AzHotLS

One of the repair receipts the previous owner gave me mentions the horn not working and the owner deferring repair. It said the coil in the steering wheel was bad. I guess it is the clockspring after all. I hope I can find one cheep somewhere. I'm still hoping someone can tell me if it's a safe thing to do myself.

Well, I'm about to do this on my 95 as well. I looked at the other threads here and over at Lextreme and feel confident I can do it. I bought a used starter (from a 96) on eBay. I'm considering buying this Starter Repair Kit before I install it. Thoughts? I think for all the effort I'm going to put into it, I might as well have new parts inside the starter. What about the gaskets? Replace or Reuse? That is the question I also have but wasn't answered.

@Vash610, is this what you're looking for? http://superbrightleds.com/specs/bulb_specs.htm

I haven't had a chance to check the wires yet, but I saw in this thread: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=29585 where it mentioned the Clockspring. If my cruise control (and car phone control buttons) still work, can I rule out the clockspring? Again, is it safe for me to remove the center portion of the steering wheel?

I'm not hearing the motor on my 95 either. (Just recently got it after my '90 was totaled.) The mast is broken with just the top stuck in. I'm thinking I need to take it apart and remove any of the nylon cord that may be jammed up in there. I'm hoping it will allow the motor to work after that. Here's a thought for you stylz, to add to what Top Jimmy said, what about buying a new mast and file off the teeth (except for at the tip). This would allow you to raise and lower the antenna manually (I think). Not sure if that will work but just a crazy thought I just had.

Have you read through some of the "antenna" threads found by doing an "antenna" search? THIS thread is a good place to start.

I kind of figured the fuse and relay were probably good if the horn sounded with the panic button. I don't know if you can get to any wiring under the fuse/relay box under the hood, but I'll see what I can do.

95 LS400 My horn doesn't work when pushing on the steering wheel. They do work if I remove the horn relay cover and close the contacts. They also work if I push the Panic button on the keyless entry. Is it the horn switch in the steering wheel or the relay? I've looked at other threads here but nothing specifically answers my situation. If it is the horn switch, is it something I can replace myself or need to have someone do it (don't want airbag going off)?

Thanks Bali26, however I already bought the ACV from Irontoad, I just couldn't get the old one off. Actually, I just got back from the mechanic who replaced it for me. They saw my bad vacuum hose and fixed it buy adding a new 5-inch section of hose with a coupler. All done for $81US. I really wish I could have done it myself but I didn't want to make things worse by forcing it off. I had contemplated breaking off the plastic parts of the ACV while on the vehicle but didn't want to do that only to find out there is more metal under the plastic that was larger than the 17mm "nut".

I fought the ACV but the ACV won!! I couldn't get it off. I was able to get the 17mm wrench on it but there was too much play as if the tips were stripped. Not wanting to round it off all the way, I called my mechanic and explained the situation. He knew exactly what I was talking about (the ACV) and said they would charge one hour of labor to replace it. Will bring it in and let them do it. Then I did a stupid thing, I tried to take the vacuum hose off at the manifold and it broke off at the end, too brittle. Now I've got to replace that as well. Does anyone know the I.D. and O.D. measurements of the hose off hand?

Do a "heater core" search. There are a couple good threads describing your exact problem.

Yes, that's how I did mine. I just dipped it into the bucket of drained fluid, brushed, dipped, brushed, repeated until clean.

...6 months after... I finally rolled my sleeves and took the bolts off the alternator. Not all the way but enough to work my 17mm wrenches to replace the air control valve. It's been a week now and no more leaks. Yipee!!! So the only way to replace the ACV is to remove the alternator bolts? Is this done from above or below? I read in another thread that to replace the ACV it has to be done from below. I'm debating whether to just replace the whole pump or try the ACV first. I have to put more fluid about every 5 days (she's very thirsty <_< ) and get the white/blue smoke after most starts.

I also think it's the alternator. I believe mine is bad as well since my batteries keep dying. Finally got smart and bought a battery charger and charge it about every week. Come to think of it, the smart thing to do, in my case is to just replace the alternator. If I can just find the time.

I just went out to check out mine. Started it up, put it in drive... same thing - doesn't lock up. Either I have the same problem as you or this is normal behavior. With as many sensors as these cars have, there's got to be some that determine the need for the belts to lock up.

