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kmammas

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Everything posted by kmammas

  1. I don't remember if the N L H knob on my LX470 had been lit up. I see that now it is dark, but seem to remember that the N L H letters on the top of the knob were lighted. Can't find any information on this online. If someone could please let me know it would be appreciated. I can't find anything online about changing the bulb or pictures of the knob lit at night. I seem to remember that the knob lit up in green. Can someone please check their LX and let me know if their N L H know lights up. Thank you.
  2. My car is shaking while idling. Sometimes pretty violently. The mechanic first told me to do a tune up, change spark plugs, etc. When I picked up the car, he said it was still shaking and needed the motor mounts replaced. The car still shakes, but not as violently. He now said that the car needs new transmission mounts. Would the transmission mounts make the car vibrate while idling? I read different things on the internet. Some people say yes, while others say that the transmission mounts would make the car shake while driving, accelerating. Any advise?
  3. I have a 2003 lx470 with 261,800 miles.
  4. I've owned my 2003 lx470 for 14 years now, driving for 261,000 miles. Never had any major issues. I went to the dealer for just a routine service and for an ongoing air conditioning issue of loosing gas and complaining about the car shaking. Also, for about a year, I had been complaining about something loose on the bottom of the car, that I could feel tapping under my feet. I was always told that they couldn't find anything loose underneath, but I kept complaining.. Next I know I received a phone call while at my office telling me of many issues which included: leaking water pump, leaking steering wheel pump, needing new breaks, rotors, needing a new evaporator, a few other things that I don't remember and finally finding the cause of the rattling and tapping I would feel under my feet, a swing arm that had rusted and broke off the body of the car. Basically I was told the car would cost over 9000 dollars to repair and it wasn't worth it and Not to bring it back for service. I was then taken to the showroom to sit with a car salesman and taken for test drives. I actually like the drive of my 2003 lx470 more than the 2016 or 17, not sure what the new model is. I told them I needed a couple of weeks to think about it. I went to a local mechanic in my town and gave him the list of things the dealer said needed to be taken care of. He gave me a price of 4900 and I decided to do it since the new lx is going for 97,000, I figured I could repair it and use it for a few more years. After changing the evaporator, the mechanic told me the old evaporator looked fine, it needed a part that attached to the evaporator that was leaking the gas. The swing arm was repaired also. When I picked up the car, it was driving very smoothly, like new again, except for one thing, it was still shaking while idling. The mechanic told me it needed a "tune up" to change spark plugs and everything else that needed to be done. So I agreed to it, that cost about 300, much less than lexus would charge me. When I picked up the car, he said it was still shaking at idling and that the motor mounts needed to be changed and this would take care of the shaking, so I agreed, that cost 700. Now today, when I picked up the car, he said that the vibration was better but still there and that the transmission mounts need to be changed. The violent shaking definitely improved, but now there is a different type of shaking that feels different. Would the transmission mounts do this? I also noticed that after the motor mounts were changed, the rpms are a little rough, increasing then decreasing while idling. I know I have a lot of miles and from my reading, it's probably right to change the motor mounts and now the transmission mounts. I just worry because I've already put in 5600 in repairs and now must do the transmission mounts. I'm wanted to know if the transmission mounts would make the car shake while idling? I've read yes in some places but read that the shaking happens while driving? Also, why would my idling be a little rough after the motor mounts were done when it was running very smoothly before? If someone could let me know and maybe give me some advise. After spending this much, if it would help, I would spend a few more hundred to do the transmission mounts bringing my total spending to about 6000 and hopefully having it for a few more years. When I was with the sales person, a new one would cost me about 1300 a month after putting 30,000 down. The 6,000 would only be about 5 payments on a new one and I really still enjoy driving my car.
