BLAZER

well I finally got a chance to drive about 150 miles on the highway today, and I can say the smoothness and the acceleration are much improved. thanks to new big400 for the advice to take apart the intake and clean it while I had it off.

Ok everything is back together,and she is running fine. I did clean the TB. seems to be a lot smoother than before.it takes awhile but it gives you the oppurtunity to get to know your car,and you can appreciate why a shop charges what they do to do this job.

Well I decided to do this myself today. I got the intake off and the starter removed. quite a job. I took the manifold apart ,as suggested in the post above,and cleaned everything nice and shiny. I am putting a new starter from lexus in. I didn't want to just replace the contacts as the car has over 90k,and I sure don't want to do this again. its not rocket science but it does take time and patience.I don't see how the starter could be removed without removing the intake. thanks to all who helped by providing info.

Thanks to all. I haven't decided if I will do this myself. I checked some local shops for estimates and here is what I found.

1. only lexus dealer in town-to replace starter= 1400.00

2. private shop works on japanese only- replace starter=585.00 with reman. bosch starter. 685.00 with reman. denso starter. bosch 2 yr. warranty, denso 1 yr. warranty

3. private shop imports only- remove starter,check starter may only need contacts if so=375.00 if I have it done I will probably use this shop obviously because of price,and they were the only one to mention the contacts are known to be a problem. again thank you especially for the link to the starter replacement PDF

You need a starter. This problem has been mentioned many, many times in this forum. The GS400 starter is labor intensive to change, thus expensive.

To do the job by the book, at least 3 hours is required. New gaskets for the throttle body and intake manifold will be needed. The engine coolant must be drained somewhat and refilled.

Some people (in these forums) claim that it is possible to remove the starter without removing the intake manifold. I cannot see how or why you would want to put yourself through that. Then again, anything is possible.

Thank you for your reply. are there any detailed instructions on this forum, I tried the search but only found for a GS 300 which didn't mention the intake manifold. is this something I can do or should I take it in. it is a 1999 GS400 with 92,000 mi. thanks again

Hi all, I have a 99 GS400.lately but only some times when I go to start I get a single click,but engine does not turnover. if I turn the key several times I get a click then it turns over and starts fine. I don't know it its the battery because it seems to turn over fine most of the time,but it is the original battery. I thought it might be the terminals but I cleaned them and it was ok for a while ,but just today I got the click first thing this morning. but it started ok after a few clicks. anybody have any idea what might be going on. thanks for any suggestions.

I need some help. my oem stereo 99 GS400 the display is all jumbled. I searched and found that this has been a common problem, and the fix is to replace the LCD indicator assy. this is part no CWM4319 as listed on the pioneer website for 85.00. my question is this. the vehicles discussed on the forum topics I found doing a search all listed older es and ls models, so I'm not sure if that part no would work on my vehicle. I called pioneer, and they said they needed the stereo model no to verify. does anyone know how to find out the model number without removing the stereo from the dash. or if part no CWM4319 is in fact the correct no. the oem stereo is the Lexus premium sound system with cassette, and 6 disc cd changer in the glove box. no navigation. I called the dealer and he said the model no was on the cassette opening which does have p1708 on it but pioneer said that was not the no. the dealer also did not no this could be fixed without replacing the whole unit. any help is appreciated.

Nobody with a GS has had a similar problem?

I just bought a 1994 gs300. I love it!!!! It has 75,000 miles . I want to give it a tune-up, but I would really like some help on what brands of products I should buy and what should I replace when I tune it up. I know how to perform a tune-up, but sometimes cars that are very computerized can be effected if you don't do something the right way. I am having the transmission fluid replaced and the filter and flushing it. I am also having the fuel injectors cleaned. I do not know when the last tune-up was done so I am not going to take any chances. I do know that the previous owners would always take it to lexus to get anything and everything done to it. Can anyone give this new lexus owner some advice. I'm not trying to be rude, but if you respond please be experienced.

From my experience, do what the previous owners did. take it to lexus. they know your vehicle best. and you can enjoy your car and not worry about it.

I need some help. my oem stereo 99 GS400 the display is all jumbled. I searched and found that this has been a common problem, and the fix is to replace the LCD indicator assy. this is part no CWM4319 as listed on the pioneer website for 85.00. my question is this. the vehicles discussed on the forum topics I found doing a search all listed older es and ls models, so I'm not sure if that part no would work on my vehicle. I called pioneer, and they said they needed the stereo model no to verify. does anyone know how to find out the model number without removing the stereo from the dash. or if part no CWM4319 is in fact the correct no. the oem stereo is the Lexus premium sound system with cassette, and 6 disc cd changer in the glove box. no navigation. I called the dealer and he said the model no was on the cassette opening which does have p1708 on it but pioneer said that was not the no. the dealer also did not no this could be fixed without replacing the whole unit. any help is appreciated.

hey all,

when i'm going 80mph in my 99 gs300, my revs are at 3000rpm. is that normal? i would have thought that a luxury car would rev lower at that speed? also at 75mph, my rev is at about 2750rmp.

please let me know how many rpm you're doing at 75 and 80. thanks.

I have a GS400,and at 75mph the tach reads just under 2400rpm. I don't know if the transmission and gearing are the same for both the GS300 & GS400.

I just replaced my HID bulbs on my 99 GS400 with OEM HID's. I bought the PIAA D2S 6000K bulbs because the place I bought the bulbs did not have D2R's, and it seems to me by looking at the two bulbs side by side that the D2S would be better because they lack the reflective coating on the top of the bulb.

