TexasComputerMan

Nice car , Where did you get the 6 disc from ? Did your amp have to be replaced ? Thanx in advance ← I discovered in one of these forums that a 1996 and previous ES300 cd-changer is plug compatible to my Nakimichi system. I foound one in a salvage yard here in Texas and paid $150.00 for it. It works perfectly. I rarely get any skips. My mechanic had to rig up some brackets to mount it in the trunk, but it really works great and the Nak head unit recognised it immediately.

I have finished rebuilding my 1992 SC400. In other threads I identified the mods. My intention was to get the car back to original spec's. I Almost did that. All is stock except: 1) I put in an ES300, 6-disc cd-changer in place of the 12-disc stock change that I could not get to work. 2) I put in New seat leather. This is something that I really want to share with you all. I got my leather from KATZSkin.com. I went through a local installer here in Texas. They are: Blankinship Aero 1001 Santerre Dr. Grand Prairie, Texas 75050 (972) 988-8740 (ask for Matt) I upgraded the leather to the Tuscony type. The final cost, installed was: $1077.09 A great price. I am posting a few Pics here to show off the car:

Sounds like your onto something. two storms and driving in the rain interior stillbone dry so I guess I got the cause . I'll check my drain plgs on the under floor boards next time I put car up on lift. Hope ypu fixgets it done. ← Well we just had two days of very heavy rain and I Had to drive out in it. NO LEAKS NOW! My problem turned out to be the driver's side door. That door had a bad hinge. I had it replaced and now all of the door seals work properly. Thus, NO LEAKS! :D :D :D :D

Did you ever get an answer to your question? I am interested because I have a 1992 SC400 with a Nakamichi system. My cd changer died, so I installed a 6 cd changer from a pre 1996 ES300. It is plug compatible with my SC400 amp. Does that mean that the ES300 amp will also work in the SC400????

Have you tried any salvage yards yet? I have bought a nunber of used parts from http://www.brickyardimportedcars.com/ . one, a driver's side door hinge came to me damaged. When I called them about it, they immediately sent me a new one. No questions asked!. The prices are good and they are just super to work with. I have bought one door hinge (they sent two, the second one at NO cost to me), one Heater Valve assembly, one Nakamichi Amp & one high prerssure power steering hose. I really appreciate these people. :D :P

I have a similar problem with my SC400 (1992). We have checked Everything above the driver's seat level. Nothing seems wrong there. But my mechanic put my car up on a lift and found that there are a number of drain plugs in a body channel under the driver's side floorboard. These drain holes are open. I have ordered the plugs that they need. We Hope that this will finally solve the leaking problem. In the rain, we therorize that road water is being thrown up and into these holes. It keeps keeps water under the driver's seat and back to the rear and under the back seat. The rugs are soaked. BTW, this Can short out the telephone plug under the back seat and mute all of your speakers. Isn't that just great? Once these plugs are replaced and after the next rain storm here in Texas, I will let you know if that worked.

Today, my mechanic and I replaced the spark plug wire assembly. So now all of the problems and fixes are complete. This is a list of the fixes: License Tag Holder Thermostat Oil Change & Engine Treatment Belts, Water pump, Seals Gas Filter & End-Links Spark Plugs Brake Shoes Oil Change stuff Amp & Hinge Pressure Hose & Vacuum Assy CD-Changer 4 quarts ATF 1 quart ATF Air Filter Wheel Skin cleaning/towels etc Paint front & Rear Bumpers Under body Plugs Spark Plug Wires Re-Tint windows Washer Nozzels & Body Plugs Now my SC400 is in 'Stock' condition. I read, somewhere, that all Lexus models of all years have interchangeable window washer nozzels. I got a couple from a 2003 GS. They shoot three streams out to the window. Only $33.00 at the dealer and I put them on my self. My SC400 is red/maroon(3k3), so I got a set of black ones. They work wonderfully! Total cost to date: $12,567.40 That does not include new leather. I have decided to wait a few months for that. This is a GREAT automobile! :chairshot: :P :D

You need to get it up in the air and check it out. It Could be the High Pressure Hose from the Power Steering to the Rack. My 1992 SC400 was leaking and it was this hose. To buy one from Lexus is Very expensive. If that is your problem, look for a Hydralic Hose repair center in your city/town. I got mine fixed for $48.00. Another leak Could be the Power steering pump itsself. You really need to get that fixed quickly. That is above the alternator and Can short it out. Thus you would have to replace both the Altenator and the Power steering pump. When you get the car 'up in the air' you will need to remove the cover under the engine to see where the leak is. :(

