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total1

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  1. 1997 ES300 @ 135K We have a VERY VERY wet passenger rear floor board! At first we thought it was due to a water bottle that had tipped over during a trip. We didn't know then and now we're strongly leaning towards an air conditioning (AC) issue. We recently had our Expansion Valve replaced on our ES300 when our AC when out a couple of months ago in 100+ heat. After driving the car for a couple days on a trip we noticed the rear passenger floor board was wet. Thinking a water bottle had tipped over we never gave it another thought. Then, on another trip we had a wet rear floor board and still thought of the possibility of a leaky water bottle but none of the water bottles showed any loss of water. On our way home in another 100+ trip we noticed a serious amount of water (more than previously) in the rear passenger floor board but we didn't have any water bottles nearby nor was it raining outside at anytime during our trip. [Windows up, no rain, AC set at 74-76F with level-2 to level-3 AC fan speed]. This situation happened both days on this trip. We soaked up the water wringing a hand towel 3+ times of water in this area! ;-( We did this at several stops during the day on the trip! 1) What could have caused this? 2) How do I fix it? 3) What are the implications of any consequential issues here (rust, shorting of wires, carpet etc)? 4) We've also noticed that our remote trunk opener doesn't work any longer nor does the trunk button to the left of the steering column. How can I fix these issues? TIA
  2. 1997 ES300 128K miles; oyster color; great shape I have a driver's rear quarter panel scratch just above and to the right of the wheel opening. The scratch is about 4-5" long and just deep enough to break the paint which is just now showing rust in the scratch. I don't know what caused the scratch. I am the second owner and the car is housed in an attached garage every night. My wife drives the car each day to/from work. I live in the midwest. What are my options and your ideas to rectify this without paying a paint-repair shop for a complete repaint of the quarter panel? TIA!!!
  3. 1997 ES300 128K miles; oyster color; great shape I have a driver's rear quarter panel scratch just above and to the right of the wheel opening. The scratch is about 4-5" long and just deep enough to break the paint. I don't know what caused the scratch. I am the second owner and the car is housed in an attached garage every night. My wife drives the car each day to/from work. I live in the midwest. What are my options and your ideas to rectify this without paying a paint-repair shop for a complete repaint of the quarter panel? TIA!!!
  4. Thanks for the response. Relating to the oil issue we use Mobil One Extended Performance. She needs to add about a half quart around 10K+ on a 'bad' oil change interval. So.. not much concern there. The oil looks great at 5-10K and minimal impact at 12K+. Not bad for 173K miles when we've used M1EP since around 120K-ish. On the other aspect of the alignment I'll get it checked out. So, is it your experience or perspective that struts DON'T cause/affect alignment? Thanks for your input again!
  5. ES300 175K miles engine and body in good to excellent shape My daughter's ES300 has excessive tire wear on the front tires. It's worse on the driver's side than the passenger's. Car pulls fairly heavily to the left.. much more than a drift but not a turn! Toyota (not Lexus) dealership says car can't be aligned until these things are done (they tried but the alignment wouldn't "stay"): 1) Replace front struts & mounts worn ($1000+); 2) Rear struts and mounts worn ($1300+); 3) Rear sway bar bushings and alignment ($200+). 4) Valve cover gaskets are leaking ($400-ish). Rear tires are fine. Just had the tires rotated back-to-front and front-to-back so "bad" tires are now on the rear. She was charged $60 for the review. Nothing was done at the Toyota dealership nor has anything been done yet as she doesn't have the $3000 necessary for 'all' the repairs. I'm hoping that a local repair shop can replace or repair the struts. A) Here's my question: WILL replacing the front struts (both sides) with non-Lexus struts and then align SOLVE the excessive inside front tire wear issue or is it something else she should consider? I'm looking at not replacing the springs on the struts so Monroe's general price is $110-ish for each strut via the $225-ish to include the spring on each. B) Second issue: I've smelled coolant when I have the heater on but it's not a strong smell. Ideas here on what to do? Use a coolant/antifreeze sealant? TIA for ALL the suggestions/advice!
  6. Thanks, capn... I've already replaced the Magnetic Clutch relay MG CLT [90987-02012] and this did not solve the problem. Is this the same or something different? Where and which fuse is it? Again, TIA!
