allgood2001

Station light as well as radio control lights are out. Really tought at night with center part of console lights out. Is bulb replacement easy, and anyone with advise on how to remove the radio console?

ITs not a bulb problem its a resistor problem

what do you mean a resistor problem? i have the same problem, how do you fix this resistor problem? is this true with all of the lights on the radio console?

Whats going on everyone...

i just recently bought a used '91 LS400, an awesome car! the previous owner kept intricate deatails of maintenace and the car is super clean!

there are a few things wrong tho., the screen which displays the temp has completely blacked out., and was wondering if anyone knows how to replace it or where to find it ( i have checked everywhere).

the second thing are the rims and tires., i was on youtube (wheeler dealers LS400 episode 4/5) and saw that new rims and tires could be put on the LS from an IS200., does anyone know if this is true or not? i want rims maybe some 17'' (not chromed), to give the LS a younger bit sporty look. what do you suggest on the rim size, tire size and if you have upgaraded the rims and tires already, how is the performance/handling of the LS.

thanks everone.

I bought some '05 SC430 18" rims and covered them with Continental ContiSportContact 2 (235/40ZR18). I got a great deal on the rims which were brand new at the time for $500 on ebay. The difference in handling is clearly night and day and the wet traction, which was my main issue with the stock setup, is no longer an issue. I'd recommend at least 17" rims and a lower profile tire. If you're looking to stay with ride comfort, then 16" rims will do fine.

few days ago, I had a post regarding my jammed steering column (94 LS400). it was stuck at 'up' most position and refused to go down.

so, this morning, with hints from other good folks in the forum, I took sometime and completely fixed the problem. I took some pictures along the way, so anyone with the same problem, present or future, can use these pictured steps to fix it up without hundreds of ‘donation’ dollars to dealership!

dealers don't fix parts, they only install replacement parts. the motor is dealer-only item and it will cost you $524 last time I checked.

picture#1

take off the box-like cover behind steering wheel by removing two screws at bottom. top/bottom halfs are sort of 'snap on' to each other, the bottom part can be easily removed with the steering column telescoping all the way out. you can leave the top part on.

picture#2/#3

with driver door open, unscrew 3 screws, loosen the bolt of the swing-out piece, then the small side panel for the motor's gear box can be removed to expose the blue plastic gear which drives the screw rod above to control the column up and down.

remove nut/washer at center axis in front of the gear piece.

the gear in mine was somewhat loose after years of use. when up-down button was pressed, it tilted inward and the teeth lost contact with the screw rod. so I had to remove the gear piece in order to put some shim piece as support behind the gear to make it rotate straight again!

if your gear has totally worn teeth, then you must find one at junk yard. the gear worth only a few cents but dealer just don't sell it standalone!

picture #4

but the gear in mine was kinda difficult to take out, so I made a small ‘hook’ from a piece of flat metal on my work bench and kinda wedged the gear off the center axis by reachng the ‘hook’ behind the gear

picture #5

this was how I made the shim piece which must be some sort of ring shape with about 1/4" thickness:

I took the cap of an empty ‘fuel injector cleaner’ bottle (long neck), and used my Dremel to saw it into half along rim side. then I took the inner ring which is hard plastic and used it as the shim ring going behind the gear piece. it’s in perfect diameter and thickness for this purpose!

picture #6

place the shim ring around center axis, reinsert the gear piece, make sure it is straight and in good contact with the screw rod above. reinstall washer/nut at center axis.

try the up-down button again, and BINGO! my steering column now goes up-down perfectly and freely!

I assume you know what to do in reverse after that.

total time spent: no more than 20 minutes, total cost: 0 dollars and 0 cents!

Thanks for the post...really awesome as I just added a post for this exact problem. I'll try it next weekend right after I finish fixing my drive rails for the sunroof. Thanks again.

My '91 LS 400 has the power tilt and telescoping steering column. After doing some engine work with the battery disconnected, upon reconnecting the battery the steering column reset itself to the "up and in" position. I can adjust it outward (towards the dirver) but it is limited in the downward adjustment, perhaps midway at best. Does anyone have an ideas on what's wrong and how to fix it?

I tried a friend's IS wheels on my 1990 LS400 after he went the aftermarket route. Since they fit, he let me have them. No problems. Thin shim on fronts and they look stock. Let me know what you think.

Looks real nice.....I fitted my 91 LS400 with 05 SC430 18" rims that I picked up for $500 on ebay.

Hopefully I will soon be a LS400 owner again. I have decided to buy the 1991 LS400 I was asking about before that has the "low coolant" light illuminated. We negotiated and settled on a price ($3200). I have yet to contact him and tell him I will take it if he does not sell it before I get the money down to him. I will have to pay an additional $345 shipping, but I will still be paying less than $3600 for the car. He is going to provide the sensor that the coolant tank needs. Around 10K ago, the timing belt was replaced at a Lexus dealer, so thats a plus... A/C blows cold, etc. Only other known problem is that the HVAC panel is blacked out (no suprise right?) . It is a 2-owner car- owner #2 has owned it since 8000 miles.

I know that it may still be a little steep for a 91' with 208K, with the shipping, but its looking really bleak locally. Just not many Gen 1 LS400s around here and when you do find one, its never below $5K. For some reason, imported luxury cars are really $$$$ around here. I really would have liked to have had no more than $3K invested, but sometimes you have to pay more for something that you really want. I checked and NADA high is still $5700 and even KBB PPV in GC is showing $4300 in GC. I NEVER got a response from that person with the local 93' for $3600... I am assuming it sold very fast. There is a 94' LS about 100 miles SW of here for $4995, with 165K, but the panel on the lower passenger side dash is sagging and for some reason, the passenger airbag panel looks a little wavy on the lower corner. I was told that it could be that the airbag may have deployed before.

Hopefully someone can tell me that I am making a good move. :)

Thanks again for all of the advice in the previous threads.

Another item to check out is the rack and pinon sterring assembly. About every 90K is will start to leak and when cold the steeering will develop a slight resistance until it warms up. This is a known problem with the earlier LS400. Other items to check out are temp LCD, sub woofer speaker and door handles. Good luck, I have 220K miles on mine and enjoyed it every day.

I have a 1990 Lexus Ls 400, and when it is cold the pump whines really loud. Any suggestions?

Have your fan belt checked. You can replace it yourself if needed, it's pretty straight forward.