Proud New Ls400 Owner!

[Spike Razzor]

About 2 weeks ago Sunday I became a proud new owner of a 1991 Lexus LS400. Looked around for almost 2 months for one with reasonably low millage and in good shape, for the longest time all I could find where one in poor condition with 250, 000 - 400, 000 KM's with the same motor. Lucky mind came with 160, 000km with a brand new motor and has about 260, 000 on the body. Interior is in surprisingly good condition and it looks to be well maintained over the years. But it did come with a few problems.

Lights

The passenger side fog light was broken and not working, managed to take it out and I'm hoping to replace it soon. Not sure what years will fit with no problem or what I should be paying.

Driver side headlight is using the OEM bulb while the passenger side has an HID bulb, according to the previous owner the HID on the passenger side blew so he put the old one back in. Not sure how to change the lights on this car, there was a site that had information but the picture links are all dead so I have no visual reference.

Driver side marker light at some point came out from its fixed position, I've been trying to get it to go back in but I'm afraid I might break something. The bulb is also blow as well, can't change for the same reason as seen above.

Inside

LCD temperature gauge is dead, not really all that important but I'd like to get this fixed that have to stare it every time I sit in the car. Read a sticky topic on this already, wondering if the amount that should be pay for the repair is still accurate.

Engine light is always on, according to the owner this happened after the motor was swapped in. Says I need a reprogramming device from Lexus to get rid of it.

Traction control doesn't turn on, its always off and when I push the button nothing happens.

Leather on the steering wheel looks like a dog attacked it, was wondering if there anyway I could replace this with a OEM steering wheel? God forbit I get into an accident, the idea of an airbag there is very reassuring.

Body

According to my uncle who use to be a mechanic, the driver side wheel seem to be lower than the other side. He hasn't fully checked this out yet, but says it may be a problem. Wondering how serious this problem is.

On the night I bought the car and test drove it, everything was smooth and had no problems. It sat in front of my house for a week or so without movement in cool weather. Took it out for a spin around the block afterwords and the car seems to vibrate violently at low speeds, but I feel nothing above 60MP/H.

There is a shield that protects the underbody from the exhaust heat, the one of the passenger side had come off at some point and was rattling on the exhaust so I took it off. Should I replace this, or just leave it?

Exterior

Car was rear ended one time, nothing major, but the trunk got pushed in and you can see that its not straight and is sticking up. Wondering if anyone know how I should go about fixing this.

Antenna is broken, radio seems to work fine but how should I go about fixing this?

Engine

Compressor is done. Owner told me his mechanic used a smaller belt so it no longer runs off of the compressor, need to get estimate on getting this fixed.

Recently the car failed to start, I've heard there are many reasons for this but I'm betting I killed the battery myself since I've done it before in my dads Honda CR-V =_=... I can boost it and the car runs fine, but after turning it off its dead again. Would like to know what steps I should take, if I should try and recharge the battery or buy a new one. And if it isn't the battery, then how would I know if its a fuse or the starter? Are there any know symptoms that would make figuring it out easier?

~Thank you, Spike Razzor

[lexfourcam]

well if your battery is full of life and your starters good the car shouldnt take any longer than 2-3 seconds at least thats the way it is with mine i have a 94, even when its been started for the first time. i recently replaced the battery because id have trouble starting because it would turn over soo slow due to the old battery. put a durlast in there and man id never heard that engine crank so fast. but if it is not the battery then i would look at the terminals and then the alternator.

[Roman M]

Congrats on the new purchase. I just bought one in FEb 2008. For answers to some of the questions, go to www.lexls.com. It gives tutorials on many things dealing with the ls400, specifically the 1991 ls400. He has a tutorial on the power antenna and the LCD.