1990LS400

Here is a link to a thread on Howard Forums which discusses the ISO connector issue and using an external speaker with the Parrot: http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?threadid=511176 I've seen detailed instructions on a phone forum or the Parrot website on exactly which Parrot kit wires can connect to an external speaker. It seems to be common practice to use an external speaker - some have used the same Nokia speakers we have since they are cheap and widely available. An external speaker isn't bad at all. Ours are in the drivers side footwells of our Camry and LS - they can't be seen unless you look under the dash and there is no problem in hearing the person you are speaking with. I've read numerous times that a connector meant for the optional "Lexus Link" has a mute point that can be used to connect to a phone kit. Was Lexus Link available on the SC430 in 2002? I think you just need to buy that Parrot kit and "dive in" and make it work! Installing a phone kit is not "brain surgury" afterall.

I suggest that you keep looking. When I sold my 90 LS in 2003 it had zero dings, converted A/C, completely up-to-date maintenance and a virtually perfect interior. People unfamiliar with Lexus cars thought it was new. My next door neighbor also purchased his 90 LS when new and sold it about the same time I did - it also looked and drove like new. You might find other very nice examples if you are patient. I've never seen any statistics but it seems like a much higher percentage of early LS400's had air suspension than later ones. Air suspension on the early LS got some really bad reviews in the automotive press for impairing the handling and has an awful reputation for requiring repairs and replacement. I recommend focusing on 93 and newer LS400's. There were huge improvements beginning in 93 including 16" wheels and larger tires, vastly improved brakes, slightly better headlights, passenger airbag, fully adjustible front passenger seat, in-dash CD player, another 10 h.p. - the list of improvements is incredible. Step up to a 95 and it gets even better with a longer wheelbase, larger interior, still more horsepower, and even better headlights. The peeling paint on the front bumper may be from improper body work where the bodyshop failed to use the paint additive necessary to allow paint to "flex" on plastic parts. Once painted incorrectly, it is difficult to strip and do properly. It happened to my 90 LS and it required a new bumper cover to fix. Another option is to consider a later model ES or even a Camry. Our V6 Camry has the same interior space of the old 90 LS (I measured both), costs far, far less to maintain, and is more fun to drive. The Camry/ES isn't as quiet or luxurious but is far easier on the budget.

Have you checked Tire Rack? When I checked a few weeks ago they had over 100 wheel models that would fit a 98 - 00 LS. I bought a set of 16" Millie Miglias from them that fits perfectly on my 00 LS and provides as good a ride as the OEM wheels. Be aware that some 16" wheels require that the tape on weights be positioned on the inboard or outboard of the wheel so that the calipers do not hit them. There should be fewer clearance issues with 17" wheels except that the ride quality will be worse. 20's are going to hurt but I guess it doesn't matter if "looks" are more important than comfort.

Sorry about the double post (don't know how that happened) and that it does not seem possible to attach to photo of my friends U.K. LS400.

Like I said in previous posts, there is little you can do to improve headlight effectiveness in the early U.S. spec LS400. I tried for over 13 years and mainly wasted money on "miracle bulbs" except for the inexpensive ($8 - $10) zenon/halogen bulbs which really did provide somewhat whiter light and filled in the "blob" beam pattern a little. All you will get with more watts or an HID kit is a brighter blob of light (and maybe some bulb explosions) that will blind oncoming drivers. Unlike the headlights on the 98-00 LS400 and the LS430, the beam pattern of the earlier LS400 was controlled by the external headlight lens. The external lens is the problem on the early LS! The only way I know to really improve lighting on an early LS400 is to install headlight units from European market LS400s - not easy to do since there are lots of extra electrical bits (bumper mounted fog lights, dash mounted beam control, additional and different wiring harness and connector differences) that would be very difficult to adapt to an early U.S. spec LS400. I priced Euro code LS headlight units in the early 90's but could not swallow the thousands of $$$ it would have cost to obtain and install them. At this point, the cost of installing Euro code LS headlights might exceed the value of your car. Attached is a pic of a former U.K. business associate's early LS400 - sorry Steve for the artwork I did on your face and number plate! His car was right hand drive but, if you look closely, you can see the sharp beam cutoff in the left headlight lens which was similar but reversed to the lens on the left hand drive LS400s sold in Europe. I'd recommend "suffering through" with the OEM headlights until you can buy a 95 or newer LS which has much better headlights. UK_LS400.bmp

