bstrope

Bryan, This thread ends with some suggestions, but I see no posting of a resolution. I have an LS 400 '93 model and last weekend it exhibited the very behavior that you describe. Have you been able to resolve your problem? Joe Strickhouser Actually...my resolution was to rebuild it. I had my own personal mechanic (30 years experience....my good friend for 25 of those...) take a look at it as the shop pulled it out. It was a catastrophic failure...appeared to start with torque convertor and got worse from there. Cost $2100...with a 2 year warranty. Oh well...

Hi all.... I have a 1993 LS400 with traction control.... My wife was driving home today when the car (going only about 35mph...) just coasted to a stop!!! No harsh noises...no grinding....just...nothing. It was as if the tranny just disappeared! The engine purrs like a kitten, but no matter what gear we put the auto into...the car won't move. Reverse, Drive, 1, 2...nothing. When we shut the key off and restart...it will try to go...might be able to get it to move about 3 feet or so...then nothing. I checked the fluid...fine. Correct color, no burnt smell. Drive line is fine. Had it towed to a local tranny shop that I've used for other vehicles before. They looked at it and called me....$2000-$2500 to rebuild. They claim that the tranny is just "worn out". I feel that they've treated me fair in the past....but here's my problem If a light bulb goes out on your kitchen...what do you do?....You change the bulb. If all of the lights go out in the house...do you start changing bulbs?!? No....obviously you go check the breaker! That said... There was no warning...just no movement. It seems to me that when a tranny goes bad (...which I've experienced before...) there's usually issues that preceed this....grinding, rough shifting, strange noises....something. Also...the chances of all gears going bad at once seems statistically impossible. The tranny shop says "rebuild"...but all they did was pull the pan to make this determination. Does anybody else feel like we should be looking at something that would be common to all gears not moving the car....like a rear end, or the shift computer, or a torque convertor....ect, ect.... Regards, Bryan Strope Post Falls, Idaho

Hi There!!! Just wanted to add that I was able to goto a local locksmith here in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho and have two spare keys made. ( My cheap little remote key for my 93 LS400 broke as well!!! ) It was only $30.00 per key including the blank (he had them in stock!) and they work perfect. I feel that $300.00+ for a new remote key is robbery. My buddy got a replacement for his 2002 Dodge Durango (after he dropped it in the lake while we were Bass fishing ) from a local dealer for only about $60.00. Just goes to show you that they think if you've got a Lexus...you've got money to burn! Regards, Bryan Post Falls, Idaho

Hi guys.... My 93 LS400 has 193,000 miles. Last tune up was approx 2800 miles ago. (previous owner is a very close friend and owns a helicopter charter business....he's pretty ANAL about maintenance. ;) ) Maintenance history is clean with replacement of normal wear and tear items only. Gas mileage seems to be pretty normal....we're seeing about 17 mpg in the city and between 23-25 mpg on long trips. Car idles about 800 rpm....very smooth and "Lexus-like". The problem stalling happens without any warning....usually 15 mph or less. Also, I've noticed that it seems to happen after I've slowed down to make a corner. Other than this one intermittent problem...the car drives like a dream. Regards, Bryan Post Falls, ID

Hi there! I recently purchased a 93 LS400 with A/C that seemed to blow very weak even when on HI. The previous owner told me he noticed the same thing for the last year or two but didn't know what was causing it. I called the local Lexus dealer and they told me to check the "Pollen Filter". Under the dash on the passenger side....you have to drop down the pannel just above the passengers feet. (it's a pain to get down but you'll see...) When you get the panel clear, you should see two wing nuts.....take these off and you should be able to pull the filter down and out. My 93 had 190,000+ when I got it. The filter was badly clogged. I tried to clean it but it's rather fragile. The dealer wants $58.00 for a new one. I decided to put it back together without the filter. (...never had one in any of my other vehicles ...and I ain't dead yet! ) Darn thing blows like a wind tunnel, now! Gets the inside so cold, I don't put it above medium....even on 100 degree days. Hope this helps! Regards, Bryan Post Falls, ID

Hi all! I have a 1993 LS400 that drives and runs beautifully.....but on rare occasions, it will stall and I have to stop...put it in park and restart. It always restarts with no trouble, but I'm concerned that it may be indicative of a larger problem. It has happened maybe three times in the last month...always at low speeds...probably 10mph or less. Usually seems to happen when I'm slowing down to make a slow speed corner. Any suggestions?!? Regards, Bryan Post Falls, ID

Pioneersuby..... Thanks for you reply via e-mail. The car was purchased new by a close friend of mine. I was with him at the dealership when he took delivery of the vehicle. I don't remember the car coming with a factory cell phone, but I could be wrong. As for my aptitude with a soldering iron....no problem. I'm actually self employed as an installer of home theater and home automation systems. It shouldn't be a problem. Any advice or instruction that you could provide would be greatly appreciated! Regards, Bryan Post Falls, ID

Hi Everyone.... I recently purchased a 1993 LS 400 for my wife. This is an incredible car ( even with about 180,000 miles :o ) and drives better than just about every new car I've ever driven. Anyway.... Everything works perfect except for the factory 6 disc CD changer. It will play for about 30-60 seconds...then switch back to FM radio by itself. I tries removing the changer and blowing it out with some light compressed air....but the same problem persists after re-install. Anyone have any suggestions?!? Regards, Bryan Post Falls, ID