amf1932

The voltage seems lower than normal. I recently checked the voltage on my '03ES at idle, with the lights on and also the air conditioner running. the average voltage output was about 15 volts. I than checked an '01 Corolla and I got about the same readings.

I would replace both rear calipers with either new or factory rebuilt units. It wouldn't hurt to change the brake fluid while doing this job since it's probably due for changing anyway. Are you sure it's the caliper and not the emergency brake mechanism that is causing this binding?

Before I would change the whole windshield I would check whether this chip could be repaired by a company that specializes in this type fix. Here's a google link that may help you out: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-...windshield+chip

I called up Lexus parts and sure enough they had the new DVD in stock. The price, $350 I then called up the salesman who sold me the car. He told me that he could get it for me for $325. Wow, what a bargain. <_< He also told me to call Lexus headquarter and tell them that I, as an old Lexus customer felt that I should not have to pay for this upgrade. Yeah, right! I can get it online at Lexus parts for $288. The point is that I don't want to pay the exorbitant amount that Lexus is asking for this disc!

SW03ES, We gotta figure out a way to see if we can get that disc at a good price or better for free. I'm going to call up my Lexus salesman tomorrow to see whether he can scrounge a disc from the parts dept. ;) P.S. I always love to have the newest toys. :D

Here's some interesting information about this newly released Navigation DVD disc. It might be worthwhile to upgrade to this newer version. What do you think about that? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lexus is pleased to announce the availability of the CY ’03 update navigation map DVD for dealers to order beginning October 7 2003. The major change to this calendar year’s DVD is the increase in the Points of Interest (P.O.I) from approximately two million P.O.I.s to approximately five million P.O.I.s. Additionally the DVD contains programming to update the operating systems in those vehicle systems requiring it. When contacted by customers or when explaining the benefits of the DVD update to your customers remember that the Lexus system unlike some competitive systems provides nationwide map information as well as information for parts of Canada on one disk. What’s New on the DVD Expanded Points of Interest (P.O.I.) – from approximately 2 million to approximately 5 million Product Notes: Upon installation of the new DVD the system software will automatically update. After the update the navigation system will only support the new DVD version “DATA 2003 ver.1”. The old map database DVD will no longer be able to be read by the system.

Has anybody updated their navigation system with the newest version DVD disc? (00230-DVD03-CYx-2003 DVD-Based Navigation System Update) This update was released about October 2003. If so what is entailed to make this change?

monarch, There are 6 pages of posts on this thread concerning this problem, and we are all well aware of the TSB that was issued by Lexus! Read em! :chairshot:

What year car do you have? On my '03ES it was repaired under the warranty(Free). :)

Did you ever check to see if you're getting a spark? Maybe the spark plug are fouled from all this fooling around you've tried so far. With this new battery the starter should be cranking at a healthy speed, not at a slow speed that you mentioned.

Whatever kind of "kit" they used on my car.......it worked! I haven't had the rattle ever since the repair. Once again, I can't understand why Lexus never did anything to help eliminate this rattle in manufacturing since it started in the '02 ES's and continued right up to the '04 ES's. I think it's a lack of communication between various areas of the Toyota/Lexus Corporation. <_<

That's the reason you use a booster battery. That should supply the necessary voltage to power all the components to start the engine. ;)

Like SK said....if the battery, whether it's the booster battery or the car battery has enough juice to turn over an engine it should have enough juice to power up the other components, like the ignition, computer, etc. If it doesn't start at this point then it must be something else.

JPI, Why do you say it's the battery? xsohaib said that the car cranks, and he even tried using a booster battery, and it still didn't start. What's your reasoning?

Basically, all you need to replace the disc(s) are a socket set and screwdrivers. It should be a simple job to replace them. You just remove the caliper bolts and swing it out of the way. There is no need to remove the brake hose. You also have to remove the torque plate. At this point all you have to do is pull off the disc. If it seems stuck, tap the rear of the disc with a hammer. Reverse the procedure to put everything back together.

I know that plenty of people expect booming bass and screeching treble in their sound systems, but the Mark Levinson system was designed to reproduce music more faithfully than other systems. I compare my Levinson system to the quality that I have in my exceptional home audio system, so I'm very pleased with almost everything except the embedded antenna in the rear window. The signal strengh fluctuates a little too much than I like, compared to the old antenna staff that I had in my '94ES.

Unless you have a technical background in designing or re-designing transmissions, suspensions and such, plus loads, and loads of $$$, I don't suggest you try undertaking a massive project like this! Also, why-o-why do you want to do this on a 9 year old car?

sk........skip it! <_<

I guess I didn't explain it very well in my previous post.....let me try again: The automotive storage battery is not capable of supplying the demands of the electrical system for an extended period of time. Every vehicle must be equipped with a means of replacing the current being drawn from the battery. A charging system is used to restore the electrical power to the battery that was used during engine starting. In addition, the charging system must be able to react quickly to high load demands required of the electrical system. It is the vehicle's charging system that generates the current to operate all of the electrical accessories while the engine is running. The purpose of the charging system is to provide the electrical energy needed to charge the battery and to power all the electrical components and systems on the automobile. When the engine is not running, the battery provides this electrical energy. When the engine is running, the charging system takes over. Is that better? ;)

The alternators main purpose is to keep the battery charged! The battery is the storage device that feeds the electricity to all the various components. I realize that you can run a car without a battery, using the alternator to supply the needed electricity, but that's not the original intent of how a charging circuit works.

SW03ES, How do you "Mark Forums Read" as you were able to do before this website upgrade? The ability to do this seems gone, unless I'm missing something.

I had Lexus Service do this repair job when my '03 was less than a month old. They were aware of the TSB that was issued concerning rear door rattles. Believe me....I wasn't too thrilled about them pulling the door apart, especially in a brand new car! I waited in the customers lounge while they operated on my baby, and in a couple of hours I got the car back.....less the rattles. You couldn't tell they ever removed the paneling.

I don't know of any 12vdc compressors that were designed to operate constantly to fill a completely flat tire. I think this unit, as with others this small would overheat if run for long times. In fact, they mention in the instructions that it should be used no more than 10 minutes at a time so it can cool off. Also, this unit inflates at a much quicker rate then the one I used previously.

Nobody mentioned how pretty this upgraded message board looks! I like it. Nice job guys.

What bothers me the most is that the Lexus Corporation has had a service bulletin issued for this rear door problem for over a year. I assumed that this would be corrected by now, especially in the '04 model ES's, but what I have read I guess they never did anything about it. Also, I just received the new issue of Consumers Reports. In this issue they tested the 2004 Lexus ES330. Here is a quote concerning the transmission: "The five-speed automatic transmission is smooth, but not always responsive when downshifting." This unresponsiveness has been an ongoing gripe among many owners of '02-'04 ES's. Why doesn't the Lexus Corporation try to correct these annoyances? The company has lost it's position as being the top rated upscale sedan to fourth position. The new Acura TL is now considered to be number 1. Because of these factors, especially the transmission problem, I'm really starting to consider buying the TL in the future. Lexus: WAKE UP AND SMELL THE ROSES. :chairshot: