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Hello guys, so very recently I have purchased my first lexus. It is 1998 Ls400. When I bought it car had 184000miles on the clock. I feel like potentially it could have twice the amount as it was imported from states about 5 years ago, theres no service records what so ever. I know what you think but it’s quite common not to have records for old imported vehicles. Oh I forgot to mention I am based in Dubai UAE.
Since the day I bought it I have driven about 600miles.
Issues that I have found so far:
Front part of Interior lights work randomly.
Steering wheel tilt up/down sometimes works and sometimes it doesn’t.
Fuel level gauge is acting up as well. Every single time I start the car it shows me different reading. Yet car computer is showing accurate numbers about fuel consumption and how much I have left till empy tank.
Ambient temp sensor was acting up first few days and now its officially done (im at -22f). Did check the sensor with tester. Sensor is ok. I have a good ground but theres no 5v coming to it.
Because of ambient temp sensor my ac is acting up, dissengaging and engaging for first 15minutes then it starts working normally.
All of the rear rubber bushings are shot. Yet I am surprised theres no knocking coming out from suspension.
Feels like it is down on power. If I gun it in first (L) doesnt even spin wheels on tarmac. Yet I did measure 0-60 time and it seems to be ok 6.5-7s. Its just theres no low end kick when I start going. Once engine spins to higher rpms it goes!
Steering wheel tilt motor on these cars after a lot of years slow down and stop working when they get hot. If you wait till they cool down, they will start working again. Since you are in the part of the world you are in, I doubt they will work much except in the early morning. Or once you get the air conditioning to start cooling down the car.
Steering wheel tilt motor on these cars after a lot of years slow down and stop working when they get hot. If you wait till they cool down, they will start working again.
X2,pretty common.I do Jay Leno,only stomp on it after its moving.Blackbird flys.
So after I made my last post there has been some changes.
Lexy got some noname coilovers, as I managed to score them as a cheap alternative to bc racing or any other similar brand. In relation to bc racing (would have costed me about 1300usd) when shipped to Dubai, I got these pingpongs for just under 80usd, barely used. Wait did I tell that they also are 30ways adjustable?? Anyway so I bought them without adjustment tool hence I Couldn't adjust preload or height. Ride was horrible, also finally the knocking from shot rear suspension was audible, as low profile tires combined with wooden springs and shocks barely did any good to soften road obstacles. Dreamlike lexus comfort was gone.
The other day I went to market place which is about 50km away to look for coilover adjusment tool, and suspension parts. Luckily managed to find everything that I needed. Went back to garage on the same day, loosened all the springs. Someone “preloaded” all of them by like 7-8cm, so the springs were somewhat squished. I loosened them up completely and then tightened them back up by like 0,5cm. In no way this is accurate or right way of doing it. I just did something that I felt potentially could make that horrible ride better. And trust me when I say that it did, now it is tight and a little bumpy but actually pleasant on a highway. Car is so much more stable now. And I feel like I am actually in control. And yes the lexus comfort is surely gone. But this feels like a fair trade and I am happy with it (please keep in mind these are 80usd) I wouldn’t imagine better outcome from those.
Also changed few suspension bits. Number 8 and 9 on both sides.
Previous bushings and balljoints were so shot it was actualy steering car right and left. Very unstable and super sketchy!!! While replacing part number 8, ball joint started to slip and I couldn’t tighten it up. Had to put some pressure on it therefore I had to use my scissor jack for that 🤫
When finished I noticed theres still some play when trying to move wheels inwards and outwards. Will have to change parts number 2 and 10 aswell. Silly me I could have done all that in one go... comes without saying I will have to do alignment after all this fun and games I did with rear suspension.
And to finish todays story there’s a picture of Lexy with set of brand new rims and tires (picture taken before coilover installation)
ps. Issue with her being low on power solved with 98 octane petrol (out of habit I was using 95 octane, its a jeep thing..) Now she GOES!
So small issues that I still cannot fix. My ambient temp sensor is still at -22f. I did clean wires and contacts that are connecting to the sensor, it gets good ground, but it doesn't get 5v from ecu.. maybe wire is broken or damaged in between? Don't think so, as few days ago before it went out completely its was showing correct temp. Any ideas?
Also my fuel gauge, is showing random levels of fuel. (range shown by car computer is somewhat accurate, gives me correct mpg as well) It is just fuel gauge that is acting up, sometimes it shows full tank sometimes halfway. How to solve this one?
As for plans I want to replace as many of my rear bushings as possible with poly ones. Anyone done that? Suggestions for the brand? Something that would ship to UAE preferably hehe
Poly bushings will ruin the ride even more. Rubber really gives it the "boat" ride, if you go poly you'll get a hell of a lot more NVH transmitted inside.
If you're fine with a harsher ride, you can get coilovers or poly bushings, but I'd advise against getting both.
So small issues that I still cannot fix. My ambient temp sensor is still at -22f. I did clean wires and contacts that are connecting to the sensor, it gets good ground, but it doesn't get 5v from ecu.. maybe wire is broken or damaged in between? Don't think so, as few days ago before it went out completely its was showing correct temp. Any ideas?
Also my fuel gauge, is showing random levels of fuel. (range shown by car computer is somewhat accurate, gives me correct mpg as well) It is just fuel gauge that is acting up, sometimes it shows full tank sometimes halfway. How to solve this one?
As for plans I want to replace as many of my rear bushings as possible with poly ones. Anyone done that? Suggestions for the brand? Something that would ship to UAE preferably hehe
This is usually a bad sensor that's under the front bumper support.
When I first got mine, I unplugged the tilt wheel function. This way I could save the motor and mechanism from wearing out each time I get in and out with the auto tilt. Maybe try that to save yours!
Also my fuel gauge, is showing random levels of fuel. (range shown by car computer is somewhat accurate, gives me correct mpg as well) It is just fuel gauge that is acting up, sometimes it shows full tank sometimes halfway. How to solve this one?
Nothing picture heavy, but I managed to fix up my ambient temperature sensor, now it actually shows temperature instead of -22f.. Was working on my rear suspension, did put in OEM parts, poly will wait, as now I have set of suspension elements with worn out bushing laying around in my shed, I can slowly work on them and someday will throw it back in with all the poly bushings. So since I replaced few remaining bits I am getting close to have finished rear end. Finally can go and do wheel alignment!
Another issue that I have noticed, car hesitates to start when warm, by saying hesitates I mean like it feels like it is low on compression, starts after cranking starter for a second or two but with very "empty" feel. I am suspecting it is low on compression.. There is no blue smoke, while cold is starts instantly, I can hear quiet loud valve tick coming from engine compartment, feels like it is closer to firewall. So I guess I need to buy a compression tester.. Like I said I suspect the worst, valves might need to be adjusted and from what I understand it's no easy task to do that..
Oh and also valve cover gaskets are pissing oil, have to change them asap too.
My first lexus! Diary.
I do Jay Leno,only stomp on it after its moving.Blackbird flys.
