amf1932

Did you check the heater hoses to see if there is circulation thru the heater core? Also, the coolant level in the radiator.

You should NEVER try to put your car into Park position while the car is moving! You can do this with Toyota-Lexus transmissions, but the chance of destroying the locking pawl is very possible. ;)

If your emergency brake still holds when set I wouldn't worry about it, but if it doesn't you probably need to change the lining.

Whoa.........After doing much research about Lexus ES's & Windom's with these modifications, both here in the USA and abroad, there was no mention about these accessories being available as factory options! They are individual dealer installed items.

There definitely is a volume control(a little black knob) somewhere on the lower part of the dashboard. I don't know exactly where it's located on the '97 though. Keep searching.

Agreed! I have always replaced my batteries with Diehard Gold and I have never been sorry. ;)

If the car was serviced by a Lexus dealer all they have to do is put in the VIN number of this car and it'll bring up the complete service history done by them or any other Lexus dealers. ;)

If you follow the lower water inlet pipe on the bottom of the radiator to the bottom of the water pump that's where it's located.

My '94ES did this from the first day I drove it out of the showroom until the day I traded it in. I checked this on other '94's and they all did the same thing, so I would say it's normal. ;)

I'm just answering your post to show you that you're not forgotten. The only advice I can give you is to take the car to a Lexus or Toyota dealer and ask them to listen to this noise. They would be more familiar with strange sounds from their engines. Good luck.

Yup: I've tried to explain to many people the proper operation of the climate control.....but yet they do the same thing as your wife.....on, off, on, off.....AD Infinitum. :(

Disconnect the connectors and check with an ohmmeter to see if there is any resistance to the seat heaters. If you get a zero reading on the meter it means the heating element(s) are defective.

Sorry, I disagree with this statement! I felt the same warming of the vents on my, '91ES, my '94ES, and my current '03ES. It would be strange that all 3 cars would exhibit the same symptoms......dontcha think? I just mentioned about using the recirculate position as a work around if the warm air was bothersome when using the venting system without turning on the climate control. ;)

That is completely normal, but this will stop if you leave the control in the 'recirculate' position or leave your 'temperature' control at a colder degree. There is always hot coolant circulating through the heater core and when the Climate Control is off, the cooling area(evaporator) is not working so there will be warm air coming out of the vents.

There is a heater core in that location. Hopefully, the leak might be caused by a bad heater hose. otherwise it's a pretty big job to remove the heater core that might have sprung a leak.

HeeHeeHee

What I meant was, your XM Skyfi radio should have a fuse holder in the positive(+) line to protect the radio. This is a lower amperage fuse then is used in either the seat heater or cigarette lighter, so you have to use this fuse in conjunction with the main fuse.

Yes, the power to the seat heaters is switched and you will get constant power. You can also use the cigarette lighter power supply and splice into that wire and put in your secondary radio fuse to protect the radio.

I believe that steviej's approach is the way to go. I also believe that Bay Ridge Lexus will deal with you very fairly & nicely. If you PM me I'll give you the right people to speak to down there....if you decide to go there. They have their own body shop on the premises as opposed to many Lexus dealers that farm out their body work.

Front wheels in straight ahead position. Check the fluid level. this level should be at the Cold mark on the dipstick. Let the engine run at fast idle. Turn the steering wheel from side to side without hitting the stops. Keep the reservoir full of fluid as this is done. Recheck the fluid level and make sure it is up to the Hot mark on the dipstick. Use the power steering fluid that's recommended by Lexus.......it's different then the stuff you buy at the auto supply store.

Then try squirting contact cleaner into the volume control. Like I said before, it could be the cheapest way to fix your problem. ;)

Bay Ridge Lexus in Brooklyn, NY P.S. They treat customers the way the Lexus Corporation originally wanted. It's always been a pleasure to bring my car in for service.......except for the prices of repairs. :D

Whenever I bring my car in for service at my Lexus dealer they have a guy go all around my car and indicates any marks, scratches or dents on a special illustrated notepad(a line drawing of a car body), that indicates where the defects are. I then have to sign the notepad, agreeing to what he saw. This eliminates any hassles when I get my car back from service.

It doesn't have to be changed at this time....but it's easier. NO, the timing belt does not have to be removed to change the thermostat. NO, it's not necessary....but it's cheap enough that I would replace it. Don't use any type sealer on this gasket. I've had no problems after re-attaching the battery for long periods of time, except for resetting the radio stations and the clock.

Man, after what you have gone through, I think the next step is legal action against this dealer! I don't think you have to "settle" on a car that will probably be unsatisfactory in the long run.