LSPilot

Thanks ModMan. I'm going to the dealer tomorrow to research some missing service receipts. I'm hoping they hit the timing belt and the front rotors on the missing 90K service recipt or else I may be in for some $$ soon. Yesterday I pulled an all-day bow-to-stern detail job. I used a generic polish (I'll use Meguire's swirl remover next time) to get the gloss back. Then I started in with a toothbrush and went around the car removing wax buildup and crud nestled into the rubber parts. I hit all of the door jambs, hinges, windlace, door seals and wheel wells with armor all and degreaser where appropriate. The car looks like new! Today I took it easy and threw on a coat of wax, hit the carpets and speaker grilles with carpet cleaner, and replaced a burnt out taillight. I love this car. I have lots of records, but there are some holes. I'm thinking it needs the following preventative maint. to start off fresh: Trans & Diff. Fluid Change Brake Fluid Change New Fuel Filter New Fuel Tank Cap Gasket Coolant Flush Valve Clearance Adjust New Spark Plugs/Wires? New Front Brake Pads /Turn Rotors New Timing Belt Right Rear Door Latch Alignment Check A/C pressure switch (low pressure line has frost on it and compressor never seems to cycle) Adjust Headlights New Undercarriage Plastic Shield It seems like these are all due according to book recommendations. Does anyone have any advice or warnings? Thanks in advance.

Thanks for the tip on the McGuire's Swirl Remover. As for the alignment and tire balancing, it sounds like you are probably right. The more I've read in the forums, the more I see this is a common problem. Luckily, I found a really good alignment shop. Johnson's alignment here in L.A. They are really expensive, but they do the alignment by hand and road test the car several times to get everything just right. My Benz was like a new car after I took it to them. Oh, I just found one more squawk today. The seat memory doesn't appear to be working. When I set it, I get the beep, but then if I move things around and press the Mem 1 button, it does a short beep and nothing moves. Any ideas? -Josh

Awesome guys! Thanks a lot. I knew Lexus owners were decent people. I'm going to go right now and try the cigarette lighter fuse. Allright! Both of the lighters were inop. The fuse looked good when I pulled it, but I swapped it with the Fog Lt. fuse and now both lighters work like a charm! Thanks for the troubleshoot Migirdech! I'm going to put all new fuses in. Maybe this will help my radio problem. The terminals of the fuses look corroded. Should I sand the terminals in the fuse box also? Regarding the gas-door problem, I think you're right ModMan. I noticed that the courtesy lights dim when I pull the release button, which to me indicates that the solenoid is activating. Should I go to the dealer for the replacement spring? Shoot guys, we're 3 down 12 to go on my squawk list and it's only the second day! I just detailed the crap out of the car today--always a nice place to start. The paint is in decent shape, but not as good as I originally thought. There is some minor blistering on the hood and some stains from baked-on bird crap. Does anyone have any recommendations/caveats regarding rubbing compound? Mercedes sucks, Lexus is cool.

Cool. I'm still very impressed with the car. The vibration is not so bad. As a matter of fact, if I set the cruise, the car sort of 'settles in' to the speed and the vibration all but goes away. If I start heading down a hill or I have to change speeds, the vibe comes back. If I settle at a new speed it will vibrate for a while and then 'settle in.' Since I had the tires balanced and rotated and they're new (less than 9k) it doesn't seem like that sort of an issue, although the balancing was done at a Good Year shop, not a performance shop. Couldn't it be the U-joints? I had an RX-7 that had bad U-joints and it seemed like a similar vibration. BTW my Lex has 134K. Runs like a top. -Josh

Thanks to everybody for a great website. Your posts made my recent acquisition of a '92 LS400 a lot more informed. I was previously a forum junky on MercedesShop.com, but looks like I'm here for a while. I just sold my '97 Merc E420 with 65k. In the 8 months I owned it I spent over $3500 on 'surprises' and decided I'd had enough. I just picked up the Lexus yesterday in Austin, TX and drove it back to CA. I must say I'm very impressed. Smooth engine, very comfortable (23 hr trip), and great gas mileage/range. I went 500 miles on a tank and had 4 gallons to go! It is Dark Green with Nakamichi Audio, CD changer, and seat memory. I am the third owner. The car has been maintained almost exclusively at Lexus dealerships. The following is my list of squawks. If the list seems nit-picky, it's because I'm an airline pilot and we're notoriously bitchy about broken stuff. I'll start with a list of the 'known' problems--the ones I was aware of when I took delivery. And then I'll tell you about the 'surprises.' Known Squawks Climate Control LCD FUBAR Engine undercarriage plastic cover FUBAR Front Brake pads need replacing Wheels out of balance (so I thought) LH power window console loose 1/3 of rear view mirror has LCD bleeding problem Surprises Inconsistent vibration above 65. I thought it was tire balance issue, so I balanced them before the trip--didn't help at all. Could be U-joints--seems torque related) Rear marker light burnt out Gas Door Release Inop Both front speakers blown RR door misaligned/difficult to open Radio blinked-out/lost power momentarily, when brake was applied (happened 3x) Cigarette lighter inop Headlights out of adjustment If anyone has any tips on any of the above problems, your expertise with these fine automobiles will not be wasted! Most of these problems I plan to DIY. Rest assured, I will not stop until everything works!! Thanks in advance for your time. -Josh