2004 Ls430 ML
MIlage: 188K

(First time buyer) a 19yr old who wanted a luxury boat. Looking for tips, tricks and any advice for the maintenance and mods I'll be doing over the given months when I find time. PLEASE LINK THREADS WITH INFORMATION IF POSSIBLE. Ive been looking around here for a little while before I made my purchase.

All Problems:

1. BIGGEST CONCERN: Codes P0171, P0174, C1201. My Dash is lit like a Christmas tree.
2. Door lock actuator and sensor for smart key (Driver and right back door). Update: Ordering D Shaft motors.
3. Trunk Tail lights out/dimmed.
4. Windshield fluid doesn't spray (Also the button for the stalk is gone) Probably failed motor.
5. Steering wheel only tilts doesn't not go in or come out.
6. Tire low warning (Yes it has the needed air). I think it's connected to problem 1 but I'll list it here still.
7. Cup holder broken along with slightly stuck armrest console (I believe it's just tightening the bolts up)
8. Some stuck plastics (Glasses holder, rear seat mirrors. Will change as I find donors from yards). Would love links to places I can search for them online.
9. Gas door assembly seems tampered and would like to see schematics for reinstall.
10. Headlights very yellow.
11. No idea when the timing belt was last checked. (Seems a fresh belt was put on before my ownership)

Planned Modifications: (WIP)

• Lip kit.
• Android Head unit install + amp and new sub.
• Taking a crack at retro fitting Infinity Mirror Tail lights.
• (UNSURE) throttle controller or any power mods really
• Wheels/Suspension (Rims, bushings, Coils, etc.)

Things Done:

• Muffler delete + 3.5 tips
• Door speaker upgraded (Kicker 47KSC6504)
• Teyes CC3 2K Android Head unit kit

Notes: I'd love DMs with tips or more personal help as well. Any help is appreciated 👍 I'll make sure to update this thread and when I do anything to take pics or vids since there aren't as many videos out there as I thought for help on things.

Miscellaneous:

• weather seals
• Door lock actuators
• Door handle sensors
• Front passenger window noise.

 

should have got an 2003 top speed 150 with 5 speed transmission
2004 with 6 speed limited at 130

 

I don't have a problem with that since if I really wanted to do fast stuff I'd get a tune and take off limiters

 

If you want a service history download "Carfax Car Care." Put in the plate number or VIN and it'll give it to you. See if the timing belt is there. There's no promise that it's there, but it could be shown.

 

1. O2 sensors out (Will put specific code up next time I check the car) It's got my dash looking like a Christmas tree.
   1. By new ones (denso or NGK brand ony) from Rockauto
2. Door lock actuator and sensor for smart key (Driver and right back door)
   1. you will eventually have to replace all your door lock actuators. I replaced all mine on my 2004. Not hard, but very time consuming
3. Tail lights out/dimmed. (Trunk lights, still driveable)
   1. NO idea
4. Windshield fluid doesn't spray (Also the button for the stalk is gone)
   1. probably will have to replace the stalk itself.
5. Steering wheel only tilts doesn't not go in or come out
   1. Extremely common problem. its the motor in the steering column, a huge PITA to change out.
6. Tire low warning (Yes it has the needed air)
   1. TPMS sensors inside the wheels need replacing
7. Cup holder broken along with slightly stuck armrest console (I believe it's just tightening the bolts up)
   1. Common issue, find replacements in a junkyard
8. Some stuck plastics (Glasses holder, rear seat mirrors.
   1. ?
9. Gas door assembly seems tampered and would like to see schematics for reinstall.
   1. ?
10. Headlights very yellow
    1. Polish or replace
11. No idea when the timing belt was last checked.
    1. Make this your #1 priority to get it replaced. you should be doing this before speakers, etc.

 

Good choice on the car, you won’t be disappointed.
Since you listed the mechanicals first I’m assuming those are priority, good call.
There has been one or two people who have fixed these taillights, but the consensus is just to hit a dismantler or eBay and get another. These LED boards weren’t meant to be serviceable.
The LS430 doesn’t use a normal TPMS system, it goes off rolling diameter differences, that’s about all I know. So make sure your tires are the same (or close enough) overall diameter and similar compound.
Headlights are easy enough to polish.
I redid my entire audio and made a thread on it. Not the most informative but should be kinda helpful.
Then made another thread on the box I built because I wasn’t happy with the standard box in the trunk setup.

