mattward70

Hi All, There is no check engine light on but my car seems to be running very rich. A little bit of background: 1995 145,000 miles LS400 all filters replaced, spark plugs, seafoam used about 10,000 miles ago. When I am idling, it smells like a boat, really really present smell of fuel. Freeway MPG is really good IMO, 26-28mpg, City mpg is *BLEEP* poor... 15ish. Any ideas? don't know if its 02 sensor, injectors, etc etc but NO Check engine light. Ive done so much stuff to this car and love it and this seems to be about the last issue I need to conquer. THanks!

Did that, and tes it turns so nice now. I went and got my tranny flushed and the guy told me I have a leak, maybe he just saw the flow from when it used to. Thanks for the reply Matt...do a search for the "steering solenoid" cleaning thread. You will see pictures and so forth. I recommend you do this proceedure, as it's not very hard, and will HELP tremendously to ease the pressure build up in your system, as well as return the original steering feel to your car. It gives you the one-finger steering back. My rack, on the passenger side, had a small leak as well, until I did this proceedure "took maybe an hour". I haven't had a single drop since. And my steering is very easy now.

Ok, I know this has been talked ab out over and over. I have got a leak... It doesn't go on the alternator. My trustee mechanic we have used for years and years says its the rack, quoted $600 for the part 300 for th labor.. He says not to do it and just refill it every month bc its not hurting anything.... Any input? he said he checked over every other potential problem, and the pump itself is fine!

Thanks! I hope all of you have a great holiday too. There is another LS400 in the area, but its a '95 and I like the styling of the '98s better. They look more aggresive. I would go look at it anyway, but I almost bought a car from the dealer with the Lexus, then backed out when they had lied to me about several important things regarding the deal. I don't want to go back there, and they probably don't want to see me either. So, I'll just wait. EDIT: Here's the other one I like in my area: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=230067881177. Like I said though, I didn't have a good experience with that dealer, so I probably won't be going to see it. Seems soooo clean, almost too clean/ I've heard to be careful when the cr is too clean, especially the enginer (powerwashed)....I think its a pinned thread that says that. Also see if the 90k maintenace was done. 8900 or whatever would ne a decent price if it was maintained under the hood like it was on the outside, in my opinion.

Good luck to your future purchase! It is good that you are scrutenizing your purchase, you don't want to buy one that hasn't been taken care of. One thing that hasn't been mentioned is the power steering pump. I don't know if it was corrected in 1998 but mine is giving me a slight headache. 1995 LS400 Black on Black, 130k miles So far I have: 1. Flushed Transmission 2. Changed PS fluid (still a leak though...funny as we speak its at the mechanic getting checked out...better fix it quick because the fluid flows directly on the alternator!!) 3. Timing Belt 4. Water pump (do this at the same time as the TB) 5. Oil Change 6. Air Filter 7. Fuel Filter 8. Spark Plugs 9. Replaced the window master switch (salvage yard) 10. Replaced the right rear window regulator 11. Cleaned throttle body I bought the car from a dealer auction for $6,000 and the PROACTIVE maintenance I have done is about another $1500...so $7500 out the door. The car runs better than everything I have been in!!!! I am 21 and my friends love my car. I can graduate college and not get caught up in some brand new car loan, it is such a great feeling. Keep your eye out...if u can find one with service records depicting what I have done you just then only have to worry about the suspension. $10,000 seems like a good price if u can get the service worked into it the deal. GOOD LUCk

clean the PS fluid filter...mine did the same thing and now it is 100 times better. Make sure the fluid is at the right level and also make sure all your tires are inflated properly.

Is the cigarette lighter "FR Cig"? Is there an interior fuse box? Does anyone else have any input? It just immediatly stopped working one morning. I will try to replace the fuse, hope that works *crossing fingers*. Thanks for the help

Hey guys I read through the whole pinned thread about the clock and climate control going out, but mine doesn't seem to fit in there. First, it is a 1995 and I only see 90-94 talked about. Second mine just went out, no 'black smuding' that was talking about. Third, the climate control doesn't even work at all. Could it be a fuse? An owners manual didn't come with my car and the fuse box is slightly confusing. Does anyone have tips on troubleshooting this? Thanks, Matt

