Micah

try this link: http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html

I agree. Mine was making a rattling sound too and a fluttering sound when idling at about 30 mph. Jzz30 diagnosed this a while back on mine and I just got it changed. Transmissions shop charged me 200 to change it. They told me the part was about 90 dollars which I was glad to pay since it fixed the problem perfectly.

Since its a v8, the milage will never be great, but you could do a couple of things to ensure you get the best possible. Change plugs/wires/distributor caps, use premium gasoline, have engine codes scanned to ensure no electronics are acting up (ie, oxygen sensor), install clean air filter, check catalytic converters to ensure getting proper exhaust flow, do compression check when changing plugs (I think I recall that the minimum psi should be around 150 or 160 to maintain proper performance, but don't quote me), and do more interstate driving versus off roads. 1. The overdrive switch is to force the car into 3rd gear thereby running at a higher rpm which leads to more fuel consumption. Overdrive should be left on for optimum efficiency. 2. The Power switch (says ECT, electronically controlled transmission) changes shift points to a higher rpm setting (stay in lower gears for longer) which leads to higher fuel consumption as well. Leave it on normal for optimum efficiency. Both numbers 1 and 2 are in the manual. The manual actually addresses the issue you talk of (better fuel efficiency). Welcome to the club and I'm sure you will find a lot of information just as I have. at the bottom there is a search function you can use to search any topic you wish. There is a wealth of info in the forum only a mouse click away.

This happened on a vehicle of mine once, and it was the neutral safety switch. Could be something like this since the car does have an electronically controlled transmission (ect) or it could also be worn drive shaft bushings. If there is slack in the bushings, the transmission may gain momentum before the slack is taken up then feel like it's jerking into gear whenever the slack it gone.

Thank you all for your dedication! jzz30, it was just as you said it would be. The transmission mount was bad. It still shifts a little hard into 3rd, but it definitely idles and revs much more smoothly! Like glass. This was obviously causing the jingling sound heard under the cup holder and the clicking sound from 25 to 35 mph. Cost was 205 dollars with a new filter and fluid change at a local tranny shop. Very satisfied! Only thing I need to figure out now is this darn radio! I'm going to most likely install a carputer with a 7" screen and tiny xp as the os where the radio is and hopefully use the factory amps and speakers for sound. It's a pioneer system. Does anyone know the details on this system? Has anyone else ever tried to use the amps with a non-factory head unit? Does the amp accept low level inputs or high level inputs? What complications do I face? Thanks!

Thanks, I'll look at it.

Thanks, thats good to know. Does anyone know if the sc300 has a different gear shifter than the 400 or do the shifter units swap out? I found a shifter for 200 dollars, but am hesitant to buy b/c I don't know if it will work. Thanks!

since no one seems to know the answer to this question, does anyone have a wiring diagram for a 1999 lexus with the pioneer system? I should be able to compare it to mine.

Hi, Does anyone know if the 98-2000 gated shifters (primarily the sc300 since its a 4 speed auto) will work in a 96 sc400? I like how the look and operate better than the older type.

Hi, What i'd like to know is this: what's the difference b/w the 94 - 97 pioneer radios and the 98 - 2000 pioneer radios? Are the interchangable? If not, why? Is it b/c of the wiring harness or something else? I need to replace my radio, and I'd like to upgrade it to the most recent model so I can add an Ipod Aux adapter. I know that Nakamichi will not work (I don't know why other than they are different systems). Please help!

I've seen some construct brackets to replace the fold out cup holder next to the climate control for ipods and such. Should work the same for the xm, but you'll probably have to get it custom made. I've also seen people get those cell phone type holders (they squeeze the unit to keep it in place) and screw it into the side of the console. Do a search on this forum and you will probably find some pictures. I think I remember finding some a while back.

I bought my 96 sc400 off ebay for 2500, allbeit that I've got 5500 in the car after a few minor repairs and some bodywork and paint. It's got 210000 miles. I know the trade in price is around 5000 or so if I remember for my car. Go to www.kbb.com and check it out. Give you a good estimate of the person to person value. If you sale it on ebay, you will probably not get what its worth, but if you sale it locally you will probably get what you want. Put it in an area that has a high volume of people. These cars are especially popular among the younger generation, so park it somewhere there are a lot of young people. I don't think you'll get any more b/c you did these repairs. It will make a good saling point though. Service records are a plus too. Just my two cents.

Looks very nice, and I like the body kit. JDM? Black is the best color IMO, and the black pearl emblems are a good touch too. I'm about to get the same type of emblems b/c the front emblem is broken as you can see. Where'd you get yours? Where'd you get the body kit?

I heard the same thing. The box reportedly corrects it. Its a mystery why the gm cars can use either. I don't think that it has a method of detecting the type of fuel in the tank, but I'm no engineer. I'm sure your right about the black box thing and air/fuel ratios. Sounds logical.

Good reply. I see what you're saying. Thanks for your honesty. I was thinking the same thing about the box; hence, the reason for this posting. Its not that I don't want to support big industry; I believe, though, it would reduce our dependence on overseas oil. That's all. I understand that big corn = big oil, but the corn (or sugar cane) would be produced here in this country meaning a stronger economy (I think, but I'm no economist). That's all. You gave me a straight forward answer that got me to thinking, which is what I was looking for. I shouldn't plug anything into the car unless it is designed specifically for the vehicle. I'll wait until someone else trys it on their car before I do it to mine. . .let someone else be the guinea pig. Again, thanks for your honesty and civility.

