90LS400Lexus

Hello. The bad news is that electrical systems on these newer advanced cars can be very complex. I really do not have any idea what could be your problem with the door lock and windows, but it sounds like an electrical short somewhere. I think it is unusual, since Toyotas & Lexus' typically rate the highest in electrical system reliability. Actually- most all Japanese makes rate high in electrical system reliability- particulary Hondas-Acuras and Nissans-Infinitis. I have been reading a lot of electrical problems here lately on the LS400s- especially on the 93-97 models. The 90-92s for some reason seem to not have as many problems. I consider myself lucky that my 1990 LS400, with 226,000 has a perfect electrical system, with everything working perfectly- except for 1/2 of my climate control buttons do not illuminate when the lights are on- which is a very common problem on these cars- at least the 90-94 models. I noticed you are saying "Dealer A and B". Is there a third dealer that you can take it to? Also, the fact that they have a part "on order" and you have not authorized any repairs sounds peculiar to me. The part about the wiring harness in your trunk is a common problem I think. I have not had the problem (yet anyway), but I have heard that other members have had this problem, but it was causing other bizarre things with the electrical system. I guess different wiring can be chafed and therefore the different problems. Sorry I could not be of more help. Perhaps someone here will have more answers. Good luck to you.

My 1990 LS400 (first year) has 226,000 miles and still runs as smooth as silk. I have to look at the tach sometimes at the stoplights to see if the engine is still running it is so smooth. Also, the transmission is still smooth as silk and the car still does not have any oil / transmission fluid leaks. From what I have been able to gather on the Lexus forums, it seems to me that the 1990, 1991 & 1992 LS400s have the least problems, or the least the lowest reported problems. It may be that either the owners do not post as much, or that the 90-92s are more rare I do not know. I read more problems about the 1993-1994-1995 and even some 1996 LS400s, than I do the 90-92s, or the 97-04s. Perhaps someone else may have more information about this. The 98-00s seem to be among the best. These were the last years for the original classic design- which is my favorite. You can probably buy a very low mile 90-92 LS400 (if you can find one) for about the price of a nice average mile 97-99 LS400. Just keep in mind, as the years go on- more features were added, or optional. The 1990-92s are not plain-Jane models and they have a build/material quality as high as any other year LS400. Most everything is standard, with the exception of a few options. The transmissions in these cars seem like they will last for hundreds of thousands of miles, as do the engines. I would say one would typically last 500,000 if maintaned. I have heard of miles reported as high as 750,000 on these cars. Good luck.

6000 rpms? :o Will probably be a while before I do that in my LS. :) Not sure if it is true, but I heard somewhere that if a higher mile car was easily driven since new at low RPM's for many years/miles and then it is started to be driven abruptly at higher RPM's that the engine will wear very fast. I have heard that the engine is broke in at the low RPMS and if the pistons go farther than their "wear" line, that it will ruin the engine. Has anyone else heard this? I am not sure of the driving pattern of my cars previous and first owner.

My 90 LS, with 226K, has just started a slight front suspension "clunking" sounds over certain bumps. I just had my rear struts replaced with OEM Toyota struts. I guess I will get the front suspension checked soon. I know that the front struts are still original, but I guess it may be bushings, or control arm. My car was 4-wheel aligned about 6 months ago and it supposedly lined up perfectly. There is no pulling of the steering on straight roads. Could this eliminate the possibility of bad control arms causing my clunking? Perhaps it is the struts?

Of course there is steam (vapor) when it is cold out, but I can also see the blue lasting a little longer. Whats peculiar, is that there is no oil smell at all. Oh well- no big deal I guess. Thanks again folks.

I am proud of myself- I finally took my LS400 up to about 3500 rpm's today. :D lol. It happened because I was pulling out onto the highway out of the Super Wal-Mart parking lot. There was someone poking in the fast lane and the SUV in the right lane was just slightly behind, going about the same speed. When I was far enough ahead of the SUV- I hit the accelerator and got in front of the SUV and passed the slow poke in the left lane. Typically, the highest RPM I take it to is 2800-2900 rpms.

