VRicherson

Here is a parts list from the Lexus Dealer advising me what all parts I needed to convert using all lexus parts (1995 model). 2 each of each part. I have not converted the suspension yet, but got this information while searching for the best option. I am posting this here because I could not find this information anywhere else and this was one of the more informative threads on the topic. Front: 48510-59106 Absorber Assy, 48131-50070 Spring, Coil, 48157-50010 Insulator, Fr 48680-50090 Support Assy, 90950-01659 Plug, Hole (aka Cap on Carson Toyota's site) Rear: 48530-59097 Absorber Assy, 48231-50100 Spring, Coil, 48257-50010 Insulator, RR 48341-50010 Bumper, RR SPR 48755-50080 Support, RR SU 48553-50080 Cap, Shock Abs The Lexus place quoted me appx $4000 to do this conversion. I got the list of parts, which total appx $2300 at the dealer, but only appx $1600 + shipping from Carson Toyota. Carson Toyota: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...playCatalogid=0

Just budget an extra few thousand to the cost of the LS when you buy it, because you will be paying it in maintenance. Mine needs to have the suspension converted ($1000+), the PS Pump replaced ($500 parts and $400 labor), 90K maintenance ($1500 at dealer). I am no handy man to do this stuff myself. So my $10K car + the maintenance will cost me $15K over maybe 5 years (hopefully it will last longer than that), and when the 5 years is up it will be worth maybe $5K if I am lucky. I bought a 97 Altima in 2002, for $10K. With little maintenance (probably less than $1000 in total maintenance not including oil changes), but it is worth about $1000 with almost 200K miles and slignt body damage that is not worth fixing. So the total cost of ownership for these two cars will be about the same but I enjoy the LS more.

You can have the dealer inspect the entire car for less than $100. Just ask them the check it out. They will be sure to give you a list of everything that even remotely needs to be done to the car. I did this when I bought the car and asked specifically for a car purchase inspection. They charged 1 hr of labor to do it, which here in Montgomery AL was $78. Tell them you are buying the car, or that you are going to sell it to a friend and want to have a good idea of the condition, and ask them to inspect it. It wouldn't hurt to tell them that you are having problems in a specific area such as this.

I was driving up behind a 430 some time ago and was not sure what it was, I was puzzling over it and for a long time and I thought it was a Ford Taurus (new model that was the Ford 500) until I got right up behind it. I think the styling on the 400 is much more distinctive and noticeable from a distance. Reliability is probably the same or better, and the initial cost will be less, it will last just as long, so I recommend the 400. When I see the 400 I like it, but for some reason the 430 just doesn't do that much for me.

This is a 95 model for sale, I am thinking about it because I already have a 95 same color and everything. Can anyone get me the carfax info? JT8UF22E8S0021474 Thanks, Victor Richerson

Just wanted to note that this solved my dash lights out problem as well. The lights go out when the headlights are turned on because the dimmer switch was set to low. I had some work done today at the dealer and apparently they did this for me while they were at it.

After continuing to read through the forum for about an hour, I finally came on the solution in this post: http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...light+dashlight The problem for a 95 model is that the dimmer switch can be set to completely off, which causes the dash to be completely blacked out when the headlights are on. I had some work done today at the dealer and apparently they did this for me while they were at it.

OK, I have a 95 model (73K miles) and the behavior of the lights going out is different. When I turn on the headlights, the dash lights and radio / climate control lights go out. When the headlights are off, the dash lights and radio / climate control are bright and shiny like new. One thing to note is that for the last 4 months I have owned the car, it would dim the dash lights and radio when the headlights were on. Sometimes this would flicker and come on full bright but it never went completely out as far as I noticed until today. I had to shine a flash light on the dash to see how fast I was going. I am not sure if this is the same problem, especially since 98% of the posts of these 14 pages refer to 90-94 models. Can someone help me with the problem? Thanks, Victor

Bumping old topic. Dealer tells me I have a sensor issue on the right rear and wants to replace for $400 parts and $150 labor. They aired up the suspension manually using a computer but it drops and stays low always otherwise. Any advice?

