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TA in KC

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Everything posted by TA in KC

  1. The last time the power steering pump failed on my previous 92 LS, I wasn't too interested in paying ~$700 for a new OEM pump either. I purchased a remanufactured OEM pump for around $150 and paid an independent Lexus mechanic to install it (and bypass the trouble-prone speed-sensitive steering system with a oil drain plug bolt). If I remember correctly, the total cost was a little under $400 and everything was still working great when I sold the car two years and about 50,000 miles later.
  2. I've had what sounds like this exact issue a number of times on my 98 LS. At least in my case, it has always been caused by low washer fluid. The "chime" always comes first and the warning message on the dashboard doesn't start to appear with it until the fluid level becomes ever lower after additional use. I suspect that initally, due to the location of the sensor, the warning message is shut off before it can appear by washer fluid contacting the sensor during the turn/driving over a bump. Have you checked your washer fluid level and does the problem go away after adding more?
  3. This website should be a big help. www.lexls.com
  4. About a year ago, a family member had something similar happen with a nearly-new Lexus HS. Unfortunately, he wasn't so lucky and the car rolled onto a golf course where it hit a tree, although the damage was relatively minor and easily repaired. I know I haven't been able to remove the key before putting the car in park on either of my LS 400s, but I guess the design must be different on newer models with the smart key system. Other than the emergency shutoff procedure, I'm surprised that the system even allows the engine to be turned off before shifting the transmission into park.
  5. After reading it again, I think maybe I didn't make my first response quite clear enough. I don't know if you could change only the plastic part of the switch, but I don't think you would have any problem taking a switch from any other door and using it to replace the failed one in your driver's door switch panel, assuming the 98 switch panel has removable switches like my previous 92 did.
  6. I've never had a switch fail on my current 98 LS, but on my previous 92, I had no problem removing and replacing the switches individually once I got the main panel out of the door. I don't remember exactly how they were removed, but know they came out through the bottom and the replacement switch just snapped right in. I can't think the design of the 98 could be much different.
  7. For some unknown reason, I believe the "Trac" and "Check Engine" lights usually come on together on most Lexus vehicles. I think you should start by taking your car to someone who can check to see what stored problem codes are causing these lights to illuminate. If you don't think you would end up making whatever repairs are necessary yourself, it would probably be a good idea to take the car to someone who can also make the repairs, ideally, a mechanic specializing in Toyota/Lexus vehicles.
  8. jaswood, I've been watching this thread for a while and can't understand why you won't just let it die. Since joining this forum, I've seen you do nothing but offer condescending answers to other members' questions and make attempts to start arguments with other more established and experienced members. That's not what this forum is for. We all know that there is abundant, colossal evidence to prove that power steering leaks cause alternator failure in Lexus LS cars. If you want to argue about it, I think you should go somewhere else...
  9. What kind of noise is the compressor making? Does it only make the noise under acceleration or is it happening at idle also?
  10. Why not just purchase another set of OEM wheels? I found a number of them with a Google search that were priced about the same as most entry-level aftermarket ones. You might also find some at a salvage yard....this one where I live has a complete set from an 02 for a reasonable price. http://rich-industries.com/. I believe wheels from a 98-00 LS 400 would also be a direct fit as I have seen 01-03 LS 430s with them installed and think they look quite good.
  11. And here's a diagram of the plug wires. firing_order.pdf
  12. I've never replaced speakers myself, but know friends that have on other cars with stock stereo systems when a speaker has failed. In those cases, changing out the failed speaker with a generic one purchased from Radio Shack, etc, seemed to work fine and there was no noticeable difference in sound quality. The drivers' door speaker on my previous 92 LS stopped working and I considered having it replaced but ended up just replacing the car. I learned after consulting an aftermarket stereo installer that in order to re-use the factory head unit with a new system, it would require a special adapter that took up a lot of space and was quite expensive, about $250 if I remember correctly. I don't know if the same would be true for replacing only the stock speakers on your car...perhaps there are some aftermarket ones out there that would be compatible with the existing amplifier and head unit. I'd consult a reputable stereo installer or maybe there is a more knowledgeable member who is also watching this thread.
