stroker

Thanks curiousB for quick reply, now could you tell me where on the block I'll find the temp sender? Thanks again, Bobby There is a temp sensor on the engine block that the ECU factors into the fuel programming of the engine. If it is faulty and reading too low it could degrade performance as the ECU may be incorrectly sending too rich a fuel mix to the engine. Don't rule out a stuck (open) thermostat either. That could cause engine to be too cold and also degrade performance. A lot of folks find it just easier to replace the temp sender than spend a lot of time diagnosing it. Is fairly inexpensive from 3rd party (around $20) so not worth spending hours diagnosing.

Hi all! If its not one thing, its another... I've never really notice my temp gauge as it has always read the same regardless of the weather so I don't pay attention to it. (Have owned the car for 3 years). I read somewhere in this forum that a low reading contributes to poor mileage and that may be what is happening here.. My mileage sucks around town but on the highway @ 70-80 MPH I get around 24 MPG with 250,000 miles on the car. My gauge only reads about 1/4 on the dial but I still get great heat when I need it (Today temp is 42). Shouldn't it be reading about halfway at least regardless of the outside temp? Even at 95 degrees in July it doesn't come above 1/4.. Would it be a bad thermostat or something like a sensor? I believe that has something to do with my poor mileage. Thanks, Bobby

Still trying to remedy radio problem. Finally the SEC on the display when away and has been replaced by total darkness. Nothing at all, not even the backlight. Its as if I just turned the radio off. Any thoughts on this?? Thanks, Bobby

Maybe I shouldnt have used the word screen as I do not have Nav. I meant display. I cant enter the code according to the owners manual because it is displaying SEC and it wont let you do anything. How do you reset it to be able to enter something? Thanks for your reply, Bobby

I guess I am one of the few people who do remember my security code put into the radio when I bought my Lex.. My problem is that it already says SEC on the display (only after I had the battery installed) and I cant enter any thing into the system to confirm my code. I tried disconnecting the battery again to see if it would reset itself so I could start over again but to no avail.... Thanks for your reply, Bobby

I had a new battery installed in my LS400 and since then I cannot access my radio. On the screen it reads SEC and I tried to enter a code to fix the problem( using my manual ) and nothing happens. It still reads SEC. I really dont want to go to a dealer.. Any input is appreciated... Thanks, Bobby

Thanks for the speedy reply..Good info... Bob

I have one of two 91 LS400's in the Tampa area that came from the dealer with the optional cladding(ground effects). My car is Pearl White and the cladding is pretty close in color except the visible pearls in the paint are not visible.. I understand this option was installed at the dealer and was not really color matched and that doesnt bother me because it is very close..My problem is the local dealer doesnt have the info on the paint color used. Car is too old to remember. Should I just try to match the color or does someone out there know the paint code #? The dealer gave me the paint code for Pearl White but it is a 2 stage process and Im not about to paint all the cladding...I just want the paint code used on the cladding... I scraped the front on a high curb. Thanks, Bob

Landar.. Your are the winner so far. Had the electrical system checked a local AutoZone and lo and behold, the battery was putting out 148 cold cranking amps which is less than half of what it should be under a load. Put in a new battery and everything seems to be back to normal.. I was thinking way above what the problem really seemed to be.. should have thought about the dumb stuff first.. Thanks again and I'll update you in a few days.. Bobby I will "third" the starter. Your single 'click' gives the starter solenoid away. How old is the battery?

The click I mentioned is when the key is first turned to the on position not the start position (sometimes a click, sometimes a very brief whirring sound). To me that is the power going to the fuel pump. I understand a click in the start position would be probably be the solenoid. I have no problem with power and acceleration, very smooth even at wide open throttle. The battery is about 4 years old but reads just fine. I understand the starter draws a huge amount of amps to turn but most times it turns and starts in less than one revolution of the engine..Still confused !!! Bobby I will "third" the starter. Your single 'click' gives the starter solenoid away. How old is the battery?

