Canopy

Last week Lexus of Orlando replaced for free my driver's side bulb and ballast which were inoperable because of the condensation, and the passenger side bulb (no condensation problem there, but I think replacement so the brightness would match the driver's side headlight) on my 2005 RX 330 with 114000 miles. I have not yet received the letter, but Lexus of Orlando was aware of it and talked to corporate Lexus about it. Took about two weeks. My understanding is that the bulb and/or ballast have to be inoperable because of the condendsation. Condensation alone is not sufficient, at least for expedited repair. Lexus of Orlando intervened on my behalf, so kudos to them and to corporate Lexus for their agreement. I'll remember their goodwill when deciding on my next car.

I have exactly the same problem in my 2000 LS400 with 160,000 miles. Several months ago the tachometer didn't register at startup but then began working perfectly after about 10 miles. Just the other day the speedometer began doing the same thing. So, now I either have one or the other not working, both not working, or both working. Odometer and lights are not affected. Fortunately, once they begin working, they usually contine working unless I shut the car off. Then, sometimes but not always, we go through the drill again.

Thanks all who responded. The Toyota dealer replaced the pump, and $900 later it works fine. They may have cleaned/replaced the filter at the same time, as some of you suggested. At any rate, it's fixed. I appreciate your responses.

I have purchased several parts at Irontoad.com and have found them to be very reasonable in price with excellent service. I normally receive the parts within 2-3 days. If it were me, I'd try them first. Good luck. Thanks for all of the details on your problem; it makes it an interesting (to us) puzzle.

My wife's 96 LS400 has developed a whining/buzzing sound which appears to be related to power steering. Took it in to local Toyota dealer (no Lexus dealer here) and they diagnosed a leaking high pressure hose on power steering system. $500 later, took the car home, noise was better, but still there. That was 6 weeks ago. Now noise is getting louder, is whining/buzzing (hard to describe) all the time, but changes pitch when turning wheels. I'm going back to the Toyota dealer (usually good service, but might have missed this one) soon, but want some ideas from the forum. If it's the pump, how much are we talking about - ball park? Could it be something less than the pump? Thanks in advance.

It's been over a year now that it's been replaced. No problems, just like brand new. And I feel better about having fixed it.

I've purchased my cabin air filters from Irontoad.com. About half the price of retail. Very good experience. I would assume air filters and oil filters would be about the same.

My 2000 LS400 has now reached 90000 miles and is due for servicing. I know it's the big dreaded one. What I don't know is what is required and what you all would recommend along with the required service. Is there a list of what should be replaced and/or serviced which can be published on this site? What else would you recommend? (Water pump, etc.)

I'm thinking about buying a 2001 LS430. The owner isn't sure whether the vehicle has the ultra lux package, although it does have the Mark Levinson stereo and the navigation and heated seats, three of the items in the ultra. Is there a place I can go on the internet where I can type the VIN and have it tell me the original equipment on that particular LS430?

For selfish reasons, I wish you would go ahead and do it. Then let us know how it worked out.

It tore away from the first two bolts on the driver's side. I believe larger washers will help keep it on. Maybe I can even figure out how to put a metal strip across the front bolted next to the plastic. My guess is that the stress is greater at the corners on the front, either driver's or passenger's side. The part arrived from IronToad in two days, so just need to take the time and make the effort to put it on. Thanks all for the comments.

Thanks to all who responded, especially VBDenny. All of your comments were taken into consideration, but after crawling under the car and snipping off the dangling chad "The Decider" in my family suggested that I didn't want to ruin a perfectly good LS400 by letting all that dust filter up, cover the engine, and get in the electrical parts. So I, being a man who's been married for 31 years and knows when to pick my battles, ordered one from IronToad for $99.64 plus $11.98 shipping and expect it to arrive in a couple days. Now, if I play my cards right, maybe I can get her to crawl under the car again and remove what remains of the old one and bolt on the new one with larger washers.

I consistently get about 29 mpg with the 2000 Lexus LS400 at 75 mph on the Interstate.

Why don't you use your own uninsured motorist insurance? If she got the ticket your insurance company shouldn't hold it against you. You may have a deductible to pay, but it still would be cheaper than paying out of pocket. Plus, the insurance company probably would contact her and she might suddenly find some insurance or money. Otherwise, for new parts you can get a quote from irontoad.com. I've used them before and they seen to sell new Lexus parts for 30 - 50 percent less than for what I can get them for from my local repair shops.

