billysbarn

Update here... Nobody responded but I thought I'd post an update in case anybody else runs into this... I found some info on this forum for similar problems with some LS and RX models. They all pointed to a faulty ride height sensor that is attached to the rear axle.

Since I just had my rear struts replaced, which so happen to also be connected to the rear axle...I thought I'd take it back to the shop and have them check the ride height sensor.

Problem solved... When the rear struts are removed, the rear axle dangles. When it dangles, it pulls down on the actuator arm that is attached to the sensor. When the new strut was installed, the arm went down rather than back up. (i.e. picture an elbow that should be bent up and to the right being bent down and to the left).

Makes the car think the rear end is dragging the ground...

Disconnected. Reconnected correctly. AFS OFF light is OFF!!! Whew...

Another update and thank you!!!

My AFS was flashing off and I assumed it was a fuse or relay.

I didn't know there was an arm and sensor at the back until I found your postings, so I had a look and there it was dangling loose!!!!

It looks as if it had broken at the bottom end where it enters the lower "knuckle joint". It seems it broke because the bottom knuckle joint was seized solid preventing it from rotating as the strut move up and down.

I did a temporary repair by joining the two ends with a piece of heat shrink electrical sleeving and hey presto all problems disappeared!!

Temporary might turn into permanent if the sleeving doesn't break!!!

At least I now know what was causing the problem. Mega bucks saved!!!

Many many thanks Guys and Gals :)

Billy

I'll tell you exactly what that squeeky rattle is/was in my 400h.  It's the rear armrest!  In the closed position, I get a terrible noise that sounds like leather/plastic squeeking.  Opened up, it's totally silent, so I leave it open now.... 

Hope this solves your problem.

Hi,

I have 7600 miles on the RX400h in the Washington DC area.  Drives like a dream, mileage as most have reported.  Two problems in the last six weeks, that seem increasingly annoying.. has anyone else had that same, and if so, what has the dealer done?

1.  There is a rattle audible inside the car when moving.  I have NOTHING in the car, seems to be coming from the back 'cargo' area. My spouse has driven and I have sat in the rear seats to try and isolate it, but can not. 

2. Lately when it rains, ie when the door windows are wet, if I roll them down, after the rain stops, about a 1/2 way down they squeek, LOUDLY, Yesterday, it was just moist out, the humidity was up and it did it.  Mostly the driver's window.

Small but annoying for such an expensive vehicle.  Anyone else had similar?

Thanks in advance, Lydia

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I had the problem with my 400h and if you take a good leather cleaner to lubricate between the seats and it stoped the rubbing noise.

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Alternatively sometimes the rails that carry the cargo cover have something inside that comes loose. This has been discussed on the UK LOC forum I believe.

I'll tell you exactly what that squeeky rattle is/was in my 400h.  It's the rear armrest!  In the closed position, I get a terrible noise that sounds like leather/plastic squeeking.  Opened up, it's totally silent, so I leave it open now.... 

Hope this solves your problem.

Hi,

I have exatly that experince and it is also fine when armrest is down.

I have 7600 miles on the RX400h in the Washington DC area.  Drives like a dream, mileage as most have reported.  Two problems in the last six weeks, that seem increasingly annoying.. has anyone else had that same, and if so, what has the dealer done?

1.  There is a rattle audible inside the car when moving.  I have NOTHING in the car, seems to be coming from the back 'cargo' area. My spouse has driven and I have sat in the rear seats to try and isolate it, but can not. 

2. Lately when it rains, ie when the door windows are wet, if I roll them down, after the rain stops, about a 1/2 way down they squeek, LOUDLY, Yesterday, it was just moist out, the humidity was up and it did it.  Mostly the driver's window.

Small but annoying for such an expensive vehicle.  Anyone else had similar?

Thanks in advance, Lydia

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To all of those RX400h Owners out there:

Lexus posted ten tips for improving the RX400h fuel economy...

http://www.lexus.com/assets/models/hybrid/...mance_guide.pdf

Out of all of the ten tips, what was most interesting to me was:

"9) Use premium fuel to improve fuel economy and performance"

Ever since other owners on this site have been advocating using regular fuel, I've followed the crowd, with obvious ramifications (10% reduction relative to super unleaded). I did, seemingly notice slightly lower performance and lower fuel economy (24 mpg to 22 mpg).

Just wondering - anybody else observing the same?

Cheers,

Peter

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Hi from the UK:)

I can't understand the problem.

My 400h is 3 weeks old and I aam averaging 35 Miles per UK gallon when driving like my granny at around 40-45 mph.

When I criused between 55 - 60 and towing a car trailer with a medium load for 70 miles I got 29.5 mpg UK. I can easily get 33 -34 mpg (uk) when driving normally, mixed highway and town ! Maybe it is the weather! It is Autmn here now and I use the cheapest unleaded petrol :)

I am very pleased with it and it accelerates like a rocket when required (not very often!)

