cardona6569

How much does computers run if bought new? HOw do you know yours was bad? I have a 1998 I want to know about these things before they happen, so when they do I can take the best action. Thanks in advance. C.PR

I have a 98 and mine is located if your descrpition is correct in the bottom of the radiator, left side or drivers side. When I was replacing the strut rod that was a site I had to be careful with. CPR

Yes it is time you open the pan and replace/clean that screen, if it continues have the trany run by the diagnostics. Have you changed fluid as per specifications every 15,000 miles? CPR

Go to www.partydown.com, they will sell you the antena for 30 to 50 bucks and you will have a replacement just as good as the OEM if not better, I had bought from them before. CPR

Then the Dealers in its aim to flush it, is more than correct since is just wire, when it is flushed it all should become clean. CPR

I have never changed the filter, Is that filter not made of paper, is it metal? SEcond, do you know if in the 98 every spark plug on top has a coil? CPR quote name='92Lex' date='Dec 29 2006, 03:39 AM' post='220662'] Change your transmission fluid everytime you change your spark plugs (30k). No, the transmission filter doesn't really have to be "replaced". You can just take it out and clean it with clean trans fluid, then replace the pan with a new gasket.

I am having a bit of a problem, I think it is with the coils. They are probably ready to be changed!. I have heard also the Fuel Filter that could be needing change. I would try both after 100,000 miles. CPR

I agree with SW03ES opinion. They use a specific car for test drives if they let you do that at all. So another car from another dealer's lot should be of no problems to you. If little or no miles let's say like 10 or less. My SUV which I bouth new had 17 miles more or less. CPR

I would not play with the transmition fluid, unless you want to spend 3,000 grand on a repair, change it as the manual states, or replace couple of quarts at every oil change, the ones you can drain with the drain of the tranny, but even so you will need to go in there at 100,000 or 150,000 to replace the filter, which involves removing the pan and resealing it with sealant, even as I think they sell some gaskets but these are no OEM. Second I would replace the sparks at 120,000, these engines run hot, thus creating a lot of carbon in the plugs and intake, so your plugs if not replaced will start to give problems. Third go to the UK forum and look how to clean your massairflow sensor, it is one inexpensive maintenance that will save in a lot of headaches later, it will cost you to do like 5 bucks and maybe half hour work. CPR

Well Thanks to the Forum members for their previous posts. I went and checked those, second I observed how the other side was, and adjusted and checked the strut rod bushing clearance on both sides. I also raised the side where I was changing the rod, like if it had a tire mounted on it. Third sent to the dealer for alignment. The dealer told me it was ll perfect. I saved over a 1000 dollars in parts and labor. The car runs like a dream. I also should had checked the previous postings on strut rods, which I did and helped me a lot. If anybody has problems changing theirs just do one side a time and raise the wheel like if it had the tire on it and was more less like it sits on the ground, that is the key. You do not need to remove the shocks, just the bracket and the sway bars bushings, at which time if you want to update your bushings is great because it saves you time. You do not need to mess with the tierods for nothing. You will need to jacks, one for the car the other to raise the lower arm to put it in position, being careful not to force the upper suspension rubber in the yoke assy. CPR

Put some fuel injector cleaner in the fuel tank, like seafoam it! SEcond if you have never chaged the fuel filter do so now. If it keeps happening then it may be the Computer as many have posted before about problems like this. Also a cleaning of the TB may be in order also if never done it. This is because I imagine your mechanic checked the mass airflow sensor and the air filter, if not done do so also, clean the mass airflow sensor and change or clean the air filter, change if more than 30,000 miles. CPR

If are going to buy, buy a 97 and up. 95 has darkened display issues. 96 has another issue. 97 is pretty good so is 98 and up. Even the 97 have some minor problems look at Edmund's for more info. Second just take the VIN to the Lexus dealer see what they have done to the car, the used car dealers just want to sell you a car without thinking of consequences with some rare exceptions. Never worry about money if you come back to the dealer or not, they just want the sale if the price is good for them, they become the best of friends. The car in the photo looks great but I just would not buy a 95, but if you are so inclined other than the display issues they should be ok. CPR Thanks! I hope all of you have a great holiday too. There is another LS400 in the area, but its a '95 and I like the styling of the '98s better. They look more aggresive. I would go look at it anyway, but I almost bought a car from the dealer with the Lexus, then backed out when they had lied to me about several important things regarding the deal. I don't want to go back there, and they probably don't want to see me either. So, I'll just wait. EDIT: Here's the other one I like in my area: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=230067881177. Like I said though, I didn't have a good experience with that dealer, so I probably won't be going to see it.

Thanks CPR for your reply. In answer to your question... no the lights are still not worrking. They are on in the daytime but as soon as I turn on the headlights they go off. What do you suggest I do????????

