bode

Billydpowell,

Thanks for the post, but you didn't tell me what happens when I try to take the 2 bolts out behind the block. Are you saying it is very difficult to get to them? Also, so I am clear about what you are saying, that you never saw a starter failure due to bad coil, just due to solenoid and contacts? My thought is if I can get the starter out, I will replace it, but if those 2 bolts are too hard to remove, I will replace parts. Just what I am thinking at the moment

Bode

Also to Trevor Catt,

You said it is easy to replace solenoid parts. Just so I'm sure here, the solenoid is right on top of the starter in middle of engine. Is that correct? If so, lot of work to get to that part, unless I'm missing something

Bode

Lenore,

Thanks for the post and your thoughts. It is an intermittent problem and may indeed be the solenoid. But, it could also be dead spots on the coil or bad contacts, brushes, I think they still call them that. Anyway, if I go through the labor to get to the starter, wouldn't it be better just to replace the whole thing? More expensive than solenoid, but sure wouldn't want to do it twice if I was wrong. Thanks for tutorial and appreciate any opinion you can share. Is it harder to take the whole thing out than to replace just the solenoid?

Thanks

Bode

Hi,

I am wondering if someone could direct me to someone knowledgeable. I want to replace my starter and am wanting to do it myself. Not 100% sure it is the starter. It is intermittent, and seems to work more often when strong, new battery is installed. I have replaced ground wire to battery, and it doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, I hear the dreaded click, sound, and no start. I try again and after third time or so, it will start just fine. Seems like it is an electrical issue, but local mechanics just want to replace starter. Car is a 1999 LS 400 with 190,000 miles. Any good tutorials on this with pics. I have modest repair skills. Any diagnostic posts to verify for certain it is the starter. I do hear the starter relay click when attempting start.

Thanks for any help,

Bode

Hi,

Thanks for all your help. My radio install went fine, the guys at local Best Buy were very knowledgeable and via your help and knowledge about the preamp were able to wire it so the sub woofer works well. Am very happy with radio and with back up camera I bought for it. 

I have another project and wonder if you could direct me to posts or someone knowledgeable. I want to replace my starter and am wanting to do it myself. Not 100% sure it is the starter. It is intermittent, and seems to work more often when strong, new battery is installed. I have replaced ground wire to battery, and it doesn't happen all the time, but when it does, I hear the dreaded click, sound, and no start. I try again and after third time or so, it will start just fine. Seems like it is an electrical issue, but local mechanics just want to replace starter. Car is a 1999 LS 400 with 190,000 miles. Any good tutorials on this with pics. I have modest repair skills.

Thanks,

Bode

I don't know what to say. Bought car in Chicago, live in Florida. I took off drivers seat to clean car carpet a couple yeats ago and discovered the amp then, under drivers seat. I will go look under passengers seat tomorrow and let you know what I find. However, I did see an amp under drivers seat, wires going to it and all. The installers never looked for the amp, just found appropriate spesker wires. My radio has Android Auto. Very nice interface with phone. Sound is excellent, as good as Nakamich sound, maybe brighter.

Thanks for all help in this. I can now say definitely what the situation is with Nakamichi radio in Lexus ls400 concerning installing aftermarket radio. I was there and watched it done. Indeed, all one has to do is take aftermarket speaker wires from new radio and connect them to speaker wires going to Nakamichi amp under drivers seat. The amp does the rest and delivers appropriate sound to subwoofer on its own. That's it. No separate sub out. Anyone having questions on this can contact me. It is an easy install. And, it sounds amazing.

Thanks for that info. I Am the original owner of the car it says it is a Nakamichi radio right on the radio itself. There is an amp under the drivers seat because I have taken the seat off for cleaning and seen the amp. At least on my car, that is where the amp is installed .bestbuy guy is going to use the rca outputs instead of wire harness that comes with new radio and connect them directly to the amp which he says powers speakers and subwoofer. We'll see what happens. Doing it tomorrow.

bode

Thanks for that info. I too can't understand why the sub wouldn't work as long as you connect power to it from aftermarket radio. To be clear, all I have to do is find which wires go to preamp under the drivers front seat? Do you remember which color they were, or will the wiring diag am you posted show that?

again, thanks for your help

Bode

Thanks for the info. My question, how did he get the subwoofer to work with amp under front seat? Everyone tells me you hav to bypass the amp and not use the subwoofer. Why is that and how did your guy get around it. 

