Zett123

UPDATE on error code P0325: I purchased 2 new knock sensors from Lexus of Pembroke Pines, Florida. Price $297.00 including shipping to Maryland. (Their shipping price is based on a percentage of the item) Still best price for OEM Toyota parts I found anywhere, Ebay included. I had my independent mechanic install them for a price of $270.00 labor. After he put everything back together, he got a 1/2 dozen error codes. The problem? The pins, connectors and wiring were brittle so he spent hours repairing them. He has the Lexus schematics and voltage information to get accurate readings on whatever needed to be repaired. When I took the car home from his shop, I couldn't believe how much power this car has. It has not run this well since I brought it. The total bill was $413.00 including the extra hours of repair and gasket set. I thought was a bargain for all the extra work he had to do and I am glad I didn't try to tackle this job myself. So if you are going to try to replace the knock sensors yourself, please be careful of the wiring and pins on the ignition circuit. JZ

What is involved in disabling the mirrors?

My 2001 LS430 Passenger mirror is giving me problems. When I put it in park and turn the key off, the power mirror just sits there and tries to find the "Home" position. It will make a whirling, clicking sound for about 10 seconds before it goes into it folded position. Same thing happens when I start up the car and the mirror goes into its driving position. With the mirror into its extended position, it feels loose when I move it back and forth. Is this a pain to fix? Is it something loose in the mirror housing? How hard of a job is it to get into the mirror unit? Thanks, JZ

I am taking my LS430 to my guy (mechanic) next Tuesday or Wednesday. He is going to run some diagnostics on the sensor(s) and check to see if the output is what it should be. For me, it would be nice to have some test points (TP's) with voltage outputs and ranges and I would check them with an oscilloscope. Bank one (1) is drivers side. jz

This story reminds me of the time I took the garden hose with a trigger spray nozzle and sprayed directly into the carburetor while the engine was running high RPM. This on a 1974, 350, Chevy Caprice station wagon. (This process is also called an Italian valve job). I recalled (circa 1970) how our auto shop teacher had told us of an invention someone had back in the 50's, where it added water into the engine to add performance to the engine. I am trying to recall with the best of my ability the story he told. But he said, you could really feel the power this device added. Removing hydrogen from water can be done but it is a slow expensive process involving DC voltage and electrodes. Someday, someone will find a way to harness this power source cheaply, then the end will come. JZ

First off, thanks for the replies to this P0325 knock sensor problem and possible causes. My question is, why would anyone go through all the trouble of replacing a knock sensor(s)on an LS430 with 'used' sensors. If one of the used sensors is defective, it opens up a can of worms for trying to diagnose the problem. They are $133.00 new from Pembroke Pines FL Lexus. If it is a MAF or injector problem, wouldn't both sensors be showing a problem other than just one. I should of pointed out, that I have 139K miles on the car and I just had the timing belt replaced about a month ago. (Just a tad pass the 90K recommendation). My guy (great mechanic) also replaced the plugs, air filter, hydraulic adjuster, tensioner and pulleys at the same time. ($980.00 parts and labor) I can't wait until "maniek_LS" works on his P0325 this weekend to see what he comes up with. Until then, I will clean the MAF sensor per chance it might be a problem. This is the 21st century, seems like they should have a better way of diagnosing these codes without a lot of guess work. On a side note, in the last 40 years, I have owned about 40 Auto's, new and used. This LS430 is the best car I have ever owned and my next car will be no doubt, a LS460. Other than the POC ML stereo system, this car is the bomb!! Thanks in advance!! JZ

Update.. I doubt it is an injector.. If I start the car and then the check light comes on, it runs rough. However, when the check light is on and I restart the car, it runs smooth. Maybe not 100% but no too noticeable. Anyone replace the knock sensors on a 2001-2003 LS430?

Yes, I always use Premium gas.. How hard of job is this and oes the intake manifold have to come off?

Ok, The check light came on my 2001 LS430 and the OBD2 is showing a... P0325 Knock Sensor 1 (Generic), Circuit (Bank1) error. Where exactly is this sensor located and how hard of a job is it to tackle? I don't have a shop but been working on cars for a long time. Also, how much is this part? Is it bad on the car to drive when it is like this?

