tjcooper

Have a 1992 LS400 with 150K miles on it. Have replaced most major engine parts in the last two years. Returning from a 100 mile trip with engine running fine and without warning, the car could barely make it up a freeway ramp. Almost no acceleration at all. Limped home and checked error codes. Had a 52 and a 71. The 71 comes from a broken connection to the EGR value and so I know why that is there. The 52 is left knock sensor. Ohmmed out the sensor and lines to the ECU and they were not shorted to ground. Tested the knock sensor on oscilloscope with a vibrator giving "shock". The electrical signal looked like I had voltage at the 60Hz of the vibrator. I replaced both the right and left knock sensors and the error codes went away. Did a J&B weld fix on EGR valve tubing so I could get vacuum again. The error codes all went away. But the engine still has no acceleration. Any hints? I think I may need to do a swap on ECU to see if that is problem. What else has such a strong effect on acceleration? The fuel smell is strong in the exhaust so I know I have fuel. Spark looks OK. I have to think it is the ECU thinking something in the system has failed and is putting the spark advance in the "worst case failure mode" to just let the car limp home. tjcooper

I have seen threads that say that the 1993 SC400 cannot be reprogrammed and a new key and ECU unit are required. I have had one key reseller tell me that they have successfully done a re-program on a 1993. Does anyone have proof positive (done it themselves or seen a unit in a car) that has been re-programmed? Most of the manuals indicate that 1993 had non-programmable key and ECU combinations that had to be dealer replaced to get a new key and fob working. Anyone with DEFINITE information I would appreciate responses. Much thanks. Ted

I am considering an 96 LS400 with 115K miles off of ebay. I know that when I purchase that the car is sold "as is" but the description says everything is working fine. I am looking for a mechanic/private party/whatever that could look over the car on that afternoon to say it is good to drive 300 miles back to SFO. Anybody know of somebody who does that type of "after sale" inspection? Also, what do inspections cost? What does a 30 day warranty cost? Is it possible to get a 30 warrenty for a used purchase "on the spot"? Any suggestions would be helpful. I already have 2000 LS400 and have all the manuals and have done work on it. So I am familiar with many of the things on an LS400. This car is for my son at school. Ted