jainla

From what I can tell it's on the front of the engine behind the timing belt. Getting to it is quite a chore:

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/engine/timingbelt.html

You may be due for the TB as well;

If you are leaking antizreeze, and cant see where the water pump is, I dont think you will be reparing it your self, so, take it to your favorite repair shop and ask for an estimate.

then tell us what they said and we can give you some intellegent direction on the matter.

cheers.

Even if the LS430 XM kits on eBay require removing the head unit (don't know if they do), it is not difficult to pop out the head unit on most Toyota/Lexus vehicles.

That's my alternative for now but this also means that I would have to run the antenna wire all the way to the back.

I don't know if the '05 still has it but the '01-'03 models have a coax run from beneath the center console box to the trunk near the nav system. If it still exists you can connect it to the antenna on the roof of the car (not sure if this would work for XM or not). You might be able to mount the Vaistech unit in the trunk; you'd lose use of the AUX inputs on that unit but you might be able to connect it to one of the AVC-LAN connectors back there. From what I can tell it works exactly like the Lexus OEM unit.

The OEM unit runs the antenna onto the trunklid but like Jim said you could put it on (or under) the rear parcel shelf. That's the location for the OEM GPS antenna if your car has Nav. there is a small hole used for the old stick-on cellular antenna that runs right under the CHMSL.

Good luck!

-J

If you want the real ML system you have to replace everything; the head unit, the amp and radio in the trunk and all the speakers. I believe the ML system was an option for early non-nav units; so if you really wanted to do this you might find the parts on ebay.

If you want the factory NAV system you'll need the multifunction touchscreen unit, the bezel with the climate control vents, the matching radio headunit/CD player (I don't know if the ML and non ML players and NAV and Non-NAV players are the same).

I don't know if the wiring is the same or different back there; the Nav MFD unit sits on the AVC-LAN bus and recieves signals from the NAV, Climate Control, Radio and other systems.

Honestly for all that money you could go aftermarket and probably get much better bang for your buck; people are making install kits now for the LS430. Plus to buy all these components new you would be talking into 5 figures...used who knows how reliable they would be.

Good luck.

-J

Actually, I think this may be a combine of two questions here. My 04 LS430 has the Stock audio system (W/o GPS central console panel). I'm thinking to switch the Audio system to Mark levison audio system and if necessary a GPS central console. My first question is, will I need more work to be done in order to have the M.L. Audio system to work? eg: M.L. Twitters and Amplifiers or just a simple swap of the central console ?

My second question here is that will there be any extra unit installation need for the GPS to be functional? Will there be any improvement to put the video signal into the GPS screen?

Thanks a bunch :D :D .

http://www.icars.sg/2009/7722/2010-lexus-l...s-more-details/

http://lexusenthusiast.com/2009/08/25/2010...ls-sz-revealed/

I like the new look although honestly I was hoping for something a little racier. The Night vision is cool although I think I like the old IP better.

L-Select looks like their version of Mercedes Benz' Designo program. Hopefully it will come here.

Are those paddle shifters on the SZ model?

You mean the top part with the nav screen (if your car is so equipped)? I believe there are 2 additional #10 bolts underneath the driver and passenger AC temp switches. You have to carefully pry them out; depending on how much other stuff you've removed you might be able to push them out from behind; but I would invest in a plastic pry tool to pop them out. They are apparently a real PITA.

Good luck..

Does anyone have experience in removing the top/Lid from the center console of an LS430?

I have located the (4) #10 bolts under the A/C vent as well as the two in the bottom of the center glove box, but still the unit will not slip out.

Thanks in advance!

I've had a Blackberry now for probably 5 years; and I can honestly say these types of phones are primarily useful for one thing: email. If your wife works at a job or is someone who relies on email for communication it really does set you free. No more waiting for someone to email you back or rushing back to an office to check or respond to an email. They also make a pretty good PDA; the fact that I always have all my email addresses and phone numbers on the phone and backed up on my computer is worth the hassle of putting up with the 'smart' phone concept IMHO. One less box to carry around.

