VBdenny

If you don't have an original key or the key code then you are in big trouble. From my understanding IF you lose both keys and the code, then the computer has to be replaced and it isn't cheap. Reading your post reminded me of my last night freak out when I couldn't find the key to my 04 ES330. After an extensive search I found both keys and vowed to myself to keep better track.

If you have juice, then it just about has to be bad wire connection at some point.

I use K&N oil and air filters only. And yeah, they are expensive.

I often drop down a gear when going down long grades if there are people in front of me. If not, I just let it roll. If doing this would damage the transmission in any way, I imagine they wouldn't put the gear selection on there.

crunk huh? sounds like you got a bad load of fuel, unless you believe in coincidences

Hopefully you already tried switching gasoline brands. Might just be a simple case of vapor lock with all this hot weather. You are using Premium fuel aren't you?

lol. Ain't that the truth.

Popping noises often involve ball joints. That would be the first thing I looked at. A car will often drive well even if they are bad.

I hardwired my XM and then my Sirius receiver into my car. I also added the direct wire kit to get rid of the crappy low power transmitter. My old XM receiver would broadcast throughout my whole house, the Sirius didn't go 3' very well.

Sound like the thermostat might be sticking. Just last weekend before we headed to the Syracuse Nationals my friends SS-454 Chevelle was running hot. Next morning we replaced the thermostat even though it looked okay. Ran the engine up to temperature with radiator cap off and heater on high until it burped and developed a steady flow. Added water to bring it to about 1" under the cap. I stuck my digital AC thermometer in the flow and it was at 159.8F steady. Ran great all weekend and other than excessive rear wheel spin on acceleration, the car runs perfect.

Exactly. I always try the cheapest things first. Fixed many a problem with a simple bottle of two of fuel system cleaner. Use the $10 stuff as it works much better.

I guess you really have to know the year of the car to make a good decision. I sure wouldn't spend big money to have the leather dyed on mine. Luckily, my leather is not faded much at all probably because it has always been kept in a garage.

Sometimes when I change the oil in the garage in the winter I use a couple 2x4's which I place against the wall and put the ramps up against them. Works pretty good if you have the right garage configuration. Still, my first choice always would be a lift. When the boys come over to hang out having a lift would sure be nice. I guess I'll add a lift to the things to have in a garage. TV, refrigerator, and lift.

Sorry to disagree but I wouldn't ask a Lexus dealer for a lifeboat if I was on the Titanic. I have seen ads in Hot Rod, HMM, and Car & Driver for dyes. True, you have to know what you are doing but I'll bet if you look on YouTube someone has a video on leather dying. I learned to bowl from watching youtube and even rolled a 203.

I love my garage and would love to have one of these. I have seen several different kinds at friends and car shows and know they are pricey. I also know people buy them off craigslist for really good prices. I use ramps or as someone else suggested, my floor jack and jack stands. For over 30 years I have been thinking of buying a creeper but I still use an old piece of carpet. Ceiling height is a big issue with lifts so figure out your restrictions. Most people think you have to have the car way overhead on a lift but if you can get 2 or 3 feet, you are golden. Search and buy used which is easy since most of the people who own lifts are people with money and most of them are older. Sad to say but when they check out, their lifts sell cheap. I doubt they would have wanted it any other way. Good luck

lol

Simple things first. Go to your favorite auto parts store and buy 2 containers of Complete Fuel System Cleaner. I have used both Slick 50 and Valvoline which both worked great. In some stores it is difficult to find but look for one that is at least $10. Dump both in and fill up the tank with top-tier premium. Before you go start changing expensive stuff, try this. My friend had a Cadillac that did the same thing. The dealer changed plugs, wires, distributor caps and even the computer. Nothing worked and the problem continued. So one day I am riding with him (I sold real estate at the time) and he asked me what I thought he should do. I told him I thought we should drive right over to an auto parts store where I double dosed the Caddy. Within a few days it was running better. He was amazed, the dealer was probably *BLEEP*ed. Simple (and cheap)things first.

I have a tutorial I made on my 90 which probably isn't much different. It should be on here but if not, send me a message and I will emaol it to you.

Thanks. Yeah, I was looking it over this morning and it looks like some disassembly is required. Shouldn't be much of an issue.

If you take it somewhere, yeah it will be expensive. My lens on my 90 fogged up. I disassembled the headlight assembly and removed it. It had maybe an ounce of water inside. I drained it as well as I could and then dumped some rubbing alcohol in there and swished it around. Then I took a hair dryer and dried it out. When I put it back together I rubbed a little vaseline on the bulb O-ring and put it back together. Never leaked since. A word of caution, be really careful not to let any of the Vaseline near the bulb. Denny

Not to bother anyone but a little prior knowledge would help me greatly. I need to change the air filter and stamped on the side of the case it say "to change air filter, refer to owner manual" which has nothing about air filter changing. If someone knows a link or post, that would be a big time saver. Denny

Whatever you do, don't let them touch your transmission. Maybe when they did the tuneup, they left a wire against a manifold. Look for cheap easy things first, then work your way up.

Your fond memories of your Volvo will quickly fade when you drive your Lexus. Welcome to LOC.

I have the same year car and I use the key remote to unlock. it sounds as if something happened to the alarm/anti-theft system. I had my car 4 years before I even knew it had an alarm but they do. I think it might disable the starting circuit. Someone else had to have experienced the same thing so hold hope.

Have you ever had the windshield replaced? I see you live in Toms River and since I have relatives there, I know it is in the pine barrens. I would check for pine straw. Pine straw clogs drains better than most organics.