My audio thread

 

Thank you! Big help there. It doesn't show anything for the timing belt. So I'll go ahead and plan to get that changed out. Has anyone done the belt replacement and have it show up on Carfax automatically or will I have to manually put that in?

 

Must be a USA only thing as my UK 2004 is quoted by Lexus of having a limited top speed of 155Mph.
I personally have seen 140Mph on my TomTom SatNav on the Autobahn and would have gone higher but my better half was having kittens in the passenger seat <LOL>

 

As of rn, timing belt appears to be replaced and very much new! Next problem is codes which I've listed above. Thank you for the help so far! The thread links are a huge help.

 

The steering column telescoping motor (the in and out function) is not actually that terrible to do.

If you pop off the black lower trim panel right by the pedals, lay on your back and look up behind the dash, you can see it and its not terribly difficult to get to. It doesn't require the steering column covers behind the wheel to be removed either.

If I recall, I remember mine having 2 10mm bolts, and an electrical connector, and the it can just be swapped out.

Of course, mine is a 2002, and I'm not sure if they made any changes to the 2004 and up models....

 

Thank you! I'll look more into after I come back from my trip to Alaska to see about getting that done.



​​​​​​Restored my headlights while attempting to let my MAF sensor and throttle body dry (only cleaned the front of it since I didn't have a new gasket on hand.)

Too a minute to start but she came back Alive. Plans are to change out all O2 sensors and fully clean or replace the throttle body. I believe that should fix codes PO171-4.

I was suggested to change out the lines going to the air box. Are these standard lines or something I'll have to scavenge for?

And finally I noticed this while hanging around my engine bay..... Does anyone know what this is supposed to connect too?

 

That is the outside temperature sensor. Normally it is attached underneath the allow bumper bar where you found it. The plastic clip does break so the sensor sits there swinging in the breeze.

 

For the O2's the dealer already purchased bosche for the tops each side. Would it be better to stick bosche for the bottom or not since the bottom ones they have are only universals.

I have the lock actuators on order. Still need to see about the sensors.

I'll probably wait and see about the windshield wiper at the same time I'm replacing the tilt motor on the steering wheel.

I've seen around that the tpms for this car is ABS based? It's very confusing.

Abd timing belt looks very much replaced in the past year. The serpentine belt looks like it's about time to replace on the other hand. Now I'm just focusing on the codes and maintaining the car. It definitely needed intake cleaning to breathe better. Is there anything major thread on basic maintenance for this car after 200K miles? The more I find in this forum the more miscellaneous I find that can be lurking future problems.

 

100% incorrect I had my silver 05 over 130 before.

 

While spending so time reflecting on what I wanted to do audio wise, I've ordered a few things to and plan on taking the car in to change out my O2's and see if that might be what throwing my codes. I'll also have them check a few others things I've neglected to thus far. I also went ahead and got a dash cover to protect it from the absolutely beating it's about receive in the 115F heat this summer.

ANYWAYS, I now look to replace the entire nav+Audio with the Teyes cc3 2K kit they sell for the car. I've been doing some research but mostly on the android head unit side. Now I reach my questions....

• What are the issues swapping out nav+audio all together?
• Since I'm swapping out the amp. I'm assuming I can run whatever rear sub I want providing the dimensions are correct without having to do a whole bunch of rewiring shenanigans like someone would with the factory amp.
• What the dimensions of the rear deck to see about possible subs to use that still give a mostly stock look.

Here's my little fun project part of this. I want to swap the ML nav with the Android Kit that was designed for no nav models..... Why? Bc it looks nicer and I acn get rid of the stuff i know I just won't use. Ive heard that the wiring is completely different between the 2 versions and is impossible.... But I'm willing to try.....

As far as the AC Ducts that feed to the vents... I'm planning on going out to junked ls430 to research on hand if it's possible to ah "Replace" the ducts on mine to the higher version. Since it's nothing but plastic tubing from what I see online. Now to be frank. I'm going to order everything as the ML Version, just asking to either order the different face plate or order it separately in addition to the main order. I've heard very good reviews of the brand and don't expect it to be a complete regret of a decision. More updates after I leave this frozen final frontier of AK.