SCFAQ: Common problems experienced with the SC300 & SC400
01-16-05, 05:16 PM
#1
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SCFAQ: Common problems experienced with the SC300 & SC400
Info Provided by Rich @ http://www.intellexual.net/faq.html#001
Common problems experienced with the SC300 & SC400
Below is a collaborative list outlining the most common problems experienced with the SC300 and SC400 coupes. Once again, this is just a collective list of some of the most common issues to arise with owners. More than likely no single coupe will experience more than a few of these issues in its lifetime. Be sure to check out the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fixes available for these problems. With a little time and effort on your part, you can fix these problems yourself and save hundreds!
Blacked-out needles: Some of the older coupes report having global/localized black outs in the gauge needles. Most of the time this is caused by old circuitry that has gone faulty (ie: dry caps). There are vendors such as Lextech Lighting that can restore the affected needles to brighter than new and offers full color-customization of the Lexus gauge lighting.
Blacked-out Displays: Some of the older coupes report having global/localized black outs in the instrument cluster, stereo, and climate control units. This is likely due to burnt-out bulbs.
Replacement bulbs are slightly dimmer in brightness in order to increase longevity. Part#: LX 84999-60360 are about $7/ea - (info provided by Ryan)
Lextech Lighting can restore the affected backlights to brighter than new and offers full color-customization of the Lexus intrumentation lighting.
Leaking power steering pump: Some of the older coupes have a faulty seal in the power steering pump, which can leak power steering fluid onto the alternator and destroy both parts if the problem is neglected. If you have an older high mileage coupe, be sure to monitor your pump for signs of seep or leakage. Replace the seal for ~$1 or rebuild the PSP for ~$125.
Worn leather seats: Older coupes tend to have cracked and callous leather seats, especially if kept ungaraged in dry/arid climates without window tint. If the sun damage is severe enough to bother you... Leatherseats.com offers a complete leather-vinyl combo replacement kit for the SC for ~$600. Katzkin.com offers a complete genuine leather replacement kit for the SC for ~$600 also. Custom leather applications are available at both sites.
Cracked dash vents: The most common issue with the SC coupe is a crack in plastic trim around the center air vents. The cause is rapid hot-cold air changes expanding and contracting the plastic until it snaps. A replacement center vent costs between $100-700 depending on model year: $100 for 1992 & 1997-2000 models; $700 for 1993-1996 models due to the integrated passenger airbag. - (info provided by SMARK, Hermosa, & jwar)
Cracked window sill: The second most common issue with the SC coupe is a small crack in the leather wrapped around the window sills. This is caused by a weak spot in the plastic frame around the window combined with stretching of the leather. The plastic underneath, right by the screw hole, cracks from the pressure of an arm. Leather repair shop quote: $50 - (info provided by joelchicago)
Worn front suspension bushings: Some of the older coupes may have squeaky control arm bushings caused by deterioration of the rubber.
Daizen polyurethane bushings from TM Engineering are a permanent fix at $100/set. Poly bushings offer enhanced performance over rubber by stiffening the chassis. Andrew Vlamos from LSOC has developed a rubber bushing replacement that maintains the "new off the lot" factory ride quality. You can order these rubber bushings by emailing Andrew directly at vlamos@bigpond.com. You can also order new control arms with new rubber bushings from Lexus for $1200- (info provided by ztikmedia)
Worn door hinges: A few SC coupes have experienced sagging/drooping alignment of the door originating from the double-jointed door hinges. The cause is the weight of the door on the bearings over time. These effects can be magnified by abuse such as leaning or hanging on the door, or opening the door while your coupe is raised on a chassis lift. Lexus dealership replacement: $400/hinge
Cloudy headlights: Some SC coupes have cracked headlight housings that allow moisture and condensation to get trapped inside creating a foggy mildew coat. Replacement headlight assemblies are $290/ea. Several DIY cleanup methods are posted on CL
See also DIY fixes for some of these common problems https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=147416
Common problems experienced with the SC300 & SC400
Below is a collaborative list outlining the most common problems experienced with the SC300 and SC400 coupes. Once again, this is just a collective list of some of the most common issues to arise with owners. More than likely no single coupe will experience more than a few of these issues in its lifetime. Be sure to check out the Do-It-Yourself (DIY) fixes available for these problems. With a little time and effort on your part, you can fix these problems yourself and save hundreds!
