1990LS400

Is the refrigerant in the A/C system at the proper level? Consider using an automotive stethoscope to pinpoint the location of the noise but be VERY careful using one around moving parts. If your A/C putting out cold air while it is humming? I've had a noticeable humming sound from the engine compartment when my A/C is on since I bought my 00 LS in 2003 at 38,000 miles. I probably notice the hum because the engine is otherwise nearly silent at idle. Have you removed the trim covering the seat belt retraction mechanism to take a look? The trim panel pops off easily but do it carefully as these parts become brittle with age.

<_< :( :o :P :cries: :) B)

The answer is still "Route ... Preferences". All OEM and aftermarket navigation units work basically the same way and have settings to use or avoid freeways, toll roads, secondary roads; fastest way, shortest distance; etc., etc.

Check page 100 of your navigation manual. Route ... Preferences

Time to turn up the old hearing aid? :whistles: Seriously ... I can't hear the flashers on my car and I learned to pay more attention. Some people have talked about replacing the flasher unit on various Lexus models with ones they could hear but I don't remember anyone saying they actually did it. Introducing more noise into an LS? travesty!

Halim, that is an absolutely excellent tutorial. Maybe you will have to do another tutorial about that Parrot phone kit you installed in your RX! ... couldn't resist saying that. Really, that was an excellent job.

These cars can go a looong way if well maintained. Who cares about the book value. If you like the car and can keep from crashing and totaling it, it can be good economics to keep cars to high mileages. I sold my 1990 in 2003 at 183,500 miles after owning it from new. The person I sold it to drove it from Kansas City to Portland Oregon last week pulling a 5x8 loaded trailer -- and the car now has 290,000 miles on it. Maybe it was bad economics, but I had the expensive 180,000 mile service performed on my 90 LS before I sold it 3,500 miles later. I'm just that way -- I don't sell cars that haven't been maintained to spec. With all that said, the 98-up LS400 and LS430 sure comes with some great features as standard. Now that I've had it, I would never consider another car that did not have a stability control system. And I love the HID headlights that are usually on the 98 LS400, almost always on the 99-00 LS400 and standard on the LS430. The LS430 is a huge step up in technology over the 98-00 LS400 and early LS430's are getting quite low priced. I'd prefer an LS430 over a 98-00 LS400 just for the LS430's audio system which allows you to add all sorts of interfaces like iPod and Sat radio. The following webpage has a summary of differences among model years: http://www.lexls.com/info/lsgenerations.html

Billy, did I give you permission to use my photos and show my gnarled and wriggled old hand? :whistles:

You can find fuel economy and gasoline specifications for all these cars at http://www.fueleconomy.gov/!Removed!/findacar.htm For older cars, the fuel economy figures have been adjusted downward to more closely resemble real world experiences and usually are lower than the original gas mileage ratings. As far as I am concerned, the difference between the price of premium and regular gasoline is a "nit" -- been averaging 20 cents for quite a few years which is currently only about 5%. Fuel costs seem awfully minor compared to the overall cost of owning a Lexus.

I'm not aware that the doors can be made to lock automatically when the car is shifted into gear. Is yours doing this? Attached is a list of all the settings that can be customized by a dealer or repair shop with a handheld scanner and the correct program card. One of the biggest repairers of Lexus radios happens to be in Florida: http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalLexusLS400str1.htm Or maybe forum member dcfish will reply with ideas. Yes, the rear light bulbs are easily replaced. The ones in the trunk lid are replaced by opening the little flaps secured by velcro and sticking your hand in the openings to unscrew and remove the bulb sockets.. To replace bulbs in the fender mounted rear light units, open the trunk and for each light assembly you will see two plastic caps. Pop off the plastic caps, remove the screws that are behind them and then pull the light assembly away from the car. Then unplug the sockets and replace the bulbs. CBES.pdf

There are plenty of simple solutions (FM modulator, cassette adapter, etc.) but all of them are deeply flawed. "Breaking into the dash" to install a top quality iPod interface is not difficult. One hour of your time and less than $250 of your money for an interface product like one from VAIS (check eBay) would give you a top notch iPod/iPhone music interface that you could control from your nav screen. If you are looking for a "magic" solution, I don't know what that would be.

