Also the prices for the shock inserts are reasonable at $63 a piece.
SV
If you have any questions/concerns, please let me know via email. Check my profile. :-)
Sheldon