You WILL get sucked into all the apps, web browsing, etc that come with these phones; some of them (google maps) are surprisingly useful. The Iphone's web browser is also revolutionary; but amazing in that it's a desktop experience on a phone. If you don't use the web that much you might not care. The Iphone and Blackberry from what I can tell are the easiest to use; but I know people that like the Google Android operating system as well. You have to play around with it and see which one annoys you the least.

I've always told people if you want apps, media, music, etc get the iPhone, if you are primarily using the phone for messaging get the Blackberry. The Blackberry Curve these days comes pretty much free on Amazon with a new or renewed plan; and it's a great phone. I think my Curve (my 4th BB) is the best one I've had yet.

The thing that really kills you isn't the cost of the phone but the data plan that comes with it; it tacks another $30-40 a month onto your costs and that can add up over a 2 year contract. Oddly enough every new phone I've bought comes with a new SIM card; I also though that the whole point of the SIM card was to just move if from phone to phone but apparently nobody wants to do that these days.

Good luck!

There is also this phone; but it's actually a bluetooth headset so you'll need some other phone to connect to it:

http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/8928/

It's really just a *phone*.

Is it a creaking or a crunching noise? When it's cold out my car exhibits a crunching noise on the driver's side front. The last time I took it to the shop for the TB service I mentioned it and they lubed the front stabilizer bar and the noise disappeared.

With the Ultra I believe the shocks and air springs are integral so replacing those is going to be a pretty expensive fix.

Also do a search for Vaistech on this forum to discover what options exist to MP3 the LS430.

I have a 2000 LS and had a creaking sound from the driver side rear-end. I thought it might be chassis also, so I took it to the Lexus dealer and they lubed everything and the noise remained. They finally used a sound listening device and discovered the drivers side shock was making the noise. An internal valve was bad. I replaced both rear shocks, no more noise. Expensive thought, but quiet again.

Right before I bought the LS my trusty 240D was having vibration issues; usually when moving off the line. The whole car would shake. I was convinced that this was it; that it's going to be taken out behind the barn and shot. I took it to the mechanic and waited anxiously by the phone. Finally he called. Nervous, I picked up the phone. "It's ready come get it" he said. I said what was it? He said the transmission mount was shot. I said is there anything else that could cause this kind of problem? He said the motor mounts had seen better days. Go ahead and replace them I said.

You would think he replaced the engine; that little 4 cylinder diesel was suddenly as smooth as silk! Probably the biggest bang for the buck as far as maintenance items.

Glad it worked, as noted on my replacement thread a few months ago , the mount is easy enough to do but is a drastic change for $50.

I also have a 2-3000k rpm oscialtion from the engine . I am not sure what it is yet but it was felt much less with the new mount.

Now follow the rest of that thread and change your coolant temp sensor and have a car you never knew you bought or could afford ,it really is an amazing $100.

Yes, the new search feature sucks. (hint, hint) lol!

Yep. But if you use the search box at the bottom of the individual forum rather than the global search link at the top you can still use the old search form.

Here's the original post with the attachment showing which pins to jump:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...l=oxygen+sensor

You'll see the display change to VSC test or something like that. After a few seconds pull the clip. I think i had to restart the car and the warning went away.

Also if the other oxygen sensor hasn't been replaced recently (on the other bank) you might as well go ahead and replace it now. Best practice is to replace the pair; otherwise the old one will go out of spec and you'll get the code again.

Supposedly they are doing quite well in initial reliability. The new XJ looks very interesting; a completely virtual instrument panel.

Is it me or do I see shades of the GS in the XF profile?

I like the new Jag lineup personally...we'll see how they do in reliability...

Definitely ask a Toyota dealer; the V8s in the LS are similar to the I-Force V8s in the Toyota trucks. However since the Lex and Toyota dealerships in Santa Monica are owned by the same guy the Toyo guys said no way.

I had mine done at my local dealer Toyota for $ 1039.12 which included everything. Lexus was wanting $ 1600. I'm due again in another 60K miles.

Here is a thread about Blake installing a Parrot MKi9100 in his 99 LS400: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...aded&start=

In the LS, a good place for the MKi9100's display might be all the way to the left on the "shelf" below the instrument cluster -- i.e. below and to the left of the gas gauge. I like the idea of being able to look into the instrument cluster to see who's calling -- a little like what the old "Connects-to" products did to display caller information for Nokia phone kits in BMW trip computer displays.

