ls400_1999

Hi all, I am tired of looking at the CEL (code P430: passenger CAT), I am thinking about bying the O2 simulator to shut this light off. it is OFF and ON for the past 2 months. However I donlt want to ruin the exiting one (beside, it is a dog to take this cable off) so I am looking for a place just to buy the butt-type connector for the read O2 sensor only. Any one have any idea where? Also, my mechanic told me there is a hole in the Y pipe after the sensor (where two CAT meets) and he wants to replace it for $600. Will this also shut off the code if I replace this Y type pipe? My car is LS400 1999 with 106K miles. Thanks, Tony

You need an ODBII read to clear the code OR dis-connerct the battery cable for 30 second or so. I just replace all my O2 sensors (4 of them) and the 2 sub-sensors are a pitty to take off

Hi Folks, I have decided to DIY when my front brake are worned. What is the best disc brake & pads should I go for? I don't track the car so I don't really need drilled rotors. Thanks for any advice. Tony

Hi Folks, Today I attemp to remove the throttle body on my LS400 1999 to clean it. However, I could not figure out how to remove out the intake air connector :-( It is one piece of hard plastic so I am affraid to pull it from the throttle body because I might break something. Can any one help me? There is a tutorial on lslx.com but that is for 1997 or early model. Thanks so much Tony

On my 99, there is a button near the shift nob that you can switch from "ECON" to "PWR" to "SNOW". Try switch it to PWR and fllor it.

Is it normal for the middle/left/right vents blowing cool air while the "leg" vents are blowing hot air? I have the control set on "auto" and the temp is set at 72 F while outside temp is around 40 F. I did not notice this problem until recently. My car ls LS400 1999 with 98K miles. Any sugestion where I should look at? Cabin temp sensor? Thank

Hi, If I set the temperature control to 70-72 F (while outside is around 50 F) and put it in auto mode, all I get now is "cool" air from the front vents (both left/right and middle vents). If I crank the temperature up to max (85 F) then I got hot air coming out from there but only if I change to manual mode. However, I do get some hot air from the 2 bottom vents that blow to the driver/pass legs even the temperature is set back about 75 F. It starts to get cold around here and I don't want to freeze butt off while driving it. Any suggestion is very much appreciated! I did check the coolant level and it is at its max (as indicated by the mark on the reservior tank?) and I used a flash light to look around and did not see any thing that is leaking. I bought this car since new and love every minute of it. Plan to use it forever :) Thank you My car is 1999 LS400 97K miles (timing belt/water bump replaced at 90K miles) Tony

Are you talking about simply draining the 2 quarts in the pan, or attempting to do a complete drain? I have not attempted a complete drain, so I can't help there. If you are at 95K on the original ATF, you are definitely due. I would assume you would have significantly improved shifting with new fluid. If you don't want to try to drain the entire contents, you could do a 2 quart drain 'n fill at each oil change for 3-4 oil changes. It doesn't replace ALL of the old fluid, but certainly better than what you've got, and very easy. I just did a tranny pan drain today on my '99. Remove the drain bolt, drain 2 quarts, replace drain bolt with new crush washer, refill 2 quarts through tranny dipstick opening. When I say 2 quarts, it is approximate; measure what you empty, put the same amount back in, check the dipstick. I would like to do multiple drain/refills but the question is where is that "drain bolt" ? Thank

Folks, My car has 95K miles on it and I don't think its ATF ever changed. I would like to DIY for this job but I could not find anything in the manual that describe how to drain/refill. I searched the archives and found a DIY for 1994 LS400, but I am still not sure where to find ATF hose that was mentioned for my car's year. Is it in the same place? Any help with pcitures is very much appreciated. Thank again Tony

Folks, This morning I notice that my LS400 1999 produces white smoke more then usual (it was raining also). People from other forum (Boxster) indicate it might be the AOS (Air Oil Seperator) is about to RIP. I just change the Oxygen sensor on this car and it CEL is currently not on. Is it normal for this type of car or is it something I should check before it is really fail? Any Lexus expert out there can offer advice/suggestion? Thank a lot. Tony

Folks, I am thinking about redying the leather in my Lexus LS400 1999 (Ivory interior) However, I don't know the exact color code of the leather. Some dye vendor (leatherworld) has the code (Ivory #375) but the color they display is somehow darker then what I can tell from my car. To make story short, is there a way to get the exact leather color code for my car beside going to dealer and beg them to release that information? Thank Tony

5W-30 full synthetic: that is what I am going to use for my 1999 Lexus LS400. Question: Can I use oil filter from Mobil for my next oil change? I have been use OEM filter from dealer but now I have 2 oil filters from Mobil and I don't want to waste them. Thank

Regarding reliability: 1 -> Lexus 2 -> Honda 3 -> Porsche 4 -> Benz Fun to drive: Don't have to spell it out here. Comfortable level: 1 -> Benz 2 -> Lexus 3 -> Honda 4 -> Porsche

My LS400 1999, around 25MPG easy driving.

Folks, Today, I did brake flushes for all my cars (Benz S500 2000 , Porsche Boxster 1999, Honda Accord 2003, Lexus LS400 1999). I used DOT4 ATE Super Blue for all the cars using the Motive power bleeder. When I am done, I just realize that the Lexus LS400 use DOT 3 fluid as indicated on the cap! (The other 3 care all DOT4) I am kind of embarassing about not reading what is one the cap :-( I was kind of trying to finish the job and I thought all modern cars will use the same fluid. So the big question is can I use DOT4 fluid on the 1999 LS400 Lexus? Any expert out there can give some advices? Please? If not what do I do now? Re-flush with DOT3 ? Thank a lot. Tony

Anyone know what year the LS400 emblems has 2 stubs behind each of them? Thank

Hi, I bought a new set of gold LS400 gold emblem and I notice that each of the emblem has 2 little pins in the back (look to me like they use as guided pins) So the question is how can I remove the old emblem? Any instructions or pictures, would be greatly appreciated. Thank