Michael0711

Same thing happened to my 98 SC400, I brought it to my local mechanic and left it with him. He kept it about 4 days and hooked up some type of line that told him what the problem was when it just clicked and did not start. In the end, it was the starter. It took him about 6 hours to replace it. Sounds like the exact same thing you went through. Michael

I haven't heard of any in my area, but it sounds like a good idea ! Michael

I had the fuse under the hood that would blow every time I replaced it, the problem was the amp. I had the Nak amp and had to replace it. I got an amp from R&J distributors http://www.randjdistributing.com it was more than $50.00 though. After replacing the amp everything was fine. If you have the 12 CD changer, it will start to skip sooner or later, you might consider replacing that as well, saving yourself the grief later. Michael

Jim, Thanks for the input but I'm trying to stay away from the slealership and their inflated labor rates. If it's something thats not to complicated I'll try fixing it myself.

Thanks, I'll keep checking for your response.

probably a short somewhere in the seat wiring. start at the seat harness and work backwards. does the seat move like it should etc? The seat moves fine in all directions, it's just the heater in the drivers seat that doesn't seem to be working. Michael

Does anyone have any idea why one seat would heat and the other one will not ? I checked the fuse and one fuse controls both seats. The fuse is fine. I have no idea how heated seats work and therefore I have no idea where to begin looking. The drivers seat is the one that will not heat up, the passenger seat works fine. Thanks, Michael

Lethal, Stay safe and keep your family safe as well, remember, you can ALWAYS rebuild a house. You and your family however are irreplaceable ! Michael

I am going to the "stealership" and ask them what kind of engine that is. I am not good with this kind of thing (in case you haven't noticed..hahahaha) and I will be pretty ticked off if the engine was swapped out ! In any case, shouldn't there still be a PCV valve on that side of the engine in the valve cover ? Michael

Can anyone help me out here with these pictures by showing me where the valve is... Thanks

Ok, I looked and I still cant see it ! I have taken a few pictures of the drivers side of the engine showing the valve cover. If anyone can insert arrows or something and show me where this thing is I would greatly appreciate it.... Michael

Thanks, I'll take a look at it when I get back home. Looks like it should be in plain sight. Michael

I thought it would be that easy as well, but, there are hoses running everywhere. The new PCV valve I bought has a 90 degree bend and I cant see where it would even fit on any of the hoses. Maybe I got the wrong PCV valve ?

I must be the dumbest Lexus owner in history ! I bought a new pcv valve for my 98 SC400 and figured it would take about 5 minutes to change it. Here's the problem, I can't find it ! It should be on the drivers side valve cover but I must be blind because I can't see it anywhere. Can someone take a picture of their engine and maybe put some arrows on the picture to show me where it's located. Thanks...

I thought I saw someone post the procedure for replacing the PVC valve on a 1998 SC400, If anyone knows how to do this please re post it or advise me on the correct procedure. Thanks.. Michael

Micah, OUTSTANDING work ! Very impressive. Michael

I went to the dealer, they looked at the panel and told me that it would be over $800.00 to replace the panel, it was not a bulb, the bulbs are only to light up the background on the buttons. They said that the panel needed to be replaced. It would be an hour of labor and the rest was for the part. Now, you want to take a guess at what I decided to do ? hahahahahaha Michael

I would think that you can get them from the dealer. I bought a bulb and thought I could just replace it, I have taken the console apart but still have not figured out how to peel back the face plate and unsolder and resolder the bulbs. I am going to the local Lexus dealer tomorrow and see what I can find out. I'll keep you posted. It seems that they may have changed something on the 98 SC400 but I'll find out more tomorrow.

You need to remove the 2 screws that hold white LCD plastic holder. Remove all solder at bulbs joint. Slightly bent the LCD to expose the bulbs under the plastic holder. Install new bulbs. Solder the joint. Put everthing back and you are done. You can contact me if you are still have questions. Do you have any pictures of this white plastic holder ? I had the console apart and got to the unit but couldn't see how to remove the face plate (if there is one) I hate to go to the dealer and pay huge dollars to replace a few bulbs. I cant believe that they made it so hard to replace a few bulbs. You can send it out if you can wait about a week or so to one of these 2 places. http://www.lextech.org/ http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Lexus-Clima...tem130194326186 I have used both places & they both do good work. There turn around time is fast also. The guy from eBay will work with you on the price if you contact him through his own email address. He will change your LCD screen a replace all the back light bulbs too. The other place (lextech) only does lighting. I have a 1998 SC there is nothing listed for the 1998 SC. Did they do something different for the 1998 models ?

You need to remove the 2 screws that hold white LCD plastic holder. Remove all solder at bulbs joint. Slightly bent the LCD to expose the bulbs under the plastic holder. Install new bulbs. Solder the joint. Put everthing back and you are done. You can contact me if you are still have questions. Do you have any pictures of this white plastic holder ? I had the console apart and got to the unit but couldn't see how to remove the face plate (if there is one) I hate to go to the dealer and pay huge dollars to replace a few bulbs. I cant believe that they made it so hard to replace a few bulbs.

I have a 98 SC400, the climate control panel light went out (half the screen was showing and half was not) I removed the console in an effort to replace the bulb but I can not see how to get behind the unit to expose the bulb and replace it. What do I have to do to get acess to the bulb(s) Any help would be appreciated. Thanks Michael

nolyaw, have you tried R&J to see if they have a Nak amp ? I got mine from them, it was $270.00 (including shipping) I put it in myself in about 30 minutes and all is working fine. Michael

kk100, I have some experience driving my SC400 in the snow as I live in the Chicago area. Here's my advice.... DON'T ! hahahahahahaha In all seriousness, if you can avoid it, do so. I have had no luck in the snow with it, an inch of snow will make your driving (safe) slow to a crawl. I love this car, and will avoid driving it in the snow at all costs. That is about the ONLY complaint I have with my SC400. Michael

nolyaw, I got my amp at R&J distributing, here's the link to their site http://www.randjdistributing.com/. The folks in this club are great at helping out and they got me hooked up with R&J. It was 270 including shipping, I got it in a few days and it's working fine. If you use them, contact them using the tools on their site, I tried to call a few time's and left messages, but they respond to email quickly. If you decide to go with the Blaupunkt remember that it will have to be the same size as the Nak because of the way it fits and is mounted under the CD changer. I guess what they are telling you is that an adapter is needed because of the way Nak is built. I would try to find a Nak first, it may be a little difficult as they are not making them anymore in the US but you may get lucky like I did. I think there is a company in Canada that carries them but they can't ship them into the US because of some customs laws, if you are close to them (upstate NY) you may have a chance at driving up there and getting it. Otherwise, reach out to the great folks in this club, they may be able to help. I saw that someone was selling parts off their SC that was stolen and returned a wreck, maybe they have an amp. Good luck in you hunt for your amp. I have my old one if you find someone that can repair Nak amps, I'd be happy to sell it to you if that becomes an option to you.Let me know. Michael

Thanks to all you guys that helped me out, I have the new amp, installed it, and all is good... Thanks again, Michael