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ThunderRiver

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Everything posted by ThunderRiver

  1. It is possible that your air-flow control censor is dying. Make sure you have it checked as it can be dangerous on the road.
  2. Come to southern california...more specifically orange county. You'll see lots of ratty Lexus (and I'm talking about LS400's) being driven by college students that have been given to them by their parents. These are hand-me-downs that the students do not take care of. You've got to have a lot of money to hand someone a Lexus, pay for the upkeep and college and....oh well. Some of us had to work our way through college so this kind of thing is particularly aggravating when there is no pride of ownership for such a beautiful car. ← I feel your pain. I am also a college student who got a 1994 LS400 from my parents. They now drive a 2000 LS430. However, I do take pride for my car, and I just love the way how 1994 looks (mind you, I find older model LS prettier than newer ones. 94LS400 is even bigger in storage than 2000LS430). Anyway, college students are actually quite busy, and since I live in Michigan (U of Mich, Ann Arbor). It is especially tougher to keep the car in shape in snow season. At most, I bring the car to a DIY car-wash place.
  3. Well, yeah 2004 LS400 definitly looks nice. but have you guys ever thought about the pain and *BLEEP* load of crap when the car breaks down? I have been through way more troubles than I wish for. The cost-benefit went down, and I suppose in the future, Mazda will be my next car, not Lexus.
  4. Well, my AC hasn't been functioning properly since last November, but I didn't try to fix it until now. I went to Lexus dealer for a checkup, and they told me that the AC compressor is going bad, and so on, and they tried to convince me to put down at least $2500 on it to get it fixed. So I started gathering all the ac parts myself. I went on ebay and got the ac compressor for $250, and a few other things for cheap, and now that at this ac repair place. Initially, they told me everything is working well, and then a couple hours later, they phoned me and told me that my evaporator is leaking. I don't have a car, so I can't really get there to see what's going on. All I can say is that I believe the ac repair place more than I do with Lexus dealer. I don't mind a used one, and that's why I wonder if anyone knows a good source to acquire those parts.
  5. As of now, my car is being repaired at this AC place. I got my AC Compressor replaced, and waiting on acquiring the parts for the AC Expansion Valve and Evaporator. I tried to go online to search for the parts, but it seems to me that they normally charge about $78 bucks for the Expansion Valve. As for the Evaporator, it is a little bit harder to say. I asked the price quote from Lexus dealer, and it is a whooping $1100 bucks... I went online, and found something like this page I called the online store and asked them if it truly fits for my 1994 LS400, and they said no. Although, it says from 1989 to 1994, it only fits up to 1992. (how wicked is that?) They said they can acquire the one for my car but it is going to cost me about $400. Any good online places to order the expansion valve and evaporator? I don't understand why it is soo hard to find parts for 1994 LS400 lol
  6. Guess even when I don't drive my Lexus, I still drive it on my computer haha It is the Real GTA mod for Grand Theft Auto III
  7. It is possible that your ac compressor is going bad. If the pressure reading is too high, it also means that your expansion valve is going bad as well. I know a dealer in FL that's selling OEM Lexus (not aftermarket) ac compressor + clutch + UPS shipping for about $250. As for expansion valve, you can search on eBay for it. The expansion valve is just a piece of metal, so it is okay to get one that's after market. I bought my expansion valve for my 94 LS400 for $15. Let me know if you need to get them fixed, and I will let you know which dealer to call and everything. Lexus dealer will charge you the max to get the compressor replaced for sure. It really depends on how sincere your Lexus dealer is. I don't trust my dealer, so I refuse to get my work done at their place. By the way, you can get freon from AutoZone for cheap...really really cheap..
  8. With all the speculations and possilble causes, why don't you take your Lexus for a check up at the dealer? They should be able to pin-point your problem. Now, I actually had similar problem, but it turns out that my air-flow control sensor was dead, and causing my car to want to stop whenever I slow down. Worst of all, it feels like the car engine would actually choke itself, and gives you the creeps when you make turns at major intersaction. Anyway, good luck
  9. Hi, I also own a 1994 LS400, and my power steering is leaking as well. However, anyone care to explain the location of the alternators for me? I don't see how the power steering leaking would affect the alternator. When I was doing the annual four-wheel allignments, the mechanics showed me where approximately the power steering fluid is leaking out. It is actually located right towards the end of my steering wheel axle. So if that's where it is leaking, I didn't really bother to fix it. I just add some fluid every other month, and so far, my battery is still kicking and running (not the original anymore though). I bought the new battery from AutoZone. Pretty good actually.
  10. Does it really matter if you get a gold or not? I suppose it is just a personal preference. I like mine as silver.
  11. Hey guys, I am wondering if the FCC number has any significant meaning at all. For example, if I buy a remote key off ebay, do the FCC numbers have to match? My FCC is HYQWDT-B, and it is a 1994 Lexus LS400 originally from Florida. When I visit listings on eBay, they all have a different FCC number from mine, so I just wonder if it matters. TR
  12. Blake, Actually, I do need a bigger picture of the second one. That's the part where I am afraid to break! I can pull up a little bit of the cover (and yeah a lot of dusts!), but when you say "pull back" which direction are you referring to? Do you mean pull the cover towards the key? or push towards the keyhole? Feel free to send me email with bigger pics attached. My email box can take up to 15Mb per email, and I virtually have unlimited email space. Here is the email address, thunderriver@umich.edu Thanks!
