RFeldes

Actually the ending was good, I think I got stumped in the middle. Sk you are on top of it.............. Maybe too close..Go ahead and clear it, please.

All I can say is watch!!!!

I posted, but probably in the wrong place. It seems more appropiate to place it here. Take a looksee!! In case you haven't already. http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?con...023544&src=News

A stupid question, If I may? I assume your cabin heat was "on" when you tested. If it was, then check for voltage ,at the heater connectors, under the seat. NC211 is correct on the TSB's.

We all feel a little pain seeing a Lexus like that. I guess it's because we consider them all part of the family. So glad to hear your fiancee is okay and you will be in another ASAP.

That's funny...........You guys are too much...:chairshot: What a hoot... that I needed...............Still laughing :cheers:

Also, if I may, The 430 has the lowest cabin DB in the Mass Produced market and lowest drag co-efficient, I believe .025. (Could be the Alzhiemers) My 430 has the 17 inch tires and although quiet, Still not as quiet as my 90, mainly road noise due to the performance tires on the 430. But the handling is much better. Not a perfect world, is it? Neither have wind noise to speak of. Also, the 430 has a lot more POWER!!!!!

Hey Blake, Have you tried duct tape on each door, separately, including the sunroof to eliminate and pinpoint the noise. Hell, you can pretend you are testing a new car in cammo. PS... don't leave the tape on too long. SWO3 will kill me for this. :whistles: The LS should be as quite as Gov. Blanco's bedroom at 10 P.M.

A loud squeel at startup is usually indicative of a locked up compressor. Try turning off the ac before starting and see what happens, if you haven't already. Then find another Dealer.

Follow this link to the 2006 Consumer Reports findings. http://autos.msn.com/advice/CRArt.aspx?con...023544&src=News

OOPS!! I did not mean to imply converting to R134... "Just the Tap" in order for the gauges and supply line to fit. If you convert from R12 to R134 that is another story. The purists say don't, but I did on my 90 and had no problems. One note, the defrost/defog for the windshield still rely on the ac even in winter.

Sounds like you are on the right track. I assume by "motor" you mean compressor and that is a good sign as it will not "engage" the clutch if there is no freon due to a Pressure switch. Put a light to the compressor and have someone turn on the ac with the engine at idle. You should both see and hear it engage. If it does add freon with a pressure gauge available at Autozone until it registers in the green. You may need to convert the R12 connector at the fill next to the firewall on the passenger side. It is a simple matter of !Removed! the conversion on top of the old one. Congratulations!! on your LS.

Good honest report from a future LS owner. How refreshing!!! MB's have a great Bloodline, better than Lexus. But I am with you.. That is why I switched and never looked back. Good luck in whatever you decide. Thanks for your honesty.

Keep it clean boys!!!!! Good one MadMAx, Sirconrad, professional counsuling might be in order.

Ask Lexls, http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/intro/repairmanual.html

I know, I'm Bad !!!!!!! :chairshot: Have a Great weekend!

The fan "speeding" up at speed would be indicative of an alternator malfunction. If the battery were weak, It would be difficult to start. Autozone could check both for free. I would start there.

In Reply, SK, Just pointing out features of a 430 that I have experienced since my 400. No harm intended and am not snubbing, as a former 400 owner and that admiration of "total" engineering led me to a 430. I "are" an Engineer . Having owned several MB's, I am well aware of their engineering, but when it comes to finesse, "they" are "old tech". That is "exactly" why I drive a Lexus today. By the way, what is that hole in your bumper?

Hello from across the Pond!!! I am assuming you are looking for (as we americans say) a lexus hood ornament. Those words might help in your search. sha4000 has come across a "Mascot" but I did not see a Lexus "Mascot" ( might have missed it) nor have I ever espied one. Seems to me ,only personally, to be a little "too" Mercedes. Good Luck in your search. If you find one send us a photo. Cheers

Sorry SK, It works A-1 on mine. Pull it slightly and it goes down and pulls itsef closed to lock. Same with my doors, if they don't shut, motors pull them closed. A thing to behold!!! Impressive. Go Lexus!!!

Nice Car SK, On the 430 there is a handle under the trunk, inside, that says "pull" and when you do, it closes itself. They must have noticed the need. Again...NICE CAR!!!!

CUMan, Thanks for trying!! Did not work for me :cries:

When I did it, I put a "box" wrench on the nut,small one at the top left, and hammered the end of the box wrench "up", in your case, until the nut loosened. I also think a warm engine helps, as was mentioned earlier. Then I unscrewed the the solenoid "Lefty" for a "lot" of turns. Can't give any more help than that!!! Perserverance, on your part, or take it into the dealer $$$$. I wish I was in on this earlier, before you all went chisel!!!! It is frustrating :cries: but high fives on the outcome are well deserved as your steering will radically improve. These cars have a lot of well thought out Engineering and circumventing that lock nut is not a good idea. It must be loosened "first". God Speed.

Grand ls4 was right !! Keep you wife away from the 400 or you will both be down for maintenance, again :chairshot: Just kidding!!!!

Try typing in "pioneer" in the "search topic" at the bottom or maybe try lexls.com and try his tutorials on audio. He's a great provider of input on this forum. Don't forget to send a donation to him, if he helps you, as it is almost Christmas and he deserves our monetary "input". There are also a couple of other Pioneer Gurus on this site and hopefully, they will chime in and help you. Good Luck.