I know this is an old topic but I had a problem with my suspension being compressed in the right rear. I took it to the dealer and they said it is a sensor which can be replaced for $400 + $150 labor and the shock is fine. They hooked up a computer to it and aired up the shock manually.

I have had good luck ordering from Carson Toyota: http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/ind...playCatalogid=0 I ordered a passenger seatbelt, tran mount, and PCV valve and grommet and everything arrived in OEM boxes in sealed new condition.

I have a button near the shifter that turns on/off the ECT Power. I think it is some kind of transmission configuration that tells the computer to shift differently, as in for more power while driving.

I also need to do this. I have a 95 with the driver side rear gone out, it looks like it is sitting on the tire. The drivers side front also appears to be low. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Also, I am wondering if this could be the cause of the car shaking when I get above 60 mph. I was told I also need front ball joints and strut rods replaced. The tires have not been rotated and balanced for about 6k miles either.

I had a ford taurus that would not start. It was the battery cable connectors. I would not be surprised if it turns out to be something to do with the battery cable connectors.

I also have a 95 model and sometimes it sounds like one of the speakers goes out when I am listening to the radio.

Here is a tutorial on how to recharge the AC system. Note that the pressure in the system is checked using a pressure gauge. You should be able to let some of it out which is what I would recommend before your system breaks. http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/air/acrecharge.html The 95 models have the AC Low pressure port on the RHS of the vehicle, capped with a black cap (at least on mine).

I just bought a 95 ls 3 months ago. I started out using regular gas. This was before they changed to summer gas. I was getting 22mpg. I started using the 93 premium gas. I check my mileage every fill up. I get about 20 mpg now but it is all short trips, probably what would be called city driving (< 20 miles per trip usually). I am trying different gas stations. I will try a gas station for 2 fill ups and see the mileage using that stations gas. Raceway gave me 20 mpg with premium. So far first tank of Shell premium gave me about 20mpg. Everywhere I go now has 10% ethanol. I am going to try chevron next, then switch back to regular and see if I notice any mileage difference. That has been my experience so far. 5,000 miles since I bought the Lexus. I did get 31 mpg on a 120 mile interstate trip (4 gallons) one time a few months ago. I'd like to do more tests like that but I only take long trips every so often and usually do a lot of city driving once I get to my destination. I only did this one time test the mpg for all interstate. I have not had another opportunity. I also live in Alabama (Montgomery, Wetumpka area).

There is a conversion to remove the air suspension and replace with springs, I believe the cost was about $250 per tire. I think to fix the air suspension is $800-$1000 per tire. I imagine you could burst the one on the drivers side but it might be better to do the conversion and sell the working ones on ebay. For that matter since this is a common known issue and many people go the route of replacing the air suspension with springs, there ought to be a fair number available on ebay.

I just look on autotrader and try to get a feel for what is available for what price.

I just got 21.3 mpg on my first tank of gas in my 95 model with 65k miles, moderately conservative driving (this car just is so rewarding and relaxing to drive smoothly). I used chevron mid grade (89) but I will probably switch over to premium (93) soon to see if I get any performance boost. The car does not usually go screaming fast when I floor it, like I would expect. I think I am getting better acceleration in my 97 altima. I have only floored it a couple of times though. I changed my trans fluid (drain and fill 2 qts) yesterday and the old stuff that came out of there was dark brown / orange. I am going to do another change in a week or so to get even more of the old stuff out of there. I floored it once today and it seemed to do a little better, and the shifting was smoother. You might need to start a LS 430 gas mileage post if that is what you want.

How to Read & Clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes 1990-1994 Lexus LS400 (with list of codes including 41) here: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/intro/codereading.html How to Turn-Off the Air Bag Light / Clearing Diagnostic Code 41 1990-1994 Lexus LS400 here: http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/lighting/airbaglight.html

As for the cost of inspection, the lexus shop around here charges 1 hr of labor @ 77.96/hr.

I would guess that the battery is not the problem.

Autozone or one of the other parts shops will generally check the codes for free.