New Owner Comments for LS400 1995
02-20-17, 03:38 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
New Owner Comments for LS400 1995
Hey Guys
Just checking in to this forum as a very happy owner of a 1995 LS400. I bought this with 92000km on the clock and fully service by Lexus dealership. As you could imagine, she is a good looking rooster and runs as smooth as silk. Being beige coloured and all original, I do seem to be getting some looks/winks from the older ladies (70yrs plus)...better than nothing I suppose.
I do have a few queries/comments however that I would love some feedback on if anyone can help....
a) Inner rear lights not working at all on both side. When I say inner, I mean the ones on the trunk lid (both sides - all lights). Does anyone know if this requires a wiring fix or should I try a fuse replacement?
b) Radio digital display is not working properly. I hear this is common but any way to fix without replacing unit?
c) Seat seems low and spongey...and being 6ft 3inches my head brushes ceiling. Would love a better seat.
d) Mechanic changed ATF but fluid still darkish grey. He recommended a flush...which sounds reasonable.
e) My main concern is the timing belt and water pump. Lexus had no record of it in receipts, yet it was scribbled in the log book alongside other stuff that had been done. Previous owner cant find the receipts but I just think he cant be bothered looking. It seems that they spared no expense on the car however and serviced it regularly. Quoted $1350 by Lexus dealer to replace timing belt, water pump, pulleys and idlers.....or $800 for same job (with non genuine parts) by an independent. I am really torn here because the timing belt may have been done once, twice or not at all....I just dont know. Also, I am a bit worried that getting an indy to do the job might mean that I end up inferior parts that may not even need to be replaced. I have checked the belt and it looks okay to me but I guess that means nothing. No timing belt date stamped anywhere that I can see but I did see a date on top of Water Pump (I think). I will attach a few photos...
Just checking in to this forum as a very happy owner of a 1995 LS400. I bought this with 92000km on the clock and fully service by Lexus dealership. As you could imagine, she is a good looking rooster and runs as smooth as silk. Being beige coloured and all original, I do seem to be getting some looks/winks from the older ladies (70yrs plus)...better than nothing I suppose.
I do have a few queries/comments however that I would love some feedback on if anyone can help....
a) Inner rear lights not working at all on both side. When I say inner, I mean the ones on the trunk lid (both sides - all lights). Does anyone know if this requires a wiring fix or should I try a fuse replacement?
b) Radio digital display is not working properly. I hear this is common but any way to fix without replacing unit?
c) Seat seems low and spongey...and being 6ft 3inches my head brushes ceiling. Would love a better seat.
d) Mechanic changed ATF but fluid still darkish grey. He recommended a flush...which sounds reasonable.
e) My main concern is the timing belt and water pump. Lexus had no record of it in receipts, yet it was scribbled in the log book alongside other stuff that had been done. Previous owner cant find the receipts but I just think he cant be bothered looking. It seems that they spared no expense on the car however and serviced it regularly. Quoted $1350 by Lexus dealer to replace timing belt, water pump, pulleys and idlers.....or $800 for same job (with non genuine parts) by an independent. I am really torn here because the timing belt may have been done once, twice or not at all....I just dont know. Also, I am a bit worried that getting an indy to do the job might mean that I end up inferior parts that may not even need to be replaced. I have checked the belt and it looks okay to me but I guess that means nothing. No timing belt date stamped anywhere that I can see but I did see a date on top of Water Pump (I think). I will attach a few photos...
02-20-17, 03:59 PM
#2
Fluid grey? Like silvery grey? With the Lexus dealer you get a free loaner for that, at least here you do. All the indys where I am at are higher than the dealer, I called a bunch of them one time to check.
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southoz (02-20-17)
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CELSI0R (02-20-17)
02-20-17, 04:52 PM
#5
Moderator
Nice looking LS, Southoz. Clean car. The last photo shows the accessory belt, fyi. You'd have to pull the covers off, behind that belt to see the timing belt. The engine does look clean. And I completely understand about the concern on doing the TB. I'd hate to do it too, if there was a chance it had been done recently. The hand written note refers to the "Drive Belt", which I would assume is the accessory belt.
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southoz (02-20-17)
02-20-17, 04:56 PM
#6
With the radio is the backlight not working? I had the same issue with I bought my 96 LS400. I have a post on how I went about fixing mine (https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ight-up-2.html) however I have the Pioneer radio so not sure if yours is different.
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southoz (02-20-17)
02-20-17, 05:07 PM
#7
You used the Lexus Drivers site to check the records right? It looks like lots of the maintenance was done at a dealer so if the timing belt were done at a dealer it will be on the electronic records on the Lexus Drivers site.
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southoz (02-20-17)
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02-20-17, 05:09 PM
#8
Cambelt means timing belt but they didn't list water pump soo?
put your VIN in on the Lexus owners site. It will show all dealer performed maintenance.
I'm guessing it was done
I would definitely do the trans, gray doesn't sound good
put your VIN in on the Lexus owners site. It will show all dealer performed maintenance.
I'm guessing it was done
I would definitely do the trans, gray doesn't sound good
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southoz (02-20-17)
02-20-17, 05:39 PM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Nice looking LS, Southoz. Clean car. The last photo shows the accessory belt, fyi. You'd have to pull the covers off, behind that belt to see the timing belt. The engine does look clean. And I completely understand about the concern on doing the TB. I'd hate to do it too, if there was a chance it had been done recently. The hand written note refers to the "Drive Belt", which I would assume is the accessory belt.
02-20-17, 05:42 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
With the radio is the backlight not working? I had the same issue with I bought my 96 LS400. I have a post on how I went about fixing mine (https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...ight-up-2.html) however I have the Pioneer radio so not sure if yours is different.
My stereo is OEM and looks like yours but I would not even attempt to solder anything.
02-20-17, 05:44 PM
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
The Lexus Drivers site is US only by the looks. I put my Australian/Japanese VIN number in and it didn't like it.
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