Happy Turkey Day All!!!! I have a 91 LS400 and am having an annoying situation now and then when starting the engine. Most times it starts on the first kick and every once in a while when you hit the key to start it, it sounds like its binding up but then immediately turns over but takes some turning to start. I have cleaned the battery terminals and cables and checked the charging rate, both running and not running. Meter reads good both ways.. Sometimes I hear a click and sometimes I hear a brief whirring which to me would be the fuel pump kicking in.. Once running it purrs great and has excellent acceleration....Is the fuel pump on its way south or could it be something as simple as the fuel filter. This just started after replacing the steering rack and pinion which I wouldnt think would be related since my P/S pump was not leaking. It was just the boots and seals that were bad. Thank you all for your input.. Bob

I, myself am not an A/C guy but someone suggested it to me and I tried it and it worked....On my LS though, I had a garage do it and Im sure they used a vacuum pump to evacuate the system.. but the conversion only cost me about 80 bux so I dont think that it was that involved, versus over 200 bux just to add R12. They told me they had to evacuate the system even to just add R12. They say the R134 is not as cold as R12 but I live in South Florida and it keeps me nice and cold!!!! B. Hopefully you already know it's not as simple as just topping up you system with a can of R134 from Walmart. You will have to do a conversion to R134 which may be more trouble than going to a registered guy and have him top up the R12. I thought there was more to it. I thought a different drier was needed for R134. Also that the system had to be flushed with some type of solvent to remove the old oil (R12 compatible) as that oil isn't compatible with R134. Furthermore I thought you had to run system on a vacuum pump to draw out any air and humidity before recharging it. I'm not an AC guy maybe someone more knowledgeable in these areas can chime in. If its just changing a couple of fitting and filling it with R134 charge then that sounds pretty straight forward.

I have a 91 LS 400 and had it retrofitted to use the R134 for I think 80 bux including the freon or you can do it yourself by buying the kit at Wally World for 32 bux (its only the fittings you have to change) and a few cans of freon (R134) @ about 4 bux a can, the cans come with the necessary oil for the conversion...I did my other car myself and didnt have to evacuate the system because it was totally empty.. If it had any R12 left I would have just released it from the system.. Not environmentally correct but it works!!!! B. Hopefully you already know it's not as simple as just topping up you system with a can of R134 from Walmart. You will have to do a conversion to R134 which may be more trouble than going to a registered guy and have him top up the R12.

I'm getting ready to replace my leaking air control valve on my P/S pump on my 91 LS400 and am wondering if I could use just regular vacuum hose on the two connections on the valve. I really dont want to spend the extra money to buy the original ones from the Stealer. Also, what size hose would it be or would it be better to just plug both outlets?? Your thoughts are appreciated.... Thanks, Stroker

Dont see many newer cars with WW's but I'll tell you, on yours I think it looks great especially with those wheels and that color paint.. Of course I grew up with WW's on everything I've ever owned except my Lexus. I think its very sharp!!! Stroker

On my 91LS I have noticed there are 2 hoses coming up from the pump, one is attached to the intake manifold and the other is not connected but is plugged. I have noticed some white smoke from time to time from the exhaust and wonder if the PS fluid is being sucked in through the intake and out the exhaust. I have added about an ounce or two a couple of times of fluid but cannot see any fluid anywhere leaking. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks, B

Please tell me more about the transciever and how it affects the A/C fan when it dies, or does it not apply to my 91 LS 400?? Thanks, Bob Like I need to correct the master! ;) Quoted for truth. Get a Parrot or Motorola kit and forget about the Lexus system. I'd remove the transceiver before it dies and locks your a/c fan in on low speed.

Thanks for the reply..I know the 400 is no dog, it just doesnt sound like muscle..Let me know what you think after you get your new muffs. Good luck Thanks Bob

What kind of mufflers do you have on the car now? Are they the Borlas or something else? Im looking to replace mine with something that doesnt sound like a sewing machine, but I dont want a ticket! Bob

Where do you get JDM parts? Only available from Japan?? Thanks, Stroker

I too have been looking for some rear ventshades for ever and havent been able to find any.. Maybe somebody can chime in on this before I take off the fromt ones because it does look goofy without the rears.. I saw an LS with all four about a year ago and proceeded to chase him but lost him in traffic, so I think someone makes them!!!! Thanks for listening, Stroker

Id like to see some pics please.. Thanks, Bob

You can't get an accurate picture of your fuel economy by reading the fuel gauge and checking your trip indicator. Do it properly and it may surprise you. What do you consider doing it properly?? Ive done it both ways- top off, drive 200 or so miles and refill and using the gauge and trip meter and the difference was between 1 and 2 (maybe 2) MPG!

You can't get an accurate picture of your fuel economy by reading the fuel gauge and checking your trip indicator. Do it properly and it may surprise you. What do you consider doing it properly??

thanks for your reply..Did you use mobil 1 synthetic brake fluid or tranny fluid? My book says tranny fluid.. Thanks again, Bob