jsmith20

To add to this thread, I bought a 1999 LS400 with 78k miles, out of FL, in 2010 (I live in west Michigan).  In the first 12 months, I had the timing belt replaced and was asked if I had EVER changed the oil, as it was that full of sludge.  I have used Mobil 1 full synthetic since the day I owned, assuming either previous owner screwed it up, or the change in oils did something (unlikely).  Overall it has run well for the past 7yrs, until the last week.  Low oil pressure light started coming on intermittently.  When it comes on, the lifters knock.  When I restart the car it goes away for a period of time.  Had the oil pressure checked and it measured 70psi.

Last night I dropped the oil pan and found a nasty mess...1/4" of sludge in lower pan and solid crust in upper pan.  Planning to flush engine tonight, refilling and crossing my fingers...but I fully expect to be buying my next vehicle sooner than I was planning.

I took one of the coils off before and noticed that the wiring harness was really brittle...is this common? It was the first thing I checked this morning...the two coils I disconnected a couple months ago, to make sure they were still plugged in. I had it on my short list to replace the timing belt, but may have a shop do it instead. What is an average cost for the TB, WP, and pulleys,etc...? I got a quote today for $960. Thanks

Several threads on this, but looking for some more insight...

1999 LS 400, 90k miles, no known TB service

Moved my car a couple times this weekend and thought the exhaust smelled like stale gas...hadn't noticed this before (now wondering if its related)

On my way to work, the VSC and Check Engine lights came on.

Didn't notice any difference until I stopped...car was idling rough

Pulled the code at lunch (started and ran smooth)...p1350

Left the store and the car started running rough again.

Should I take it to a shop and let them take care of it, or just replace the timing belt and hope that fixes it :-)

Thanks for the help

'99 LS400. I had a '96 that didn't do this, and with the rest of the build quality of these cars, I can't believe this is normal.

I'm wondering if there is a missing air dam or something as it seems like as air is flowing over/under the hood it will cause it to bounce slightly...only near the hinges, near the windshield washer jets.

I checked the rubber stops on the front apron, but those seem to be tight. As well as that hinges seem tight. All the finders and hood have the OEM barcodes, so I don't think it has been worked on, but I don't know.

Thoughts on how to remove this "bouncing"

Anyone else have this issue?

passenger bank, closest to the firewall.

'99 LS400 with 85k. Bought is at 83k and noticed it after the first long trip.

Took off the coil, cleaned the seal and all surfaces, replaced and torqued (screws were tight before I removed).

Oil leak is back. Do I need to replace the coil or can I just add some RTV/gasket silicone?

Thanks

83K isn't much mileage for these cars. Maybe one the solenoid shifters is dirty and sticking leading to a sluggush shift. Its a bit of a pain to drop the pan to swap it so you might want to replace the ATF first and see if that helps.

What did you top off the battery or the wiper fluid?? If the wiper fluid reservoir then maybe the float sensor is sticking leading to a false low setting.

Also - my battery was low the other day and as a result my "Low Windshield Fluid" alarm came on...I know, seems strange, but thats when it happened. I topped off the reservoir (was already 90% full), still on. Removed the battery cable for 30m+, still on...thoughts on how to reset this alarm?

Thank you for the feedback :-) I topped off the wiper fluid reservoir...I'll check the float sensor, I'm hoping it's that simple. I had a couple other alarms that tripped at the same time (check engine and check VCS?) but they both cleared after disconnecting the battery.

If you mean it has a delayed 1-2 upshift when cold, then that's completely normal. It's done I think to ensure the cats heat up more quickly. My 98GS does the same thing, my 92LS never did. Seems to be part of the 5 speed auto programming.

No worries.

YES !! both my 99's do this.

Perfect. New ATF may help a little, but sounds like this is just part of the program.

Thanks for the feedback :-)

I recently purchased a '99 LS400 with 83k on it (replaced my totaled '96). I have noticed that it has a hard time shifting from 1st to 2nd the first time...and sometimes back to 1st. Generally I'll shift into N for a second and then back to D and it shifts normally the rest of the trip.

It has been pretty cold here in Michigan and have been using that as an excuse. However, the weather has been warm enough lately that I don't think it should be cold enough to delay the shift. I have looked at the fluid, it is in the normal range for volume, but is a little darker than I would expect.

Thoughts? My plan is to replace the AT Fluid with the hope that will fix it, but would like your thoughts if I should try something more, at the same time.