BR.

Billy

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Update from the UK: My workplace is 11 miles away on a country road withh very light traffic in North Yorkshire, which varies a lot in uphill and down hill gradients. It is somewhat lower (ASL) than my home. Today I drove very carefully both ways averaging 30 mph from 20 thru 30 even occasional 40 mph.

The outward 11 miles gave an average of 52.1 MPG !!! :) But the return trip of 12 miles ( I had to call for petrol) reduced it to 40.5 and the maneuvefring/ reversing for 5 mins or so in parking in the gargae reduced it to 39.5 mpg(UK).

I am very pleased with that :)

BR.

Billy

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I assume we are referring to Imperial Gallons here :) .

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Yes. You need to divide by 1.2 i guess. But for me that is excellent although you guys seem to get better results over there...

To all of those RX400h Owners out there:

Lexus posted ten tips for improving the RX400h fuel economy...

http://www.lexus.com/assets/models/hybrid/...mance_guide.pdf

Out of all of the ten tips, what was most interesting to me was:

"9) Use premium fuel to improve fuel economy and performance"

Ever since other owners on this site have been advocating using regular fuel, I've followed the crowd, with obvious ramifications (10% reduction relative to super unleaded). I did, seemingly notice slightly lower performance and lower fuel economy (24 mpg to 22 mpg).

Just wondering - anybody else observing the same?

Cheers,

Peter

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Hi from the UK:)

I can't understand the problem.

My 400h is 3 weeks old and I aam averaging 35 Miles per UK gallon when driving like my granny at around 40-45 mph.

When I criused between 55 - 60 and towing a car trailer with a medium load for 70 miles I got 29.5 mpg UK. I can easily get 33 -34 mpg (uk) when driving normally, mixed highway and town ! Maybe it is the weather! It is Autmn here now and I use the cheapest unleaded petrol :)

I am very pleased with it and it accelerates like a rocket when required (not very often!)

BR.

Billy

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Update from the UK: My workplace is 11 miles away on a country road withh very light traffic in North Yorkshire, which varies a lot in uphill and down hill gradients. It is somewhat lower (ASL) than my home. Today I drove very carefully both ways averaging 30 mph from 20 thru 30 even occasional 40 mph.

The outward 11 miles gave an average of 52.1 MPG !!! :) But the return trip of 12 miles ( I had to call for petrol) reduced it to 40.5 and the maneuvefring/ reversing for 5 mins or so in parking in the gargae reduced it to 39.5 mpg(UK).

I am very pleased with that :)

BR.

Billy

To all of those RX400h Owners out there:

Lexus posted ten tips for improving the RX400h fuel economy...

http://www.lexus.com/assets/models/hybrid/...mance_guide.pdf

Out of all of the ten tips, what was most interesting to me was:

"9) Use premium fuel to improve fuel economy and performance"

Ever since other owners on this site have been advocating using regular fuel, I've followed the crowd, with obvious ramifications (10% reduction relative to super unleaded). I did, seemingly notice slightly lower performance and lower fuel economy (24 mpg to 22 mpg).

Just wondering - anybody else observing the same?

Cheers,

Peter

←

Hi from the UK:)

I can't understand the problem.

My 400h is 3 weeks old and I aam averaging 35 Miles per UK gallon when driving like my granny at around 40-45 mph.

When I criused between 55 - 60 and towing a car trailer with a medium load for 70 miles I got 29.5 mpg UK. I can easily get 33 -34 mpg (uk) when driving normally, mixed highway and town ! Maybe it is the weather! It is Autmn here now and I use the cheapest unleaded petrol :)

I am very pleased with it and it accelerates like a rocket when required (not very often!)

BR.

Billy

I happened to read this post on another Lexus forum.  I apologize if this is a "no-no" but I thought folks might check to see if this works.  My '05 RX330 is on the way so I can't verify.

Enter destinations while driving

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My 400h is also on the way, but is it possible that overide wold also allow my front seat passenger to watch DVD's while in motion?

The RX400h has the same dash as the RX330, that kit is for the RX300.

Thanks for that.

My car is in Newcastle waiting for Sept 1!

I will wait and see if I can get to like the original dash but I think I will prefer wood finish :)

Billy

that kit wont fit the 400h. Those pieces tend to go first, because they are curved and start to seperate from the sun. Problem is, how old is rest of wood? Putting new pieces may stick out more then 2 missing pieces

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OH dear. What a shame :(

Ithought the dash was the same as a 400h

Thanks anyway

Find someone to share the kit, or buy the whole kit and sell the rest on ebay

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Hi

Would that kit fit the RX400h?

I was thinking of changing to wood finish as I don't really like the pretend steel/aluminium finish.

What is the cost is the entire kit?