bencho

Hey, I had the same problem too and was very worried. Had a friend, president of the auto club at school, take a look. He said it was completely normal. The cold does put stress on the PS Pump but when warmed up is fine. Suggested that I don't push the car too hard until it warmed up some. The whining was also accompanied by a rapid tick-tocking sound; like a rapid metronome. That is also normal, was some part (cant remember the name) that that made that noise when cold. Was related to difference in 'summer' and 'winter' engine oil I believe.

What/where is the volt regulator? How would I check that myself? Eatingupblacktop-- You suggested that it could be the speed sensor again... that brings this question to mind, my speedometer needle is 'broken'. Would a screwed up speed sensor send the needle past the zero mark into the negatives? Cause the needle registers at the lowest possible point when idle. When I'm at like 2000 rpm cruising, it chills at 20 mph. Increasing and decreasing speed moves it very slightly.. Max I've gotten it is to 30 mph. I'd take a venture and say that my actual speed is about 3 times what the needle actually registers. Does this mean the needle itself is broken or a trippy speed sensor? If the needle is broken it wouldn't move at all, right? Cause I'm looking for another dashboard and it'll cost several hundred. I don't want to replace it and find that its the damn speed sensor again. Because if it is the speed sensor... maybe It's registering 1/3 of my actual miles too?

ARgh... I already replaced my alternator after I got stranded on a bridge once when it failed... Maybe 8 months ago!! I put in a new battery as well as I didn't know when the last time it was changed. I know of the PS fluid leak on the alternator but I just got an oil change and had the mechie look at it. He said there is no leak on over the alternator. However, the PS fluid IS LEAKING little pipes where the brakes are in the front wheels. That's not too bad as I can always get $5 bottles of PS Fluid. There were no loose wires when I looked but I never removed the insulation. And no, there are no codes popping up. Another thing is the gas mileage... 1990LS has 22 gallon tank, correct? I hit the halfway mark today and noticed that I only got 100 miles... 10 miles per gallon?! I already had the speed sensor inside the tranny replaced about a year ago. The only problems now are the shifting and the speedometer needle is broken.

Negative. Thought I rarely use those things you call "the brakes". My Car's all Go! :D

The topic says it all... Upon startup, the my 1990LS accelerates fine. But maybe 30 minutes of driving and the shifting goes to hell. I'll floor it and it revs to 2200 or 2400 and drop to 1400 or so. And I have no moving power whatsoever. If I get to a stoplight, I quickly turn off the ignition and restart the car. This works most of the time, but is impossible to do on the highway.. which is when we all need power to move.

I had an alternator problem. Had it replaced and then replaced the battery as well for good measure. Symptoms were very clear for me. Lights dimmed and the radio produced a lot of static and then everything powered down. Never had the window problem though. Should check that power steering leak over the alternator!*

God these replies are worrying me... Too much money is being poured into this thing. Nothing wrong with the cables under the trunk hinge.

I also have noticed your problem #1. Sometimes I want to just gas it and putting the pedal to the floor does not encourage a downshift. It literally stays in gear and (very) slowly increases speed. I found this out when trying to merge onto a highway and almost got destroyed by a truck. So reading through all of this, was this solved?? I got quite confused trying to read through all these terms and whatnot. That and the brake light on my passenger side closest to the license place keeps burning out. Apparently water is getting in every time it rains. I've had it sealed and replaced but to no avail. I will take a look at the wires on the trunk hinge tomorrow...

The transmission in that '90 needs to warm up a bit before it will shift into high. That may be the whinning you're hearing. If so, this is normal. Try letting the car warm up for 10 minutes before driving. I'll give it another shot today. What do you mean by 'shift into high'? 3rd gear. It kinda just hangs in second, the rpms go up but the speed doesn't. It sounds like it's whinning. My wifes car does the same thing. Once the engine is warm, the computer is happy and allows the transmission to upshift no delay, no whinning. The dealer tells me that they all have this feature built in to prevent you from stressing the engine while it's still cold. nah, it's not hanging in 2nd. I took it out today and let it warm up for 15 minutes. It dropped to 600rpm in about 10 minutes and I drove it around for 15 more minutes. Still whines when I accelerate :\

The transmission in that '90 needs to warm up a bit before it will shift into high. That may be the whinning you're hearing. If so, this is normal. Try letting the car warm up for 10 minutes before driving. I'll give it another shot today. What do you mean by 'shift into high'?