Anyway, I had to cut a notch in the plastic on the base of the bulb so they would fit in my housing, but this was very easy. The light looks great, it is slightly bluer than OEM, but it is not at all purple or ricey. One concern I had about the lack of the coating on the bulb was glare for oncoming drivers but I drove all over tonight without anyone flashing their brights at me.

All in all i think the PIAA bulbs are well worth it since I paid $300 for the pair, and the dealership wanted $370 for one, especially since there is a big improvement in light quality.

I paid 144.00 for a D2R oem replacement bulb at advance auto parts. but a web site hid-lights.com had the 6000k bulbs listed as D2R replacements for 86.00 for 2. I did not no what the light of the 6000k would look like so I decided to stay with the oem. I don't like the purple look.

Just bought the 360 yesterday at Micro Center $399. they just got 6 that morning. right place at the right time.

I have a 99 GS400.is there a modification that can be done to have the doorlocks lock when the car is put in gear. I have this on my other vehicles and miss it on the GS. I did a search but found nothing. Thanks in advance for any help.

how does the normal cycle turn the lights off when in auto?

You turn off the car and the lights shut off after you open a door correct?

They need to emulate the door being opened.

I have a clifford with remote start ( a high end alarm company that DEI bought a few years ago) . I don't use the headlights in auto as i always drive with them on .

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When the headlights are in the AUTO position, I never have to turn them on or off. The daytime running lights are always on, when it gets dark enough outside the sensor is tripped and the headlights come on. When I park it at night and turn the car off, the headlights stay on. Once I am out of the car and push the lock button on the factory key remote from Lexus once, the doors will lock, but the headlights are still on. About one minute later the headlights turn off. If I push the lock button twice the doors will lock and the headlights turn off immediately. If I do not lock the doors I think, that the lights will turn off after the delay has expired? Not sure though, I always lock my doors.

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Hey does anyone have a cargo net in their GS? If yes, where does it anchor?

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I don't get it,here in Ohio the difference between 93 octane and 87 octane is usually 20cents or less.thats less than 4.00 a tank. why would you not go with recommended higher octane.

I bought a "pre owned" 2000 es 300 2 years ago,  The car had 69,000 miles on it.

It now has 103,000 miles.  I put 34,000 miles on it. in a little over 2 years. During a routine maintenace check at the dealer , they said that i need a new timing belt, water pump and seals. the package would be $1,300.  I live southern california.

A lexus should not need a timing belt.  Iknow people that have BMW'S and Cadilliac's with similar mileage  and have not had to have this done .  WHAT gives?

IS 1300 TOO MUCH FOR THIS SERVICE????

cbes300

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Thats pretty close to what I paid for similar service at the Lexus dealership. I know you can have it done for less at other than a Lexus dealer. it just depends on your comfort level with the shop doing it.

The Falken Ziex 512 is good tire at a very good value for an all season tire.

I had one light that would work sporadically.one time it would come on next time it wouldn't. this went on for quite a while, until it finally would not come on at all. it turned out to be the bulb. I replaced it myself using directions found on this forum. I wanted to stay with the oem lighting so I found a bulb from advanced auto parts.price was 144.00 lexus dealer wanted over 300.00 bulb is D2R 35w

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Do you remember where the instructions were found for changing the bulb? Is advanced auto parts online or local?

Thanks

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My driver side HID light goes purple right after it is turned on, and it is frequently just turning off. I know this could be either the bulb or the balast, but what is the most common cause?

I know switching the bulbs would tell me, but getting the bulbs out and back in is an extreme PITA (I might be doing this all wrong, maybe someone can give a brief description on how to swap bulbs). Also the ballasts that I have seen online do not appear to be model specific, so if I buy a ballast would it be plug and play?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

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I had one light that would work sporadically.one time it would come on next time it wouldn't. this went on for quite a while, until it finally would not come on at all. it turned out to be the bulb. I replaced it myself using directions found on this forum. I wanted to stay with the oem lighting so I found a bulb from advanced auto parts.price was 144.00 lexus dealer wanted over 300.00 bulb is D2R 35w

Good info....I'm coming up on my 90k soon.  I'm the second owner so I'd like to see the maintenance records.  Must be nice to know your car was serviced on a regular basis.

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Yea, I thought that was a good part of having the service done at the dealer. it gives you that warm fuzzy feeling knowing your vehicle was maintained resonably well.

I have the ZE 512 on my GS. they are remarkably quiet. have yet to try them in the snow.glad to here your results.

That pricing seems pretty reasonable <_<

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I forgot to include they also replaced the engine air filter and the ac filter.the best part is that since I'm not the original owner I got to see the maintenance history for the vehicle. it was well cared for according to the service rep.

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Mention the dealer, That sounds like a pretty good deal.

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Germain Lexus

That pricing seems pretty reasonable <_<

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I forgot to include they also replaced the engine air filter and the ac filter.the best part is that since I'm not the original owner I got to see the maintenance history for the vehicle. it was well cared for according to the service rep.

Ok decided to go to Lexus dealer for service. this is what was done.

1. Timing belt replaced

2. water pump replaced

3. serpentine belt replaced

4. Transmission flushed,filter replaced, new fluid

5. Rear differential flushed, new fluid

6. cooling system flushed, new coolant

7. Brake lines bled, new fluid

8. Brakes checked, advised both at 80%

9. Tires tread depth checked,and rotated

10. Replaced wiper blades

11. checked plugs,advised still in great shape, replace at 120,000 mi. service

12. advised pulleys, seals ok no excess wear or signs of leakage

13.Received complimentary set of all weather floormats(this is what made me wonder if I got hosed)

14. free loaner car(05, RX300)

Total bill 1228.17 I hope this wasn't too out of line. at least I have peace of mind knowing someone familiar with my car did the service.