coloknight

What about the brushless car washes? We get frequent rain showers that last just long enough to water spot the finish. I'm too busy to wash the car on a daily basis but too anal to drive around with waterspots. I go to a carwash where the car sits in one place while a wand circles the car and sprays on the wash, rinse, topcoat protector, etc. Once a month I use a really good paste wax. Bottom line: Are the brushless carwashes bad for the car?

Battery is brand new so I'll go ahead with the contact cleaner. Thanks again.

Many thanks. My brother-in-law did the actual checking while I made suggestions as to where to look. Figured he was more experienced. First thing in the morning, I'll check the door myself. If it's not there, I now know thanks to you where to call. Lord, I love this forum!

I'm new to the Lexus. Bought a 92 LS400 about a month ago so I can't take much credit for the 210,800 on it. Just out of curiosity, took a hint from BBCs Top Gear and put a glass of water on the engine block. Revved it up and the water barely moved in the glass. Have a few minor electrical glitches but very minor. Looking for a second 1st gen Lexus for my daughter.

Thanks. Don't think it was a floater...came from Wisconsin...but it's a thought. I'll pick up the cleaner this weekend and give it a shot...no pun intended. :D Just to be sure....I do remove all the fuses first. Right?

My brother-in-law backed into my 92 LS400 and damaged the paint on the rear right bumper. Luckily, there was no damage to the bumper itself but the paint cracked and chipped. Between the two of us, we can't find the paint codes and he's a mechanic. We looked in the door and the engine compartment and found nothing. Also nothing in the owner's manual and I've been waiting four days for an answer from the local Lexus dealer. The car has been described as champagne. To me it's a light gold with darker rocker panels and lower bumpers. Does anyone know where else to look for the codes or what the codes happen to be for this car?

I have the full Pioneer system with a 6CD changer in the trunk. So if I get the Naki radio, do I just pull the Pioneer and plug in the Naki? As you've probably figured out, I'm an automotive nitwit so forgive if this is what you've already said. Maybe a bit off subject but the reason I have to replace the radio (head unit?) is that the previous owner's kids put quarters in the cassette slot. As far as I know, the quarters are still in there because the previous owners said that, for awhile, all they had to do is thump the dash and the radio would work. My guess is that the thumping bounced the quarters around. Is it possible that removing the quarters is all I have to do? Is it possible to do....even for a nitwit?

Yup, it's the newbie again but I keep coming back because this forum is the place to find answers. Best on the net! Anyway, I have a 92 LS400 with intermittent (sp?) electrical problems. For example, the cigarette lighter isn't working but I was able to feel heat if I held the lighter down in the socket. Next thing I knew, the heater wasn't working...the car was warm but I wasn't getting any heat even when the climate control was set on auto with the highest temp. First thought was a fuse so I pulled the ones for the heater and the lighter. Fuses were fine so I put them back in and the heater was working again. I get the same thing with my TRAC OFF light...pull the fuse and put the same fuse back and the light goes off. Mentioned it to a mechanic and he said the fuse panel may be corroded but it was a passing conversation so I didn't get the chance to ask how to correct the problem. Because of the angle, I can't see if there's corrosion or not but want to eliminate it as a possibility. So, how do I clean the fuse panel without removing it? Is it easy to remove for cleaning keeping in mind that I'm an automotive nitwit? Along that line, should I...could I...replace it DIY? The car sat outside for several months before I purchased it and the previous owners didn't seem to make maintenance a priority so I was also wondering if I should just replace all the existing fuses with brand new ones. Do fuses get old? None of them show any sign of wear. Just had anther thought. The previous owner's kids put quarters in the cassette slot of the radio and shorted the radio out. As far as I know, the quarters are still in there somewhere. Could they be causing the electrical blips? Anyone know how to get the quarters out?

Maybe the amp is it. I spoke with a friend who's a mechanic but, in his younger days, worked at Circuit City. He said that he'd never heard of proprietory speakers. On the other hand, if it's been tried and failed....who am I to say? My situation is that I'm a newbie that's in love with her Lexus and wants to keep it as original as possible but lives on a limited budget and the $100 difference is a big difference. Especially since there are other...albiet very minor...fixes that have to be done. So what's the verdict? If I buy the Naki that's coming from a 92 LS400 with a CD changer, will the stock Pioneer equipment of my 92 LS400 work with it?...including the amp and the CD changer?

I purchased a Nakimichi from Ebay for my '92 LS400 and it turned out to be simply plug-n-play. My '92 didn't have a CD player so I don't know about that but I suspect the same...plug-n-play. But be aware a '93 will not work. Excellent! Because there sure is a big difference in price. Thought about using an after market but I like the cassette/CD combination. Thanks for such a quick reply.

Just thought of another question. Does anyone know the stock number for the original Pioneer in a 92 LS400?

My stock Pioneer with CD changer is dead because the previous owner's kids pushed quarters into the cassette slot. I've been scanning ebay and the Nakimichi is cheaper. My questions are 1) will the Nakimichi replace the Pioneer without modification? 2) Will security codes be a concern? 3) Is this a DIY for someone with a brain but no experience? 4) Will the Naki operate the CD changer in the trunk? 5) Is there a chance the Pioneer is fixable for a moderate amount? 6) Should I wait, save my pennies, and pay the $250 for the Pioneers on E-bay? Thanks in advance, Chris 1992 LS400 (210500 miles)

Holy Cow! Thank you so much! I can't wait to get home from work to get started. One of the first things I did was buy fuses so that I can eliminate any problem there but I couldn't find the darn panel. I'm also already, after a week, tired of sitting !Removed!-eyed so those two are the first I'll tackle. Those and making sure the sunroof is closed. A little background: I'm 54 and this is only the 6th car I've owned. None of them have been on par with this 16 year old Lexus. Not to be sacriligious (sp?) but, until now, my favorites have been Metros because of their simplicity, the fact that they're easy to work on even for a lay person, and the stubborn way they keep running no matter how bad they're neglected. My last car was purchased when my second Metro was stolen. It was a 91 Eagle Premier that I grabbed up for $800 because I needed immediate transportation and I hate car payments. It lasted me 4 years despite a horrible engine knock from day one, haunted wiring, and bits and bobs that kept going wrong. At three years, I bought a Mazda that got me as far as Pittsburg where it now lives because the cam shaft snapped and they wanted way too much to fix it so it was back to the Eagle. I stumbled onto the Lexus during a conversation in the hall at work and bought it sight unseen after skimming through posts on this forum and, since I only drive maybe 5000 miles in a year, it will probably...hopefully...be the last vehicle I own. That is unless I buy a second one. Anyway, it was this forum that convinced me to buy the LS400 and, judging from the help already offered, it will be this forum that keeps it my favorite car ever. Thank you so much for answering my questions and for removing the guilt of asking more.

If you have further questions about the things above ask. That is what the forum is for.

2rotor: Thank you. It's entirely possible the roof may be slightly open because I had it open before I pulled out. As far as the TRAC, I tried the button but got no response. However, I've been reading through the posts regarding TRAC and they mention the battery being disconnected...Just put in a new battery. What do I do to correct it. Couldn't find the answer. (Man! This is a busy forum. 100s of posts.) The lockout (sounds better than dohickey :D) isn't the problem with the trunk. Already checked. Bali26: Thank you too. I like the sound of "minor maintenance". My brother-in-law is a mechanic and I've set up an appointment for him to put the vehicle on the scope. Thing is that, though the car is a ripe 16 years old, she rides and drives like a newborn. I'm a convert. By the way, Bali26, my man's the lucky one. I'm female.