I do not think you have a problem just a characteristic of the car. Are the lights working now after you turned it on and off? I have a 98 and love it also, do not want to ride anything else. CPR

I have a 1998 LS: In one year, I have changed oil and filter, tires, one oxygen sensor, strut rod and brackets, air filter, cabin air filter. Then the rest has been driving, driving and driving. The items above none were broken but items the wore out or had to be replaced due to mileage besides the O2 sensor obviously. Basically one you go Lexus is hard to come out. I have a Nissan and a Pontiac, none of them compare with the Lexus, once you get inside you do not wish to drive nothing else. You will see. C.P.R

I changed my right strut rod, all nice til I put it all back, it is crooked at the front where the strut rod has the bushing. How do I adjust it? I know my alignment is all gone by now but I need to adjust it. Do I need to loose the tie rod, do I need to take it out of the rack? I also changed the base where the rod connects in the front. The dealer said It was cracked, the crack at least is not in the one on the right passenger side. Second does the 1998 has a solenoid in the Rack? Mine does not have adjustable suspension. My rack is leaking by the sides of the inner tie rods. Thanks in advance. C. PR I have read a lot about the rods, but not the questions I have.

You need to clean or replace the Mass Airflow sensor which is located next to the air filter and change the filter if dirty. I think that is your problem, because when the car idles not enough air passes by the air filter, when it accelerates then the sensor works, it is either disconnected or not working or just plain dirty like it may be the air filter also, that may need change. Use electronic parts cleaner to do the clean up. Look in the Lexus forum of UK for tutorial of such. Make sure to let us know what finally cures the dilemma C. PR

Well, you need to replace the tranny fluid and filter maybe not do a power flush but flushing it the old fashion way. wwwlexls.com have a tutorial on this. C. PR

Don't you love your Lex! I drove mine for about 8 hours and did not feel a thing! I am so happy with the brand that my dream job after I retire would be to become a salesman for Lexus, because, finally I can talk the truth about a car without having to lie about. I believe so much in the brand, that my first act as soon as I can would be buying a brand new unit just to show my clients how much I trust the Lexus Name. To me it would be a vacation instead of a Job, being part of the Lexus Family. I live in PR an Island with average yearly income of about 14,000 a year, and yet they are selling, at the only Lexus dealer about a 100 units per month. One of the employees told me the dealer is becoming too small for them, if they relocate this would be the 3rd time they do. The LS 460L is a killer of a car. C. PR

To know if the timing belt was changed first go to the Lexus dealer and with the VIN number of the car they will tell you if they have, if not look inside the car for maintenance records labels or anything that looks like a maintenance shop and call them to see. If not you must changed it and pretened it has not, also a mechanic could opened up and tell you what he thinks but that can be tricky. You could also call the previous owner, or have the dealer if non-Lexus find out for you. I believe the reason they sold it was to avoid doing the 90,000 mile maintenance which runs in about 1000-2000 depending where you live, and it includes changing the T. Belt. C. PR Thanks a lot guys. How do I know if the Timing Belt was changed? also how much is it for the belt and the job. Also, the motor has a slight vibration at higher RPMs. I suspect the engine mounts, but could it be the coils? and if so, how do I check? Maybe a spark plug?? Otherwise I love the car.

I think you got a good deal. Make sure the timing belt was changed at 90,000, it not do that at once. Second the VSC happens to me also I have the same car, just try this: Make sure you start the car with enough starter power, or in other words do not let go the ignition til the car is really started or like half a second longer than you been doing, and you will see it probably goes away, we baby this cars too much and let go of the ignition switch a bit too early that could be the problem, it has been in mine. But also this could signal that we have one of the ignition coils not working the best way they should, I will ask about that when I go for the 90,000 check up. Checking the battery is also a good thing, it may be going. Third clean the tb and make sure the tranny has fresh fluid every 15,000 along with oil every five thousand miles and you should be ok. If the VSC goes away after 15 seconds is just ok, make sure you have it switched on. C.PR

I am sure the Lexus EXecs if they read the comments made in this forum, they would be more than happy. Basically Lexus took the best of a Lincoln and Cadillac and made it marry with a reliable, economical for its size V8 and great electronic and there you have the Lexus. It is a great success and they are building the reputation that Mercedes once upon a time it had. C. PR

Do a search in the using the older post first, you shall find many examples of the use, also look in the ES 300/50 forums. I have used it and it is great product, no problems with sparks or O2 Sensors. CPR

Change the fuel filter if you have not. Clean the MAF sensor, the one after the air filter. If the air filter has more than 30,000 miles change it also, if it does not and it is extremely dirty that you cannot see the sunlight it needs replacement. C. PR

Hello: Unless the wires are in bad shape go to Radio Shack get some splices and put each wire where they correspond and you should have no problem, providing the sensor is intact. Disconnet negative power from the car before attempting to fix it. And fix it as long as the cables are color coded like a blue a white a black etc and match them by their colors if not that the case then do not. And do not forget to cover with tape all wires, so none of them is exposed and causes a short in the system, that should be done even if no attempt to splice the wires is done. A short from the ones that are not attached to the senor, the ones in the car harness could damage your computer. Are you getting a check engine light with the issue at hand? C. PR