To update- it was warmer today, so I put the "Lexol" leather care on my leather seats. The smell is not too great, but it seems to work well. Too late to ask, but is it OK to put this on the vinyl parts of the interior? I hope so, as I put in on the vinyl areas on my door panels. Seemed to be OK and it shined them good. I also put it on the steering wheel. It was either removing dirt build-up from the steering wheel, or some color from the wheel, as it was bringing off a dark color. It was a 1-owner car and they have taken good care of it and the inside was very clean when I bought it. Perhaps they never cleaned the steering wheel? Nothing came off of the seats.

I think that we can only see it on our own names.

Sometimes I drive off right away, but I drive about 2 miles at speeds below 30 mph before I get to the highway. I could not let it set and idle down, as I can even drive my car for 10 minutes before the idle will go down all the way down. It will idle at about 900 rpms, rather than 600 rpms. I have noticed this at stoplights after I have just started the car and whether it has been driven for 10 miles or 10 minutes. 99LSGUY- That shifting into 3rd gear does not sound normal. MY 90 LS400, with 226K does not shift like this when cold and I have not heard of others doing that either. They do seem to shift a little more firm when cold however. I have no idea what would cause a overly harsh 2-3 shift. Perhaps just the nature of the 98-00 LS400s? Perhaps it is normal.

Yes- my car seems to do it more when it is colder outside. You are right about COLD. We were only in the lower 30s today and our normal high for todays date (January 10) is in the mid 40s. Big change from last Sunday's 72 degree high. :) I am ready for spring.

I agree. Sounds like severely corroded terminals or a loose connection.

My grandfather had a similar problem with his 1990 Mazda 929 sedan (LS400 wanna be). Anyway- after about 100 miles of driving after new tires were installed- it started shaking in the steering wheel (not upon braking) at highway speeds. Took it back and a wheel weight had fallen off. Took it back again- about 100 miles later- it happened again. Just let it go @ that point. Had new tires installed since then and I think all is well. I think the tire shop did not know what they were doing. :) His car has alloy wheels and he was told that weights seem to fall off of this type wheel pretty easy- but who knows?

It must be a little "richer" than normal, because of the smoke. It looks like blue smoke (which would indicate oil), but it smells NOTHING like oil burning. Gasoline smell only. Thanks again.

If it is causing the odd light illumination- I would guess it is too late. I have not had the problem on my car, but from what I have read here- it is gone after that happens. I would look at the alternator and see if fluid has leaked in it. If not- I would guess that your battery is weak.

Must be very common. My 90 LS400 also has lights not working here and these are actually the only lights (inside or out) that does not illuminate. The green lights on all of the buttons still work, but the climate control button illumination lights on the left side do not work. I think the "off-auto-low & medium fan speed-and some of the air vent modes on the left side" do not illuminte. The medium and high fam speed & air vent mode toward the right side still work. I feel it is not big enough of a problem to deal with. If I recall- all of the climate control illumination lights on my old 93 Camry were not illuminating. Perhaps a common problem on many other early 90s Toyotas & Lexus'.

I have not paid much attention to my LS, but can you gain access inside the trunk by removing the rear seat? Should be able to gain access at least to your items in the trunk through there, but it may be a solid panel. Not sure.

Sounds like a weak battery.

I have noticed that my 90 LS400 has a slight vibration when I reach 50 MPH- up to about 60 MPH. I can barely feel it in the steering wheel. Most people probably would not even notice it. I have just been assuming it is the tires, but they are brand new- but I guess it is still possible that one is out of balance- or I guess it could be some type of mount. At speeds around 65-80- it is as smooth as silk. Just that 50-60 mph range. My car is 14 years old however, with 226K, I really should not expect it to be perfect- which is really bad, because since it is a Lexus- I guess I want it to be that way- despite the age & mileage. One thing I noticed- when I first start the car in the morning- when it is at fast idle- around 1700 rpms- it will have a vibration every 2 seconds- like something is out of round. Perhaps my motor mount is getting worn- which may be the vibration at 50-60 mph speeds?