  5. Hi, thanks for the reply. I just wasn't sure if there was any sort of time frame with something like the transmission. Everything has a life span. I take the car for every service, and I always go to my dealer. Even though it cost a lot more, I've had problems and have been scammed by outside auto places. So over the past 12 years I've spent a fortune on services. Sometimes as much as 3,000 for one service, like the 90,000 mile service with breaks and tires. I used to take much better care of the car than I do now. It's more difficult with a 7 and 9 year old and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and my work. My interior is not the greatest. My cream colored leather is cracking. I also have noticed that the chrome is bubbling up around the edges of the shift plate and on a interior door handle. I search online to see that you have to buy the complete shift plate and you just can't buy the border. Also, one of my fog lights, on the passenger side is letting water in. I've thought about changing the leather seats in the front, I did it once, it was under warranty because the leather was cracking and it was still under warranty, they tried painting it first because they said the seat cost 1000. The painting did not work, so they had to change the seat. Now, my rims are peeling and deteriorating badly. I need new tires and will get rims. That's another issue. I can't seem to decide on rims. My local guy who has done things for me like put in a dvd player, rear camera, auto start, upgrading all my light to HDI, etc., told me it's not worth refinishing the rims, better to just buy new ones. I haven't decided what kind/type. The choices are pretty limited because of things like offset, bolt pattern and size. I want to stay with 18 inch. He doesn't recommend chrome because of our winters and the salt used here and I will not be changing tires between summer and winter. He is recommending a polished aluminum wheel that does look nice, but my understanding it will need much more care. I don't know if I want black? If you have any recommendations I would appreciate it. It has held me off from getting the new tires on. But my point is, I really enjoy my car. It drives like it did from the beginning. But, will I be spending money every month as if I would be making car payments? I'm hoping that after this work I'm doing, minor body, rims. I'll be OK for a while. Do I spend thousands on changing leather seats? It all adds up. That's my concern. I know a new one probably goes for around 90,000 and I don't know if they even offer the night vision anymore. Once again, I enjoy communicating with a fellow lexus owner. I've owned a lexus for the past 20 years, my first has an ls 400, then my spouse is on a second rx. Thank you.
  6. I've owned my 2003 lx 470 for 12 years now. I have over 230,000 miles. In the past few weeks I've taken it for some minor body work, have all all the lights upgraded to HID. The insurance co is replacing my windshield next week, due to a crack. I am now shopping for new tires/rims. Yesterday, I was told by the dealer that I need new from breaks and given an estimate of around 1100. A few months ago, I had a flat tire in the middle of no where. Never happened to me before, so I got the manual and was going to change the flat tire only to find out that the lock on the spare under the truck was totally rusted out and I could not turn it to lower the spare, a spare I never used. I had to call AAA, the only thing that could be done, was that the car had to be towed 20 miles away, the flat repaired, then towed back to me. I let the dealer know that I was upset by this and why this was never checked when I go for every service required for the past 12 years spending countless thousands. The didn't seem to care and was told that I needed to upgrade to a new method that uses a chain to lower the spare, that will run me over 300. I really enjoy my car. That is why I keep it up. I have two young children that can do countless things on the back seat. I have a large Chesapeake Bay Retriever that loves to hang out in the back, it's like his territory. I'm a little leery of getting a brand new car and worrying about these things. But at the same time, 230,000 miles is a lot. I guess my biggest fear is when can the transmission go? Does anyone have any idea? I can only imagine how much this would cost. I know if I sell, I would only get pennies compared to what I spent. I also have the night vision, which I do use when I drive to our weekend home in PA. Maybe I can keep it around for a few more years? What advise do you have for me? Thank you.
  7. Thank you for the reply. The problem was corrected. My guy found a short with the rear lights. It has been corrected and the indicator is now off.
  8. Hi, Thank you for replying. I'm talking about the indicator on the lower left hand side of the dash that goes on When a bulb is out. I had all the lights replaced to HID, including the fog lamps. I didn't do it myself, I'm not a car person. Had it done at a local shop that specializes in after market products. He's done lots of work in the past, had DVD player put in rear, had another DVD player that works on the front navigation screen that works by pressing a button andit changes to another screen . Had a reverse camera installed, some additional LCD lights placed on a Jaros front protector He installed for me. Also an auto start. All of this I had done over the past 10 years. So I think he knows what he's doing and trust him. I know he ordered a kit to do the work on the lights. The first time I went back, He said there was a bulb out in the back. But When I picked it up yesterday, the indicator still stays on, even after I shut the car off and remove the key and start it again. It comes on When you start the car, regardless if the lights are on and off. When I first start the car the indicator is off, but once a step on the break lights, it comes right on. I read somewhere that it makes a difference When the indicator comes on to figure out the cause. Is this something that will stay on now since I had this work done and I should ignore it. The lights look very good and I see a difference driving at night. I tried putting the lights on auto mode to see if that makes a difference, auto light function is working fine, the light turn on and off automatically, but the indicator stays on. I don't see any light bulbs out. If you can give me any advice or suggestions, it would be greatly appreciated. When I go back to the dealer, they usually give me grief over the work I have done and sometimes even disconnect things. I have my LX for 12 years now. I've driven over 230,000 miles, it still drives beautifully and I have no intentions of giving it up. Once again, Thank you.