No it does not come with an aux jack but you might check to see if it already has an aftermarket iPod or aux-in interface installed. The interfaces from VAIS are particularly good since they allow control of an iPod through the navigation screen. Some people have installed Parrot MKi series Bluetooth phone kits into SC's of this vintage to get both Bluetooth phone and an iPod interface. A person on ClubLexus even piggybacked both together so you would have the nav screen iPod interface and Bluetooth but I don't think he reported if he ever got it to work.

This problem has also been reported as being a result of a horrible medical condition called "T.P.S.". T.P.S. = "Tight Pants Syndrome" Seriously, it has been discussed on Lexus forums and forums for other makes. I don't think I have ever lowered car windows like that - my pants are NOT that tight! - but I have locked and unlocked our cars numerous times over the years while the cars have been in the garage when a button on a car key in my pants pocket came in contact with something else in my pocket. I suspected that it was a Swiss army knife that was depressing a key button so I have since carried it in my left pocket and car keys in the right pocket. In just the last week or two I knelt down to use my tire gauge on a tire and "clunk", I heard my wife's car doors lock. The buttons on the key fob or her Camry are especially easy to push so it's usually the car that is affected.

Thanks. I take somewhat obsessively good care of it. I've driven it since 2003 / 38,000 miles to it's current 138,000 miles and still like it a lot.

Several photos are in my gallery - here is a link to one: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?app=gallery&module=images&section=viewimage&img=818 The tint is 35% Llumar gray metalized tint on the side windows. 35% gray non-metalized tint was used on the back window to keep from degrading phone and radio reception since the antennas for both are imprinted on the inside of the back window. The eyebrow on the windshield is about 20%. All is in compliance with Kansas statues. If I was in a state where it is allowed, I would prefer to have 20% on the rear side windows but would still probably use 35% on the front side windows.

If I remember correctly the label on the drivers door jam that has the tire pressures is the same label that has the VIN number and color codes. You can view an online owners manual for your Lexus without registering at https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/info/my-lexus/resources/owners-manual-search.do

What a car of that age is worth is mostly dependent on condition, mileage and local demand. Lowering the tire pressure from 35 to 29 should help the ride a lot. I don't know what "Tr Touring" tires are so I can't comment on their ride and handling characteristics. Some tires ride more harshly/softly than others. My opinion is that, yes, pressing new bushings into the strut bars is a false economy and may produce worse results. OEM strut bars with their factory installed bushings are pretty inexpensive.

I wouldn't use the word "dumb" but most people tend to believe service writers. And most people do not have the knowledge or skills to verify that they are being told the truth when it comes to car repairs. Why are you taking this so hard? That's just the way it is and the way many American businesses operate - not just car dealers.

I am assuming by "radius arm" you are referring to the strut bars and bushings which when worn out are one of the most common causes of front end steering sloppiness and vibrations at highway speeds on the 95-00 LS400. An arrow in the attached diagram points to a strut rod. Is this what was replaced? My "vote" to help your problem would have been for bad strut bars and bushings - usually need replacing every 75-100K miles on the 95-00. But if you've already replaced them, then that's probably not it. I'm a little surprised that you are replacing ball joints at 132,000 miles. The ones on my 2000 LS400 are still fine at 138,000 miles and I'm guessing they will last far longer than the ones on my first, generation one LS400 where actually did have to be replaced by around 138K miles. My strut bars/bushings were shot by 80,000 miles and I'm not going to wait as long to replace them a second time. I've been assuming that your car has the standard steel spring suspension. It doesn't have air suspension, does it? If your car has more than one rocker switch on the left side of the gear shift, it has air suspension which would change the game completely. What pressure do you have your tires at and does the sticker on the drivers door jam recommend 29 psi like on my 00 LS400? I can tell a difference in the ride (i.e. harsher) when tire pressures are just a few pounds too high. What kind of tires are on the car, how old are they, have they been road forced balanced and checked for defects? I've had significant vibration issues from a defective tire that was so bad that it could not be balanced. IMO, these car take more attention to tire balance because these cars are so otherwise smooth that an out of balance or defective tire is more obvious that on most cars. The front suspension seems to be the "achilles heal" of LS400's. But once you get it sorted out you should be good for another 138,000 miles - except for those dang strut bars/bushings which usually need replacing more often.

