Micah

Hi, This is my second post, and I love to learning about my car. . .sorry. I just purchased this 96 sc400 with 205000 miles. I would like to drive it on a long trip this summer and the car seems sound (I will be having the timing belt the water pump, and an idler arm replaced next week. Just wanted to know if there is anything else I should do to it before a long trip. The main thing that concerns me is that at interstate speeds (approximately 75 mph) the car runs a about 2700 rpm. Is this normal or could I have a tranny prob? No check engine light, so I am assuming that there is no ratio error if the computer even monitors this item. Thank for any info, mainly all I want to know is if the 2700rpm to 75 mph is the correct ratio or should the rpm be lower at that speed. Any other sc400 owners encouraged to reply! Thanks!!!

I will see if the toyota dealer can test the mounts on Tuesday as I don't want to damage anything. I am going to get them to change water pump and all belts (tune up) as I don't know when the last time it had a tune up. About the rpm though, is 2700 rpm normal while going 75 mph in these cars? I am not familiar with them and wanted to know. That would tell me if I'm having any transmission trouble (although it shifts pretty well for a car with 205000 miles). If I get down on it, it shifts pretty hard, but smooth if I ease down on accelerator. I can barely tell that the torque converter is locking. Thanks for the reply!

Bought a 96 sc400 with 204000 miles on it. It had a miss in it, and the power tilt didn't work. Fixed miss by replacing spark plug wires and distributors and rotors Fixed power tilt by removing the steering column cover, then removing the tilt gear cover (next to the tilt controls) This exposed a gear. The gear was not catching the screw on the motor, so I purchased a 15 cent washer and glued it to the back of the gear (to push it in line with the screw). Worked like a charm. . .I now have power tilt.

Hi, I just purchased a 1996 Lexus SC400 with 204000 miles. The problem is that there is a vibration in the car both at park and in drive that varies with RPM. Idles very smooth, no check engine light, very good power (but not tire squeeling power). When I rev it with the gas pedal, there is a distinct shudder inside the car both in park and in drive. It comes and goes at various RPM. If I rev it from the engine compartment, I can feel no trace of it in the motor, so I assume it isn't the motor doing it. Here's a list of things I have done to the car: Changed Spark plug wires, distributor caps and rotors. . .b/c there was a miss in cyl. 5 and 7 Changed Brake pads (front) Have not changed spark plugs yet, but plan to do so with next pay check (wires, caps, rotors, and brakes set me back several hundred dollars even though I did it all myself) What could be causing this? My first instinct tells me it could be the torque converter, but I'm not sure. Also, the car seems to cruse at somewhat high RPM. at 55 its at 2000 rpm and at 75 its at 2700 to 2750 rpm. This also leads me to believe that it might be the torque converter as my grand prix v6 does 75 around 2400 to 2500 rpm. Not familiar with this type of car, though. It may just be normal; I don't know. Any help on this would be appreciated! Thanks! PS: sorry so long winded, I just wanted to be thorough. Thanks!