I downloaded the press images from the Parrot site and I actually built a little cardboard mockup of the control box so i could figure out where to put it. The MKi 9100 has a wide, short display. A good place could be on the sunglasses holder (where the Lexus Link buttons were) but the wire to run that display up there might not be long enough. Maybe you could park it on top of the steering column; I'm not sure if it would block the central display. It's kind of tough... there's not much wasted space on these dashboards!

I've seen people put the CK3000 display above the left hand side air vent on the dash. The advantage of the MKi is that the display and control knob are separate. so you can put the display somewhere that's visible but not necessary in easy reach.

I've also wondered if a bracket could be fabricated so that the MKi9100's controller could be attached to the steering wheel hub where the Lexus phone system "command module" was installed on the LS400 and early LS430. Same as Blake, I don't particularly like the idea of attaching the MKi9100's wireless remote to the steering wheel rim.

I think the attach plate is stick on so in theory you could stick it to the side of the steering wheel behind the buttons that face you (if there is room).

Maybe I'll try these ideas some day ... my last ancient extra eBay "Eye-phone" just crapped out so maybe this is good time to modernize.

Dude....join the 21st century!

Hi, All!

I'm doing it today! :D

I finally made my decision (after months of researching and looking and waiting) and today I'm getting that 1999 Lexus LS400 I've been watching. It's only got 50,000 miles on it. It's beautiful: Alpine metallic (199), has traction control but does not have the dreaded air suspension.

Congrats welcome to the club!

I want to first of all thank this whole board and forum for existing! You guys provide a lot of information that's been really helpful. Secondly, if anyone has any additional suggestions, hints, etc. I'd love to hear them. I'm taking it to my mechanic Monday and having him go over the car. (I'm getting it from Carmax, so I can bring it back within 5 days if anything major is wrong.) I'm also going to have him replace the timing belt, since it's 10 years old. Any opinions on whether I should have him replace the water pump as well?

Yeah the timing belt sucks but you have to do it. Also the water pump; the tensioners and all the associated gaskets (usually it all comes as a kit). I just sucked it up and did it but now feel much less nervous when i have to really floor it. B)

With that low mileage some stuff might be wearing out from lack of use. The accessory drive belt might also be dried out; and i'd have them also check the radiator cap and hoses. Also some of the bushings in the front suspension might be drying out; sometimes you can just lube them up.

Also check out the door and sunroof seals; if they seem a little dry spray some Sonus or Aero 303 protectant on them... this solves a lot of strange creaking noises.

We want pix!

So at 85,000 miles and 8 1/2 years of life; I decided it was time to bite the bullet and replace my timing belt. During the diagnostic the tech also noticed that front lower control arm bushings were leaking (they are apparently filled with silicone) and pulled the CEL code to confirm my suspicion that my second engine oxygen sensor had croaked (note to self; replace all oxygen sensors in pairs from now on).

While the car was up on the lift (which was pretty impressive I must say) I asked about the notorious power steering solenoid screen. Apparently the LS430 doesn't have one; but while we were looking for it the tech noticed my water pump was leaking. We didn't think this was that much of a concern; it is after all almost 9 years old. All the more reason to replace it and the timing belt.

I dropped the car off the following Tuesday and the next day they called me with some bad news; the radiator was leaking. The plastic part right below the filler neck had cracked. Mike the lead tech there said his best guess was that something in the radiator cap release valve had failed; he said when he removed the cap the rubber pieces literally fell apart in his hands. He also believed that perhaps the water pump's leaking was due to pressure in the system being too high; and when he replaced it there was nowhere for the pressure to go. So it seems that the failure of this $15 part toasted a $400 radiator. He said in 15 years of working on Lexus cars he's never seen this happen on a car this young.

The good news is that the guys at Lexology felt so bad about not catching it that they didn't charge me labor to replace the radiator. The car also came back immaculately cleaned inside and out; they also steam cleaned the engine compartment; it looked brand new. As a bonus they also lubed and tightened my front stabilizer bar (which they diagnosed as the source of the crunching noise I used to hear intermittently from the front end when the car is cold). I haven't heard the noise since.

