kvh73

One additional thing on the alternator - if you've replaced the power steering pump, you may be faced with an alternator repair within the next year. The reason is the repair shop will sometimes get power steering fluid in the alternator during replacement (it's mounted directly above), or the seal on the power steering pump will leak after replacement and again get fluid in the alternator. So if you've done that replacement recently, that may help confirm your failing alternator theory. When I took my Lexus into the dealership and told them I was having electrical problems the first thing they asked me was if I had recently replaced the power steering pump - I had done so about 8 months earlier. The alternator was indeed defective and I had no more problems after they replaced it.

I think the Good Year guy said the change to the new refrigerant was made in '95 - not sure if he's an expert, but the change was probably made in the same year for virtually all cars due to the environmental restrictions. KVH

I had a similar situation with my '93 SC400. Following this past winter the A/C stopped blowing cold air. In your owner's manual it tells you that if there's a problem with the compressor, the A/C light on the dashboard will blink. If it's not blinking, that means the compressor is still working. I took mine to a standard Good Year service center. They ran their A/C check for $49.99 which includes looking for freon leaks (didn't find any). They then recharged my system with the required refrigerant (R-12, I believe) which is the same stuff it was orginally charged with. Cost is $60/lb. - pretty expensive. Total bill was about $120. Blows cold as ever now, just waiting to see if there's a leak they didn't find. KVH

Bob, Go to technicalhelp4u.com and carstereohelp.com. They have wiring diagrams and some replacement guidance you may find useful. BTW, I think the installed amp is a five-channel amp.

All my speakers essentially went out about a year ago. I found a couple of websites that you may find helpful. The first is technicalhelp4u.com which provides wiring diagrams for both the Pioneer and Nakamichi systems. Another website, carstereohelp.com, states that a mute wire (which can be seen on the wiring diagrams referenced above) sometimes becomes grounded causing the speaker cutout you're referring to. It gives directions for checking a couple of connectors under the rear seat. If that's not it, the problem is probably a failed amplifier. The carstereohelp website provides directions for pulling out the amplifier which is located under the CD changer in the trunk. I called my local Lexus dealership, Lexus of Annapolis, who said they could replace the amp without a rebuilt amp for $700 with a turn-in of the old amp. Seemed a little high to me. Carstereohelp offers to rebuild your amp for $350 if you send it to them. I'm trying to find out if I can put in any replacement amp. Any ideas?