Larry W

Is it possible that the mechanic did something to control box (under the dash) when he installed the evaporator? My car always ran great up until I had this part installed. Is it perhaps just a coincidence that the sensor failed right after I picked up the car? Any opinions please? Is there a link (pictures and all) for replacing the temp sensor?

Is it possible that the mechanic did something to control box (under the dash) when he installed the evaporator? My car always ran great up until I had this part installed. Is it perhaps just a coincidence that the sensor failed right after I picked up the car? Any opinions please?

My car always starts within a second or two of cranking the engine. I remember thinking... "this starter will never wear out if this car starts this easily". Going out to check out the sensor position this morning.

By the way no engine codes are appearing.

Where exactly is the engine temperature sensor (94 LS 400)? I did open the gas cap (tried long shot) and a tremendous amount of air came out. Ready to fix this problem today. Thanks for the input. Awaiting your reply (is there a link?) Good news again is that the A/C is still "ICE COLD".

I just got the car back from having the new A/C evaporator installed (works great..ice cold again). I turned the engine off and 15 minutes later when I came back to the car it would not start. It cranks fine. The tank was 1/4 full and the temperature gauge was in the normal range. I removed the hose assembly from the fuel injection unit and sprayed in some starting fluid and it cranked right up. I drove about 5 miles to my home and shut off the engine. I tried cranking it again and it would not start. It was late so I thought I would look at it this morning. Outside temperature was 72 degrees and it started right up! I drove the boys to school and went to work. I shut the engine off and tried starting it again and it was a no start. Cranks OK. Doesn't sputter...runs perfect after starting. I did fill it up with premium fuel last night and put in some STP fuel injection cleaner. Open for suggestions. Wife did fill the car last week with 1/2 tank of 88 octane regular fuel (by accident). Do you think...?

The estimate for the new evaporator was $175 & the expansion valve was $45.

Mike: My 94 LS 400 has been experiencing the same problem since the weather in Florida has been colder. I've been keeping track of the dash issues and also logging in the temperature. When we had the drop down to 29 degrees in January 2010 (is this Florida?) the dash lights flickered off and in about 10 minutes of the heater working, the dash re-illuminated. The temperature averaging below 55 degrees will cause the dash to not light up. Since the temperature is getting warmer (South Florida) I've had no issues at all. Maybe its just my car. There are lot of electrical engineers out there reading this post that can give a reason why this is happening. I Googled "LS 400 dash board illumination"and got the technical answer. I suppose one day it will fail and I'll have to pull the dash and repair the board.

Brad: Its normal. My 94 LS does the same thing.

The mechanic installed the dye after the compressor was done (guess he was worried about the evap). Lexus wanted $1400-$1500 just for the compressor installed. The car just turned 100K so I plan on having it for quite some time. Not sure of the brand name of the evaporator but the price is right. Some times you just have to take a chance. I know a lot of the readers here would die before using a non Lexus part, but I can't see spending another $1000.00 dollars. I'll probably hear from some "diehards" telling me I'm getting what I'm paying for. I'll update you guys after the installation & get the part name. I'll also check on the degree of difficulty from the installer. Thanks for the input.

I took the car to another shop and it was confirmed that the evaporator was leaking. The freon was leaking into the drain tube and we could smell it in the car. Replacing the evap and the expansion valve along with the new compressor, clutch, & dryer from last week and I should be good for another 15 years. Gotta have A/C in sunny Fort Lauderdale. Luckily I found a great mechanic and he can do the job for under $600. Most of the Japanese "only" shops in town want $900. Parts are under $300. Very labor intensive.

Mike: Google "LS 400 dash illumination" and you'll get the answers you are looking for.

I did convert to 134a years ago. I am going to get a 2nd opinion since its such a huge job. Has anyone done this job? How many hours would you estimate including pump down and recharge?

I just picked up my 1994 LS 400 from the mechanic and was enjoying ice cold A/C after installing a rebuilt compressor. clutch, & filter. It lasted for about (2) days and then started slowly getting warmer. The mechanic checked it out today and said the evaporator is blown. I am somewhat familiar with a/c systems, but on American cars (mostly GM vehicles). Is this a huge job to replace this unit? What would be a ball park figure to replace it?