Ok guys, I took the silicon sealant route on this repair using the little tube. I created a small bead all around the edge of the speaker where it meets the steel. I then tooled the bead with my finger to make sure the paper was saturated with the silicon. Let dry and PRESTO!!!! Better sounding than the original. What bothers me is this. What kind of crap are these speakers or should I single out just the sub-woofer? Let me qualify this comment. I own a 2001 LS430 and replaced the sub woofer problem about 3 years ago. Luckily, I was able to find a replacement on Ebay from a auto yard 3,000 miles away. I was able to deal an original Mark Levinson sub with shipping for $50.00. (don't tell anyone) Myer Emco charged me $75.00 to remove and installed the new speaker. About two years ago the ML Amp went bye bye. I got one on Ebay at a good price with a "-01" rev level which is supposed to be better. All is well until the speaker blew again about a year ago which I fixed with the silicon recently (yes I am a procrastinator)for $5.00. Please hear me, I am 59, I do not listen to my music loud. I am not 20 again, showing off my Altec 846B speakers by playing Emerson, Lake and Palmer's Lucky Man until the needle jumps off the record. There are over 35,000 views on how to repair a Mark Levinson Rear Speaker. Someone at Lexus should have taken notice a long time ago about this highly over rated ML crap that was installed in these cars. Now, my right door speaker sounds cracked (link please). I feel sorry for the 1,000's who have had this problem and had to go the dealer route and pay $500.00 - $1,000.00 to get the speaker replace. With that said, I love my LS430 and looking forwards on buying the LS 460 Love the Forum! JZ

I have a 2001 LS430 and a new grand child in a child seat. My question is, Is it possible to disconnect or turn off the passenger side air bag for the safe transporting of am infant in a child seat (facing to the rear)?? In Maryland it is legal to transport an infant in the front seat if... the seat is approved, facing the rear and the passenger side air bag is off. Thanks, JZ

Don't know if this could be the problem, but your circumstance is very unusual. I was wondering if it could be a blown head gasket near the oil port forcing exhaust (although very slight) into the oil that drains off the heads into the pan. It wouldn't take much of this mixture to taint the oil. possible evidence of this would be noticeable fumes coming out of the oil fill while the engine is running. Just a thought. Another problem could be the gaps in piston rings are all aligned and exhaust is forced through this gap into the oil pan area. This would account for a loss of compression on one cylinder. This actually happened on my E150 Ford van.

If you still have your under-engine cover installed, take that off carefully, looking for evidence of a leak dripping from above. The cover could prevent you from seeing anything on the ground depending upon the severity of the leak (hopefully, its external to the engine). Landar.. Thanks, I forgot that thing was on there. It is 17 degrees out and I will check it when it get into the 30's. JZ

Just had the exact same thing happen to my 2001 LS430, it was low coolant level. I topped it off and took care of the problem right away. Problem is, it happened again so I got a leak someplace in the system. It must be a small one because I can smell the anti-freeze but there are no visual signs of it on the ground as of yet. I would look for a leak someplace if you fill it up and then it happens again over a few weeks time. Your fluid is going someplace. jz

After reviewing the post for this oil/sludge problem, I deduce that you have two problems. The first is that the car in question has obviously been severely neglected. Probably, cheap or infrequent oil changes. I saw something similar on a friends 1977 Monte Carlo we took apart. Massive sludge in the valley with chunks of what looked like carbon rocks all over the place. This was due to few or no oil changes ( I knew the guy and maintenance history). The second problem is this, if the car has been this neglected and evident by your pictures..what about the rest of the car. You are looking for some horrible repairs in the future. I would dump it asap and count your loses, or you are going to have a money pit. I would run a quart of varsol with your oil changes for about 100 miles for about 4 or 5 changes.. looking at your present situation, you have nothing to lose. If you are going to keep it, check for a Jasper rebuilt engine, they are good and reliable. On a personal note; I am a procrastinator at heart. I don't like to change my oil every 3,000 miles, more like 10k-15k. That is why I pay extra for synthetic oils, not blends. I do not drive my 2001 LS 430 hard and it has close to 130K on it. No problems except for strut links, Mark Levinson POC Stereo problems (amp and second blown woofer). Same with my 1997 Ford E-350 work van, 129K miles, no smoke no engine problems ever. With that said, I have owned 40 autos in the last 42 years. Since I owned my first car, none have ever smoked or had engine problems due to these infrequent oil changes. jz jz

