baxfromNZ

My instrument cluster has gone dead.
Initially it was intermittent but now it is permanent.

This is the last model LS400 with variable valve timing prior to the LS430 so the instruments include a trip computer which my previous 1996 LS400 did not have.

Several kind people have sent me wiring diagrams but what I need is the circuit diagram of the actual printed circuit boards inside the cluster as the cluster is currently at an instrument repair shop and they have hit a brick wall.

There is a main board and one or two daughter boards in the cluster one of which is the power supply circuit board and this is where I suspect the fault might be.

If you have access to a diagram or know where I can source one I would really appreciate it.
I have replaced all of the electrolytic capacitors on the main board myself but this did not fix the problem.

Yamae

Unfortunately the circuit diagram of the actual printed circuit boards is not available at all because it is not released. Only the wiring diagram is released. We have no idea to obtain it. If you want to get it, you have to do a kind of reversed engineering. You need to write down it seeing and measuring connections of parts by your eyes and equipments.

I just have tried to do so once but I realized that it required me weeks to complete. Luckily I found a soldering crack soon when looking at the board and I was able to fix it. I didn't take any photo of it and I have no idea to provide it to you.

Regarding electrolytic capacitors, they are not infamous Nichicon PF/PR series and they are supposed to last longer.

baxfromNZ

Thanks, Yamae; maybe I just might get lucky.

I can see why Toyota may not want to release this information and would rather sell the new part instead but given how old this model is now, nobody is going to pay thousands of dollars for a new part when the entire car is no longer worth a lot of money.

There just might be someone out there who has managed to source this information for me - who knows?
I've got my fingers crossed because the car runs very well and uses no oil and I would rather not have to sell it for parts.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

why woulld you have to scrap the car

Just replace it with a used cluster.

baxfromNZ

You cannot buy used clusters in NZ very few of these cars are dismantled here and without an instrument panel I cannot get a Government Warrant of Fitness so cannot drive it.

My previous car was a 1995 LS400 and I could have bought used parts for that as some of them have been wrecked but not for this model I own now.

Yamae

I think a JDM Celsior's cluster can be used. If you are not able to fix it, one idea is to try Yahoo Auction in Japan asking some agent to bid. Currently I can find 2 sellers there.

http://page3.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/c441377212
http://page15.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/j...ion/t378323897

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

ebay is your friend...

TaninAuto

We repair the 98-00 LS400 clusters all the time, no problem. We can ship back overseas. Send us an email or call us.

rick1987

iTrader: (1)

This.


and a quick search on ebay brought up 6 clusters.

baxfromNZ

The problem with the Ebay ones is that they are American so they are in miles whereas NZ cars are in Kilometers.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

send it to tanin and have them repair it?

baxfromNZ

Thank you guys for trying to help; I guess I have hit a brick wall so far but someone just might have a diagram. Currently I am trying to source a used cluster from Japan after Yamae's suggestion, unfortunately I don't read Japanese. :-)

TaninAuto

We can have it repaired and shipped back by the time you find another used cluster with different odometer mileage (that's prone to the same failure)