:D Here are the costs that I have faced so far. 3/21/2005 $8,000.00 Bought Lexus SC400 3/23/2005 $13.95 License Tag Holder 3/23/2005 $10.73 Thermostat 3/24/2005 $75.58 Oil Change & treatment 3/26/2005 $450.56 Belts, Water pump, Seals 3/26/2005 $202.94 Gas Filter & End-Links 3/26/2005 $70.18 Spark Plugs 3/25/2005 $335.80 Tax/Title/License 3/28/2005 $55.06 Brake Shoes 3/28/2005 $15.10 Oil Change stuff 4/2/2005 $39.50 Auto Inspection 4/2/2005 $22.90 Parts 4/2/2005 $260.00 Amp & Hinge 4/4/2005 $300.00 Pressure Hose & Vacuum Assy 4/5/2005 $300.00 Labor 4/5/2005 $162.38 CD-Changer Crain Auto Salvage 4/2/2005 $18.32 4 quarts ATF 4/2/2005 $4.58 1P/S quart ATF 4/5/2005 $18.25 Air Filter 4/10/2005 $120.00 Labor 4/16/2005 $69.22 Cleaning/towels etc 4/28/2005 $48.95 Repair spare P/S Hose 5/13/2005 $500.00 Paint front & Rear Bumpers $800.00 Front Seats & Consloe 5/4/2005 $200.00 Misc Costs 5/13/2005 $209.00 Re-Tint windows Total Parts $1,880.53 Total Other $10,422.47 Grand $12,303.00 B)

Try this: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=20145 It could be your telephone mute system is coming on B)

I am just guessing. I had a problem where the heater would not blow hot air. I had to replace the soleniod on the Heater control valve. That valve is used by the air conditioning to dump excess heat to the heater core to reduce that heat. My problem was that it would not open. Could your problem be that it is open and will not close? The heater control valve is vacuum controlled. If you stand at the front of your SC400 with the hood up, this valve assembly is on the left side up near the firewall. you should see two vacuum lines goin into a solenoid back there. Check to see if the valve is closing. :) :) :)

Try this: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=20145 It could be your telephone mute system is coming on ;)

Wow! I just solved the problem, almost. I cancelled the new audio. (That cost me my deposit) The rain is somehow getting into the interior of the sc400 and soaking under the back seat on the driver's side. This shorts out the plug for the car telephone. For now, I have unplugged the telephone plug. (I took the 'phone out any way). If you lift the back seat, you will find two plugs. One is white. Leave that alone. Unplug the orange plug and your sound system should come back.

Well it is raining here in Texas and my Nakamichi system quit. It has something to do with the rain/humidity shorting out the amplifier. I let it set for a while and it came back while it was dry. But, when I went out to lunch, in a couple of minutes it quit again. It seem to be ok when it is dry. Just quits when it rains. Well enough is enough. I am going to completely replace this system. I don't need a symphony quality system, but one that sound decently and doesn't quit when it rains. I am having a new radio & cd player installed tomorrow. This system will completely replace the NAK system. It is an in-dash Alpine radio & cd player. They have to make a kit to replace the Head unit in the dash. I have chosen to have only 4 speakers. one in each door and two in the rear. All will be 6 inch speakers. ($99. for a set of 2). The total cost will be between $750.00 & $800.00. That sounds like a lot but I am fed up with worrying about the NAK system failing in the rain. Again, it works fine when dry. So I will have a Nak Head unit with cd controls, NAK Amplifier and a 6 disk cd changer for sale after this install is complete.

That is the cost of the repair. But, it makes my hose as good as new. They used a beter grade of hose and re-attached all of the metal brackets etc. :D

When I bought my SC400 about 6 weeks ago, one of the problems that I faced was a leak in the High pressure power steering hose. To replace it Lexus wanted an 'arm, a leg and my first born child'. (too much money). So I found a used one at a salvage yard and put it on. While the used hose is working OK, I have the secret fear that it may quit any day. So I went looking for a place that could repair my original hose. I found just the place. It is: LONE STAR HOSE and ACCESSORIES. They are at 112 Staduim Drive in Arlington, Texas 76010. Their phone number is (817) 275-3212. I don't know if they will do out of state mail-in's, but if they do then you Must use them. My cost for this repair is: $48.95! $48.95! For that amount of money, you couldn't get a sniff at Lexus. They say that they can make or repair Any high pressure hose for automobiles, including brake lines, power steering hoses, etc. They do this for a number of automobile dealers in this area. (I'll bet that the dealer doesn't tell you that the hose that they replaced was fixed by Lone Star) The repair job is beautiful. I now have an on the shelf replacement if my other hose quits.

I found a repair shop is NY that will repair Nakamichi Amps for $88.00. Plus shipping. They are IN HOUSE SERVICE CO in SETAUKET, NY 11733-4084. (631) 751-1803 Does any one know these people? Are they OK? They said that they know the Nak amp that I have and normally can repair them. He did ask if the amp was rusted. He said that a number of amps from Florida and the east coast had come in rusted and they were ruined. Mine is not rusted, so he said to sent it in and if it were repairable, they would do it for $88.00. However if the PC Board was bad, he said, they would not go any further. This would be a great deal if true. Has anyone else used them?? This amp is out of my 1992 SC400. I have one in now that is working OK, but is is from a salvaged SC400 and could die at any time. I would really like to have this one repaired and sitting on the shelf until I need it.

