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Comments
Corrosion, loose wire, intermittent connection.
Time for the old wiggle test on everything plus a keen eye. Many techs fail if the test equipment shows no faults because it can take hours and hours to check every connection.
On a Q similar age related problems are intermitent connections on MAF and crankangle sensor but never seen these on an LS. In fact can't think of any common problem causing the engine to die radomly......keep us informed as to solution.
We have about 105 94 LS customers and never seen what you describe.
Even on a car as fine as Lexus you should always buy the factory extended warranty.
The timing belt, waterpump, plugs, brakes, fluids are normal maintenance items on any car.
The PS and AC were the result of not performing maintenance on these systems.
Rod does not frequent the site as much.
You have a needle in a hay stack problem. There seems no obvious code, reason or worn part to create the engine cut off. I personally would not replace the vacuum part unless I was sure this is the cause!.
As for your husband being disgusted, the car is now in the stages of requiring more attention and maintenance. There are people who desire trouble free ownership, and this is for newer cars with lower miles. The items you replaced are common for age / miles. The auto has a good resale value especially if it is aesthetically in good shape, perhaps it is time to sell or trade. Go to edmunds.com for a true market value.
You can try independent shops in your area if they specialize and / or have experience with Lexus, this can be a less costly alternative and you could have a closer relationship with shop owner or manager versus large dealer. Check in your local yellow pages under auto repair and browse to see a shop which says they specialize in Lexus, or even Toyota. Visit the shop and meet with persons to decide if you are comfortable with them.
Good luck
Sheldon
I will call the service manager here in my area and ask if there is a common problem with 94 LS that would cause engine cut off.
I have a 1994 LS 99,000 miles on it and I have just noticed today when brakeing, then when movieg forward I applied the brakes and when I do I hear this sound from under the car that sounds like a soda can being crunched or a metal sound , what could this be ??? If anyone has any idea please post. The sound comes when both in reverse and in drive but mostly in reverse or at least that is what i noticed, all at LOW speeds, Hope someone knows whats up maybe before i take her in .
Thanks,
Paul
Another questions is I notice the LS400 engine compartment gets extremely hot when driving and I think the black plastic cover underneath the engine help trap the heat inside the engine compartment and last week I remove the cover to see whether it helps to get rid of the heat faster. What is your thought on that ??
I really appreciate if any one could answer my questions?? Happy holidays.
Or maybe you used contaminated gas?
Just a thought?
As to P/S pump, a/c etc failure due to maintenance problems, it would seem that the car was not properly serviced by the dealer. The car was in for all of the 30M intervals as well as at other times for smaller jobs. I would certainly buy a Lexus again, but our confidence is certainly not at it's highest level with this service dept.
Another sidebar...I also asked about the suspension at the time of service because the ride in the backseat is terrible. Very hard ride especially when you hit a bump. I was told everything was fine. Funny to me that I get told this everytime I inquire about the rear suspension. To my knowledge, nothing has ever been done to the susp. system.
I live in Orlando area, any comments from anyone else out there with similar problems? I hate being held hostage by the only dealer in town.
Q45, I don't think this is a wire problem, the car always immediately cranks up again on the fly--I throw in neutral and restart. There is no sputtering or anything to indicate that the car is about to lose power. It's a very weird feeling. One second you have power, the next you don't. We are completely at the mercy of a mechanic here--all I can say is that I know every little noise and foible the car has, and this is a strange thing! The service advisor had not seen this problem either on a "94 model, so we are on very shaky ground here.
Thanks
(I have no idea why the part alone would be $800. $100 should be more like it: call another dealer's parts dept.) It sounds like your service dept leaves something to be desired.
For the 60.000 mile service, if it was done at a Lexus dealer it will be on the computer system they use to track a vehicles history. A friendly service rep will check this history for you if you provide him with VIN No. I have done this many times, I do go to the actual dealer in person and review it right there on screen with the rep. There is no reason why they would not allow you to be previed to this info. The only glitch is if your previous owners used independent shops, in that case you should find the paid receipts in glove box or elsewhere.
Congratulations ! and enjoy your new auto.
Sheldon
yes, I have had the oil changed.
dj
it sounds like a clicking noise, I just figured it was bad gas, but it does have a somewhat clicking noise when acceraltor is pressed at speeds moving up to 30mph and above.
dosen't sound like marbles at all, any suggestions?
dj
Does anyone know if the LS400 engine uses valve lifters or shims?
I suggest you take the cheapest diagnostic route by using the highest brand-name octane gas you could get your hands on and run a few full tanks. Let's know if the pinging persists.
I hope 2002 will not bring any surprises.
Happy New Year!
I did forget to say I have 129k on the LS400,
I have filled the tank up twice with the highest octane possible(93). I didn't hear the sound described by hyperopt while the car is idled, doesn't sound like the values need adjusting,
I will definitely have to say that the clicking noise disappears after 40mph or so,
I will keep trying the gas option, will let you guys know if any changes.
dj
I am also getting ready to adjust the valves. How difficult is this task? The maint. schedule indicates 60K for valve adj. but I have read in earlier posts that the adj. can be performed a much longer interval.
Happy New Year,
DB
Well i was in the process of changing the burned out light bulb (ECT pwr) and well I had it all opened and unscrewed the four screws that hold the gear selector in place, and the screw fell in the only place where i cannot see it, down where the chrome shifter goes i guess to the transmission ? Do I need to worry , I mean I bought a magnetic finder and i just cannot find this screw. Will it mess anything up if i leave the screw like cause something to break , get clogged I dunno , I just dont like knowing I have a misplaced screw deep down in my car , will everything be ok ???
Thank You,
Paul
the dealership said that in order to fix my camber they had to remove some parts so i figured it was a component. what kinds of things lead to camber offset? i'm just curious because of the 3 alignments i've had. my mechanic says probably weak struts but he wont know till later when he looks at it on friday.
The difference in prices quoted to you for the 60k service probably have to do with replacement of the timing belt - that's a big deal and a lot of labor.
When I had this replacement done at 66k, the old belt looked great. I understand that in later LS models, the timing belt replacement was pushed back to 90k miles or so; anyway, the V8 in the LS is the type of motor that won't be damaged if this belt breaks. Of course you will need to be towed...
As for the valves, that's another area of contention. A good LS mechanic can hear whether or not they need adjustment (done via inserted shims).
Good luck and enjoy your '95!
Jeff
Dealers don't point this out since they need a few things to fail to keep the service department operating....you can't keep techs who make no money on factory warranty work, tire rotations, brakes, and have to wait 30k, 60k for profitable services [somthing they can do faster than the book].
Luckily Toyota redesigned a few things to fail sooner to increase service revenue [techs annual income]. Many were going to BMW and Jag where they could make a living.
Used to be that the ES250/300 failed enough but the RX300 became the big seller luckily that engine is the same so life continues to be good [decent] for techs. Thank goodness people still think these are off road vehicles and suspension and oil pan work can pay the bills.