-
Posts
2,784 -
Joined
-
Last visited
-
Days Won
2
Content Type
Profiles
Forums
Events
Gallery
Store
Articles
Videos
News & Articles
Everything posted by wwest
-
Great Car, Lame Back Up Lights?
wwest replied to mjdarch's topic in 04 - 09 Lexus RX330 / RX350 / RX400h
"Even though it was my fault...." NOT...!! For some reason the dealer was not exactly truthful with you. The LS460 has a 10 amp fuse for serving both backup lights. Two fifty watt halogen backup lamps/bulbs would draw ~9 amps and so in the normal case the 10 amp fuse would suffice. And quite obviously it would quickly blow, open the backup circuit, at even the slightest overcurrent problem. So your "main fuse" blew for an entirely different reason which is probably why the dealer didn't charge you for the service. Were it me I would go back and find out exactly what they found wrong that caused the main fuse to blow. -
Well.......??
-
Techinfo.toyota.com but with a membership fee, minimum of 1 day.
-
Normal, SOP. With wheelspin/slip that results from too much engine torque for roadbed conditions the brakes will be applied to the slipping wheel(s) and the engine will be dethrottled to prevent brake overheating and rotor warping.
-
First, if you put in max hot all the sensors are bypassed and the reheat/remix door is "blindly" driven to the full remix, max heat position. The opposite is true in max cool position. If that doesn't work then I would disconnect the battery for 10-15 minutes. When you reconnect the battery you should hear a bit of "buzzing" and "wherring" behind the dash as the HVAC ECU recalibrates all of the servomotors. The see if it work properly.
-
Maybe as a "damper" for intake resonance...?? Loose fitting...??
-
Within our family, company and close relatives we have a 91 LS, 2 92 LSes, and a 95 LS, all with well over 100,000 miles, 210,000 for the 95. At least two of these have the Nakimichis but NONE have had speakers fail. Of course maybe none of US are likely to try to hear "low" musical sequences by turning the volume up so the "low" tunes/sequences are above the ~70 Db ambient noise level at speed, putting the "high" tunes/sequence at 180 Db.
-
Depends on where you take it,.. a good , friendly, indie can replace your motor and trans mounts quickly, and for under 200$ if they are nice, a bit more if they mark up labor and parts more -- Not sure where lexus would go with this. Tires,.. obviously non labor intensive, can be done in minutes literally.. likely a 15-1hour wait.. unless you just get it all done at once (best option). Now the Constant Velocity joint (Lexus uses these? Fantastic.. I thought it was just a U joint for the RWD.. but again I'm not well versed on these cars yet) -- Anyhow.. this joint is expensive (to me).. new. From other vehicles I remember they run about $500.00 new from a dealer. Though, getting a rebuilt unit can cost considerably less, and I wouldn't dissaprove of it. If you have the money, go with the cheapest 'new' joint you can -- But if your running tight on money, a rebuilt unit (imho) will do just fine. The labor, as you asked, is not intensive (relatively). Think of a bad CV joint as a popping sound if the outer portion is bad, and a pluuuning sound if the inner core is bad. They last anywhere from 10-15yrs before you really need to get them changed out. First, I have experienced a stuck caliper, right front, on a '91 LS400 and it was due to the little rubber boot covering the top "slide pin" having failed, completely disappeared. As a result the slide pin lost all of the lubricating grease and the caliper became stuck in place. Lexus simply replaced the slide pin and boot, minimum cost. It is my understanding that the vibration has nothing to do with braking so for me that would rule out warped or uneven thickness rotors. And since CV joints are tradionally more robust, reliable, vs u-joints I would check/replace the driveshaft u-joints FIRST, before doing anything else. If replacing the u-jopint doesn't resolve the problem then I would look next at the CV joints in the rear halfshafts. Motor and transmission mounts seem to me to be a "wild goose chase". Replacing the (old, worn, "flaccid") mounts would undoubtedly somewhat subdue a vibration caused by driveline u-joints but eventually you would find your driveshaft lying back down the road apiece.
