nastylexus

What year is your LX? What did your 20's run? I noticed you had a hitch installed was well. What type did your purchase?

It's a 99 and the trailer hitch came with the car when I bought it. Total cost including taxes and install $2500 Cdn.

I need my timing belt replace and was wondering if I can save some $ by going to a Toyota dealer instead of the Lexus dealer. I was quoted about $500 to do the timing belt and about $1000 to do both timing belt and Water pump from the Lexus dealer.

This was recommended by a member in another forum:

sounds like maybe your TPS is out of sync. If you get a chance disconnect your neg batt terminal for about 5 mins. Then re connect and turn your key to the ON position without starting it. Let it sit for about 2 mins and then turn the ignition on. It should level out and reset itself. Ive had to do that once or twice before in the past.

I tried it and it seems to be a little smoother. Less shaking but you can still hear the engine. I was thinking about some additives like a fuel injector cleaner.

With regards to cleaning throtle body and idle valve, any idea how much the dealer will charge to do this?

First of all, Welcome and Congrats on the Lex! Now how many miles do you have on the vehicle? Sounds very unusual but if it's really rough, then it's not normal.

Btw, nice member # (27,777)

It has about 95K miles and I can feel a slight vibration. The reason I asked was that I used to own an LS400 with more miles and it was silky smooth.

I've only had my 99 LX 470 for several weeks. Love the car so far. I do notice that the idle is a little rough at stop lights. Slight shaking and it idles around 600rpm. I have all the service records dating back to when the car was new and it was only serviced by the dealer and I've been putting in premium gas. Anything I should worry about?

If anyone is interested in what 20" wheels look like on an LX 470, here it is. Ride is a little firmer, but still very quiet. Handles corners a lot better.

Just one question, do I have to do a wheel alignment? They are 285/50/20's.

Seems like you guys know what you are talking about regarding the ride height system. Anyways, I pulled the fuse for the ride height control when it's at L and it stayed at L at any speed. I really like the ride at L. I suspect it will do the same for H. Just wondering if it will do damage to the suspension if I keep it at L.

I've played with pulling the fuse and I'll tell you my experiences. Yes, the ride height locks in place at any speed but you also lose the benefits of the adaptive variable suspension (AVS). As you may know, the AVS system is tied in with sensors to the brakes and steering that "prepare" for stops and manuevers (anti-dive and anti-roll). The shock damping seems to go into some mode other than "comfort" or "sport" that is underdamped and kinda bouncy.

As for damage to your suspension... I can only think of ways it will damage indirectly. If locked in low mode, the suspension has very little up travel and little shock damping.. Take a look at the bumpstop and you'll see. This reduced uptravel can lead to broken lower A-arms. Just ask the Aussie's about their A-arm woes. Most any vehicle that is lowered should have uprated springs to reduce bottoming the suspension out. If not, hitting an offramp at 50mph and hitting a bump could be disasterous.

Furthermore, there is a bit of toe-out change when running in low mode. This could lead to increased tire wear and less stable handling. Of course, one could align it in low mode and fix that.

Just my thoughts. B)

Hoser, thanks for the info. I won't touch the fuse again.

Fraserbluff, just curious, are you running the two airbags with a T-connection or individually? I realize the shared T-connection would allow for better articulation but was wondering what benefits running them individually offered? Better on-road handling I'm guessing.

Seems like you guys know what you are talking about regarding the ride height system. Anyways, I pulled the fuse for the ride height control when it's at L and it stayed at L at any speed. I really like the ride at L. I suspect it will do the same for H. Just wondering if it will do damage to the suspension if I keep it at L.

Does any one know where these fuses are located on a 99 LX 470? My trailer lights quit working and I found that I'm not getting any power out of the factory connector on the hitch. Any ideas, Thanks

Paul

There are 3 fuse boxes in the car. Two of them beside the battery and one to the left bottom side near the brake pedal. Check your owner's manual under electrical for the exact fuse.

Well, I did pull the fuse on the driver's side and it did stay at L while I drove it. It takes about 2 seconds to pull the fuse, so I just did it since I can always put it back. Seems to handle a lot better with less body roll, however, the suspension is a little firmer. Took it on the freeway and didn't seem to have any problems.

I did a search for this issue and there is a Japanese company that makes a device that overrides the height control and leave it at the setting. No need for it since it's just a matter of pulling the fuse.

Anyone know why Lexus design it this way? It seems kind of redundant pushing the button and waiting 5 seconds for the car to lower, then getting out of the vehicle.

If there is no real issue with this, I preferred to leave it at L around the city and freeway driving. In the meantime, I'll put the fuse back.

Just purchased a 99 LX 470 the other day. Love the car so far. I know the Active height control will revert back to N when you put it in drive. I was wondering if anyone try to pull the fuse on the active height control to leave it a L. I'll never go off road and I like getting in and out of the vehicle when it's at L and don't want to push the button each time. Also, I figure it may handle better at L and also maybe even get better gas milage.

Will it damage the suspension if I do this? I know that it's no problem for most cars if you lower the car with springs, but I don't know enough about this suspension.