Like I said in previous posts, there is little you can do to improve headlight effectiveness in the early U.S. spec LS400. I tried for over 13 years and mainly wasted money on "miracle bulbs" except for the inexpensive ($8 - $10) zenon/halogen bulbs which really did provide somewhat whiter light and filled in the "blob" beam pattern a little. All you will get with more watts or an HID kit is a brighter blob of light (and maybe some bulb explosions) that will blind oncoming drivers. Unlike the headlights on the 98-00 LS400 and the LS430, the beam pattern of the earlier LS400 was controlled by the external headlight lens. The lens is what is the problem on the early LS! The only way I know to really improve lighting on an early LS400 is to install headlight units from European market LS400s - not easy to do since there are lots of extra electrical bits, including bumper mounted fog lights and a dash mounted beam control, that would be very difficult to adapt to an early U.S. spec LS400. I priced Euro code LS headlight units in the early 90's but could not swallow the thousands of $$$ it would have cost to obtain and install them. At this point, the cost of installing Euro code LS headlights might exceed the value of your car. Attached is a pic of a former U.K. business associate's early LS400 - sorry Steve for the artwork I did on your face and number plate! His car was right hand drive but, if you look closely, you can see the sharp beam cutoff in the left headlight lens which was similar but reversed to the lens on the left hand drive LS400s sold in Europe. I'd recommend "suffering through" with the OEM headlights until you can buy a 95 or newer LS which has much better headlights.

I don't know any any reason why a BlueTooth or wired car kit for a portable handset could not be added to a GX. I've read that a mute point can be found on the Lexus Link wiring harness - to automatcially mute your audio system when a call is received or made. BlueTooth kits usually come with a small wired control module that adheres to your dash. A wired kit for a portable handset might entail mounting a phone cradle on a bracket or leather console. Blake918 recently installed a phone kit and hooked up the mute on his 95 LS - search for his recent post. I installed phone kits in our 00 LS and 98 Camry and hooked up the mute function on both.

The link under "BlueTooth Technology" on the 2006 GS "Interior" page at www.lexus.com says: "3. FAQ - Can the Bluetooth handset work without the Navigation System? No – the Bluetooth functionality is only available on selected navigation equipped vehicles. " http://www.lexus.com/models/gs/interior.html

I checked several supposedly professional automotive information websites today about this issue. It is disappointing that there is so little agreement on which Lexus engines are interference and which are not. Although I am "fairly certain" I know which Lexus years and models have interference engines, I suggest that you do some research to find out for yourself. Speak with a variety of dealer mechanics (not service writers) and mechanics at indy repair shops. Ask them if they have ever had to repair an engine that was damaged when the timing belt broke. There are just too many different opinions floating around about this important issue. My 2000 LS has an interference engine. My 90 LS did not have an interference engine - no damage was done when the timing belt broke (caused by water pump failure) at 84,000 miles.

Now that all the windows and the sunroof have one-touch auto close feature, is it really a big deal to touch three switches to automatically close the sunroof and two back windows after using the remote's auto open feature? I think the intent of having the remote open all the windows and the sunroof is to allow hot air to escape from the interior as you approach the car on a very hot day - at least that is why I use this feature as I leave work each hot summer afternoon. My guess is that being able to close the windows with the remote is a safety issue. Even with the window's "pinch protection" feature, being able to repeatedly try to close windows with a remote could really "hammer" a pet or small child having a body part sticking out a window that you could not see from where you are standing or if you are walking away. And what if pinch protection fails? Of course I have never stuck anything (e.g. my hand) between the window and window frame to see how much force is applied before pinch protection automatically reverses the window. Anyone want to stick his head out his window and then press the "auto up" window switch to find out? Might get you a "Darwin Award"! ;)

Blake, You did an absolutely great job on this project. Most of all you showed that sometimes one just has to just roll up his sleaves and tear into a car to get an understanding of how everthing fits together. It's been fun!

It would be a little premature to get particularly concerned. On the two LS400's I have owned over the past 15 years, I found that something as simple as a bad battery can cause about the same symptoms as your 98 LS experienced. If your car hit a bump just before it lost power and if the battery is at or near four years old, the battery or a battery connection could be the problem. When my 00 LS lost power last year when it was almost exactly four years old, a new battery fixed the problem - just like it did on my previous LS when it lost power. Of course, it could be something else, but let's hope not.

I've bought one set of wheels and many sets of tires from Tire Rack and have been very happy with their prices, fast service and products. As of today, Tire Rack lists 97 different wheel models that fit a 2001 GS430 --> http://www.tirerack.com/upgrade_garage/Whe...01&autoModClar=

The C-BES settings are set with a handheld device that the dealer (and probably repair shops) has. I would have to look at my repair manuals for information on what the devise is called.

I probably used the wrong term - it may be "C-BES". Here is list of settings which I think are supposed to be for the 98-00 LS and which were sent to me by 99lsguy. C_BES_Codes.doc

If you use the search function of this forum you will find past topics about the autolock function not being a CBEST setting on the 98-00 LS. I can't remember if the auto-unlock function is available on a 98-00 but I would not want it anyway since it could be a safety/security issue.

millburn, At this point, if your head explodes, I'm not sure that will be a bad thing!

http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_detail/es/300/2002.html says your car has a "Power moonroof". Is that good enough for you?