Also - my battery was low the other day and as a result my "Low Windshield Fluid" alarm came on...I know, seems strange, but thats when it happened. I topped off the reservoir (was already 90% full), still on. Removed the battery cable for 30m+, still on...thoughts on how to reset this alarm?

Maybe I'm the only one bothered by this, it's a truNk, not a truCk. Just saying.

Thanks for pointing it out, do you know how to change the title? The edit button only allows me to edit the body of the post.

Anyway, back the to the issue at hand :-)

I have now contacted the last owner, the dealership the car was traded in to, the auction house, and again the dealer I bought the car from...I don't think there are many more places to look

I got some firm numbers from the dealer and here they are

2 master keys - 185x2 = $370

ECU - Lexus will cover the first replacement

Labor - I have to pay to replace the ECU and program, not sure how much that will be, but I'm guessing $200 isn't too high.

So through the local Lexus dealer I'm looking at $570+

So here is my real question...does anyone know the details of flashing the ECU?

I've read I can download freeware, buy a cable for my laptop and flash the ECU myself...is it that easy, or is it that easy to mess up the ECU?

If it is that easy, do I need 2 master keys like Lexus is saying I do, when I reflash/replace my ECU or can I just buy 1?

Thanks again for the help

You might want to look into joining AAA. I believe membership is about $50 per year and includes lock out service. It may be worth looking into.

I was able to remove the plug that is for the truck release and jumped the circuit...worked like a champ. I took me a good 30m to do it, but to do it again would be less than 10m...I get more and more cynical everytime I interact with the dealership...$95/10m work, I'm in the wrong business, however they didn't get mine, so I guess they priced themselves out of the market.

Now the booty. I was REALLY hoping to find OEM floor mats, two master keys, another valet key...but I found a couple mismatched mats and thats about it.

So now I need to solve the master key problem so I can unlock the trunk lock and have a remote that works with the car.

(FWiW - I tried programming my '96 key fob to my '99...but it didn't work. the dealership said I couldn't do it period, but will this work once I get a master key programmed to the car?)

Joel

Great post, thanks! I needed to jump/the circuit for the trunk release and this helped me.

Thanks Steve :-)

I did know about the lost key...didn't expect how big an issue it would be to get into my truck though or that I need an new or flashed ECU to program another key. The valet key doesn't have a transponder in it that will let me program the '96 fob I have?

Maybe open up the pass through door behind the rear seat arm rest and make some sort of stick and hook to pull the emergency unlatch cord inside the trunk...

I didn't realize there is a pass-through there...is it pretty obvious? Do I need to remove anything, or just "flip open" a door/panel?

Thanks,

It sounded too easy...I don't see a passthru on this car, am I missing something?

From the dealer here are my options.

A - jump the switch for the truck release - $95

I'm praying there is a master key in the truck

B - IF not, I will need to buy a master key (through the dealer it's ~$200)

C - THEN I supposedly need a new computer (which they said they may cover, not sure why, but that sounds expensive to just throw in)

D - Then it needs to be programmed...again $95 through the dealer

so in total (assuming a free computer) I'm looking at $400 - YIKES

What are your thoughts out there? If I only have a valet key, can I get a master key cut somewhere?

I'm pretty sure I can program the key myself...but do I really need to replace the computer if I get a new master key?

Thanks - Joel

Maybe open up the pass through door behind the rear seat arm rest and make some sort of stick and hook to pull the emergency unlatch cord inside the trunk...

I didn't realize there is a pass-through there...is it pretty obvious? Do I need to remove anything, or just "flip open" a door/panel?

Thanks,

What are my options...

Have a locksmith manually open the trunk?

Take it to Lexus? Can the remote switch lock by unlocked with just a master key blank?

Get a new master key with remote, train it an unlock that way?

Resort to my .38 special?

I'm HOPING that there is a set of keys in the truck along with the floor mats...that would be GREAT!, but I won't know until I get it open, so I really don't want to spend much money on keys until I get the truck open.

Any thoughts would be great.

Oh yeah, when I joined this club I didn't think I would be one of the members that listed multiple LS's in their signature bar...but I just brougth home my 2nd last night...a 1999 Mystic Blue LS400-SF with 81000 miles :-)

Thanks,

Joel

The 98-00 LS400 Nakamichi has different speakers, more power (280 watts vs. 195 watts), at least one less feature (ASL = automatic sound level), and different shaped tone, fader and balance control knobs.