I was never able to get my stock 12 disk cd-changer to work, so I can't compare it to my ES300 6 disk changer. However, I have had No troble playing any CD that I have. Most of my cd's were created via my Computer and they work well in the cd-changer. I also have a couple of bought/pre-recorded cd's that are working well. The only problem with the new cd-changer is when/if I hit a particurlarly bad bump in the road. It will skip, But that is normal when you figure where it is mounted. (In the trunk, over the right rear wheel) Skipping with this changer is Not a normal occurrence.

I just finished puting a 'wheel skin' on my sc400 steering wheel. The original steering wheel leather was begining to break down. I guess the previous owner just ignored it. Any way, I bought a european style 'wheel skin' I got Burgandy top & bottom and Oak left and right. It turned out just as I had hoped. the oak color matches the accents in my interior and the burgandy matches the color on the body. Oh! I have a 1992 SC400 burgandy in color. It took me about 1 and 1/2 hours to complete the job. I really like the look and feel of the steering wheel now. When I take some pictures, I will post them Here is a pic:

If all you need are instructions on where the amp is and how to get to it, click here: http://www.carstereohelp.com/ Here is a more direct link: http://carstereohelp.com/strlexus.htm

I did the post on the ES300 cd-changer. I have a 1992 SC400 with a Nakamichi system. THe 12 pack, stock, cd changer just would not work. I heard that an ES300 cd-changer with a 6-pack cartridge would work. I found one at a local mom & pop salvage yard. I drove my SC400 to the salvage yard and they let me test it by hooking it up in my trunk. When I first tried it, I got an ERR light on my head unit. (Phooey!) I went back to the unit setting in the trunk and pulled the cartridge out and looked at the cd. I had put it into the cartridge in up side down. When I corrected that, it worked fine. So I bought it and my mechanic rigged up a set of brackets and we installed it into my trunk. It has been working just fine for several weeks now. THe Nak Head unit recognised it immediately. Attached is a picture of the setup. I took the pic before I cleaned the trunk up, but you can see how we positioned the unit. When I originally posted this reply, I assumed that you had a pre 1996 cd-changer. I do not know if an after 1996 unit will work, but try to plug into it using the original cd-changer plugs. TCM

I hear ya. I was at a local car stereo shop yesterday and saw an in-dash all-in-one unit that plays MP3 and Windows Media files. How handy would that be? Put 10 CD's on one disc and eliminate the need for a changer altogether. With a tuner, 4-channel amp, etc .. all for about 140 beans. Having a working 13-year-old changer is kind of a mixed blessing. I kinda wish it would just stop working altogether so I could upgrade, but it's not exactly in the budget at the moment. Sluggo ← I have searched for a complete replacement for the Lexus unit, but no one seems to have one. What was this unit you saw and was it a direct replacement. Thanks ← I am not sure what your question is. (Great grammer!) If you are asking about the cd-changer, then a 6 cartridge, trunk-mounted unit from an ES300 1996 or earlier is plug compatible. Your NAK head unit will recognise it and allow you to cycle from cd1 through cd6. The sound is excellent. You will need to find a local salvage yard that has an ES300 (1996 or earlier) and go there and plug the cd-changer into your Nak system to prove that it works. As far as a complete replacement, Head unit/amp/cd-changer. I don't know.

I do not know what the code means, but my 1992 sc400 stopped blowing hot air also. My problem is in the Heater Control Valve assembly. It is located (if you are standing in front of your sc looking at the engine) on the left side of the engine up near the firewall. It has two vacuum lines going into it. To test if this is the problem. just reverse the vacuum lines and see if the air warms up. If that is the problem, you can leave the lines switched temporarily. This assembly is used by the air conditioning. When it gets hot, the air conditioning, this valve opens and allows coolant into the heater to disipate heat. While I would not want to leave this setup permenantly, it could be left for a while until warm weather Finally gets here. TexasComputerMan (Arlington, Texas)

That is a good solution, but my cd-changer is just dead. I read at a different Lexus forum that an ES300, trunk mounted cd-changer is plug compatible for my NAK system. I found one at a local mom & pop salvage yard and took my sc400 out there and tried the ES300 unit. It is plug compatible and works perfectly. My car is a 1992 SC400. The ES300 unit has to be a pre-1996 unit. This cd changer is only a 6 cd unrt, but that is OK with me. The NAK head unit recognises it and works well. The only problem is how to mount it in the trunk. I will solve that soon and really do not care how it looks in there. (I rarely show people the inside of my trunk) I am very pleased with this solution. The word is that the ES300 cd-changer is much better designed than the original 12 cd Nak system TexasComputerMan (Arlington, Texas) :D