  13. You should be able to find a good place on this list. Keep scrolling down past the advertisement...there are quite a few in your area. http://www.lexusshops.com/near/dallas-tx/
  14. Welcome to the club! Just a suggestion: this is an old thread, and in the future, you will likely get better responses by starting a new one. I think Sewell Lexus is usually the least expensive place to get new keys. With the forum member discount, they sell a replacement master key with the slide-out part cut to your car's VIN for $122.27. I've never owned a Lexus with a smart/electronic key before so I don't know much about programming them. But based on the attached instructions, it sounds like special equipment is required for your 04 LS 430 and new keys can't be programmed with a simple on-board procedure like on my older 98 LS 400. Programming a new master key may also require you currently have a working one. Perhaps you have an independent locksmith in your area who has the special equipment necessary and could program your key. We have one like that here in Kansas City and he is much less expensive than the dealership. I know he also has the ability to reflash the car's computer and make a new master key even if all the others have been lost. If you figure out that you won't need an existing master key to program a new one, or can find a locksmith that can do it without one, purchasing the new key from Sewell instead of your dealership would still save you over $120 based on the figures you provided. Good luck! LS430_keys.pdf
  15. I've always done brake work myself and prefer to stick with OEM Toyota brake pads...too many bad experiences with aftermarket ones and I have never noticed a significant difference in cost anyway. Here is a link to some instructions on how to perform various brake system procedures for your car: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/brake/ If you don't feel up to doing the work yourself, I think an independent shop specializing in Lexus/Toyota would be your best bet.
  16. There are 2 different part numbers based on the production year of your car. Based on yours, the correct part number appears to be 22270‑20050.
  17. When the power steering pump began to leak on my previous 92 LS, I had it replaced with a remanufactured one that came from a local auto parts store. The cost was hundreds of dollars less than a new one from the dealer and it was still working great at the time I sold the car. If I remember correctly, the replacement pump actually cost about the same as the rebuild kit did- one of those might be something to think about.
  18. I don't own an ES, but this sounds your car's idle air control valve needs to be cleaned or replaced. This is a pretty well documented issue- do a search for "idle air control valve" or "IACV" and you should come up with some good information.
  19. Here is a tutorial on how to flush the brake fluid on a first-generation LS400. Some steps might be slightly different for your 98 but I would think this would still be helpful. http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/brake/bleeding.html
  20. With the forum discount, Sewell Lexus sells a replacement master remote key cut to your car's VIN for $152.20. www.sewellpartsonline.com Programming the key is fairly easy- there are actually two separate procedures which you should be able to find with a search on the forum. One is for programming the remote buttons and the other is for the immobilizer system. Good luck.
  21. Have you checked with Sewell Lexus? If any dealer sells them individually, it would probably be them. www.sewellpartsonline.com
  22. Back when I had my 92 LS the only place I could find both of these bulbs was a Lexus dealership. The dome light bulbs never seemed to last particularly long- I usually ended up having to change it about twice a year. They were very inexpensive though- usually just a few dollars. I think I paid about $30 for a replacement fog light bulb. If you don't have a Lexus dealership in your area, I'm sure you could order both bulbs online from Sewell Lexus. With your forum name discount, the prices would likely be less than these figures.
  23. I follow the maintenance schedule in my car's owners manual which usually means servicing the car every 5000 miles. I do some work myself and other times I use the dealership. There are actually two Lexus dealerships in the Kansas City area although both are owned by the same company. I typically go to the one that is far north of the city where I can book an appointment on fairly short notice and wait times are shorter. I think they do a good job and their prices are reasonable. If we had a decent (key word) independent Lexus shop I would likely have my car serviced there instead. We do have an "indie" Lexus place here, which I used on three seperate occasions (actually based on a recommendation from a forum member) but my experiences there were always mediocre at best. Others have said the opposite so I guess the staff must just play favorites. If they treated every customer the way they treated me, I doubt they would still be in business. Their work was never finished when promised, quality was poor, my car was always returned dirty and prices for basic services like oil changes and brake work were higher than the dealership. The last time I visited the shop, I received my car back and the floor mat was covered in what appeared to be used oil. I brought it back inside, gave it to the service writer where he took it back out into the shop and began screaming so loudly at the mechanic I could her him all the way inside. I couldn't even tell what he was saying- but eventually I got a clean floor mat back although I was rather disgusted at how he handled the situation. After these experiences I'm very happy with the Lexus dealership.
  24. Op said... "..when really hot outside..." That's when high side pressures will be at their greatest. Op might want to check and make sure the electric condensor/radiator cooling fan(s) are fully functional. jaswood, I'm not sure I'm understanding exactly what you are trying to say. Your responses to this thread (and others) have been rather condescending and I was only attempting to offer another perspective that the original poster might understand more easily.
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