I don't know how rare Nakamichis are on the 98-00 LS400. Of the four 99-00 LS400's I've been around on a varying basis, two have the standard Pioneer and two have Nakamichi.

I have been told by the owner of one of the larger car stereo repair businesses in the U.S. (Car Stereo Repair in Florida) that repair parts for Nakamichi systems are no longer available. Nakamichi tanked long ago and the current Nakamichi is not the same company. I assume parts are still available for the standard Pioneer system but I have not confirmed that. New or rebuilt components for both the standard Pioneer and the Nakamichi are no longer available from Lexus but used components pop up on eBay and these car forums from time to time.

It has been explained to me that the internal designs of the Nakamichi and Pioneer are very different and that some functions performed in the Pioneer head unit and amp are done it the opposite components of the Nakamichi. The wiring harness for the 98-00 LS400 Nakamichi and Pioneer systems are different including a different number of connectors (four vs. five) on the amps under the front passenger seat. The CD players for the two systems don't have the same part number so they may or may not be interchangeable.

I liken the sound of the two systems as being like the difference between digital and analog stereo systems with the Pioneer having a bit crisper digital sound and the Nakamichi having a slightly "fuzzy" (for lack of a better word) warmer analog sound.

The Nak in my 00 LS sounds great but I haven't spent all that much time in 98-00 LS400's with the standard Pioneer system. My Nak can play incredibly low, loud base notes with zero distortion as I've sometimes demonstrated to amuse/frighten people by playing Joni Michell's "Love is Gone" during which the lowest base notes can be felt though the seats and steering wheel even at half volume.

My Nak CD changer has no problem playing music CD's I burn on my PC in "cda" format but it won't play MP3. I assume the Pioneer CD changer can do the same.

I didn't go looking for the Nakamichi and probably would have been happy with the Pioneer. The Nak just happened to be on 2000 LS someone found for me back in 2003.

Thanks Jim - more detail than I was expecting...very insightful

I'm looking for '98-00 LS400 and have in my head that I want the Nakamichi...but why? What are the benefits for the Nakamichi of the Premium Stereo? Does on the Nakamichi have the amp? Different speakers?

I have a '96 with the Nakamichi and really like it, but when I listened to a premium stereo the other day, it sounded nice as well

Thanks.

SC430... <drool>

Still, the LS is tough to beat!

Micah

I'm with you, Micah, lot of convertibles in my past

That is a beauty...but I'd have a tough time getting all 3 car seat in the SC :-) Thanks for the link...I'm now on an all out across the country search.

where are you?

West Michigan (Grand Rapids) - but will travel to get a nice car at the right price :-)

With my settlement I should be able to upgrade from the '96, at least a couple years. Anyone have leads on cars? I know there was thread a couple weeks ago that got a lot of support. Thanks in advance.

FYI - totaled car - '96 LS400 - 145,000 - looking to for a '98 or newer with ~100k miles WITH the timing belt maint.

You guys nailed it :-)

1st shop (GM Dealer) - $5100

2nd shop (Lexus Dealer) - $5300

Both registered as a full loss, so now we'll see what the adjuster says.

Thanks for the feedback.

I don't have a lead on another LS...but was wondering how much damage was done to warrant the car being totaled. I am on my way to get 2 estimates this morning...my '96 / 150k was involved in a front ender last night :-(

At that rate, I'm guessing they'll total it, don't you think?

We'll see where the estimates come in tomorrow. My experience with other cars that had front clip damage was the repair costs went up pretty quick.

I may take it to my LLD if the local body shops are way under your estimates.

Thanks for the input :-)

Has anyone else seen the LFA at the Detroit car show this week? Overall it looks nice...BUT is had 2 little wings on the back tail, just above the tail light assemblies THAT WERE SCREWED ON WITH MACHINE SCREWS and then painted to match the body color... :-o

My '96 LS was in an accident this evening and I'm wondering how closely you can estimate the cost to repair. I haven't taken it in yet, so I have no idea.

What I can see (I haven't popped the hood yet, its 19deg and snowing right now :-) ):

Front driver quarter panel

Hood damage

Front headlamp housing

Turn indicator housing

Front clip damage/rash

My wife was driving down a road ~30mph when someone pulled out in front of her. Not sure how fast she was going at impact, but the collision was a "T-bone" with the crossover. Sounds like it messed up both doors on the crossover pretty good.

I'm wondering what to expect for the repair estimate.

The car seems to drive fine, but I only took it down the road 1/2m, and not faster than 30.

Guesses?

Thanks - Joel