-
I first noticed this on my '01 AWD RX300, at fairly low miles the glass encapsulation for the high beam bulbs was internally "sooted" over and there was a bubble in the glass above the filament. I had upgraded to PIAA higher wattage bulbs so I guess I wrote it off to that, PIAAs, although I had found documents on the internet in operating halogen bulbs as DRLs at low voltage could result in those effects. Yesterday I had to replace a burned out low beam in our 95 LS400 (210,000 miles). In the process of replacing the high/low beam H4 bulb I noticed that the second high beam bulb (60W HB3/9005), the one used for DRL, looked odd, bluish. When I removed it it was as I described above for the RX300. So those of you with high beams as DRLs might want to check the condition of the bulb.
-
I suspect if you check more closely you will note that you do have bi-xenons and the HB halogen is there for "fill" and for DRL. The projector HID has a shading apperture for low beam which is moved out of the way via an eelctric solenoid in high beam mode. The lead car on the left has the same bi-xenon arrangement.
-
I first noticed this on my '01 AWD RX300, at fairly low miles the glass encapsulation for the high beam bulbs was internally "sooted" over and there was a bubble in the glass above the filament. I had upgraded to PIAA higher wattage bulbs so I guess I wrote it off to that, PIAAs, although I had found documents on the internet in operating halogen bulbs as DRLs at low voltage could result in those effects. Yesterday I had to replace a burned out low beam in our 95 LS400 (210,000 miles). In the process of replacing the high/low beam H4 bulb I noticed that the second high beam bulb (60W HB3/9005), the one used for DRL, looked odd, bluish. When I removed it it was as I described above for the RX300. So those of you with high beams as DRLs might want to check the condition of the bulb.
-
Your dealer is NOT pulling heads just to snoop around..!! The V6 in the 2001 Model is subject to the engine sludge issue and you can bet that the factory is paying them to overhaul an engine that has/is exhibiting oil sludging.
-
You can substitute a 5 cent 1/4 watt resistor.... Check the shop/repair manual for the range of resistance for the leveling sensor and pick something in the middle to start. Then adjust the resistance empirically, trial and error, until the auto-leveling sequence settles at about the right, desired, height.
-
Two SEPARATE problems... 1. The front caliper is stuck resulting in overheating. 2. A u-joint in the rear driveshaft or a CV joint in one of the "half-shafts" at the rear is failing resulting in the vibration.
-
I Was Wrong.............(maybe).
wwest replied to wwest's topic in 04 - 09 Lexus RX330 / RX350 / RX400h
From the 2009 RX350 shop/repair manual: Does "2. Traction Control Operation" make it sound as if a VC is in use..?? Even if it were actually installed..?? System Outline 1.ABS Operation If the brake pedal is depressed suddenly, the ABS controls the hydraulic pressure of the wheel cylinders for all four of the wheels automatically to prevent the wheels from locking and ensure the directional and steering stability of the vehicle. If the brake pedal is depressed suddenly, the skid control ECU controls the solenoids in the actuators using the signals from the sensors to move the brake fluid to the reservoir in order to release the braking pressure applied to the wheel cylinders. Additionally, if the skid control ECU detects that the fluid pressure in the wheel cylinder is insufficient, the ECU controls the solenoids in the actuators to increase the braking pressure. 2.Traction Control Operation The traction control system controls the engine torque, the hydraulic pressure of the driving wheel cylinders, and any wheel slipping which occurs at take off or during acceleration of the vehicle, to optimize the driving power and vehicle stability according to the road conditions. 3.VSC Operation Unexpected road conditions, vehicle speed, emergency situations, and other external factors may cause large a under or oversteer of the vehicle. If this occurs, the VSC system automatically controls the engine power and wheel brakes to reduce the under or oversteer. Reducing excessive oversteer : If the VSC system determines that the oversteer is excessive, it activates the brakes on the outer turning wheels according to the degree of the oversteer to produce moment toward the outside of the vehicle and reduce the oversteer. Reducing large understeering : If the VSC system determines that the understeer is excessive, it controls the engine power and activates the rear wheel brakes to reduce the understeer. 