  7. 1997 ES300 (200K+) AC light flashing Local, non-Lexus mechanic, has diagnosed that my 97 ES300 has either a bad Control Head ($1K-ish to replace) or bad compressor clutch (<$1Kish to replace). Both may be refurbished/remanufactured as necessary. No control codes help. Compress does not have any noise at all! Just doesn't stay engaged most of the time. Coolant pressure is fine (just replaced recently!) AC is cold WHEN it works. AC comes on/goes off in about a 1-2 second cycle. I can sometimes get the AC to stay on (30-40% or less of the time) by continuing to press the AC button when the AC disengages. Once connected, AC is cold and it sometimes can stay on for 30-60 minutes if driving on the interstate. Local driving (slowing down) almost always 'kills' the engagement. So, is my problem the Control Head (electronics) or the compressor? How can I be sure? TIA
  8. 97 ES300; 201K miles I have a worn out beige transmission handle. See picture. Is this easy to replace and does anyone have any suggested sources (used) for a replacement? There's a probable location on the front side of the transmission lever/handle but before I 'break' anything I thought I would ask. Is this general info on replacing things like this available on the Internet? Such as seat heaters, seats etc.? TIA!
  9. For beginners MAF sensor and EGR needs cleaning OK! Now, how do I properly clean them? Where are they located on the 98's? THANKS!!!
  10. For beginners MAF sensor and EGR needs cleaning OK! Now, how do I properly clean them? Where are they located on the 98's?
  11. My daughter with her 98 ES300 (Emerald Green) backed out of the garage Friday night and hit my wife's 97 ES300 (Oyster). See pictures attached from my cell phone. 1) Where can we get some 98 ES300 Emerald Green paint? 2) Where can we get some 97 ES300 Oyster paint? Checking on the Internet one finds that the pricing for the 98 ES300 Emerald Green passenger quarter panel and bumper run about $400-600ish. Likewise, checking on the Internet for the 97 ES300 Oyster driver quarter panel and door are in a similar price range. We're not "into" doing the quarter panel, bumper and/or door replacement so suggestions highly desired here. I've put some HVAC metalic tape over the serious scrapes to impede the rusting. Other ideas welcome here also. All-in-all, it's about a $2-3K 'hit'. How can we same cash in these areas? The 97's driver lower splash panel has at least one broken plastic connector very near the front edge of the door. The protective wheel well metal piece near the tire was broken loose on both cars. TIA!
  12. My daughter has a 98 ES300 w/ 161K miles. On Friday, 6/18/2010 she was at a stop light and the engine just quit. No warning... dash lights lit up and she called me. After having her look under the hood (rush hour traffic at that!) and not seeing any fluid issues or things that were obvious I had her attempt to restart the car. (She's not a mechanic but she can sure communicate!) Anyrate, we turned off the AC, radio and lights. The 98 ES300 started just like normal! Outside temp was 92 degrees. She drove it home while we were on the telephone together. She's driven it about 100 miles since then and all seems well. Any ideas of the issue or what we can check? We don't have any problems that we're aware of (except a minor accident later that day when she nipped my wife's ES300... see later post if you're interested!). TIA!!!
  13. The local and very friendly Toyota dealership was willing to work with me yesterday when I dropped by. We replaced the MG CLT [90987-02012] - (AC clutch switch located in the switch panel just behind the battery - it runs $70ish but I didn't have to purchase it.). This did not solve the problem. ;-( So, I'm still searching for a solution and some suggestions. Assistance always appreciated.
  14. Let me ask a more specific question relative to WHAT I'm supposed to purchase! 1) AC Ambient Temperature Switch ($30-60ish) 2) AC Clutch Relay ($15-30ish) 3) AC Compressor Relay ($15-65ish) 4) AC Relay Misc ($15-30ish) 5) AC Safety Switch ($140-300ish) 6) AC Trinary Switch ($140ish) I presume that I need the AC Relay Misc but I'm not sure! TIA Suggestions on WHERE to purchase would be appreciated!
  15. Thanks for your help! Does anyone know WHERE the 1997 ES300 AC Relay Switch is located so that I can replace it? It seems like a easy fix but I'm unable to locate where it is? Under the hood? If so, where? Behind the AC unit on the middle AC control unit? I've taken this out before several times but I'd like to know where to find it! TIA!!!
  16. 1) 97 ES300 just shy of 200K miles 2) AC panel light (green) blinks on/off 3) By working with the AC button on the panel (press on/off; press on/off etc.) I can sometimes get the AC to fully engage and the light stays green. If light stays green, AC is COLD! Routine is to hit the switch, speed up and maintain a steady speed just a tad bit higher than when I initially hit the switch. It's a real pain but it works 10%+ of the time now. Used to work 40%+. 4) The green light, if on, will go to flashing once I slow down. 5) Once engaged (and I can feel the engaging of the AC unit when I'm driving), unit puts out real cold air (temp=COLD). I had the AC recharged 9/2008 - 18+ months ago (20K++ miles). So, do I need a compressor (part # R134A, think) or what ALL do I need? I'll need to take this to a local guy/shop for replacement as it's above my 'pay grade'. I was just quoted $110 for the above unit (insurance quality, 30 day warranty) so I'll need Freon too. [i don't think unit is re-furbished] Is this the problem and/or what else to consider buy? Local Toyota dealer wants $600++, if I remember correctly from late last year. I'd like to get to local guy/shop and have them replace everything over a weekend so I'll need everything necessary at that time. TIA!!