You might try a good set of ceramic pads. They have a tendency not to produce as much dust as other types of brake pads that are on the market (metallic/non-metallic). It also depends on your braking habits. I drive a 2001 LS430 and I use the gate shifter almost all the time to downshift from OD to 4th, to 3rd gear. This uses the compression of the engine to help slow the car down and save on brakes. I have 125K miles on the car and have had no transmission issues at all. I have never heard of manual downshifting hurting the transmission. I picked up this habit years ago from driving my manual transmission, '66 GTO and then '67 Corvette. Hope this helps. jz

Not sure if this applies to your situation (new or used) or the state you live in.. I would check on the "Lemon Laws" in your state. It is something like taking your vehicle in the shop 6 times in 6 months for the same problem. Doesn't hurt to check this out. Also, did you get a loaner car while in the shop? I would ask for the same model Lexus and see if the loaner has the same noise you are talking about. If that is not possible, go to another Lexus dealer, play stupid and ask to test drive the same model you have to see if a newer, same model has the same noise. If it doesn't, you have an argument. Hope this helps. JZ

It would be better to evaluate your problems with some more information. Such as, Are you the original owner and have you had regular maintenance on the vehicle? How many miles are on the car? Have you checked the transmission fluid level? Low transmission fluid could be the problem because it pools to the side when you take a corner. However, there would have to be signs of a lot of leakage in order for this to be possible.

My question, and no offense to anyone here in this forum, is there any way to list the LS400 and LS430 topics from each other? In other words, a LS400 forum and LS430 forum, just like the LS460 has its own forum. From what I see in here, these two models are a quantum leap from each other and really have very little if anything in common. It is frustrating to do a search for one and 1,000 post come up for the other. Then have to sift through copious amounts inquiries to find what you are looking for because the two are mixed. Just a suggestion for the webmaster and leaders of this great Lexus Club. jz

The LS430 does not have strut rods like on the 98-00. In fact the suspension is quite a change from previous models. It sounds like your noise is (was) the link on the end of the sway bar. It was the sway bar link(s) and there is nothing easier to replace on the front end than these links. Piece of cake. However, I ordered a set in from NAPA, they looked the same but the bolt that goes through the lower was too long. It should measure 3 3/8 not 4 3/8 to stop. Make sure when you order it you get the right one. Having a second hydraulic jack under the control arm to take the pressure off the link made this a breeze. (Or use your scissors jack in your trunk) Torque to 29 ft lbs. They were about $42.00 each with 24K/two year warranty.

Mike, This kind of sounds like the same problem I was having on my 2001 LS430 (122k miles). There was a noise ( I called it the "pop corn" noise) coming form the front end drivers side and especially at low speeds. I took it into a shop and they told me the front end was tight and that it could possibly be the strut mounts. After posting in here for installation instructions for struts, someone said it shouldn't be the strut mounts because of the low mileage. This got me thinking and I had my son bounce the car up and down from the fenders. The noise was coming from drivers side but could only be detected by bouncing the passengers side. While I heard the noise, I grabbed the sway bar link and could feel movement with the noise. I went to the nearest auto parts store and picked up 2 sway bar links for about $42.00 each. It took 10 minutes to install on each side and this fixed the problem.I hope this helps. If you need help with installation, let me know. Jon

1990LS400 & RDM.. Thanks for your replies because it got me thinking about the struts and or mounts. I bounced the drivers side of the front end up and down no noise. Then I bounced the pass side up and down and got the noise from the drivers side. As my son was bouncing it, I stuck my head under there and could here it loud and clear. As I was holding some front parts, the noise stopped when I held the stabilizer link. Bingo!! Going to order one from Napa ($42.00) which is 1/2 the price of Lexus. Looks like an easy job. Thanks guys for putting doubt in my head because I think this will do the trick. Oh yeah, looking at the struts, they look like a piece of cake to replace when needed.

I had the front end looked at in a front end shop. They had it on a special lift made for front end work and isolating various components. They said everything looked tight and that it must be the strut mount. You mention strut bar, I don't think my 2001 LS430 has strut bars. To me it sounds like stabilizer bar bushings, but they said no. I think I hit one too many speed bumps too fast too many times. You know the kind that are in apartment complexes that are about a foot deep and six inches high. I think I read somewhere that the OEM strut mounts have bad rubber for a few years, that is why I am going to Moog parts.