4.Mutual System Control To efficiently operate the VSC system at its optimal level, the VSC system and other control systems are collectively controlled while the VSC system is being operated. Engine fuel injection control The engine power is prevented from interfering with the VSC brake control by adjusting the fuel injection opening and reducing the engine output. Engine control and electronically controlled transmission control Strong engine braking force is prevented from interfering with the braking force control of the VSC system by turning off the accelerator and reducing changes in the driving torque at shiftdown. VSC system operation indication The slip indicator light flashes and the buzzer sounds intermittently to warn the driver that the current road is slippery, whenever the VSC system is operating. 5.Fail Safe Function If an error occurs in the skid control ECU, sensor signals, and/or actuators, the skid control ECU inhibits the brake actuator control and inputs an error signal to the engine control module. According to the error signal, the brake actuator turns off the solenoid and the engine control module rejects any electronically controlled throttle open requests from the VSC system. As a result, the vehicle continues to function but without the ABS, TRAC, and VSC systems. ----- Original Message ----- From: Lexus Customer Satisfaction To: Ceo Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 3:48 PM Subject: RX350 Viscous Clutch [incident: 080131-000328] Recently you submitted a question to the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. Subject RX350 Viscous Clutch Discussion Thread Response (Stefanie Oda) 02/04/2008 03:48 PM Dear Mr. West: Thank you for contacting Lexus Customer Satisfaction. Your concern is important to Lexus, and we appreciate the time you have taken to share your thoughts. We are dedicated to providing superior service. In circumstances that require our attention, we will assist in the resolution process. We can advise you for the 2008 RX 350, to achieve enhanced control and drivability, while delivering superior traction, the RX 350 is equipped with a viscous coupling center Limited Slip Differential (LCD). For the 2006 RX 330, to achieve superior controllability and traction, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) replaces the previous generation's heavier viscous Limited Slip differential (LSD). We hope this information is helpful. We hope you continue to enjoy Lexus vehicles for many years and miles to come. If you require further assistance, please respond to this e-mail, or contact Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-255-3987, Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Sincerely, Stefanie N. Oda Lexus Customer Satisfaction Customer (Willard West) 01/31/2008 02:28 PM All of your advertising, dealer brochures, e-brochures, and online technical specifications indicate that the RX350 uses a VC across the center diff'l. The information at techinfo.toyota.com indicates that it does NOT. Apparently the same thing happened with the RX330. Which is correct..?? See below ________________________________________________________________________________ __________ The following was in my email archives.... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ...Recently you submitted a question to the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department. We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 120 hours. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. You may also update this question by replying to this message. Because your reply will be automatically processed, you MUST enter your reply in the space below. Text entered into any other part of this message will be discarded. [===> Please enter your reply below this line Please enter your reply above this line <===] If your issue remains unresolved, please update this question at <a href="http://lexus.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/lexus.cfg/php/enduser/acct_login.php?p_userid=west@strobedata.com&p_next_page=myq_upd.php&p_refno=041026-000006&p_created=1098835191" target="_blank">http://lexus.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/lexus.cfg/php/enduser/acct_login.php?p_userid=- west@strobedata.com&p_next_page=myq_upd.php&p_refno=041026-000006&p_created=1098- 835191</a> Subject --------------------------------------------------------------- No Summary Discussion Thread --------------------------------------------------------------- Response (Richard Hollingsworth) - 10/27/2004 09:41 AM Dear Mr. West, Thank you for contacting Lexus Customer Satisfaction regarding the 2005 RX 330. We appreciate your interest in this vehicle. Per our technical department, the 2005 RX 330 does not have a viscous coupling LSD. The vehicle has adopted a full-time all-wheel drive system. We are sorry for the misinformation. If you would like to discuss your concerns further, you can also reach the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department at 1-800-255-3987, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Sincerely, Richard Hollingsworth Lexus Customer Satisfaction Customer (Willard West) - 10/26/2004 04:59 PM The current 2005 RX330 e-brochure indicates that the 2005 AWD RX330 has the viscous coupling again. Is this actually true or is this a typo? Willard West -
I Was Wrong.............(maybe).
