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Scored a decent 1992 ls400 today. 198k
pros:
timig belt,water pump etc. replaced 10k ago.runs super smooth.
no visible leaks
everything electronic works with exception to the pass window. Can roll down from driver’s door just not up(suspect driver switch)
lowered 2in all around and fenders have been rolled (pretty decent job) for 20in wheels ,not going that big but room is nice
spare set of mustang 19in wheels unsure of year ,decent tires
comes with spare transmission
cons:
once warm reverse doesn’t work, previous owner tried swapping solenoids and fluid
seats are ruff as hell , explains thethe towels
antilock light stays on but abs seems to work on break check
Welcome to the club. Not bad for a starter car but be careful of all the cash that can go into these cars, it adds up quick. Being a 92 it's gonna be hard to find some parts as alot has been discontinued.
Where's your exhaust tips? I also noticed your idle is pretty low (unless it's a bad gauge) it should be at 650 RPMs give or take 50 at normal temp but at about 1000-1100 RPMs when cold.
Well I made the 62 mile drive home no issues cruise control worked awesome. The idle is low but smooth,gauges appear to be good to go.car sat for 8months or so so I figured I’d put a few miles on it to loosen things up blow the carbon out lol. As for exhaust tips the car doesn’t have any turn downs were rear mufflers were. Definitely gonna change that to simple tips out the back. I have been messing with dsm for the last 15yrs so I’m no stranger to searching for oddball parts. Hoping this is gonna be at least a little more financially doable than a dsm. Not going for more than a car I can drive a few days a week, just love 90s Japanese cars, the build quality compared to Mitsubishi is honestly astounding,Toyota is all I mess with now, my daily is a Camry. Going to read into swapping the trans, I have access to a lift so if it’s not too bad I’ll do it or I know a guy I trust just the 120/hr hurts. Might put the wheels on just for a reference this weekend but got to work tomorrow,and Life…. so might be a week or two but will post pics
So the low idle is intermittent , cluster started flickering on and off. After all I’ve read on this wonderful forum both should be done anyways. As for the transmission I’ve decided to utilize the access I have to a lift and full shop of everything I’d ever need. I’ve looked locally for a Haynes manual was hoping to find a deal eBay prices are crazy.
weird thing has only happened once so far but I went to unlock this morning and as soon as I put the key in the door the alarm went off, wouldn’t let me unlock, went to passenger side and as soon as I unlock it quit. Then started right up no security light nothing. Figured I’d take the door panel off and see what’s up. That is all due to inclement weather today.
thanks for reading and any input
I’ve looked locally for a Haynes manual was hoping to find a deal eBay prices are crazy.
Forget about Haynes or Chiltons. If you're gonna have the car for a while I would suggest getting the Factory Service Manual. I used to get a Haynes manual whenever I bought a new, used, car but when I got my first LS400 I found the service manual on ebay and that was the best thing I bought for the car. It tells, and shows, you every bolt, nut, and screw that's on the car. Saves many hours labor when doing big jobs and gets the small jobs done without breaking things and turning into a big job cuz you don't know how something comes off. I paid something like $250 for my manual and it has paid for itself about 40 times already in the 15 yrs I've had it. I had some big jobs come up with the 3 LSs I've owned.
Forget about Haynes or Chiltons. If you're gonna have the car for a while I would suggest getting the Factory Service Manual. I used to get a Haynes manual whenever I bought a new, used, car but when I got my first LS400 I found the service manual on ebay and that was the best thing I bought for the car. It tells, and shows, you every bolt, nut, and screw that's on the car. Saves many hours labor when doing big jobs and gets the small jobs done without breaking things and turning into a big job cuz you don't know how something comes off. I paid something like $250 for my manual and it has paid for itself about 40 times already in the 15 yrs I've had it. I had some big jobs come up with the 3 LSs I've owned.
Thanks for the reply
So I bit the bullet so to speak and ordered vol 1 and 2 service manuals (198.89$). After reading your comment you are right, I had to rebuild a motor on my first car a 98 Saturn, and that Haynes book left a lot out. To the point I had to go to the dealer and talk to one of the techs. I’ve read a lot about the transmission swap I’m about to dive into , the manual will be of great value. I am not familiar with these cars, I have owned a Corolla and a Camry but in 10yrs only did oil changes, brake pads, air filters and such no real repairs. I like to go into things as prepared as possible, not a fan of winging it.This purchase will set me back time wise as I’m not blowing my wad to get this car up just extra money here and there but I feel it will all be worth it.
In a effort to get the idle up where is should be I removed the IACV disassembled it and cleaned as well as check resistance across the pins as per the manual.
Before cleaning After cleaning Super dirty Cold start idle….about 82*f outside Cleaned this as well
The resistance was 22-22.3 well in range.
Next i am going to replace the coolant sensors, really starting to think ecu but sensors first.
The vacuum lines for the power steering has been bypassed (pump plugged with a bolt of some sort and hook up on front of intake mani capped off
So after the iacv didn’t seem to work I realized my volt meter has a rpm function so I hooked it up to a spark plug wire and the results were interesting. Cluster reading 200-250 rpm Meter sat at 664-660rpm
so would I be correct in thinking that it is a cluster malfunction, the ecu appears to have the engine running correctly?
In a effort to get the idle up where is should be I removed the IACV disassembled it and cleaned as well as check resistance across the pins as per the manual. Before cleaningAfter cleaningSuper dirtyCold start idle….about 82*f outsideCleaned this as well The resistance was 22-22.3 well in range.Next i am going to replace the coolant sensors, really starting to think ecu but sensors first. The vacuum lines for the power steering has been bypassed (pump plugged with a bolt of some sort and hook up on front of intake mani capped off
If you want to go a step further with the iacv you can replace the bearings inside.
If you want to go a step further with the iacv you can replace the bearings inside. https://youtu.be/cT7Tlo0I4po
I did take it down further and cleaned and lubed the bearings with a few drops of gun oil, hands were too grubby to take pictures with my phone. Does seem to run smoother after that and cleaning the throttle body.
I was finding it hard to believe that it was really idling that low seeing as it runs so smooth. Now I know that it’ idles right I just need to get the cluster repaired.
I did take it down further and cleaned and lubed the bearings with a few drops of gun oil, hands were too grubby to take pictures with my phone. Does seem to run smoother after that and cleaning the throttle body.
I was finding it hard to believe that it was really idling that low seeing as it runs so smooth. Now I know that it’ idles right I just need to get the cluster repaired.
Nice. One of the best decisions I made was purchasing a used, working cluster to have for spare parts. 90-92 and 93-94 have totally different clusters internally.
My first lexus
