sunman

The expierence I have had when taking apart japanese cars is that they are never equipped with additional harness connections for options. This is the first I have seen. I have owned several toyota's and none were wired for options that I did not have.

After tearing apart the interior for sound deadening material, I found the following. 1. Prewired for AVS suspension system. Even at the shock towers, the plugs are there. Main control unit plug is on right of glove box on bottom. 2. Prewired for some kind of lexus phone system. Wiring in center console and goes to rear left trunk. 3. Prewired for electronic folding mirrors. Front 2 doors have the plugs there and the switch plug is located in the fuse box area.

i don't expect a significant difference. Let me recondition and redye my seats and I will take it for a spin and see the difference. I have michelin tires at the moment on stock rims. I sound proofed the doors also. There is no sound deadening material there at all except the moisture barrier. The doors are solid now when closing them

I am adding sound deadening material in the whole car. I have gutted it already and started the work. I want it to be wisper quite and solid as a tank. After removing the carpet, there is already some deadening material in the car but I added more to the floor, roof, and the doors. The doors already feel much better. A solid thud when closing the door. Also, I have added a XM factory tuner to my Toyota nav system.

I have the same lights with the motors. Look on the rear and there is a clear plastic piece with a red mark in it. There are 2 silver colored bolts that are used for adjustment. One for high beam and and the other for low.

yes, turn the bolt and watch the level in the clear window.

i got my mint 97 ES300 with 100k on it for 7.5 grand

I think parts cost me about 250 dollars. I got all seals, belts, hoses, waterpump, etc... Also, I bought some new snap on tools that cost me 400 dollars on ebay. I have a invoice of work performed on my wife's 97es300 and the total was 2200 dollars from the dealer. The previous owner gave me the receipts which showed crank and cam seals, timing belt, and valve cover gaskets. That's all that was included for that 2200 dollars!!!!!

the front left light was a little problematic. The metal was bent slightly to accomidate the light. The right was fine. I have the control unit for the levelling system but decided against it at the moment as the harness is not available. I could use some type of dial switch to adjust them but for now, I have just fixed them to a position. I will post pics very soon.

I worked on my dad's 95ES300 with 146,000 miles on it. I replaced the following both valve cover gaskets, the rear was leaky replaced PCV valve, Timing Belt Timing belt cover gaskets Air Intake gasket Front brake pads Cam shaft seals x 2 Crank shaft Seal water pump with new gasket upper and lower radiator hoses both belts spark plugs 1 ignition coil front engine mount dog bone engine mount on top oil change with filter change, The biggest pain was to remove the cam shaft bolts but is doable with a 1/2" ratchet 17mm socket and a metal pipe for leverage. The crank bolt can be removed easily. The local toyota mechanic told me to do this. Attached a 22mm socket on a 1/2 ratchet. Then make the ratchet rest on the drive shaft of the right wheel. Give the engine a quick crank and it loosens right up. THat bolt is torqued very very tight. Also use a bar puller to remove the pulley then.

yes, the tranny has about 12 quarts of ATF in there. Most in the torque converter. You have to do a power flush but not with your car due to the condition of the oil.

I am doing the cam and crank seals on my dad's es300 this saturday in Amarillo. I reside in Houston. If you want, i can offer my services to you cheaper than the dealer. drsunilpatel@mac.com

I paid 7500 for my 97 Es with 105,000 and paid 4000 for my 95 ES with 140,000. Both excellent cars. I do all maintaince myself. The 97 has 115,000. runs as good as new.

I can but it would cost about 125 each. It takes me several hours to make them.

when cam seals go, there will be oil on the side of the engine behind the belts.

I got both on Ebay for about 500 bucks for both. Not all the parts were there so I had to spend an extra 40 bucks at the dealer for some locking caps, washers, etc... I will post pics soon.

I replaced the entire headlamp assy. I did not mess with just the bulb and ballast systems as I wanted the OEM reflector also. I plan to make the auto levelling work sometime in the future also.

yep, factory original 01 es HID lamps assy. I will post some pics soon

I think it's called AVS or AVCS or something like that. Anyway, does anyone have it? I am talking about that dial behind the shifter that will let you adjust the suspension from sport to comfort. Does it really make a difference? Can you tell the ride quality changes?

I installed factory 2001 Es300 Headlamps in my 97 Es300. They work great. I installed a new harness to carry the extra load with 2 relays and seperate fuses. The autolevelling motors don't work at the moment but I have the electronic contol module to make them work. I still need to get the axel sensors for them also. Also, while toying around, I noticed the harness for the automatic suspension is installed in the car. It's a east retrofit.

It's a 5mm HEX

That is correct. My 97 with 1mzfe engine has only 3 wires for rear plugs. Front plugs have the coils directly on them. I replaced mine with NGK Iridium Plugs for 45 bucks.

485,000 on my 93 Camry LE 4cyl 144,000 on my 95 ES300 115,000 on my 97 ES300 All excellent cars Timing belt is most expensive thing and should be done at 90,000 miles. I do it myself and save some big bucks.

My benz has a button that flashes for 60 minutes once the trunk is closed. Pressing it opens the trunk. But I guess of the battery is disconnected, it won't work.

I still have to add the rearview camera and the integrated XM module. I will post more pics later.