wwest replied to wwest's topic in 04 - 09 Lexus RX330 / RX350 / RX400h
RX350 Viscous Clutch Stefanie, The 2007 RX350 Lexus shop/repair manual at techinfo.toyota.com does indeed state that the RX350 series uses the MF2AV transfer unit vs the MF2A used in the RX330. According to the accompaning component layout/diagram the MF2AV has a Viscous Clutch. But in searching for "viscous" or "MF2AV" in the 2007 and 2008 Lexus shop/repair manuals I get a return of "not found". On the other hand if I search for MF2A both RX350 repair manual sets, '07 and '08, indicate the use of the MF2A transfer which does not have a viscous clutch. According to New Car Features for the 2004 RX330 it is not VSC, but TRAC, Traction Control, that supplants the need for a viscous clutch. The wording for TRAC functionality in the 2008 RX350 is EXACTLY the same as that for the 2004 RX330. Assuming you are correct and the RX350 actually has/uses a VC, whose responsibility is it now to notify the personel in charge of publishing the RX350 shop/repair manuals that a MASSIVE revision must be made. Willard West ----- Original Message ----- From: Lexus Customer Satisfaction To: Ceo Sent: Monday, February 04, 2008 3:48 PM Subject: RX350 Viscous Clutch [incident: 080131-000328] Recently you submitted a question to the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. Subject RX350 Viscous Clutch Discussion Thread Response (Stefanie Oda) 02/04/2008 03:48 PM Dear Mr. West: Thank you for contacting Lexus Customer Satisfaction. Your concern is important to Lexus, and we appreciate the time you have taken to share your thoughts. We are dedicated to providing superior service. In circumstances that require our attention, we will assist in the resolution process. We can advise you for the 2008 RX 350, to achieve enhanced control and drivability, while delivering superior traction, the RX 350 is equipped with a viscous coupling center Limited Slip Differential (LCD). For the 2006 RX 330, to achieve superior controllability and traction, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) replaces the previous generation's heavier viscous Limited Slip differential (LSD). We hope this information is helpful. We hope you continue to enjoy Lexus vehicles for many years and miles to come. If you require further assistance, please respond to this e-mail, or contact Lexus Customer Satisfaction at 1-800-255-3987, Monday through Friday, 5:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., or Saturday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Sincerely, Stefanie N. Oda Lexus Customer Satisfaction Customer (Willard West) 01/31/2008 02:28 PM All of your advertising, dealer brochures, e-brochures, and online technical specifications indicate that the RX350 uses a VC across the center diff'l. The information at techinfo.toyota.com indicates that it does NOT. Apparently the same thing happened with the RX330. Which is correct..?? See below ________________________________________________________________________________ __________ The following was in my email archives.... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------- ...Recently you submitted a question to the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department. We will assume your issue has been resolved if we do not hear from you within 120 hours. Thank you for allowing us to be of service to you. You may also update this question by replying to this message. Because your reply will be automatically processed, you MUST enter your reply in the space below. Text entered into any other part of this message will be discarded. [===> Please enter your reply below this line Please enter your reply above this line <===] If your issue remains unresolved, please update this question at <a href="http://lexus.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/lexus.cfg/php/enduser/acct_login.php?p_userid=west@strobedata.com&p_next_page=myq_upd.php&p_refno=041026-000006&p_created=1098835191" target="_blank">http://lexus.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/lexus.cfg/php/enduser/acct_login.php?p_userid=- west@strobedata.com&p_next_page=myq_upd.php&p_refno=041026-000006&p_created=1098- 835191</a> Subject --------------------------------------------------------------- No Summary Discussion Thread --------------------------------------------------------------- Response (Richard Hollingsworth) - 10/27/2004 09:41 AM Dear Mr. West, Thank you for contacting Lexus Customer Satisfaction regarding the 2005 RX 330. We appreciate your interest in this vehicle. Per our technical department, the 2005 RX 330 does not have a viscous coupling LSD. The vehicle has adopted a full-time all-wheel drive system. We are sorry for the misinformation. If you would like to discuss your concerns further, you can also reach the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Department at 1-800-255-3987, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Pacific Time. Sincerely, Richard Hollingsworth Lexus Customer Satisfaction Customer (Willard West) - 10/26/2004 04:59 PM The current 2005 RX330 e-brochure indicates that the 2005 AWD RX330 has the viscous coupling again. Is this actually true or is this a typo? Willard West -
I was wrong again, retractor back together and still will not retract without help, "push". I guess the clocksprings are shot. So, I'm buying new ones.