  9. I had all my lights changed on my 2003 to HID, including the fog lights. Now the light out indicator stays on from the moment the car is turned on. It doesn't reset. Does anyone know what the problem is and if anything can be done? Thanks.
  10. I've had my 2003 lx since I purchased it new 12 years ago. I now have 230,000 miles and it runs beautifully. I don't want a new car. So I've done some body work. My rims are bubbling up and peeling now, I also need new tires. I've been looking at rims, and its confusing. Do I go with the factory rims again, or can I go to something different. I've looked at different finishes, and from what I've researched, it seems that the polished and machined are the best for year round where I live (sometimes lots of snow, the calcium destroys my brakes). I think I will stay with the original size. Is there any reason to go bigger? The other question I have is with the off set. I did some research regarding this. I know that the lexus rims have an off set of 60. How important is it to be close to the original off set, when I look at after market rims for the lx, there are so many, the off set varies from 0 to 35. The closest to the 60 was a rim by Andros, it is a silver painted and has an off set of 57. I hope that someone can give me some good advise. Thank you so much.
  11. Recently my DVD player stopped playing. When pressing the mode button, it doesn't display dvd mode at all. It keeps going to md mode and plays no music. The DVD between the front seats ejects properly. All the CDs are installed properly. When put back into the player, I can hear the player reading the CDs. But it continues to skip dvd mode but displays md mode, playing no sound. Not quite sure what is going on. Does anyone know how to correct this problem? Thanks.
  12. Thank you for the reply. This was exactly what I did. I must have hit it with my knees without realizing it.
  13. When turning the steering wheel more than 1/2 way, the tires become sluggish not wanting to move. If the steering wheel is turned all the way, the tires actually lock and if you continue stepping on the gas, there is a sound and the car moves forward sluggishly. It happens going forward or in reverse, especially when turning around in tight spaces. A few years ago the same thing happened and the dealer told me that it was because the brake drums needed to be replaced and blamed it on the new type of salt that is used to clear snow off the roads. I don't see how this could be happening again after a few years. Is this actually a symptom of brake drum problems?
  14. I am the original owner of a 2003. I just made 197,000 miles. I have been through two 90,000 services. My height control stopped working a few years ago, but the dealer repaired it under warranty, even though the warranty was over. I just had to change the catalytic converter this week. Cost me over 3000 dollars, all because I failed inspection. But my car still runs like new and I have no plans of purchasing a new one.
  15. I was just driving my car and all of a sudden there was a sound right behind the dash board. I opened the hood and saw that the sound is coming from a gold colored canister next to the brake fluid right up against the dash. Then after a little while, the abs, vcs trac, vsc off and brake lights all came on. Also an alarm continually sounds. When I called my dealer, I was told that I could not bring the car in until tomorrow. The told me if the brakes are working, which they are, I could still drive the car. The dealer is about one hour away from me. Does anyone know what the problem is and if indeed it is safe to drive. Thanks
  16. I need some advise. I was just driving my car and the first thing that happened was a sound coming from behind my dash, from a gold colored canister next to the brake fluid. I think it is some kind of pump. Then after a little while, the abs, vsc trac, vsc off and brake lights all came on with an alarm sound also. I called my Lexus dealer and they said that I could not bring the car in until tomorrow. The problem is that I have a few errands to run in the morning and the lexus dealer is about an hour away. They told me that if the brakes are working, which they are,it was ok to drive. Does anyone know what is causing this and if it is indeed ok to drive. Thanks
  17. I have a 2003 lx and the rims have started to peel for the past year. I am thinking about replacing them the next time I replace the tires. What is better between the sizes available, 16, 17, 18, 20? I am not even sure what size mine are right now, they are the ones that came from the dealer. I would apreciate someone helping to make a decision as to what size. Thanks in advance for any help or advice.
  18. Hi, The best thing to do is what I did. I had a directed high definition 10 in screen intalled overhead for the rear seat so that my son could watch movies. The DVD player is built right into the unit and it is removable. You can actually take it out and bring it with you into a hotel room and connect it to the TV with the wires supplies. It can work with wireless headphones or it connects to the stereo system through the fm radio. I think this is really the best option than to try to get the DVD player from the factory to work in a rear screen.