Thanks

Bode

Thanks for the help. I live in Tampa, FL area, and will ask around the best I can. My feeling is most shops will say they can do A/C themselves and will not refer me to competition, but I can try. If you come up with any in my area, I'd be happy to visit them

Thanks again,

Bill

Yes, it is a sad situation. It would be acceptable if they would be honest in their expertise and abilities. I will stay with it for a little while longer, as they have to get it fixed on their dime now, since I have already paid them for the work. Your suggestion for an independent a/c shop is nice, but I have not found any place that just works on or specializes in a/c. All shops seem to be generalists, doing everything. Do you know of any shops that just do a/c?

Thanks for the info. Yes, in talking to Toyota, there is only one expansion valve, as I thought. They didn't know what the rear one was for. Thanks also for the advice about why the a/c is not as low as it should be. Toyota service has been doing the repair, and yes, you'd think they'd know what the problem is. I have had it in there for 3 times already. Very frustrating. I will pass on that it is either faulty expansion valve(they should be able to determine that by checking gauges readings), or(and I think this is a real possibility) One of the blend doors not reassembled properly and allowing hot air to mix with the cold. I will also suggest doing another evac and recharge. Hard to talk to them, cause they don't want to acknowledge that anything they do could be the reason.

I hate dealerships. They seem to lie constantly.

bode

Am still having problems with A/C on my Lexus LS400. Have replaced everything, still blows only cool, about 60 degrees. It used to blow under 40. I had the expansion valve and evporator replaced recently and noticed when buying parts that they sold a front and rear expansion valve for it. I don't think any LS400 had rear A/C, so where does this rear expansion valve go? I just bought front valve for mechanic to replace. Should I have replaced this rear valve too, and where does it go?

Thanks for any help in clearing this up

Bode

Hi,

Was told I have a bad condenser fan. I want to test it to see if it works. How do I bypass relays and/or pressure switch to see if high speed works. Don't know how to diagnose problem. High speed not working.

thanks for any help

Bode

Steve,

Thanks for the post. The only concern is that my year is different than the one on this thread. If I can get the evaporator out by only removing the glove box, that would be great. I heard you had to take entire dash off. Does anyone know if you can do it like what's in this thread from an earlier year, i.e, through glove box.

Does anyone have any threads or info on how to locate and replace evaporator on 1999 LS400. I believe you have to remove the entire dash, but not sure. Any help or tutorial on this?

Thanks for any help

Bode

Hi,

I was able to apply a little glue and then put it back together. So, all is good. Thanks to everyone for your help and advice.

Bill

Billy,

Thanks and thanks for the Christian Bible message. I don't think I broke anything, it just came apart. It's hard to tell, but having difficulty putting it back together. The inner black bar that louvers attach to(inside area) doesn't stay put. Could be I broke something that holds it in, but can't see how it will stay. AM thinking of using glue to hold it in place. I'll show you a picture, see what you think

Thank you very much. Unfortunately, I tried to take the face plate off and screwed up the louvers. I guess my question is now, where and how can I get a replacement center vent at a reasonable price, since I broke this one

I have a 1999 LS400 with Nakamichi radio. I thought you could just pry up the top a/c vent, but this one does not have clock with it but flasher lights unit. I can't get it to release and think I might be in trouble as it is coming apart. Please help me to get it off, so I can reassemble it
Thanks anyone

Your setup looks good. The trim fits very well. Where did you buy the trim around the new phone. Can you give me the brand? Was it metra? I will keep it on the bottom as you have. Thanks for the info.

Thank you for your reply. I am installing a Pioneer AVHX5600BHS head unit in my lexus. Your input is much appreciated and gives me confidence to do this. It seems they can just splice the wires using diagram and leave the connector in place. Would it be helpful to contact Pioneer to see if they had any experience adapting with my car? I'm glad we don't have to bypass the amp and are able to use the sub. I have another question. Do you think it possible when installing the new radio to put it on top of the a/c heater unit instead of underneath as it is now. Probably you can't but would be nicer to have radio higher for safety reasons when looking at it for nav, rear camera, etc. Just wondered if you could somehow put frame in upside down? Let me know your thoughts.

Thanks again

I have a 1999 ls400 with Nachamachi radio and want to put in a new pioneer double dinn radio and am concerned about wiring. Is there a harness available. Can I keep the amp and subwoofer. Any suggestions on how to go about this rewire

Thanks
Bill