Has anyone ever seen a battered, well-abused LS400? I have seen my first one. Today at one of our (we have 2 here in town and 4 in the metro area) local Super Wal-Mart parking lots I seen a blue 1995, 1996 or 1997 LS400 in the parking lot- just a few cars up from mine. The rear bumper had a big rip in the cover and the trunk had a big dent, as if they had backed into a pole at about 15 mph. It had been done for a while, as the paint was gone there and it had a light coating of surface rust. It had numerous scrapes on the driver side, as well as a few dents on the LF fender. The passenger side was even worse, as it had a fairly large bashed in place on the front part of the RF bumper and the parking lights there were broken. The windows were so dirty- that I do not know how they could even see out of them. The interior was also dirty and cluttered and looked like it had never been cleaned. There was also numerous scrapes on the passenger side. I took note of all of this because I had never seen a Lexus in this poor condition before.

What is the year and mileage of the car?

1990 LS400 - color: dark walnut - mileage: 226,100 OPTIONS: Sunroof, remote entry, leather, gold trim package. Standard suspension (Lacks the following options: CD player, Nakamichi sound system, air-ride suspension, seat memory, heated seats) Original sticker price - $38,000 (approximately) The good: My car was a 1-owner car. Still runs like new. I am really impressed with it. The engine and transmission are still very smooth. The interior is still in very good condition, with no cracking anywhere on the seats or steering wheel. The instrument cluster lighting and guages still work perfectly- which is good, considering this is a common problem. All electrical systems are fine. Car is also still 100% squeak and rattle free. Still has the original paint and it still has a good shine. The problems (very minor): It has 226K- but these cars are made to go 300K+ if properly maintained/cared for. Was told that the A/C evaporator was bad, so I have no A/C, but heat works perfectly. I have also noticed that most recently- I can see a very little bit of darkening in the bottom corner of the LCD climate control- which is a very common problem, but not a big deal. Also, the illumination lights (lights that come on when the headlights are on) that light the left hand side of the heat-A/C controls does not illuminate- which is also a very common problem. I have a very slight leak from the power steering pump, but just enough to dampen the hose - no drips yet. I think it is just the hose. I have some scrapes on the bottom of my bumpers. Other than these minor things mentioned- no complaints/problems. The only thing I have had done recently is have new Lexus (Toyota) rear struts installed for a smooth ride (at independent repair shop). I also took the car to the Lexus dealership to have the airbag system re-activated, as the previous owner had it disconnected. I bought the car in November of 2003 for $4000 + tax. Insurance: (to be announced) - I am not sure exactly the price for the Lexus alone- as I have my other cars on the same policy. Overall- a excellent car.

I agree. That is the shift lock. It should have a little click noise. Perhaps it was just not working before- which is why you did not notice?

I think that the dealer is giving you the business. Steering column rattles are not normal, or common- especially on a Lexus. In your first post- you said you had a 91 LS430. Do you mean that the car with the rattle is a 91 LS400, or a 01 LS430? Like your 94 LS400- my 90 LS400, now with 226,100 miles- has a solid and quiet steering column. Your 91 or 01 (no matter the year) should be quiet as well. Good luck.

Not sure about your problem. Is it close to the fan area? My car does not do this, but my car does have a faint, occasional (about 1 pop per 4 seconds) "popping" sound from under the hood from the moment I start it- for about 30 seconds. Does your car do this? I have no clue as to what it is.

You are right. I have heard a lot of bad things about this car. I was not in the market for a Taurus, but this one was priced so cheap ($1300), I thought it was too good to pass up and I would use it as a work car- which I am actually doing now. I would not pay big $$ for one of these cars. Actually - there is currently a 2003 Taurus listed in the local classified trading post for $10,995- so these cars can be bought even cheaper than a Dodge Neon. From the sound of your brothers car- it sounds like they still have not improved. I have heard that the 1992-1995 Taurus' (later years of the older body style) are the best ones to own. Luckily, my Taurus still does not leak oil, even with 246K. The battery on mine did keep going dead when it would set for about 2 days, but it was because the battery was old. It still had the original 5 year old Motorcraft Ford battery until I changed it last week. My brakes are powerful, but the rotors need turning badly. One good thing about your brothers car is that it sticks in park, rather than jumping out of park. I know that some of the older Fords of the 1970s thru the early 1990s- was commonly known for jumping out of park and rolling unexpectedly.