Hi-

First post, let me start by thanking everyone who contributes here I've found this forum very useful since I bought this 1992 LS400 (280k miles!) almost a year ago.

Anyhow, I went away for a few days and left the car parked at a friend's house, come back and start her up. On the way home I noticed a burning plastic smell but was not sure if it was from the car or from the environment.

Got in the car later that night and noticed that on the climate control unit, none of indicator LEDs on the buttons were lit up. I'm talking about the little green light that shows the button was pressed and it is in that mode (ie. high/low/med or floor vents, face vent etc, rear/front defog). Also when you press the buttons they no longer beep at you indicating they were pressed.

The interesting thing is everything still works! I can control everything with the climate control, the button back lighting comes on with the lights on and even the blacked out LCD backlight is on. It just sucks because now I really never know what mode the climate control is on. Anyone have any ideas or should I buy a new climate control unit on ebay for $150?

Thanks in advance for your help!

On an unrelated side note - would you drive this car from LA to Napa (about 500 mi. each way)? It leaks oil from the crank shaft seal (and maybe other places) and I add a quart once a month. Unfortunately too broke to have my mechanic fix this now.

 

well I wouldn't let that leak stop me, you can always check the oil during the trip

however a high mileage 21 year old car can break down at any time, good candidates would be the alternator or starter, both are vulnerable on this car, so do you have a plan to get it home if it breaks down 500 miles away?

 

i had to replace mine awhile back,i also have a 92. but..none of the lights worked but the clock still worked..mine would start flashing (all the lights) and then stop. really wierd. i bought my replacement off ebay for 50 bucks. ur takin a chance driving it if ur smelling burnt plastic

 

Alternator was actually first thing to go shortly after I purchased the car so at least that is new. Of course I don't have a plan The more I think about it I might as well just get a rental, it will be cheaper than any repair 500 miles away and also probably save me on gas. Some people here saying they get 250 miles on half a tank? I am at 150 and 300 for the full tank, although this is in LA traffic hell.

As for the climate control, sounds like something in there probably just fried. Since all the functions still work I'm going to just live with it until I see one online for cheap. I haven't smelled any burning plastic since, and it really could have been the environment since people are burning all sorts of stuff where I was driving that day (bon fires, and some industrial plants near me).

 

ive yet to see a Ls broke down on the side of the road

 

there are many replacements on ebay for less than 100 bucks shipped. I myself will be replacing my lcd since it don't work. check out the site www.lexls.com . very useful site.