Hey Guys, Bought my 95 LS about 6 months ago and loved it. Got it from a dealer auction for $5,800 with 130k miles on it (black on black) and took it right to our reliable indie and got timing belt, plugs, water pump replaced for about 750 more. Since then I haven't put a dime into it until today. Today I spent $113. To preface, my power steering was acting up. When I turned it it made a terrible grinding sound. I thought the pump was on its last limb. We took it to our guy and he checked it, cleaned the screen he says asked for $40 and it turns with the slightest touch of my pinky now! I am so happy... We then took it to the tire place, got a leak fixed because the psi kept falling to 20, then to the gas station and put 20 gallons in it, then the car wash....and there is the $113....couldn't be happier. But here are the problems... 1. Our mechanic said there is a TINY leak in the PS pump...but said just to keep a bottle of ATF with me and fill it up, but I shouldn't need to for "months" and he said I shouldnt replace anything because it is so small. The question is... can this small leak damage any other parts of the car, such as the alternator??? What kind of cost am I looking at for a new pump if I decide to just play it safe? I really trust our mechanic though, we've used him for years and he has never burned us. 2. When the car is cold and I turn it on, i start backing up sometimes it pops into neutral for like...5 seconds, then back into reverse. Is there anything I can do to prevent the transmission from failing completely one day? I think I should change the transmission fluid, but could it be something else? The color of the fluid is a red brown, almost dirty color. The follow question is to just change the fluid or flush it? I have heard horror stories of flushing it.... THANK YOU IN ADVANCE, this forum is awesome and I love my fun car. Matt

Mine is back at the dealership right now for this, again. Matt, welcome to the club amigo, you'll find everything you could ever possibly want to know, and a bunch of stuff that you probably don't want to know here as well. We're a group of jokers, but we know these cars inside and out. The only problem I have had with mine over the 2+ years I've owned it is due to vibration issues. The engine is perfect, except for a leaking thermostat seal. One of the biggest issues with the 95 and 96 model years was with the engine's computer. Some had a problem of stalling, others had a problem of a jerky feel around 40 mph when you take your foot of the gas. Other than that, it's pretty much normal wear and tear, which these cars handle better than most on the market. Mine had the jerky sensation in the gear box from the computer. It had it since day one I think, which has translated into a problem with the driveshaft area, which created a vibration problem, which started me down the path of trying to fix with new suspension components in my signature below. It is at the dealer right now, with a certified lexus specialist flown in to take a look. One thing you'll find with owning one of these cars, is that your dealer will not discriminate between the new owners and the used owners. They simply treat you like someone who just purchased a top of the line LS430. Dealer service has been the best in the game, as far as I'm concerned. They're not cheap, not even close. And sometimes they'll recommend replacing something when all it really needs is a good cleaning. But when they start a ticket to repair something, they'll stay on it until it's fixed. They send you on your way, and the problem comes back a few months later, take it back, and it's still on the original ticket. One suggestion: Respect it's age, and realize that it will have a creak here, squeek there. If you don't, you'll go insane!! Trust me...... just do a search for "Wobble" and NC211.... These guys know what I'm talking about...and it still is on going, although getting closer and closer to being resolved for good. Another suggestion: www.parts.com And another: If you can, buy true OEM Lexus parts from one of the vendors of parts.com. If you buy off the shelf parts from your local auto-world, you'll notice it in the car's operation. These cars are soooo well built, with top notch quality parts and design, that mixing parts can create headaches..... Read my thread about my brake experience with aftermarket rotors. It was a nightmare. I think I'm probably at the top of the list for "learn like an idiot" award on here. I've attempted to short cut so many different ways, and none of it has worked. And just one more: Have the dealership run the vin number. You're looking to see if the timing belt and water pump has been replaced around the 90k mark. It's the biggie service that you want done. You can buy these two parts from the vendors on parts.com and have an indi mechanic do it, saving yourself a butt load of cash. Mine is a 1995 Black LS400 with 116k miles. Purchased in April 2004 w/ 83k miles. Been up and down the east coast, never stranded, not one time. Thanks for the great reply:) As for the parts I am an associate at Toyota Headquarters training to be a district service / parts manager for 10-12 dealerships somewhere around the country...so I am glad to hear the service you are getting is good. Parts are not really a concern for me because of that, genuine all the way. It is at an inde mechanic as we speak getting timing belt, wp, spark plugs, and transmission fluid changed. Can't wait to drive it:) Thanks for the nice welcome, i'm here to stay. Matt

Hi, Any update on this? I have the opportunity of purchasing parts as an associate for another month and would like to buy everything on the list, + whatever you have done. do you have a total cost for that as well? Thanks, Matt

Brand new owner of a black on black 1995 ls400, 130k miles. Hey guys I have searched the forums and found some great info, but I was wondering if a 1995 owner with similar miles could give me the scoop on his experiences. I am the third owner. I don't know if the 120k service has been done so I would prefer to be safer than sorry. I can only find threads on first gen 120k advice, can someone point me elsewhere? I am located in Torrance, CA (LA Area), does anyone know a reputable place to go? I have picked up that taking it to a toyota dealership is easier on your wallet than a lexus dealership. Is there a thread with common 2nd gen problems that I can check on? Thanks guys, glad I could join the group.