-
I was wrong again, retractor back together and still will not retract without help, "push". I guess the clocksprings are shot. So, I'm buying new ones.
-
Well, Debbie Downer, I wanted indash navigation, bluetooth, ipod, and satellite radio. Doing the soundproofing wouldn't help me with that would it? Who says I won't do that stuff too. All I can tell you is that I am very very pleased with this upgrade. And I know others that would like to do the same to their RX but they didn't think it was possible so I wanted to make sure the people on here knew. Oh, well, now I understand. As "Debbie Downer" I see absolutely no need for bluetooth, ipod, nor satelite radio. Insofar as GPS/Nav is concerned I find that a built-in is a waste. I'd much rather have a portable (which I do) that I can move from car to car, or even car to Cessna.
-
You can confirm a warped disc by applying the brakes.......you will feel a pulsation at lower speeds which tranlsates to a vibration at higher speeds because the frequency of the pulsation increases with speed. The more pressure you apply - the more pronounced the pulsation/vibratiion. Indicates a seizing caliper. Would have that serviced without delay. Don't compromise on your braking. my left disc gets very hot and as a result the caliper gets hot as well. while im driving bellow 70-80klm/h there is no vibrations almost at all, as well not on the steering wheel, and if i didnt drive any faster then 70-80klm/h, then i wouldnt know there is any problem.. maybe it could be the caliper??? "maybe it could be the caliper???" No, much more likely you have two separate problems, a stuck caliper and a bad u-joint. Or maybe a rear drive shaft CV joint is failing.
-
There are 6 dual filament (type 7443 for a 95), 18 watt stop & 4 watt tail, in an LS400. It would take 30 watts, probably as 3 10 watt resistors to equal the current flow/draw of the taillight filaments. The stop light filament is 18 watts, meaning a total of 108 watts of resistance to substitute for the actual stop light filaments. Typically LED lamps draw only about 10% of the current flow of their incandescent counterparts.
-
$2500.00...?? To justify that you must spent one helluva lot of time listening to that system just setting inside your RX closed up inside the garage with the engine off. Otherwise the typical 70Db road noise, "white" noise, "over-shadows" the lower level "sounds" so much that you must have the volume up in the painful to the ears range for the "high" sequences. The best investment to improve the automotive audio "listening" experience is via more sound proofing, noise reduction. Undercoating the wheelwell liners, nice quiet higher profile 16-17" summer tires, fiberglass insulation in the doors, coat of silicone lub on the rubber window seals, etc, and maybe even an "anti-noise, noise canceling, module under the driver's seat. And it wouldn't hurt to add some DSP, Digital Signal Processing, to automatically bring the "low" musical sequences up to, or even above, the level of the cabin ambient NOISE. Having done all of that you'd likely be pleasantly surprised at just how well the factory system sounds.
-
BRIGHT sunlight or flashlight.... What is your reason for testing...??
-
"1/2 second interval"... That would seemingly indicate a rotational function that "wonders" in and out of synchronization... That might result from slightly different tire circumference L/R. Front halfshaft CV's for FWD. Rear drive axle CV's for RWD. Or even L/R or R/L tires. Does the vibration lessen with slight left or right turn....long sweeping curve..??
-
Since someone managed to back into our '95 LS (Silver) and break the passenger side rear tailight I purchased the red/clear full set on Ebay. Cheaper than just buying the one at Lexus. And yes, you can add resistors in parallel with the LED lamps. For the tailights, 6 of them at 5 watts each it will take a 30 watt resistor to draw the correct current and not trip the failure sensor. The stop lights are a bit more of a problem, 18 watts X 6, but they the duty cycle is relatively short so the resistor(s) would likely never get all that hot. But all in all being the perfectionist that I am I would much rather change out the current, AMPS, sensing resistors in the lamp failure detection module and even the one in the flasher relay if it should come to that.