Thomas A. Iglesias

Hi Everyone, For the past three weeks pulling out of the garage in the am or leaving work in the pm, after staring out with the car, I noticed the trunk has release on it's own and opens up! I pulled the batteries out of both remotes and it still did it. The latch is engaging properly. The dealer says the wireless transmitter module is $700.00. Has anyone ever experience this problem? 1996 SC400. Thanks.

Hi Everyone: 1996 SC 400 121,000 miles. I have had the car for three years with no problems at all. Lately when I go to start the car, especially the first start of the day, the engine will crank over five or six revolutions before it fires. This engine always fired over on the second revolution since I have owned it. The check engine light is not on while the engine is running and the car has normal performance otherwise. Thanks for your input. Tom

After taking off my Blizzaks and installing my Yoko Y2K's, I found the car handling erratically especially on low speed stops going over bumps, the steering wheel would want to shake and the car would dart left to right. Putting the Blizzak's back on problem solved. So I went shopping for tires. I tried the Bridgestone Turanza Serenity but they gave a harsh ride and made the steering wheel feel very heavy (Z Rated Tire). Then I tried the Michelin Pilot Exalto's A/S 225/55/RH 16. The ride was luxury, handling was excellent, noise was nil, and they gripped real well. I highly recommend this tire if you are trying to achieve the original mission of this automobile: Styling, Luxury, and Performance Good Luck!

After struggling under the car to replace a fog light bulb, I discovered a much easier method. Jack the front of the car upand remove the front wheel/tire assembly. Remove the black plastic splash guard covering the forward portion of the inner fender well. You will now have full unimpeded access to the fog lamp bulb socket. Change it out and reinstall all components. You can accomplish this in 30 minutes. Safe driving! BTW I also installed Sylvania Silver Star Ultra Halogen bulbs in low and high beam locations. They are great, use the same wattage and are much better than stock ! Tom

Good decision SK. This website and it's users are a great resource. I was glad to see the new user come around.

Hi Everyone, I have owned my sc400, 92,000 miles, since february and I am noticing that at idle in neutral if I hit the throttle the exhaust heat shields make a ticking noise. This is also true after a hot shut down they never seem to stop ticking any common problem here? Thanks, Tom

My 1996 SC with 86,000 miles had the exact symptoms. Change both the engine and transmission mounts and the car will be glass smooth. Well worth the $$. T.I.

I would replace the transmission mount right away. Then when you can afford it, replace the engine mounts. These cars are designed to be smoother than a Rolls Royce!

Hi Everyone, I had already replaced the transmission mount to solve a humming/vibration at 3000 rpm. Now I had a slight resonance vibration in the accelerator pedal at 1,800 rpm/40 mph. I replaced both engine mounts and that problem is solved. When I pulled them out they showed the same 3/4 of an inch in rubber compression that the transmission mount did, however neither of the mounts were cracked. Two tips: 1.From underneath, unbolt the three bolts for the ps resiviour bracket and let it dangle. This will give it the flexability to prevent the ps hoses from breaking when you jack up the engine. 2. After removing both upper and lower mount bolts from both sides, position a jack and a block of wood under the oil pan near the side you are going to do first, when you jack up the engine this will give you the lift height needed to get the old mount out and the new mount in. Also, on the right side remove the a/c drain tube temporarily for better access. As an added benefit, replacing the engine mounts also solved a clunk/thunk I was feeling in the powertrain when I shifted from park to drive. The car is now glass smooth under all conditions. This car feels brand new even though it is 12 years old with 85,000 miles on it. Leave it to Lexus!!!

Thanks for the advice on the tools!

I am about to change both engine mounts to correct a slight resonance felt in the steering wheel and accelerator pedal at 1,200 rpm under load. I have already changed the transmission mount which took care of most of the above. Are there any precautions I should take while changing out the mounts? Please advise. Thanks all.

How many miles on the car? You might as well replace them around 100K.....they seem to go bad eventually....it will at least eliminate 1 cause of vibration. I have learned it is a good idea to replace the tranny/engine mounts at the same time. Sorry, I should have mentioned I have 84,000 miles on the car. It is a 1996 SC400.

Hi All, I just changed the transmission mount and it indeed corrected the resonance vibration I was getting at 2000 rpm no load or load it did not matter. The only thing I feel now is a slight resonance/vibration at 2000 rpm under load in the steering wheel and accelerator. I was wondering if it is worth doing the engine mounts to eliminate this? Thanks for all of your advice.