Actually, I wasn't. I am interested in this b/c mainly of the oil companys' greed. Its not that I'm not willing to pay the 3 dollars a gallon they have been sticking the american public with, its b/c I don't want to support a cause that is only their own. I have researched this over the past few months and it seems to me that this e85 is a perfectly viable fuel (maybe even more stable than gasoline) and would do three things. It would help our farmers, it would make for a cleaner burning fuel, and it would save money in the long run. There is already a certain amount of this stuff in your gas to begin with (I believe that this is how they increase the octane of gas, but don't quote me on that. I thought I remember reading that somewhere). I would not have made the post if I didn't think it were possible or practical, but I'm still learning. It may be that this fuel should not be used in this car at all. I don't know. I just thought some other people had investigated this alternative. From my understanding, the injector harness merely changes the timing or something. Thank you for the comment, but please, lets be civil; I am not here to make enemies or to ruffle any feathers. It was just a friendly question. Thanks! BTW, the person saling the adapter said that it would work with my car. It supposedly has been in use in Brazil (of all places). I'm a bit skeptical, though.

Hi, I just was wondering how a double din radio with full lcd screen looks in an sc400. I know there is 1/2 din leftover space after install that must be filled, but how have others taken on this challenge? I'm very picky when it comes to the way things fit together and if its not possible to make ALL the gaps fill in perfectly, then I don't even want to attempt it. I was hoping that a double din radio would fit just right, but never actually seen one in an sc400 to see what it looks like. I'm torn b/w the factory unit and aftermarket. I want an aftermarket that looks pretty much factory (which I think I can get with an lcd display), but am satisfied with the sound quality of my factory unit. I just need to be able to listen to mp3s through the radio (w/out using an fm modulator or unreliable cassette adapter). I don't like things sticking out farther than the other units and gaps left b/w the radio and bezel within reason. Any suggestions welcome. I've been looking at some 2din kenwood and pioneer units, but don't know how they would fit in my opening or if I would have to use a dremel to fit it right. Thanks

Darn, Does the nakamichi and the pioneer use the same cd changer?

Hi, I found a solution for my problem with the aux in, but it will require replacing my radio with a 1998 to 2000 model nakamichi head unit. The question is this: will a 1998-2000 nakamichi head unit plug into a 1996 sc400 with standard pioneer sound system in it? If so, I'll start searching for an updated radio head unit so that I can use the adapter that I found. Its a mp3car.com. Here's the link: car2pc-toy adapter This unit even has a usb port so that one could conceivably hook anything with a usb port on it and control it with the right programming skills. The problem is that I don't have a schematic of the 98 to 00 sc300 and 400 nakamichi plugs at the rear of the radio to compare to mine. Thanks for any help!

I had this problem on my 1996 Sc, and I repainted the whole piece. It wasn't very hard. Removed it, sanded it, and spay painted it with interior paint from the local automotive paint store. Looked almost perfect and only cost me 10 dollars for the paint (and I coated it like 3 times to make it look nice). The only suggestion is that if I were to do it again I would paint over it with a protectant like a flat (non-shiny) clear coat so that this wouldn't happen again.

For those of you who lowered your car, did you notice a difference in ride quality? I would assume since the tire has less travel, it would produce a rougher ride quality.

Well, since no one else has replied, heres a try. You can check www.cardomain.com They have some pictures of quite a few sc300s and 400s there and I remember seeing some with black rims. It should say what brand and size on the specs in their pages. I don't have black rims, but I have 17" rims and that is plenty for me; you may be different. For every inch you go up in rim size, add 20mm to the width of the tire and subtract 10% from the aspect ratio. Or, you could use the following formula for other sizes if you still want your speedometer to stay accurate: x = new rim size, y = new aspect ratio, z = tire width in mm. y = (653.9 - 25.4x)/2z If you want to solve for the aspect ratio instead, swap the y and the z. Its important to note, though, that the formula may give you sizes that aren't in production. BTW, tire markings are as follows for example: 225/55/16 (size originally on the car) means the tire tread is 225 mm wide and the height is 55% as wide as the tire. Obviously 16 means it goes on a 16 inch wheel. Hope that helps.

I'm going to play with the leads tomorrow in the trunk for the cd changer. Hopefully I can get the car to switch to cd mode. If so, I'm sure I can integrate my ipod.

Maybe hydraulic oil from the fan? Is the liquid slippery? This would explain the overheating when you stop b/c there is no air passing over the radiator to absorb the heat and carry it away.

Take a look at this setup. If I can't find a way to integrate my ipod in with my changer, I may try something like this with a double din 6.5 or 7" radio. You can glass over your knob and repaint the console (I've already repainted mine once, so this wouldn't be a big deal. . .I'll have the person redoing my Bayliner do this when I take my boat to him if I wind up having to go this route). It can look very good if the install is done right. forgot the link. . .its a thread on this forum and I found it last night: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...c=4600&st=0