  19. It's not just you. I've tried four different NJ dealers for my major tuneups, with only the fourth actually doing the job that was spec'ed out in the service manual, and not trying to sell me anything else, or give me excuses for additional service. Perhaps it is just NJ? I just wanted to let everyone know that the dealer did take care of my car and corrected all the problems. It is now working like new again, no more squeeks or rough idle. I am happy with this.
  20. That feature was not available on your car. THANK YOU VERY MUCH I have an LX 470 2003. You can watch DVD's on your navigation screen. You must place the DVD in space number one in your CD holder, you must also have your emergency break pulled up. It will not work while the car is moving. Many people try to bypass this system so that the DVD will play while driving, but it is a bit complicated. I myslelf will either have sun visor players installed or I am looking into something I found online call a navigation video switch.
  21. I just read online that there is a system called a navigation video switcher that with a switch, can change the screen from the navigation system to a four channel video system. It also works with the rear camera and a choice of either a 6 or 10 CD system, can even incorporate television. It also states that when you switch to a video mode, you will still hear your voice navigation system. I like to know if anyone has had experience with this and does it bypass the emergency break block. Please let me know because it sounds interesting. Thanks
  22. Thanks for your imput. I don't know anything about cars, so I must depend on others. I have always trusted this dealer. I will wait until I go for my next service and see if they will straighten it all out before complaining to Lexus corporate. I am hoping it will just be some minor adjustments. I have my 470 for five years this December. I will have 100,000 miles by this month. I love driving it and I still want to keep it. I had the car repainted a couple of months ago, so it is still like new. I was hoping that the 90,000 mil service would have made the engine like new. I am very busy with my office, so I can't keep going down to them so often. The last time they kept my car for 3 days, then told me that there was no squeeking belt. When I got home the squeek was just as load as always. It definitely gets much louder when the airconditioner kicks on, a little louder when I steer sharply, and a little louder when I accelerate. None of this was happening before this service. The car felt like it drove better before it. I actually have an appointment with my sales rep tonight. We are purchasing a RX 350 for my spouse and I will talk to her about all of this.
  23. I have had a bad experience with my 90000 mile service and just wanted to share it. I went to the dealer for my service and was told the same thing that everyone has read about on this forum. But besides the normal 2,000 dollar service or so, they told me that I would need four new tires, I needed new breaks, since my were cut before, and at the same time they would reccommend changing the water pump (I think this is what they said.) I never had a problem with the dealer, and I do trust them. This service ended up costing me 4,000 all together. I take care of my car and I agreed to have everything needed done. I had to leave my car. My first problem, when I picked up my car, both my fenders were so scuffed up from being worked on, when I brought it to the managers attention, they tried to poish it out and could not. They eventually had to wet sand the car. There were grease stains on my ivory leather seats, that eventually came out. It gets even better. One of the reasons I had the service also done, was that I had a road trip planned for New Jersey to South Dakota with family members. A few days after the service, we left for our road trip. About midway, my serpentine belt got frayed some how and my power steering fluid kept leaking out. Everytime I had to stop for gas, I had to refill the power steering fluid. I finally made it to a Lexus dealer in Omaha Nebraska, they told me about the serpentine belt and that the power steering pump had to be changed. Not only did this put a damper on our trip and my mood, it cost me another 1,200. The entire way I was calling my dealer furious. On the road they agreed they would reimburse me the 1,200 dollars and then give me a 500 credit service. I accepted this. They did give me the service credit, but only sent me a 500 dollar check in the mail. On my next visit I will ask them about this. Furthermore, my car has not been the same since the service. I can feel it shaking when I am at a stop, I can see the tachometer does not idle nicely as it use to. There is a squeeky sound coming from the engine compartment. It sound like the belt again. It gets worse when the air conditioner is on. I had brought my car there and they kept it for three days, saying they were checking it out. Whe I got home, the squeeking sound is back again. It is embarassing, sometimes it is very loud. I have been with this dealer for over 10 years. I consider them one the best Lexus dealers on the East coast. It takes me an hour just to drive there, and there are other dealers closer to home. I have always trusted them and hope they can straighten all of this out. I have my 2003 470 for five years now and I just want to keep it and take care of it. Just wanted to share this experience and see what everyone thinks of it.
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