I may be imagining it but I think the car drives better than it has in a long time; it seems quieter and the engine seems smoother; they also replaced the accessory drive belt so that might be part of it. Mike also showed me all the parts they took off the car (I think if I had asked for them he would have given them to me). The timing belt was intact but seemed a little beat up; I'm glad i didn't wait too long.

Mike and Matt seem to run a real class act, Redondo Beach is a haul for me but I feel it's worth it. Other Angelenos might find it worth their while to give them a call.

So I guess the moral of the story is don't forget to check your radiator cap now and again; it could die sooner than you think.

I just went through this in LA. I shopped around; the Midas shop on the corner wanted $700 to replace the timing belt and water pump.

The indy shop I eventually went with charged me $850 to do the timing belt and water pump. They replaced both idlers, the seals, the pump, etc. They said they could do it for ~500 just replacing the seals but they strongly recommended against doing that. Since the car only has 85,000 miles on it I'm going to wait a couple of months and do the fluid flush which also comes with the 90,000 mile service.

FWIW the timing belt looked like it had been through the ringer; it wasn't fraying or anything but it definitely didn't look pristine. I sleep a little better at night knowing this is finally done.

FWIW Lexus of Riverside quoted me $2400 for the 90,000 mile service when I bought the car 4 years ago. It definitely pays to shop around.

Well it is a Lexus. Dealer labor rates are pretty high. They usually bundle in a bunch of other tasks and wrap a blanket around it and call it the 90k mile service. By bundling they make it hard to decompose the pricing and hence less trouble to justify it. Marketing 101 I guess.

In fairness it is a good bit of work to do. The disassembly and removal of the harmonic balancer on the crankshaft is not simple. Some cars don't require that step so it is much easier to do a TB. I find the location of the water pump and starter motor questionable in these cars. The progressive assembly leads to very expensive repairs. Hopefully Lexus designed in the best components case so while expensive to repair the likelihood is much lower. In the end maybe total lifetime costs are about the same.

I guess with the interference engines of the last few years you don't want to play Russian roulette with a timing belt too long. The downside costs would be several thousand to repair if the belt breaks. You'll have to determine your own tolerance to risk.

The Quickconnect harness wasn't available when I did my install. I know the first version of that harness only supplied power and muting to the Parrot and required an external speaker; I'm not sure if the second version routes the sound or not.

Either way the original Lexus OEM setup involves using only the Driver's side back door speaker, and you won't be able to tap just that speaker unless you run the wire into the door speaker directly or you use the technique described in the PDF to access the OEM connection point in the trunk.

The Parrot 3000 is an older kit and you won't get voice dial (or the ability to download your contacts if you have an iPhone). I would recommend the parrot 3200 or one of the new MKi kits; they have more advanced hardware and are iPhone compatible. The 3200LS screen though is the only one that will fit in the center storage box.

Also skip trying to put the mic up above you in the sunroof/dome light assembly; the sound is better if you put it at the top of the A-pillar or up near the rear view mirror and aim it at your face.

Good Luck!

Is there a 4th file? The 3rd PDF file kind of ended abruptly...

There is also an adapter harness from http://www.quickconnectproducts.com/Find/find.php Don't know why jainla didn't use it -- might not have been available at the time.

Nope, I just didn't have anything more to say... but if you have any specific questions I'm happy to try to answer them.

Is there a 4th file? The 3rd PDF file ended abruptly....

As promised; here's my detailed instructions on how I installed my Parrot 3200LS into my LS430.

There is also a beginning section answering all the random phone questions and detailling what I could find out about the whole Lexus phone setup.

The installation has the following features:

• Voice activated dialing (through carkit voice tags)
  
• Address book sync with my Blackberry 8700 on startup
  
• Sound through the left rear door speaker just like god (and Lexus) intended
  
• Microphone hidden in the overhead module out of sight
  
• Fold-away screen in the center storage box
  
• NO cutting or alteration of the car's wiring harness
  
• A connector for an external antenna (should I find a way to connect one to the crackberry)
  
• A very nice "L" wallpaper.
  