Hi, So it's very cold up here in Albany. I started my car up and usually I let it warm up but didn't today. Started moving and immediately noticed a low, persistent whining. When you accelerate, whining increases and subsides when you ease off the accelerator. Is this a belt problem? Cause I have to drive back to NYC Tuesday. Should I be worrying about the trip?

Hi, 1990 Lexus LS400 My door's broken. The C-lock that moves when you close the door is jammed. It was working fine, but I guess the car's age, and freezing weather this morning made the retention spring slip or something. Either way, my mother didn't know and tried closing door repeatedly, hard. Woke me up and I saw that the C-lock is jammed INwards all the way. Basically, it's past its 'locked' position. Door now cannot close. I cannot UNjam it out. Anyone know where I can look up this part? Or how to fix? Thanks all! Happy Holidays

is there a certain battery type i should get? like amperage or such... do i have to actually bring my car to the place to see if it'll fit?

Hi, I'm looking to replace the battery in my Lex. I bought it like 4th hand and recently in the cold weather, it doesnt start very well and dies unexpectedly. I had a new alternator put in 6 months ago so that cant be the problem. Bought one of those cig lighter battery meters and when driving, it stays normal, showing charge meter working fine, but while idle, with lights on & stereo etc the battery just dies in minutes. It sounds like time for a new battery right?? The once currently in there is a DieHard International 31227. I tried looking online and found nothing for it.. so what battery will fit? Sorry, I'm not very knowledgeable about cars.. Thanks.

cool. thanks! yea i try to keep it looking niice... kind of difficult since the last two owners never drove it at all and just kept it for show. but i try. and thanks for the VIN advice.

hey, here to flaunt a bit.. and also get an answer if possible... exactly what color is my car? its not quite brown, and in the pics it sometimes appears purply... and cant seem to find a stock color list of the 1990 ls400's. it is a flood-car. rebuilt etc etc. with some mild upgrades, not entirely sure of them, but sound, rims, suspension.. i'm the 4th or 5th owner. thanks!

yea it works now, the link originally didnt work. but yea thanks

ummm.. that website is dead.. no page shows up. but yea, ill check it out again..

oh... i only put a few ounces if anything... i thought PS was pretty much all the same.. i bought and put in something from Valvoline... can i flush it myself? or will i have to take it to a shop?

yea i added more PS fluid and the sounds subsided CONSIDERABLY!. thanks!. also, i checked the fluid inside and it was a dirty colour, not very dirty, but kinda brown, and not clear like the stuff i put in. is there a way i can drain it myself and refill? and yea, the Overdrive light flashes on, signaling that i pushed the OD button, but i havent... realli hope it isnt the transmission. i dont feel it kicking down, hopefully its just a faulty wire!

hi, This concerns my 1990 LeXus LS400. I bought it about two years ago.. long history. flooded and rebuilt by a collector and I believe I'm the 4th or 5th owner, dont remember. It's was in practically showroom condition save a few minor scuffs here and there. Anyway, only two problems have arisen recently, ONE, steering creates painful noises like the car is wailing in agony. I did some googling and found another article here-- http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=17299 It is exactly my problem, but I am not very car oriented so I dont understand some of the solutions. I took off the P/S cap and cleaned it. One side of the stick says "hot" & the other side says "cold". The amount of fluid left does not touch the bottom of the stick at all. I took a look around the area underneath the P/S area and don't seem to see any leaking, unless im looking in the wrong spot. I guess I am goin to go to PepBoys and get some PS fluid and see if leaking is a problem. The other problem is that the speedometer and odometer have stopped working... The car doesnt age :) but it's kind of a problem... It used to jump wildly from 0 to 120 every once in a while but it just rests at 0 now. The overdrive light flashes and and off intermittenly as well. Is this a screwy dashhboard? or maybe the speed sensor gone awry? Wonder if anyone else's dashboard has gone crazy... Here's some pics for the curious.