yortblem

Here is a little story about a situation with our 97 ls400. First off, the cruise didn't work when we bought our LS. When the cruise was set it would continue to accelerate until it would go about 5 miles an hour past the set speed then it would shut off and the cruise light would blink on and off. It would reset itself after turning the car off, only to do the same exact thing after engaging the cruise control. We took the car to the Chandler Toyota in Chandler Arizona to have the timing belt and the water pump changed, and I asked the service manager, Gabe, to check the cruise control out to see what the problem was, and if it wasn't too expensive we would have the cruise control fixed also, I got a call from Gabe and he said that the car was ready to be picked up. I asked him about the cruise control problem and he said that his tech did some testing on the cruise control and it was the cruise control lever on the steering wheel. He said that the part, the lever assemble was 2000.00, and 70.00 to put it in. Yes, that was not a typo, it was 2000.00 and 70.00 to put it in. Now, how many of you would have forked over 2070.00 plus tax. Not me, no frick'in way. Not for a car that we paid 10,000 for. Because I suffer from OCD, Ha! only halfway kidding! I bought myself a Lexus ls400 service manual off ebay and I began to study it and researched how to test the cruise control system. I don't have a fancy OBD II tester but was able to use the jumper wire and get the dtc codes. The code was 14, the cruise control actuator!!! First thing that they suggested was to make sure that the actuator cable was not loose. Guess what, my actuator cable was loose, very loose, as a matter of fact it was so loose that I am amazed that it ever worked. Now one of the main reasons that I am writing this on this website is that when I was searching this topic there was nothing that exactly duplicated this problem and if I help just one person with a cruise control problem like this, it would be worth it. I get really upset when there is something wrong with my Lexus and people start throwing out very large quotes to fix something that is wrong with it. Lexus service managers and mechanics like to say errogant stuff like, if you have to ask how much then you probably can't afford to fix it. That is major BS. I feel the urge to knock there teeth in and I am a peaceful man. Where did the errogance come from with Lexus. It is a very nice car don't get me wrong, but it is not a Rolls Royce, for crying out loud. Lets kick it down a couple of notches. Anyway, that is my story and I am hoping that my cruise continues to work trouble free. Good luck my Lexus friends and I hope that you can keep your cars going without breaking the bank. I have one more problem to figure out with the car and that is the tilt steering. Mine sometimes doesn't work going up and down. Works fine in and out. If anybody has any threads on that subject let me know. Thanks.

I'd have no reservations about getting another steering wheel from a wreck because this is the first time I've ever heard of this part failing. Try car-part.com. I bought a wheel (for my '95) in pristine condition on that site for $100 (I swaped it out because of the leather. ;) ), and you can easily change it out in your driveway in about 20 minutes. The switch works because it turns it on and the light comes on. The ACC works because it will increase speed. It will even engage at whichever speed that I set it at and then it will shut off and the CRUISE light will blink. Then it will not engage until I turn off the car only to have the same thing happen again. All brake lights are working correctly. It is a mystery. Now as far as the Cruise components there is of course the switch acctuator, brake switch, the computer under the dash and the device under the hood alone with the speed sensors, right? Any other ideas? Thanks

I took our 97 ls400 into the shop the other day to have a couple things checked out on it. One of the things that I wanted fixed was the cruise control. The dealer did some tests and told me that the actuator switch on the steering column was bad and LEXUS wants 2000.00 dollars, Yes, that is correct, 2000.00 dollars for the switch assembly. Now I am talking about the little cruise lever on the side of the steering column. I couldn't believe it. 80.00 to put it in and 2000.00 dollars for the part. The Toyota part is 300.00 which I think is high but compared to 2000.00 for the Lexus part it is a bargain. Now, that just irritates the heck out of me. Now, I cannot be the only person that has had this problem with the cruise control switch and I cannot be the only one out here that is too smart not to pay 2000.00 for the part. Do I have any other options with this situation. I know that I can go to a wrecking yard, However, how long before that switch goes bad and have to deal with the same problem. Any suggestion or options would greatly be appreciated. I know that I could live without the cruise, and at 2000.00 I will have to live without cruise but what a shame!!! Shame on you LEXUS.

Hello, I have a 1997 LS400. Just bought it, LOVE IT!!!! However, the cruise control is not working correctly. Scenario: Turn on cruise, cruise light turns on. Then , I set the speed that I want to go. Cruise will engage at that speed but then gradually the speed begins to increase for a couple of seconds until the cruise shuts down. Then, the cruise light on the dash contiually blinks. The speedometer is not effected at all and works the whole time. I don't know if I can exclude the speed sensor on the transmission being the problem. The ABS has been working correctly as far as I know. It is just weird that the speed rises until it shuts itself down. It must not be getting a signal to keep it at that speed. (Turns on, sets speed, speed gradually increases, shuts down). Anybody had this problem before? If so, any advice, threads, past experiences would be greatly appreciated!!!!