DaveMcKenz

Hi, I have the original 12 disc CD changer from my 92 sc400. I have it repaired once, and it stopped working again. I sent it back and I was told that if I try to play CD=R's in it, the laser will malfunction. I have stopped using it. I was thinking of changing to the 6 disc changer from the 96 es300 which I have heard is better. Do they play CD-R's? Is the CD-R problem real? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the help. I'll try to take some pics.

Bulb socket is located all the way at the end near the fender. Just reach in there and unplug the connector and twist the socket and out pops the bulb. Just replace and follow reverse order! Thanks Kramer, Do I remove belly pan or wheel well liner for access?

Nothing against LexTech, but you don't really need to send it to them for just changing out the backlighting. It's TOO easy, as long as you take your time and are careful...the needles maybe, but not the backlighting. It will take about 10 minutes to get the cluster out, 10 minutes to swap out the bulbs and 10 minutes to reinstal the cluster. The large bulbs for the speedo and tach are part no. 83119-24570 (14 volt, 3 watt, blue cap bulbs). If you order the required 8 from Lexus, it'll cost you $74.03. Go to the local Toyota dealership and order the same part number and it'll cost you $46.48. It'll be such a nice change from the burned out or yellowish (burned off the original bue cap) tint. I'll gladly walk you through it if you like, let me know. /////////////////// BTW, if you ever need to repair your climate control, send it to Mikado Technology Company in South San Fran... Mikado Technology Company 1435 Huntington Ave, Suite C South San Francisco CA 94080-5974 (650) 615-9966 Really nice people (I met them last time I was in Cali and delivered my climate control to their door) and they do a fine job. They can replace burned out bulbs and the blacked out LCD screen on your climate control for $195 (includes shipping back to you). They can replace the needles with LEDs in the backside of the needles it'll look like new for $243. They can also replace the bulbs in back while their at it, but I recommend you going with replacing them yourself. If you need to rpair your needles, just remove your cluster, have it packed and ensured through FedEx or UPS and they can turn it very fast. The $243 includes shipping back to you. Lextech only charges $20 to replace the backlighting. It sounds like a bargain compared to $74 or $46 just for parts. It was one of those while you are at it jobs for mine.

I am having no success photographing the cluster. The automatic exposure system keeps over-correcting. I am so far unable to capture a likeness to what my eyes see.

My left cornering light is not working. What is the best way to get at the buld to change it? Thanks.

wrong forum

I will try to photograph the lextech needles this weekend. Lexucan: Nice write-up and nice procedure!

Awsome, I would like to see your results when you get it back. The ones I have seen so far have looked very nice, im sure they will look great! Thanks for the info btw. I got my instrument panel back in 14 days. (Removal and re-installation was easy.) The needles are functional. If you read all the info on the lextech website, they explain a number of things. Red needles are the dimmest but that is all you can use if your original needles are red, as mine were. The brightness of the needle falls off from center to tip thus are called "waterfall type" needles. When I installed mine, they worked OK. I can read where they are indicating. The needles do not look exactly like they are pictured on the website. I am not saying they are deceptive at all; I think it's an effect of the way they are photographed. With the naked eye, you can really see the waterfall effect, because they are pretty dim near the tip. They suggested it might be the instrument light dimmer, but that was already on full bright and didn't improve at other settings. BTW I also had them replace my backlighting as a preventative, and that came out fine. I would say that for $120 + shipping 2 ways, I'm pretty satisfied. They don't compare to original, but for MUCH LESS $, they give you readable instruments. If you can use some of their brighter colors such as blue or white, they may be perfect. I'm glad there are specialty vendors that choose to provide such products.

They work OK if you have R134. Most attach to the low pressure service port, on the compressor on my sc400. Assuming you have a slow leak, you can add some until the gauge reads in the proper range. Do this with the engine and a/c running. It's not as accurate as evacuating and a calibrated refill, but it can get you through for a while.

Yep. Not with proper alignment, street driven semi-legally, barring manufacturing defect in tires.

Hi Brendan, The fittings are different and incompatible. The R12 fittings are smaller than the R134. If conversion was done professionally there will be a warning sticker informing of the fact with oil type added and refrigerant weight. Your a/c mechanic will know instantly what you have. If you are doing this yourself you can probably only get R134 with hoses to match. I suggest you take it to an a/c shop; they will evaluate it, then evacuate the system and fill with the proper weight of R134 or top it up with R12, whichever is appropriate. Good luck.

I think it conflicts with the integrated design of the sc coupe, especially the early models. IMO it's a little "pretend racecar", for such a sophisticated design. On the other hand everyone should make their car suit their own tastes.

I think it's lextech.org. I sent my cluster to them on July 1 for needles and standard backlighting replacements. The cost is $120 + shipping both ways. I'll post the results of their service when I get it back.

I concur, The amp location is deplorable in the early sc's. They always get wet and fry. If you find out that is the problem I will get you a amp that works with the waterproofing instructions. ;) I've already replaced mine. What waterproofing procedures do you advise? Thanks in advance.

If it drops below 12.4V what would the problem be? Thanks

I think the antenna mast is only for AM, depending on year. On my '92 I have it permanently retracted and the rear window FM antenna works fine. YMMV

Bump This doesn't ring a bell?? Looks like I have to buy the whole antenna w/motor and deal with fishing the coax to the HU. Please let me know otherwise. Thanks in advance, Dave McK>

Hi, I enjoy your forum and I hope you guys can help my 92 SC400. I had a broken antenna mast; no problem I put in a new mast and seems to work fine except when it goes down the motor keeps running for 10 seconds or so just grinding away teeth against teeth. Then it seems to time out and stop. To me it sounds like the antenna control is not sensing the load at the retracted limit and is not shutting down the motor. Anyone worked on this? I could install a generic power antenna but looks like running the coax to the head unit will be a pain. I'm pretty good at soldering; anyone ever splice the coax or take apart and reconnect to the antenna? Thanks in advance, Dave McK.