aarman4

OBD1 doesn't use a reader, the diag tool will just be a set of plugs with jumper wires on them, there is no need at all to purchase them, just get a wire (I used a twist tie, lol) or even a paper clip and do as the attached link tells you to do! http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/intro/codereading.html Best of luck!

Just feel your rims after a drive, the sticking caliper will heat up your rotor something fierce and itll go straight to your rim. One will be way hotter than the other. Take a look at this, and always check this whole site for anything relating to your car, it's a goldmine! http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/EFI/mainoxygensensor.html I have new O2 sensors going in once some house chores are finished... I have pulled them previously and it is pretty easy. As far as the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, I found that my light was actually burnt out on my speedo bezel that projects the warnings down to the guages... The LEXLS site shows how to replace this (speedo/guage section). The little lights may be tought to find (i got a whoe new bezel loaded with lights for $10 on ebay, a steal), but you may want to try moving a working but non-essential light to the CEL position. I used the seatbelt light for the time being and tried it in there to see a CEL and engine codes for O2 sensors... Best of luck! BTW - In Canada, O2 sensors were $100 at the store for universal, and almost $300 for OEM from NAPA, but I found both on Ebay for under $30, might be worth checking out if this is your problem.

just an update for anyone who was following this.... I found out my check engine light was burnt out, so I moved the seatbelt light over, and sure enough, it worked (too well though, now I have a check engine light on!!!) Anyways, I had a code 51 for the trac system (engine contol problem).... I read about this and found that the traction control system auto-shuts down with engine errors.... I pulled up engine code #21 (main oxygen sensor signal, left bank)... $115 at canadian tire for a universal, $295 at NAPA for OEM, I ordered 2 on ebay for $40 after pulling the left O2 sensor and found it to have an open circuit reading, and the right hand side had a resistance reading above what LexLS recommended (at that cost, why not both now right??) The current O2 sensors were not original either... I am hoping when my O2 sensors get here everything will go smoothly and the codes will be gone and the traction control will work for the first time for me!! I think it's time to leave some tips at LEXLS.com... Anyone who has used that priceless resource should consider sharing even a small percentage of what they have saved on repairs due to that awesome resource of a website he has! Other update---moonroof I opened the light bezel to find the moonroof controls not plugged in at all..... I plugged them in and: tilt up = nothing tilt down = relay click, then quick attempt to tilt down(must have been barely opeened) open = relay click, then sunroof opens nicely close = relay clicking, but no action at all I have a new sunroof control relay, will try soon to see if that fixes it.. I am sure it will not repair anything, and then it's time to order a sunroof motor I think after I go through the trouble of figuring out how to remove it from the roof... ANY IDEAS???? Anyways, thats the update

http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/interactive.do (unsure how to make live links...)((nm, it worked)) I was just looking at different wheels for the lexus, all you gotta do is fill in the area (I am in canada, so I just lied, lol), and then the year, make, and on about your vehicle and then you can see your car with any bof the different style of wheels on it.... I know someone posted last week about wanting to see his lex with black 19 inch rims on it... this is the place to do it... The colours are a bit wrong though, but it still looks like a great tool. Aaron

You should check the connection between the battery cables and the battery posts, also check for corrosion on them. Follow the cables away from the battery and make sure they are connected securely on the other end (alternator and ground).. Be careful when working with batteries..

Bali might be very correct, I had an older GMS Suburban a few years back that had the same symptoms... I opened the hood, and the ground cable was just a bit loose on the battery, but it was enough to kill the power.

The vast majority of octane boosters available off the shelf offer very little actual octane boost, despite their heroic claims. The most effective, and probably cost effective method is a "home-made" octane booster, which many simply mix toluene with a little bit of ATF (to act as lubricant). On a high-boost street engine I'm running I just add toluene to the tank as my octane boost, with great results. Way cheaper and far more effective than the junk on the store shelves. Do a google for "home brew octane booster" for the calculations of what kinds of octane increase to expect for given ratios. Thanks, i'll have a look for them, until then, I am just filling up out of town...