If you are talking about the microphone amplifier, the attached diagram shows part numbers and where it is located. I have no idea how you tell which one you need. It looks like you would need to pop off the overhead light module in the headliner - very easy to do on my LS and probably would be on your RX. I suspect you will have to pry out the plastic lens cover and will then have access to screws that hold the module to the roof of your RX. When I searched http://lexus.sewellparts.com for the part numbers, I found part number 86290-50020 but it was listed only for the LS430 and at $47.24 (for a 2006 LS430) which is a discounted price (retail $77.41) if registered with a car forum member name. The amplifier is apparently shared among Lexus models. I also see part number 86250-48020 listed at $81.31 for an 06 RX350. You could also try http://www.lexuspartsnow.com/lexus-rx400h-parts.html People have their favorite online parts suppliers and a number of others have been listed in the past on this forum. You could ask your nearest Lexus dealer for information about which amplifier you need or send an inquiry to one of the online suppliers.

The main thing is that you are happy with your dealer. That's great! The problem some of us on this forum have is that we often know more about Lexus cars and automotive technology in general than dealer service writers who are often salesmen/saleswomen operating from a script. Auto dealer employees can be under a lot of pressure to "up-sell" and produce revenue. I know. I retired after 31 years from a company that, besides being the leading insurer of U.S. franchised auto dealers, provided training to auto dealer employees on how to up-sell and increase revenue. I feel so dirty! I've used the same independent Lexus repair shop - owned by my favorite former Lexus dealer service writer - since he opened in 1996 but have continued to take cars to the Lexus dealer for simple repairs - road force wheel balancing, alignments, etc. I wish I could trust the Lexus dealer. A darned "head hunter" tracked me down and persuaded me to un-retire last year and make a 5-year commitment to work a few blocks from the Lexus dealer. The dealer would be wonderfully convenient, but having a dealer service writer tell me 17,000 miles ago that my front brakes were worn out and dangerous wasn't an indicator that they've changed for the better. At least the Lexus dealer has been consistent during my 21+ years of dealing with them. A set of OEM repair manuals can pay for themselves over and over. I almost always buy a set when I buy a car. Information is power. I've had some humorous experiences pulling out my repair manuals and even owners manuals to explain repair operations to service writers and mechanics. Information on car forums can help but keep your B.S. filter operating at all times.

That is an excellent way to gauge how much brake pad life is left. Forget about using a micrometer to measure. Just use a nickle which is 2 millimeters thick or even a dime which is just over 1 millimeter thick. Even if a person drives like he's in a NASCAR race, front brake pads on an LS430/430 that are 2 millimeters should still have at least 5,000 miles of life left before they get down to the 1 millimeter recommended replacement thickness.

Not really. Maybe you could conference me in next time you call them. :whistles:

It's the "1% left on front brakes" I'm finding bizarre. Do the math: 1% * 12 mm = .12 of a millimeter. That's right at the average thickness of a human hair! Based on nearly 300,000 miles of driving these "big heavy" LS cars in mainly city/urban driving, I would expect front brake pads on pre-2007 LS cars to last between 70,000 and 75,000 miles on cars mainly used in city driving and if the brake pads are changed at the recommended minimum 1 mm thickness. Brake pads wear at very different rates on different Lexus models and particular in the most recent model years where they seem to wear much faster. Your LS front brake pads may be completely worn out at 45,000 miles. I'm just curious about how much front brake pad thickness is really left. It is most likely way more than 1%.

Ontario statutes including those related to driving can be read at http://www.search.e-laws.gov.on.ca The Ontario Careless Driving statue is general as in most jurisdictions and carries no mention of food: "Every person is guilty of the offence of driving carelessly who drives a vehicle or street car on a highway without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the highway and on conviction is liable to a fine of not less than $400 and not more than $2,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and in addition his or her licence or permit may be suspended for a period of not more than two years. 2009, c. 5, s. 41." I found no mention of food in any Ontario statute related to driving -- but look for yourself.