749_dark

that helped. Thanks.

Thanks! Metra TYTO-01 or Metra 70-8113? My plan is to buy standard CD player and use existing amp if possible.

great layout/pic. exactly what I needed. But just to make sure my feeble mind understands this. I can use the metra harness to bypass the amp on an aftermarket CD player and not have to rewire to speakers?

Greetings, I finally broke down and decided to have my dash replaced (all the bad plastic). But before doing this I need to fix the issue that has resulted in the most scratches/abuse. The jamming of the indash changer. I'm always for keeping things as stock as possible. It there a head unit that is a single CD player that will fit nicely that can utilize the factory wiring/amp. Smooth- while searching I came across a thread where you stated that all the neccessary information was on here. I can't perform a search on CD/AMP/or any letter with less than 4 characters. any further direction would be much appreciated. Also, the agent at crutchfield said that the tweeters in our lexus were custom and that I wouldn't find aftermarket replacements. anyone here find quality replacement speakers? I don't need to change these today so not a priority. Thanks, -A

I had a similar problem with the lag after I replaced spark plugs. Took it to the mechanic and he replaced the spark plug wiring which fixed the prbolem.

Mechanic did the same thing; broke the bolt and ended up replacing the tensioner as well. But he didn't offer to split anything with me. maybe it's a weak spot on the IS300

I'm with djspawn00. These days you definitely get more car for your money. Good luck!

Quick question. I'm ready for some new tires and thought maybe it I could also have the wheels repainted (buddy of has a paint booth/equipment). The only catch is that I have to clean them up first. My stock wheels are in pretty bad shape (previous owner did it all) with paint peeling/cracking, so simple sanding will probably not work. Anyone try sandblasting their stock wheels and repaint? And brand of paint you can recommend after the cleanup process. I was thinking either dark gray or mat black. Thanks, -A

Greetings, The clear coat on my door handles has dissappeared. The faded red paint looks a little sad. Has anyone removed the door handles and repainted them? if so how difficult is it to remove them. Did anyone try painting them black (wonder how they would look)? the black handles I think would look nice if the wheel were dark as well, along with the lexus emblems. Also the outside window seals don't look so great after 7 years of Florida sun beating on them. Anyone here replace them? The two above items bug me a little everything I walk towards my car :) and at some point depending on finances would like to fix. Thoughts?

I had my appointment for the timing belt/water pump/etc today...so the car is at the shop. I think it's the seal, two much oil around that inside center area. I asked the mechanic to replace it. I'm happy it's not coils or any other expensive sounding stuff. I'll run the fuel system cleaner when I get the car back. appreciate all the advice.

Smooth-I think you're right (not surprising) I got into my car this afternoon and no more rough idle and no more CEL/trac light flashing. I got the Denso plugs, summed up my courage and started ripping parts of to try and get to my spark plugs, well...45 minutes later (I'm not mechanically inclined so it takes me a little longer to get to things), there was a puddle of oil around the bottom of the plugs and the plugs themselves were all oily. cleaned the oil, replaced the plugs, and all is well. Thanks again for the help! -A

Yeah!!!! Just found out from the rest of the veterans here: DON'T buy Bosch spark plugs. Stick with Denso...just learned Bosch were crap.

10-4 on the water pump and belt, tensioner, and timing all on the same project. I'm also ordering new spark plugs, growing overseas, I always was lead to believe that Bosch german parts are the best. Just to confirm denso part# for my 2002 IS300 for the iridium: SK16R-P11. On the CEL: any recommendation on what I should try first (makes the most sense to try first). Where can I pickup coil pack or the VCG? I'm taking the car to a mechanic for all the timing belt stuff (uses Lexus factory parts), any information I could give him to debug the CEL will be very helpful to him and to my wallet. Coil Pack question (apologies for my ignorance): is there one for each bank or one for each cylinder. If we determine that the coil pack is bad then do we replace just the bad ones or all of them (assuming they are one per cylinder). Thanks for the help.

Greetings, 2 main questions: 1) A couple days ago the engine starting running a little rough. A few hours after I started noticing my CEL went on and my traction control light started flashing. Went to discount and retrieved error codes P0301 and P0305, cylinder 1 and 5 misfire. 2002 Lexus IS300, 5-speed manual, 92k miles, performed 30k tune-up at 70k using bosch platinums for the plugs. Any ideas/recomendations are greatly appreciated. 2) The car will be in the shop for a new timing belt, accessory belt, and water pump (friend recommended I do the water pump along with the timing belt). thoughts? What about the fuel filter? I remember changing it on my nissan pickup every 15k. Thanks, -A

Thanks for the suggestion. I'll probably go with the first suggestion at some point. I'm very surprised that Toyota screwed this one up so badly, my 1997 Nissan pickup with 154k miles has held up better than the area around the air vents and the center console.

What is your top 3 best bang for the buck performance upgrade? It can be suspension, engine, braking, etc...This will probably fall in the category of personal taste for some people and for other it will be a more hard number fact driven response. Please be specific with the parts you list; this will definitely help noobes (me) that don't know where to start or have some ideas but want to see what other people here have experienced.

I'm not sure that the type of CD effects the jamming. It seems that the in-dash CD changers are prone to jamming (error 3 message). I found the following thread to be very helpful and took almost no time: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...showtopic=44030

I recently came across the thread that gave directions on how to remove the CD changer. After successfully fixing the CD changer (trays 2 and 3 were broken so now it is a one CD player), I realized why my dash was so scratched up, aside from using weak materials around the dash, the previous owner must have used a sloppy electronics guy to fix the CD changer. Has anyone replaced the area around the control panel which is just plain bad. If I press hard enough with my finger, it will mark the plastic. Aside from the scratches the plastic has become gummy and sticky. Is it a huge project? At some point I was planning to have the dash covered with leather to match the top section of the dash. Smooth, at some point I read a thread in which you presented an impressive analysis of the different dash materials. What's going with the plastic around the control panel? Any quick and "easy" remedy (not very probable).

I read it last Sunday. It very apparent you guys did.

The first time my CD changer jammed, it un-jammed when I got airborne (the landing fix it). The second time it jammed, no amount of air un-jammed it (at least it felt like air but it was probably my suspension uncompressing a couple of inches). The directions posted where awesome and it took me less than 40 minutes. Thanks.

Dam it. Forgot to pencil this get together in my calendar. Smooth, how was the showing?

Count me in. I'll have about a gazillion questions.

Instead of spending time looking through the forum for exhaust/intake I thought I'd just ask the Doctor. So Doc what do you recommend? I just want to help the engine breath and sound a little better. My goal isn't to sound abnoxious but an exhaust that actual helps performance and sounds a little better (something you can barely hear at high speed). At some point I'd like to make it to a track event and will also drop it a little and change to an aluminum radiator (if they make one for my car) any recommendation there. Thanks for taking the time to respond.

When you say not much horses, how much is "not much". I was never a horsepower junkie but appreciate a little extra pep. 100 hp would be great but not for 4-6K, I also am not comfortable with the extra engine strain. What is a realistic expectation of intake, headers, and exhaust increase and how much would it all cost. I love my IS and bought it for its stock look. Only upgrade so far has been for stopping power. thanks