Within the space of two years I've had two "engine undercovers" (what a weird name) (it's the plastic sheet underneath the engine compartment which appears to have the dual functions of keeping the engine clean from underneath and keeping the road noise down) get torn and droop down in front and drag along the road. It may have something to do with the fact that I live on a dirt road and have a mile to drive in and out every day. The first one was on my wife's 1996 LS400. The front left edge had torn away from the bolt, but a large washer and another bolt has kept it OK for at least two years. The second one occurred on my 2000 LS400 and, although I have yet to crawl under and check it for sure, it seems to be bolted OK, but has torn about 6 inches from the front left bolt and is hanging down and dragging. Frankly, I'm embarrased to drive it so have been using the Suburban for about a week. I did a search on this and other forums and came away with the impression that it would cost between $200 and $400 for the engine undercover part. That seemed high for a plastic part, so I started thinking of getting a used one from a wrecked vehicle if I could find one. Before I started looking seriously, I drove over to the local Toyota dealer (we don't have a Lexus dealer in Tallahassee), and they priced a new one at $149.46 delivered plus tax, still high but not as bad as I was expecting. When I got home I emailed IronToad and they quoted $99.00 before delivery. Question: Has anyone ever repaired one of these with duck tape? Did it stick and work? Or, should I just go ahead and purchase a new one?

Great story. Excellent writing, as well.

Well, what did you find out? Hope it was good news.

My wife has a 96 LS400 with 123,000 miles and she loves it. If everything checks out OK, you'll be getting yourself one heck of a car (to paraphrase the President). In the course of my work in the past month, I've rented a new Impala and a new Deville and drove each about 600 miles. While both had their good features, the 96 LS400 still drove better. That would be my choice if I was given a trade straight up.

On my 2000 LS400 I get about 28 mpg when I set the cruise control at 76, without knowing about the tailwind. I'm quite pleased.

Buy them. You'll be very pleased. Let me know if you don't get them. I'll take them.

96 LS 400 with 130,000 great miles. Got good news and bad news from my brake specialty shop today. Good news, brakes are in good shape. Bad news, my right lower control arm bushing is worn out. Then he showed me, by moving the car forward a couple feet, then putting on the brake and the front right wheel stuttered for an inch or two. The way he explained it, the car moved forward an inch while the wheel stopped. Or vice versa, I forget. Anyhow, it was scary. Driving it, however, we didn't notice a problem. It's only when you look at it, that you see it's a problem. He doesn't do that kind of work so I trundled off in search of a good indy mechanic. The one who was recommended said it probably was a $1400 job by the time both lower control arms are replaced and that the struts ought to be replaced at the same time. He says that the worn out bushings are "not serviceable", you have to buy the entire control arm, and that only the dealer carries the lower control arms, at $250 each for two. The struts are about $85 each. Does $1400 sound reasonable? Anything else that should be done with the front end while it's torn apart? It's been a great car for the one and one-half years and 23,000 miles we've owned it, and, other than regular maintenance, this is the first actual repair job which has been done. Comments would be appreciated.

Does the '99 have side airbags?

That's interesting. My wife's 96 LS400 just came loose on one corner and is hanging down. I haven't gotten under it yet to see if it's just a bolt or clip missing, or whether the corner got torn somehow. At any rate I may be looking for one as well. Good luck.

Well, my wife has a 96 LS400and I have a 2000 LS400. I think that if you like the 97 and it seems to be a good deal to you, then that's the one you should get. Yes, the 2000 has more power than the 96, but the 96 has plenty and you won't be embarrassed by the 97. Yes, the headlights may be different, but I prefer the 96 headlights. The only thing I would miss if I had to trade the 2000 for the 96 is the reading light in the back seat. My daughter really likes that. The 5 speed transmission is probably an advantage as well, because I'm getting about 28 mpg on the 2000. I'm not sure about the 96, because my wife has a different driving style than I do (she would say hers is "spirited"). Otherwise, I think it comes down to the price and the deal.

CanadaCraig, You or someone needs to put one of your photos in here so folks can see what we're talking about. Work your magic!