strothersc

I have you guys all beat. My trac light came on and I didn't pay much attention. Within a month, a new problem developed. Whenever I start the car, within about 5 seconds a horrible screeching noise comes out of the engine. It then, without fail so far, stops after about 30-45 seconds. And the car operates fine. If you open the hood, the noise seems to be coming out of the power steering pump. Took it to the dealer. They thought it was a very strange problem. But the answer came back that the noise was coming from the Traction Control Actuator and Accumulator, and that the estimate to fix was $2,400 parts, $700 labor - or a total of $3,100 - all on my 1990 LS400 with 205,000 miles - blue book value $3,000. They advised that the traction control would not work - and it doesn't - easy to spin the wheels, and that the ABS brakes were part of the same unit - and they they would not work - I would have perfectly fine regular brakes - just not ABS. But I tested the brakes, and I was able to get that chattering sound on a panc stop - so I gues the ABS brakes are still there. What to do?? The noise is so loud and scary, it sounds as if an shaft is being wrung apart - and that it might fail at any moment. But once the noise stops, the car is as good as ever. I have a 16 year old who is to begin to drive soon and I had planned to let this airbag equipped car provide his wheels. I guess the next repair problem will decide the issue of whether to abandon the car or continuing to pour good money into a piece of junk. Any ideas?

Similar problem here. My LS400 was bought new in 1990, the air suspension has been no problem for all of my 212,000 miles until recently. One morning I found the front almost dragging the ground. Fortunately, when I started the car, it pumped itself back up and worked fine - including for the trip to the dealer to check on it. There I learned the new air shocks for the front were $995 each plus the estimated labor to install was $250 - so I was looking at $2,250 to repair a car that the the Used Car book says is worth about $3,000 on a trade-in. They agreed it was senseless and financially stupid to replace the shocks. However - my joy lasted about one more week - then the morning pump up routine stoppped and my Lexus is permanently almost dragging its bow as I drive it - and I have simply had to abandon the car - until I found you guys. I have just called Graham's Automotive 205-668-3441 Calera, AL which is a junkyard specializing in Lexuses and Toyotos. I can not just replace the front - all 4 must be done together. I have "sprung" for a set of 4 shocks and springs for $600 plus shipping. They claim they do one every month or so and that any decent mechanic can install them. My big problem is the wooden plate at the gearshift knob will still have a high-low button which will be disconnected. I'll try to let you know if it worked. Update as of August 19 The new shocks and springs arrived as promised. My car advisor at the office put me in touch with Willie Mason at 804 262 1900 the owner of TireMax , 7015 Brook Road in Richmond, VA. They are a tire store but also install tons of new wheels and aftermarket shocks. He said he could do it, and seemed familiar with the problem. It took him a day to install the 4 corners of the car, and then he wanted it to stay there another day or two to make sure the new shocks didn't leak. I got the car back and the charge was $270 to install the shocks plus $104 to realign the wheels. The car is back to normal. The little buttons that change the height of the car and the shocks characteristics - normal vs. sport - are inoperative. The instrument panel light for the height blinks NORMAL. The cars drives fine, and seems the right height. Certainly no one is laughing at the car any more - as the nose is NOT dragging the ground. and I am far better off with my $974 reinvestment in the car for 4 new shocks than I would be with $2,250 for only 2 new air shocks on the front end.