Blacked-out needles: Some of the older coupes report having global/localized black outs in the gauge needles. Most of the time this is caused by old circuitry that has gone faulty (ie: dry caps). There are vendors such as Lextech Lighting that can restore the affected needles to brighter than new and offers full color-customization of the Lexus gauge lighting.
Blacked-out Displays: Some of the older coupes report having global/localized black outs in the instrument cluster, stereo, and climate control units. This is likely due to burnt-out bulbs.
Replacement bulbs are slightly dimmer in brightness in order to increase longevity. Part#: LX 84999-60360 are about $7/ea - (info provided by Ryan)
Lextech Lighting can restore the affected backlights to brighter than new and offers full color-customization of the Lexus intrumentation lighting.
Leaking power steering pump: Some of the older coupes have a faulty seal in the power steering pump, which can leak power steering fluid onto the alternator and destroy both parts if the problem is neglected. If you have an older high mileage coupe, be sure to monitor your pump for signs of seep or leakage. Replace the seal for ~$1 or rebuild the PSP for ~$125.
Worn leather seats: Older coupes tend to have cracked and callous leather seats, especially if kept ungaraged in dry/arid climates without window tint. If the sun damage is severe enough to bother you... Leatherseats.com offers a complete leather-vinyl combo replacement kit for the SC for ~$600. Katzkin.com offers a complete genuine leather replacement kit for the SC for ~$600 also. Custom leather applications are available at both sites.
Cracked dash vents: The most common issue with the SC coupe is a crack in plastic trim around the center air vents. The cause is rapid hot-cold air changes expanding and contracting the plastic until it snaps. A replacement center vent costs between $100-700 depending on model year: $100 for 1992 & 1997-2000 models; $700 for 1993-1996 models due to the integrated passenger airbag. - (info provided by SMARK, Hermosa, & jwar)
Cracked window sill: The second most common issue with the SC coupe is a small crack in the leather wrapped around the window sills. This is caused by a weak spot in the plastic frame around the window combined with stretching of the leather. The plastic underneath, right by the screw hole, cracks from the pressure of an arm. Leather repair shop quote: $50 - (info provided by joelchicago)
Worn front suspension bushings: Some of the older coupes may have squeaky control arm bushings caused by deterioration of the rubber.
Daizen polyurethane bushings from TM Engineering are a permanent fix at $100/set. Poly bushings offer enhanced performance over rubber by stiffening the chassis. Andrew Vlamos from LSOC has developed a rubber bushing replacement that maintains the "new off the lot" factory ride quality. You can order these rubber bushings by emailing Andrew directly at vlamos@bigpond.com. You can also order new control arms with new rubber bushings from Lexus for $1200- (info provided by ztikmedia)
Worn door hinges: A few SC coupes have experienced sagging/drooping alignment of the door originating from the double-jointed door hinges. The cause is the weight of the door on the bearings over time. These effects can be magnified by abuse such as leaning or hanging on the door, or opening the door while your coupe is raised on a chassis lift. Lexus dealership replacement: $400/hinge
Cloudy headlights: Some SC coupes have cracked headlight housings that allow moisture and condensation to get trapped inside creating a foggy mildew coat. Replacement headlight assemblies are $290/ea. Several DIY cleanup methods are posted on CL
See also DIY fixes for some of these common problems https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=147416
Last edited by DaveGS4; 06-17-07 at 09:27 AM.
11-17-10, 06:02 PM
#4
1JZ Single SC400
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I was thinking this was already covered in the stickied section. I have had several of these issues with mine. All fixed by the CL community and using the search button.
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08-28-14, 02:50 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
things that should be added:
trunk and hood struts stop holding the parts up ($20-$50 for new struts)
driver side ignition coil on SC400 goes out and car runs on 4 cylinders (ignition coil ranging from $20-$80)
steering wheel tilt stops working (up and down can be fixed with a washer, telescopic is still not figured out)
i'll think of some more stuff
trunk and hood struts stop holding the parts up ($20-$50 for new struts)
driver side ignition coil on SC400 goes out and car runs on 4 cylinders (ignition coil ranging from $20-$80)
steering wheel tilt stops working (up and down can be fixed with a washer, telescopic is still not figured out)
i'll think of some more stuff
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