LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

$75

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 11-15-10, 06:17 PM
  #1  
neostar43
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
neostar43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: va
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default $75

Please help me go in the right direction with my 93 ls400 w/140k miles.

When the car is in park the idle fluctuates from 550-700.

When the car is in drive the idle becomes more erratic and fluctuates from 700-300.

When car is driving on the road I can feel the idles drop for a split second then recovers.

My question is I received a $75 coupon from Lexus. I think my ignition timing may be the cause or the idle air control valve or throttle position sensor or my timing belt is worn (it has cracks)

Should I tell them to diagnose the idle problem or go ahead and have them check the timing and adjust if necessary. I only have enough money to do one or the other.

I think the timing may be off because of the condition of the car was bad when I bought it. I changed the air filter, cleaned the throttle body, seafoamed the intake, changed the fuel filter et cetera.

any suggestions would be appreciated.

Last edited by neostar43; 11-15-10 at 07:29 PM.
Old 11-15-10, 06:47 PM
  #2  
PureDrifter
BahHumBug

iTrader: (10)
 
PureDrifter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: California
Posts: 23,918
Received 94 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

use the money to buy the parts and DIY
Old 11-15-10, 06:59 PM
  #3  
RA40
Super Moderator

iTrader: (6)
 
RA40's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: California
Posts: 20,850
Received 463 Likes on 361 Posts
Default

Is it throwing any codes?

Have you done a tune-up?
plugs, wires, caps, rotors, fuel filter...
Old 11-15-10, 07:04 PM
  #4  
tonyfazt
Rookie
 
tonyfazt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: tx
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i just did the same on my 93 lexus ls400 137,000
the timing is not so hard
if your considering doing it yourself what ever you do do not mess with any other components like spark plugs especially not the throtle body and injectors like that if something does go wrong you dont have to put any other variables in
ooohhh and buy gates parts if DIY i bought ebay stuff its crap
still ended up buying gates
duralast is the same thing as ebay
Old 11-15-10, 07:05 PM
  #5  
tonyfazt
Rookie
 
tonyfazt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: tx
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

there is a neat trick to find codes if you dont have the scanner its on the lexus tutorials
Old 11-15-10, 07:34 PM
  #6  
neostar43
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
neostar43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: va
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

no codes.

I wish there were so I could know what is going on. ALso, after i seafoam'd the intake the problem went away for one drive. after that it gradually came back.
Old 11-15-10, 08:24 PM
  #7  
neostar43
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
neostar43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: va
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by RA40
Is it throwing any codes?

Have you done a tune-up?
plugs, wires, caps, rotors, fuel filter...

no codes, i have done plugs, wires, and fuel filter. I was going to have the caps and rotor replaced at the same time as the timing belt in january
Old 11-15-10, 09:50 PM
  #8  
PureDrifter
BahHumBug

iTrader: (10)
 
PureDrifter's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: California
Posts: 23,918
Received 94 Likes on 86 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by tonyfazt
there is a neat trick to find codes if you dont have the scanner its on the lexus tutorials
that doesnt apply to 95+ cars as they're all built to OBDII specs.
Originally Posted by neostar43
no codes, i have done plugs, wires, and fuel filter. I was going to have the caps and rotor replaced at the same time as the timing belt in january
hunt for a vacuum leak....and make sure your ECU isnt in the part number range for those that were recalled.
Old 11-16-10, 06:54 AM
  #9  
deanshark
Pole Position
 
deanshark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ct
Posts: 3,273
Received 312 Likes on 269 Posts
Default

The $75 coupon you have, is it like cash or do you have to spend to save? The timing can't be adjusted. If there is no way for you to figure out the problem without throwing part after part at it, do to finances, have them diagnose it for you. And then, if it can wait, fix it when you do the timing belt in January when you can afford it. That's what I'd do b/c I know how money can be tight.
Old 11-16-10, 09:04 AM
  #10  
neostar43
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
neostar43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: va
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unhappy

Originally Posted by deanshark
The $75 coupon you have, is it like cash or do you have to spend to save? The timing can't be adjusted. If there is no way for you to figure out the problem without throwing part after part at it, do to finances, have them diagnose it for you. And then, if it can wait, fix it when you do the timing belt in January when you can afford it. That's what I'd do b/c I know how money can be tight.
the coupon is just like cash. I can use it towards any service except oil changes. I changed a couple of the vacuum lines without any difference. I'll just go ahead and take it to lexus for diagnosis. In August, I paid lexus $2000 for a rebuilt ecu, state insp and brake hoses, and o2 sensor. Didn't think I would have further issues like this...

I have a new fuel pump and used tps hopefully it is linked to these issues so I do not have to put out more money
Old 11-16-10, 12:32 PM
  #11  
BJL
Driver School Candidate
 
BJL's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Let us know how it turns out.
My 1994 Lexus behaves the same way, but only when I'm using the air con.
Since this is my first car, I do not have any references, so I'll have to believe my mechanic when he tells me that that is the expected behavior when using the air con. I'm skeptical though ;-)

BJL
Old 11-16-10, 12:49 PM
  #12  
GillaG
Driver School Candidate
 
GillaG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

neostar43

What area of VA are you in? I live in NoVa and have been curious to hear how Pohankas service department is.
Old 11-16-10, 01:47 PM
  #13  
neostar43
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
neostar43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: va
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i live in va beach, va. i may just swap the used tps with the one on the car to see if I get any different reactions.

I don't understand why seafoam would cure the problem for one drive then it gradually came back.

also, when I first start the car and is in high idle the rpms do not jump around. just after it starts to warm up does it occur
Old 11-16-10, 07:39 PM
  #14  
neostar43
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
neostar43's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: va
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i've been doing some more research. it is funny the things you overlook until someone points it out.

A couple of nights ago, I tried to push the car. the rev did not go past 4000 rpms.

after reading an old post, I am going to clean the maf. This maf is actually a replacement for the one that was originally in the car when i bought it.

The erratic rpms was there a couple weeks after I bought the car but went away after i cleaned the tb and replaced the maf and installed a k&n filter. after awhile the problem became worse that is when i noticed that my power steering resevoir was empty. refilled it and problems went away mostly. but then the problems came back. my power steering resevoir has not needed a refill. i disconnected the acv from the ps pump from the intake. that has made no difference. so I will reconnect the lines and clean the maf and see what happens.

is there a particular cleaning solution that is used for the maf that is safe for lexus?
Old 11-17-10, 04:35 PM
  #15  
OLSkOLVIP
Driver School Candidate
iTrader: (3)
 
OLSkOLVIP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Toronto, Ontario
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I have a 1993 that just hit 280000kms. It does the exact same thing once and a while. I also put in a K&N drop in filter. Make sure not to over OIL the filter as it does get stuck in the MAF. Doesn't hurt to clean it out but be gentle.

As for the power steering if it continues to use fluid then it's the IDLE AIR CONTROL VALUE . You can figure this out when your driving around 60mph or so the steering should be more stiff where as on low speeds should be loose. This is a common problem with 1st gen LS

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ing-bible.html

IF you tried changing the IDLE AIR CONTROL VALUE and still doesn't work there is TPS (throttle position sensor)

I had to replace both and the idle is totally normal unless the A/C is on. That's my advice.


Quick Reply: $75



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:49 AM.