Bought a new-to-me 98 LS400 a couple weeks ago, good deal, dealer maintained with all records, one owner car with 130K miles. Has a few issues that need to be worked out, mainly
1) When transfering my license plates over the bolt on the front wouldn't come out- seems like it's turning inside the bumper. I tried to get behind it and the bolt goes though the plastic into an actual metal bumper, which seems solid on all sides. I can't figure out how to get at it.
2) While looking for access in the above problem, I noticed a loose sensor lying on the inside front bumper cover, just below the cooling fans. It's still attached to the wiring harness, but that's all that is holding it onto the car. I don't know if it is an airbag sensor or a temp sensor, but I would love to be able to find out where it goes in order to reinstall it.
3) Starter. :( Twice now in 1,000 miles the starter has failed to engage. When turning the key you can hear it spin but the motor does not turn over. After 2-3 turns of the key it will engage and start normally. Does this sound like the typical starter problem? I'm not hearing the "one click", only the starter motor spinning. Assuming it will require replacement sooner rather than later, can someone give me a ballpark figure?