  17. '97 ES300 factory CD player Second owner Glove compartment CD player I took a road trip recently and listened to some music and non-music CDs. I noticed that the CDs skipped from one track of a CD to the next CD, sometimes CD1, track 4 to CD2 track 1 or CD2 track 3 to CD3 track 1. I noticed that there was no difference in music non-music CDs. Some CDs were original music CDs and some non-music CDs were 'homemade' (not me). Hence, the quality of the CDs didn't seem to affect things. What would cause this and what is a possible resolution? PS: The sound system is not Nakamichi as I have a '98 ES300 with this and I also own a 97 ES300 but without a factory CD player. I've thought about interchanging things but I didn't know what the implications would be. BTW, the used car lot traded the 'original' radio with the one I have because the LCD lights were pretty bad on the original radio. TIA!
  18. 1997 ES300 Factory radio, CD and cassette unit I recently purchased a 97 ES300 and in attempting to play a CD today I noticed an error code displayed of "ERP1" or "ERP 1". I only put a single CD into the glove-box CD unit. I put the CD into tray #6 first and then tray #1 second. Neither location plays the CD. Once I put the CD in the radio attempts to process the CD and then displays the "ERP1" code on the LED. Otherwise, the radio works fine in both AM/FM. What can I do relating to this code? What does the code mean? Is there a convenient location for the ES300 codes - both system wide and radio/CD related? TIA!
  19. Presuming your ES300 is 97-01 vintage, I'd not recommend the cigarette lighter. Instead use the 12V recepticle in the center console area. I have found that the cigarette lighter 'comes-n-goes' or doesn't come back on after an initial 'on' condition. I would also presume that later ES3xx's would do the same thing relative to the cigarette lighter and center console area, but I don't know. I have a GPS enabled cell phone that is plugged into its charger that in turn is plugged into the center console 12V recepticle and I've had absolutely no problems.. except it seems that my cell phone GPS system sometimes uses more juice than it's supplied in the course of an 8-hour "GPS-day". I own a Motorola Q9c. HTH & FWIW...
  20. 1997 ES300; 176K; great condition My dash A/C light is now flashing pretty consistently but not 100% of the time. A/C air supplied temp is definitely not 'Cold'. A/C fans works etc. etc. Flashing starting about 7-10 days ago & it's got progressively worse. Is this just a coolant issue or a more serious issue such as .....? TIA
  21. Here's a picture of the back of the A/C unit with the circuit board. Are you speaking of the five (5) screw out bulbs seen on the circuit board or do I need to remove the circuit board itself? If I need to remove the circuit board, then how? I looked at the circuit board and removed the two (2) screws but I couldn't determine if when I was prying the board if it would break. Also, there appeared to be more connections than I could see. See for example the ...739.jpg image with the ribbon connector. What do I do here? TIA!
  22. Here is the best picture that I took this evening...1MB file with high resolution on a 7Mpxl camera (Olympus, fwiw)
  23. The spots are so small that, in some ways, purchasing Lexus 97 Oyster touchup paint might be overkill. OTOH, over time, it'll probably have a growing rust spot but we garage the Lexus as much as we can. Just because we touchup the paint doesn't seal the paint in does it? Does PepBoys or AutoZone have any applicable touch-up paint or clear coverings? [i'm not a real fan of the 'local' Lexus dealership as I get all my work performed by a local Toyota dealership who does a great job!] I only noticed the spot when I was unloading the trunk on Saturday PM in the sun. I'll see if I can get some pictures this evening for posting.
  24. 1997 ES300 Oyster; 71K miles (real low!) We recently purchased our 3rd ES300 vintage 97/98. Now, we've notice a slight "double-pinhead" sized chip of paint off the corner of the left rear quarter panel where the trunk curves down toward the rear lights. What are my options as I can see a little discoloration (no rust @ this time) on the quarter panel? It's soo small I hate to have a full/partial paint job so I'm looking for some 'rubbing compound' or rust inhibitor. I've virtually positive that the base metal has been slightly compromized. TIA
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