I use it quite a bit; I'm thinking about going back in and removing the front plastic cover of the microphone to get slightly better sound quality, but all in all it's been great and worth the effort.

I drove right behind one today in Redondo (ironically on the way to pick up the LS at the shop). Silver with dark interior; maybe a press car?

Kind of reminds me of the 1st gen prius, it was silver which I'm not sure is it's best color. Sure was shiny though....

:)

You can convert it; the part is not cheap however. You might also look into this tray:

http://www.l-tunedparts.com/product/?id=2478

from Lexus Japan that seems to install under the top part of the center armrest.

I have a 600. What would you like to know?

Greetings,

I just got my 2008 LS600hL this weekend. Great car, but where did the storage "cubbies" go? Is there a way to convert the ashtray into a stoage space? Where is a good place to store pens and stuff?

Thanks,

Hank

Hello everyone,

Just bought 2001 LS430 , it is pearl white exterior color, ivory interior with gray wood trim, it looks loaded with fridge at the back , but NO navigation system.

I get the car on Saturday and just wondering what package this LS would be?

What package is this LS ?

Thank you.

No nav and a fridge? I don't think that's possible but I guess we'll take your word for it. Does it have the screen?

Does the rear armrest have radio and rear seat controls? The door for the fridge and the ski pass-through I think are the same...open it and see what's behind it.

Well the 3 series BMW is no bigger than your IS300.

The LS430 is a great car for a baby because the rear seat is so roomy. I'm 28 and I'm shopping for an '05 or '06 LS430...

Steve is right these are completely different cars. The LS430 is more a 7 series fighter than the 3 series. It's quiet and safe; and extremely comfortable and refined. Aside from the very quick V8 engine it's not much of a drivers car; at least not in the way the BMW is.

The 3 series is a fun car; I've driven several in my time. All the BMWs are very athletic and very capable; they tempt you to really push the limits (which to me explains why so many owners of them are aggressive drivers...the car makes them feel that they can do anything).

The LS430 however is a more serene; relaxed car. It's the Lexus flagship; which means the feature level will probably exceed the 3 series in question; and the build quality is the best there is. The ride and comfort level will also far exceed the 3 series; and i can say from experience that strapping my little nephew into the back of the LS (and carrying around all his associated gear) is far easier than my brother's Vibe or my mom's Camry. The trunk on the LS430 is enormous.

The LS will also be more reliable and I expect cost less to own over the longer term; both in repairs and insurance; and it's gas mileage for such a large heavy car is actually quite good. While BMWs have certainly gotten better you can still expect more things to go wrong and to pay more to fix them.

i was 31 when I bought the LS430 and I must confess here in car obsessed LA people take me a little more seriously after they see it roll up to the valet stand. It's a very grown up, serious car.

Thank you dc!

Yeah blake, its the same color but the pictures of the Carmax car are washed out, the pictures of the first car are more realistic to what it looks like in person. Its a smokey brown color, similar to that new Truffle Mica that comes on those Pebble Beach RX's and ES's.

They had a Pebble Beach LS600hL at Lexus of Santa Monica when I was there on monday. That Truffle Mica is real nice.

I offered to live in the LS and pay monthly rent but somehow they didn't go for that...

Is that the briarwood? It's nice. I feel like looking for the UL package limits your color selection; the only ones I ever saw were silver white or black, with one blue one.

Here's a good looking car:

http://www.carmax.com/enUS/view-car/defaul...03-bb9b5fb63a31

Its in Tampa at Carmax, 29k miles, $30k.

Oh I definately want it...but I want to take my time and make sure I find the right car. I plan on having this car for a long time, and since its my first time buying used which I'm a little nervous about its gotta be the right car.

I agree. That's the game with pre-owned you have to sit and wait until you find the right car; it takes patience. I looked for almost 3 months for my LS.

You'll know it when you see it.

I've actually never driven one with the sport suspension, but I doubt it'd be for me. I like my cars as smooth and quiet as possible ;)

Supposedly it was great; it was my original choice but they are so rare I never saw one for sale in LA in 3 months of looking.

Good luck!