jqzhang

Hi, I need to fix the starter of my 91 LS400. I've read most of the folks about fixing a faulty starter but I still have problem removing the lower Instake Manifold. The bolts and nuts are off but as I tried to lift it, it looks like the front can be taken off but the rear end of the manifold can only be lifted slightly and feels like something is in the way but I don't know what. BTW, I did not remove the fuel rails, the injectors (only the plug-ins are unplugged), the rear water bypass and the engine wire at the back. My question is do I have to remove the rear water bypass and the engine wire harness? The engine wire at the firewall is pretty secure and I cannot even find the fasteners. I know the hard part is removing the starter but I've not reached that step yet and I already have enough headache. Thanks in advance. JohnQ

Its the length of the job compared to what you would normally expect. Most starters in other engine layouts are easily accessable, so to have to strip the whole intake system (which are very complicated, but thats why we love them) on these cars just to get to the starter motor, is very frustrating. Thats why I class it as hell. But if you are doing other work like cleaning the throttle body, check valves, replacing valve cover gaskets etc, and you were not pushed for time I am sure it could be a pleasant experience. You just need patience and time. I know it's been a while but I do need your help with removing the starter. I've taken off the Air Chamber, but I have a problem taking off the Manifold, which is under the Chamber and above the starter. It must be off before I can reach the starter. The problem is it won't come off. It feels like something is in the way but I cannot figure out what. BTW, the By Pass Join is on and I don't think it has much to do with the Manifold. So are the Injection Rails which are on the Manifold so I think I can leave them on. All 6 bolts and 4 nuts are off. I can lift the front of the Manifold about 1 inch from the Cylinder Head. But the rear only a one-tenth of a inch. Would you folks remember as you worked on the starter removal what's at the back, behind the Manifold but in front of the firewall? Would you think there may be an extra bolt that prevents me from taking the Manifold out? Thanks in advance.

Beside speedometer, I'd worry about the load on the shocks if I were you. 15 inch wheels are lighter than 16's. It might shorten the life of the shocks. Just a thought. But it happened to me before. Of course, it's different car but the similar scenario. I had a Taurus before and replaced one of the aluminum wheels by a bigger steel wheel, for a couple of months waiting for the alum. replacement. It ended up that particular shock started leaking pre-maturely.

Good idea but probably extremely hard to find. I've never seen a 1990 LS400 at the junk yard in my area; only a 1995 GS400 a couple of years ago. My area: Parsippany, New Jersey.

Hi, I have some directions for fixing those problems. Hope it helps. But the documents are about 1991 LS400, not 1992. I guess it applies to your car too. If I were you, I'd ignore the possible problems with ECU, go directly to the AFM and EGR. Good luck! diagc8.pdf diagc13.pdf

Hi, Hope all is well. A friend of mine has a 2001 RX300. Now 'Check Engine' light is on. He took the car to a Lexus dealer and He was told A/F sensor(s) might be the problem but they did not know if both had problem or one of them. I thought the OBD II would tell them which one had the problem. It's costly if they change both (about a grand). I checked the web and each one generally costs about $200. I may help him change the sensor. But I don't have the manual for this model of Lexus. I guess it should locate before the converters and a 22mm box wrench should do the work. Please correct me if I am wrong. Thanks in advance. John Z.

LS400s are all rear-wheel drive; ES300s are front W.D. The former has a V-8 engine with displacement of 4.0 (about 3960cc); and latter 3.0 liter. They are completely diff. I am not sure if a 94 tranny can fit but 91 will for sure. I have to check the tranny model numbers. I'd like to recommend a new tranny (or a re-built one) if the rest of you car in good condition because trannies are not like body parts: you cannot see by looking at it if the owner(s) of the car had taken good care of it. Hope this helps, and good luck. John Q.

The problem is with my 95 LS400. The warning light looks like a small car with it's tail lights flashing. I thought it came from a burn-out light bulb or something. I took off the tail light housing and checked all the light bulbs and none of them had problems. One thing needs mentioning: the warning light will never be on until I change gear from Park to D or R. If I don't change gears and only press the brake pedal, the light won't be on. Thanks in advance. John

Hi, I got a LS400, 95. A few days ago, I left the door ajar by accident. Today, as I tried to start the car, nothing happened and I am sure the battery is dead. I have a Power Booster and when I tried to reboot the car, the alarm went off. It looks like it won't let me to reboot the car after the alarm goes off. Question, is there any way I can by-pass the security system and get the car re-started? Thanks alot! John Z.

You're right about it but we cannot ignore the fact that about 2.5 quarts of fresh oil will be mixed with the rest of the capacity which is about 6 quarts of old oil. It's not efficient, is it? Thanks for the quick return!

I flushed my tranny of 1991 LS400 last week, using about 13 quarts. I don't think the way I did was right, or it won't cost that many quarts. Here is what I did. 1) release all the fluid in the old pan (about 2.5 quarts); 2) fill the pan with fresh fluid; 3) disengage the radiator inlet line from the tranny and asked my help to start the engine, important is to put the gear in N. 4) the fluid rushed out from the disconnected line and poured into a container; 5) waited until about 2 quarts of the oil out, stop the engine and pour about the same amount into the tranny; 6) repeat 5) until the old coming out of the tranny looks fresh and cherry. Can I just first vacant the tranny completely and then fill in the fresh oil? If it works (I was told it might hurt the converter), there won't be any mix-up among the old and fresh oil. That way I wouldn't nee 13 quarts of oil and 8 to 9 might be enough. Thanks in advance! jqzhang

Thanks for the quick return, Leo. It's really helpful. I was just about to use DEXTRON II... Are you saying that I have to use Type IV or I have to go to Lexus dealers to get Type II? Another question for you: how did you completely flush your tranny? What I know is to disconnect the inlet hose of tranny to radiator and keep the engine running, letting the fluid flow out of tranny without going into the radiator. Please clarify and confirm! Thanks again! JQZhang

On the compartment manual, it says the tranny fluid should be TYPE II T or TYPE T II, is that the same thing as Castrol DEXTRON II or higher? The coolant that my LSs use has a color of coffee. But the one on the market is mostly green. Are they the same kind of ethylene glycol coolant? And are they compatible? Thanks! JQZhang