924S

Supposedly the abs should thorw codes if any part is bad...but they could be masked by other symptoms.

Ooops!! Forgot critical info: 1994 LS400 Fairly basic: no Trac,no air suspentionl

This may make more sense that my past tries: 1. Is it possible to disable the ABS and still have brakes? If so, how? 2. What would cause all 4 wheels to lock up in about 2 miles? -- all hydraulic rubber lines are new -- new MC (2x - thought new one was bad) -- power booster, pedal & brake switch checked by a local certified mechanic  Back ground: I bought the car with a demonstrably failing MC; installed rebuilt MC and drove home just fine, about 80 miles. A few days later, the rear brakes started locking up after several stops; cracking open the rear line released the brakes. We replaced the rubber brake lines (4). A few days later, it started again. Mechanic tested the system and replaced the "new" MC and the car did fine for a few weeks. Then it started locking all 4 corners. It does't always free up overnite, but a wrench on both brake lines will always work. The wierd thing is that if I do not use the brake at all, except to put it in drive, about 2 miles or less of driving will lock them up. Our mechanic says he's over his head; he has run the troubleshooting prosses from ALL Data and cunsulted other sources and could only tell me the problem in in the ABS system - for whcih had no resources. We are about 50mi from the nearest Lexus dealer if I were willing to pay their rates... A possible piece of the puzzle: when we were replacing the brake line, we encountered a hose that was simply lying on the caleper in a ring - not attached to anything. I'm thinking it is the speed sensor, but it lookeds incompleat.

I had a similar issue with my rear brakes. We replaced all 4 lines and checked all 4 caleper and replaced one - and fully replaced all the brake fluid. Didn't help at all. Took it to my trusted mechanic who started with releasing pressure at the MC freed the brakes, so we replaced the MC - twice. Ran good a week or so...and she started locking up all 4 wheels. All 4!! We've eliminated the booster, brake lines, the brake pedal adjustment, the brake & cruise switches - that leaves me with the ABS system. I mention this to warn you of the road you may go down. . . . and to ask a simple question: --> How do I disable the ABS so I can drive to work on my own? Then... where can I find parts? I've searched Google for ABS parts to no avail except used parts on eBay.

Exactly my question. It takes me a while to do much of the car stuff, but the Dr. thinks it's a good physical therapy. I've never encountered this group of symptoms.

NOW, I have a new thing. My wife mentioned that it started to "rumble" getting worse as she drove then suddenly sounded to her that it a plugged pipe had blown open (her description of the sound) and it ran fine. Today, I took it out for some errands, all in town. When leaving the driveway, it seemed reticent to move, as if the brakes were hanging up. 3 stops, longest leg about 2 miles back to home. It's behaviour degraded to the poind that it felt like I had a flat tire complete with the tire flopping sound and the car was shuddering badtly. The last leg was about a mile on the hiway which I took slow, about 45, which was interesting. I checked the wheels for heat - none, There was the smell of hot rubber... No flat. Where would you start?

I have long time friend who's an auto electic specialst, owns his shop and has always done wonderful work. He does all my electral rebuilding. I don't even ask the price before he starts. I know is will be as good as it can be. However, I don't know the history of the starter or alternator, both of which was replaced 2-3 yrs ago. The PO has no idea; his mecanic got the parts or had them rebuilt. No idea. How can I find out?

I managed to save myself the job of replacing the cable at least until we have warmer weather**. I bought a battery cable splice and used that after cuttting off the truly messed up 1st 6 inches, stripping off about 1/2" of the covering. The barrel slipped over the good cable, after dressing it up nice, and clamped it down. The band/loop battery clamp went on tightly. The car started right up and my wife have gone to work with for two days without a hitch. I also have noticed that the what working lights we have are brighter, and the starter no longer sounds reluctent to go to work; it now comes awake and turns over with atacrity. **I had 7 kids when we bought the house so the garage was sacrificed to bedrooms, office and homeschool. Now there's only our 14yo left home. I hope to reclain the garage next summer as part of a overall refresh of the house. Also, I am a bit slower working on anything after a stroke last summer - but I am back to working part time at home and living fairly well. [i don't recommend this just 'cuz you want to experience an 80 mile helicopter ride]

Just wondering how much time was invested to R&R the starter. Do you have any idea? I just bought a 94 LS, and I know there has been some deferred maintenance waiting for me. But the starter may be tired. It was replaced 3 years ago, but no one knows the source of the replacement used. Thanks.

Thanks for posting the image. But... I need to know what's involved in replacing the negative cable. In my (lurking) research every request for this information is met with "Why" and a seeming reluctance to answer. Where is the other end of the negative cable? and what's involved with replacing it? [94 LS400] I am new to Lexus, but not to cars. This is my wife's car; mine is a 1987 Porsche 924S that I am slowly bring back to better days (it is a very reliable daily driver).