Last month I noticed the R/R window stopped working. I was OK with maybe not fixing it right away as it was the holidays etc...now the L/R and R/F have stopped working from their individual switches and the master control on my door. What is happening? Drivers window works perfectly. The elusive trunk cable by the hinge? I need some suggestions..please.

I called a local transmission shop and asked about changing the transmission fluid since the car now has 99,000 miles on the odometer. The "technician" who answered the phone said he would have a problem changing the fluid on a car that was 15 years old. "The new fluid has harsh cleaners that could cause a tranny failure." He said..."if its not causing you any problem..why are you changing it?" I said I would like to keep the car for awhile and I always perform the necessary maintenance when called for. It didn't seem to ring a bell with this guy. Any recommendations? I'm sure Lexus did not install lifetime fluid in these cars. Is there a filter or a metal screen in this tranny? When the fluid is changed...should the fluid in the torque converter be done as well or is it not necessary?

I'll be checking the r/r window motor itself for a replacement. Still can't figure out the dash board issue. Temps dropped from 49 degrees last night to 36 and the dash remained illuminated. This morning its not. Very frustrating. :(

Since the temperature here in Fort Lauderdale has dropped I've had this flickering dash board light issue. It starts out illuminated and after a few minutes the dash lights flicker, then the indicators, and then it goes black. After about 15 minutes the dash lights flicker again and then stay illuminated for the rest of the day (even its parked for 8 hours). I'll be checking the wiring loom by the trunk this morning. I really feel its something else but I'll check every item you can recommend. Anyone else had this problem? Also all of a sudden the r/r window doesn't work. No motor sound or draw on electrical has been noted. I would like to fix both problems asap. Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Any special coolant recommended for my LS? I would be purchasing the coolant from my local Advance Auto. Once drained how much is recommended and should I use the 50/50 mix stuff or the 100% stuff straight from the jug? Any additives recommended? Thanks in advance.

Yesterday was the coldest day of the year at a balmy 47 degrees. I guess it could be worse. My daughter is in Conn. and the wind chill at 10 AM yesterday was 2 degrees!! Yesterday I noticed after driving a few blocks that the dash board lights and indicator needles were flickering on and off until they finally went off after 3 miles of driving. I parked the car (in the sun) for about 2 hours and when I started up the car everything was OK for the rest of the day. Is this possibly a circuit board issue (in dash) or perhaps the elusive trunk wiring harness? Has anyone else experienced this similar problem? I was just telling my wife the other day how little we spent on the Lexus in the past year for maintenance ($310) and that included (3) oil changes, new hood supports, 2 tail light bulbs, new Diehard Battery ($145.00), A/C recharge (we won't have the discussion about premium fuel costs vs regular fuel here in Florida). I really would appreciate some assistance with some tech support. With 99,000 miles on the odometer, I would like to continue with many more miles of maintenance free driving. Your help is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

I have a 1994 Lexus LS and the r/rear window stopped working. How do I check and see if the motor or switch is defective? Window does not operate from the driver's control either.

OK my wife came home and said the a/c was NOT working. I guess with the temperature in the low 60's this morning she thought it was working. I will check the trunk wiring on the left hinge tomorrow after work. I'm taking the car to a mechanic for the a/c in the morning.

Ok here's another challenge...wife got into the car this morning and the A/C is now OK!?? What the heck? Dash lights are OK now also. Any suggestions?? Merry Post Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone reading this post.

My wife was driving our 1994 LS 400 the other night and all of the instrument lights went out. The indicator markers were brightly lit, but the gauges were out. The rear right window does not operate now from the door itself or from the drivers control panel. The a/c is also not cold (all of a sudden). The car was absolutely perfect up until yesterday. The dash lights did come back on after she stopped and restarted the car minutes later. Could be a coincidence with the a/c, but I am open to suggestions. Any clues to this condition? You guys have been great in the past with your problem solving.