Purchased 95 LS, now some DIY Repair Questions
10-17-10, 07:07 PM
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Purchased 95 LS, now some DIY Repair Questions
Hey Everyone! Let me thank you in advanced for any help. It's al greatly appreciated. This is my first post and I've read some responses regarding some of these questions from this website, but they were all about 3 years old and i couldn't really find any pictures to help me. I know people don't like new threads over redundant topics, so i'm sorry to create a new thread. Anyway..
I purchased a 95 LS 400 two weeks ago. It has 169,000 miles on it, and has been meticulously taken care of by an elderly man. I have receipts with it from a reputable Lexus dealer indicating that the timing belt, water pump, ac compressor, spark plugs have all been replaced, along with many "routine maintenance" check ups. There are four receipts indicating over $1000 of work and upkeep. At $3500, I found it to be a great deal. This car is mechanically sound, but now there are some little things I want to repair. I have a very small budget, so a DIY job would be preferred, but if it's too hard and risky, i'll take it to a dealer.
1. The darn heated seat! My passenger heated seat works but mine doesn't doesn't. I checked the fuses and they are all good. I've read on hear that it may come unplugged, but i don't know what i'm looking for. Everything seems plugged in under the seat and i don't know how to remove the back of the seat.
2. The driver seatbelt. My driver seatbelt won't retract at all. It leaves a good two feet of belt out. I unplugged the little motor thing, but that hasn't helped.
3. AC. Although the AC has been changed, it is not getting that cold. At full blast, the pressure in the low side reads about 25 PSI. I don't know if i need to add more and to what pressure to add it to.
4. Rocking motion when letting off accelerator. If i'm going down the road and I let off the accelerator abruptly, then the car goes into a rocking motion. That's the best way i can describe it. It's like when you roll start a manual car or ATV or something. That jerky feel.
Thanks so much for your help and i'm excited to be a member here!
I purchased a 95 LS 400 two weeks ago. It has 169,000 miles on it, and has been meticulously taken care of by an elderly man. I have receipts with it from a reputable Lexus dealer indicating that the timing belt, water pump, ac compressor, spark plugs have all been replaced, along with many "routine maintenance" check ups. There are four receipts indicating over $1000 of work and upkeep. At $3500, I found it to be a great deal. This car is mechanically sound, but now there are some little things I want to repair. I have a very small budget, so a DIY job would be preferred, but if it's too hard and risky, i'll take it to a dealer.
1. The darn heated seat! My passenger heated seat works but mine doesn't doesn't. I checked the fuses and they are all good. I've read on hear that it may come unplugged, but i don't know what i'm looking for. Everything seems plugged in under the seat and i don't know how to remove the back of the seat.
2. The driver seatbelt. My driver seatbelt won't retract at all. It leaves a good two feet of belt out. I unplugged the little motor thing, but that hasn't helped.
3. AC. Although the AC has been changed, it is not getting that cold. At full blast, the pressure in the low side reads about 25 PSI. I don't know if i need to add more and to what pressure to add it to.
4. Rocking motion when letting off accelerator. If i'm going down the road and I let off the accelerator abruptly, then the car goes into a rocking motion. That's the best way i can describe it. It's like when you roll start a manual car or ATV or something. That jerky feel.
Thanks so much for your help and i'm excited to be a member here!
10-17-10, 08:00 PM
#3
Welcome.
#2, Does the seat belt lock when braking? If not, and IMO, get a fresh one...don't want any safety risks here. BTW...I hope your interior is gray because that is all that you will find with a factory belt. (Been there done that recently.)
The ECT/PWR button by the gear selector will tell the tranny to shift at a higher RPM.
#2, Does the seat belt lock when braking? If not, and IMO, get a fresh one...don't want any safety risks here. BTW...I hope your interior is gray because that is all that you will find with a factory belt. (Been there done that recently.)
The ECT/PWR button by the gear selector will tell the tranny to shift at a higher RPM.
10-17-10, 10:02 PM
#5
Lexus Champion
your accelerator-off rocking motion is likely related to the ECU; you should check the part numbers on yours to make sure.
10-17-10, 11:37 PM
#6
1-if all fuses TEST(not visual inspection) fine and you have +12v at the element, the element can go bad. search for more info
2-see RA40's response, sums it up.
3- have a pro inject dye, then hunt for leaks.
4- is the whole car SWAYiNG? (ie-shocks are gone) or is the car kind of jerking, indicating you need to check: a)trans fluid (for type and life remaining) b) trans mount (it's probably broken) and c) ECU as some 95-96 ECUs were recalled, which is no longer effective but you ccan get one with the updated part number from a junkyard. (search the forum)
2-see RA40's response, sums it up.
3- have a pro inject dye, then hunt for leaks.
4- is the whole car SWAYiNG? (ie-shocks are gone) or is the car kind of jerking, indicating you need to check: a)trans fluid (for type and life remaining) b) trans mount (it's probably broken) and c) ECU as some 95-96 ECUs were recalled, which is no longer effective but you ccan get one with the updated part number from a junkyard. (search the forum)
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10-18-10, 05:07 PM
#8
Lead Lap
There is a lengthy procedure for diagnosing seat heater problems that involve checking various pins on connectors for voltage, continuity, resistance, etc. The diagnostic instructions are in the repair manuals for your car or you can download them by subscribing to https://techinfo.toyota.com
10-18-10, 05:39 PM
#9
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I'll have to give that techinfo a shot. Can i view it from taking off that back panel? An i think i'm starting from scratch on the seat belt (I have tan interior ) And it's not a rocking, more like a jerking. What should a look fr on the ECU (and where?) Thanks for all the help!
) And it's not a rocking, more like a jerking. What should a look fr on the ECU (and where?) Thanks for all the help!
10-20-10, 11:16 AM
#11
your seat belt can be fixed at the dealer at no charge.no age or mileage restrictions on seat belts.call the dealer and tell them your seat belt will not retract.it is a no charge repair.
Last edited by jimbosr1; 10-20-10 at 11:51 AM.
10-20-10, 02:57 PM
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Sounds awesome, Jim. Have you had them do it to yours? I'd like them to look at the seat but i've read it would be like $800. Does that sound about right?
10-20-10, 03:56 PM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Interesting... Too bad this didn't extend to the air bag (light on). This should be considered as much a safety issue as a problem with the seat belts.