  13. I am also driving a 1994 Lexus LS400. I wonder how much you can sell it now. It is not in a bad conditions. Over a period of time, it got some of the parts changed, but most of them are still Lexus OEM, not aftermarket. I changed my windshield because of those annoying 18 wheelers on high way are spitting rocks like bullets. Other than that, that's about it. Sadly, after I changed my windshield, the sticker that says "Preowned Certified" is no longer there lol oh well.
  14. This key hasn't been opened since 1994, and frankly speaking, there are times when I can't open the car remotely until I get really really close to it. Like everyone else suggested, I unscrewed the only screw I can see on the key, but when I tried to prop it open, I feel a lot of resistance towards the end. Is there any other locking mechnism towards the key ring hole area? Or any tips on open it up without breaking something inside? I am also trying to determine what battery it is inside my key. It is either CR1616 or CR1216 (I searched through the forum and came up with two results..) It is a 1994 LS400 Thanks TR
  15. I bought it! :) http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...9&ed=1083541175 $250 for the AC Comprssor + Receiver/Drier + Clutch for my 1994 LS400. Whereas if I bought it from Lexus dealer it would kill me with $1825. All I need now is 134A and a new Serp belt. I called AutoZone, and they told me that it would cost me 6.99 per can for 134A. As for the drive belt, it would be $23.99 for my car model. Think the price is fair? Now I need to check out the labor cost around. Lexus is charging me $450, not including Michigan tax. I still think Lexus of Ann Arbor is being very insincere. They failed to tell me about the pressure reading on the expanion valve located near the passenger seat. The eBay seller Angie Royer told me that if the pressure reading is too high, it will overwork the AC Compressor, and then even if I replace AC comprssor, it will most likely seize on me within next 3 months. I am generally inclined to have Lexus dealer do the AC job for me because it takes a full day at least to fix it, and they will technically rent me a "free" Lexus during the time frame. Whereas if I go somewhere else, I would have to get a taxi or whoever to get around the town. I think I will need to figure out a way to push Lexus dealer looking into my expansion valve, so that I don't run into problems again after AC Compressor replacement.
  16. It is a 1994 LS400, and I would like to know if there is a way to check the oil level in the A/C compressor, and if it is low. What type of oil does it use and can I actually just add it myself? Finally, please correct me if I am wrong, but 1994 LS400 uses NIPPENDENSO 10PA20C as its AC compressor right? Thanks
  17. I have no clue either... I am not David.. and I have 1994 LS400, not 1992 :)
  18. Thanks guys for all the useful info. I will look into them this weekend. The more I think about what she told me.. the more I think it is odd. She said that if A/C compressor breaks down, it can stall the engine. It really doesn't sound like a Lexus design to me. Maybe they were just trying to scare me to get my money. But seriously though, if I don't fix it soon, how does it affect my engine? Even if the belt (relates to A/C) breaks?
  19. Well, I went there earlier, but it didn't show the price quote for the stuff I listed, especially 134A or A/C Compressor for that matter.
  20. Well, AC is working on my car, but it is causing a lot of noise from the AC clutch, so I sent my car back to Lexus dealer for a 45 bucks inspection. They told me that the AC compressor is going bad. Also, since my car is 1994 LS400, it is abit old, so when they tried to separate the Clutch assembly from the compressor, they could not get the clutch off the compressor (they couldn't pull out the magnetic bar). Thus, when they replace my ac compressor, I would need a new clutch assembly as well. Here is a list of stuff she said I would need to replace if I want the repair done at Lexus of Ann Arbor dealer: 1 A/C Compressor (Part# 88320-50040-84) - $1300 1 A/C Receiver/Dryer (Part# 88470-50050) - $165 3 134A (Part# 00263-00134) - $21 each or $63 for all three + Oil (Part# 08885-09109) - $60 1 Clutch Assembly (Part# 88410-50040) - $300 + Tax.. = whooping $2533.96 Does that price really sound reasonable? The way I look at it is that it actually costs too much on the A/C Compressor part.. if I can get it somewhere for a cheaper price, that would definitely cut down the cost a bit more. Any suggestions? Thanks! No A/C for me at this moment as A/C is connected to one of the main belt, so if A/C Compressor refuses to work, it may cause the car engine to stall.
  21. Okay, now I know that Lexus has a water pump, so how do I tell if the water level is too low or not since it is hidden inside the engine front? and where is the opening for filling in the water?
  22. 1990LS400, Well, I know what you meant by most conventional cars rely on water cooling. But I tell ya. In my 1994 LS400, I don't see the water pump. There is no place for me to fill in water... Last time the car was in Houston for check up, they added oil, not water. My dad and I were surprised too.. but there is no water pump in my car. For the past 7 years, we never added any water either. The only water is the windshield fluid that I bought at gas station..
  23. I prefer the Lexus from Minority Report anytime more than the hybrid ones haha
  24. Well, the place where I live has this steep entrance. It like my car has to climb up a steep hill and then drive into my apartment complex. Well, here is the thing though. From time to time, whenever I enter or leave the entrance, I would feel my car was hitting something on the ground. I can't tell if the sound comes from the front car wheels or directly under my driver's seat. Either way, I fear it might damage my 1994 LS 400. Any advices? All my tires are all season ones with tire pressure 32 psi, so I don't think it is too low for the car bed to touch the ground. Thanks ThunderRiver
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