After a month I still have cold air. Yeah. :D Still have charging problems though. Will get alternator replaced. SK, I couldn't find the place where the cabin filter would go on my '90. I removed the passenger side lower footwell cover, nothing. I tried removing the glove box liner but can't figure it out. I removed the 5 tabs, but it doesn't seem to want to come out. Is there a trick, I don't want to break anything. In lieu of a cabin filter, I did notice a metal screen behind each of the center vents. It sort of bubbles inwards toward the cabin. Is there a way to get to those and clean them? They are slightly blocked up. I just remembered this tutorial... Step 5 in this lexls tutorial shows how to remove the center vent grill to see them better. I could brush the screen but the dirt would still be behind it. Any thoughts?

Yes, my wife really likes the RX. I'm just praying that the van will hold on for a little while longer until the 01-02s come down to $12K.

I'll look for it.Update on the AC: After the compressor to condensor hose replacement the AC is blowing COLD now :D . No leaks after a week. I bet the original compressor was good all along. Should I keep it just in case or see if someone wants to take it off my hands. If I get rid of it, how much do you think I could get for it? I also no longer seem to have a charging issue. Just before the AC went out, the alternator didn't seem to charge the battery when it got hot. I replaced the battery. No problems while the AC was out. After the compressor was replaced and the freon leaked out after a day and a half, the battery needed to be charged. I was thinking I had an alternator problem, but now I'm thinking not as I haven't had a starting problem for a week now. What's the relationship to the compressor and alterntor in this situation?

Well, after reading more threads similar to my subject, I've decided to let the emotions not get the best of me and have passed on the car. Had it been a 2WD, not a AWD, I may have been more inclined to get it. This forum is SUPER!!!

Thanks SK. Ot should have been OT (off topic) since I posted it in the LS400-430 forum. Now that you moved it and merged it with this one, you can remove the "Ot:". Thanks. I took it for a test drive this morning. Drives nice untill you get to 75mph, then it has a vibration. Tires look worn on the outside edge. Could be just the tires, hoping its not a suspension or strut problem. No vibrations are introduced when braking so the suspension should be okay. Emotions kicking in.... it is a nice looking car and definitely a step up from our 98 Plymouth Grand Voyager SE with 125K miles. But reading the other posts has me concerned about the transmission. Thanks for the vote of confidence SK. I will have my mechanic inspect it and make final decision after that. It has a bumper scrape on the passenger side corner like they rubbed a wall. The driver side window switches are broken, you can get them to work but with much fidling. I replaced one on my LS so I know I can a new (from wrecking yard) switch to replace it. A few other interior trim pieces are missing but they can be replaced as well. I think I will offer $12K for it. Is that a fair reduction from their asking price?

Thanks Benjamin, I did the search and won't be getting the '99 RX300.

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As I have a 90 LS400, I posted over there as well, sorry for the duplicate post. My wife saw a 1999 RX300 AWD parked outside our bank, it has 84,000 miles on it, has just about all the extras and looks to be in very good condition on the outside and underneath, white/tan. Iterior looks nice as well, tan leather. It has Ohio plates on it expiring in 03/07. They're asking $13,250 USD. It has been detailed so I imagine the engine has been done as well so that can hide leaks. If I do decide to buy it, I'm going to take it to my mechanic to have them look it over ($40USD - not bad). I haven't talked to the owner yet but will call him to take it for a test drive. Knowing what I know about my 90 LS400 (2 yrs experience) should help me know what to look for but I hoped some of you could give me your opinions. I look forward to your replies.

SORRY!! That should read 1999 RX300. I know this is a bit off topic and I'll go to the RX300 forum to ask there, but are there any RX300 owners here that can give me some things to consider on a 1999 RX300? My wife saw the RX300 parked outside our bank, it has 84,000 miles on it, has just about all the extras and looks to be in very good condition on the outside, white/tan. Iterior looks nice as well, tan leather. It has Ohio plates on it expiring in 03/07. They're asking $13,250 USD. I haven't talked to the owner yet but will call him to take it for a spin. Knowing what I know about my 90 LS400 should help me know what to look for but I hoped some of you had opinion. It has been detailed so I imagine the engine has been done as well so that can hide leaks. I look forward to your replies.

Understood. My problem turned out (so far) to be a leaky high pressure hose, getting it replaced tomorrow. Search the forum for "heater valve" and "blend door" some of those threads may give you an idea of why it's not blowing as cold as it should.