Check out the pinned topic stickied to the very top of the LS400/460 forum (click back, look up, waaaaaaay up).

Aftr sorting out my traction control problem as an aftereffect of a faulty O2 sensor, I have begun to tackle the inoperable sunroof problem. Switch for the sunroof was unplugged, so I plugged it in, it opens nicely, but refused to close. It clicked when I attempted to close, but no movement at all. I am sure this is a motor problem, but it might be control problem as well since I had no responce from "tilt up" or clicking at all.... I foud a sunroof motor on ebay for a 91 ES250... Would this sunroof motor work on the 91 LS400??? Thanks in advance

After reading some of the posts regarding regular and premium fuel, I know there will be alot of differing opinions on fuel. I also have my direct opinions on octane ratings and what they mean to the life of some vehicles, AND, I also have an understanding and knowledge of how gasolines react whent he octane rating is not of the recommended level.... SO, this to you... I live about 45 minutes from the nearest station that serves premium. I plan on using recommended octane rating for my car. I head into the city enough to usually make a fill before I run the tank out, so that is nto the issue. The issue is I don;t want to buy my fuel 45 minutes away. Have any of you used octane boosters? I never have and I am unsure about whrether it is an idea wirth pursuing, or a completely backwards approach to fuels. If anyone has used them and had success, hwo do you find out the "new octane rating" and what types seemed to be the most effective or least harmful to the engine? Tough question I know, but I'd really prefer to gas up 2 minutes from home if possible. Aarman4

I believe the fuel tank has about 80-87 liters of capacity, so, at your rate, you will only get about 400 km's on a tank... Thats VERY low, I drove mostly highway for 2000 km's 2 weeks ago and was getting about 700-850 km's per tank depending on the area I was driving and the speed.

Yeah, you know it.... I grew up in Vancouver and just moved here 2 1/2 years ago, I think the pontiac grand am/prix to lexus ratio is about 50,000 to 1 out here...

edit: 1991 Lexus LS400 well, thanks to the many resources I found here, I am prepared for a real post... Trac-off light is always on, and the button does nothing to remedy it. I pulled an error code of 51 and looked up some acrobat files that a fine gentleman posted and was able to determine that I need more acrobat files, lol, ones that pertain to the engine warning light, which is a light I cannot see on my dash... (bulb out??? fixable??) I reset the fault with the 8 times in three seconds brake pedal extravaganza, and the "tracoff" light went off! but the second I pulled out my diagnostic twist tie and started the engine, we were back to good old 51 again....Anyways, thats one thing (and yes I know some here dislike trac control, but I like everything on my vehicles to work as it was intended regardless). My other really nagging problem is the moonroof/sunroof... I get no response from the buttons at all. I checked the fuses, no problems there at all :( I am guessing that I either have a problem with the motor, relay, or perhaps a sensor has opened somewhere and thrown my power away before I even got to use it.... either way, anyone with some hands-on experience or advice on eithe rof these two subjects who feels like sharing, I am all ears and eyes... Cheers!

Hello there, I have pulled some VERY valuable information fromt his site over the past few days and found it best to introduce myself..... I just bought my first Lexus, a 1991 VERY dark green and grey LS400. I have had many a vehicle in many a style, and I already know this one will be a standout just based upon the quality of ride, as well as the quality that appears to have been put into nearly every step in making this car (with a couple annoying excpetions of course)... Anyways, I was out in Vancouver visiting family and came across this one in the buy and sell paper, and after a look, I paid my $4k and brought it home (263k km's- 163k Miles)... I drove it back to Manitoba on a 2 day trip, and was very pleased it passed the first test... Anyways, I was coming on to ask a question, but I felt best to make intro's first, before I become a taker, and hopefully in the future, a contributor here. Aaron