Another Newbie!!

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May 31, 2011 | 10:34 AM
  #1  
Hello All, you have another new Lexus owner and club member in Ohio as of 3 weeks ago!
I just took ownership of a 2001 LS430 UL with 265,000(!) on the odometer. A friend made me an offer I couldn't refuse to "take it off his hands". It is very clean and still looks gorgeous in black on black. The engine and drivetrain are still very tight and seem to operate flawlessly. All accessory gagets, that I could find so far, seem to work, which really surprised me. And holy cow are there a lot of gagets!! It's been great fun trying to figure out all the things this car does. I finally bought an owners manual on ebay for $10 (shipping was $10.95) so, still a bargain for $21.
It does/did have some niggling issues I'm still working on fixing. So far:
New Hood Struts $58
New Thermostat $13
New Key $64
Can of Stop Leak $6 radiator, no more leak
Title Transfer $54
Misc Cleaning Supplies $20
New High Beam Bulb $13
Headlight Restoration Kit $9 Turtle Wax kit that only marginally improved lens

Now you know how much money I have invested in the car in total. I told you it was an offer I couldn't refuse!

The next 2 items I will be tackling are more major. I can't open the trunk with the wireless remote, the "button" in the car or the key. Previous owner said he did have trouble with the trunk. Does anyone know where the fuse is for the trunk closing mechanism? The owners manual doesn't list it. Please don't tell me the fuse box for it is in the trunk.

The other bothersome item is the clicking noise the doors make when opening and closing.

I am extremely fortunate to come to own such a car and I love driving it. The Club Lexus Forum has been a wealth of information so far and I look forward to using it often. Thanks for the forum and all of your expertise and maybe I can be of some help to other members in the future.
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May 31, 2011 | 11:34 AM
  #2  
Wow that is quite an amazing deal you got there haha! I am pretty new to this forum myself so I'm still learning a lot as well but I'm sure more senior members might be able to resolve your issues. At worst case I say bring it to a Lexus mechanic. I bet you'd still come out ahead money wise.

Now, where are the pictures?
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May 31, 2011 | 11:39 AM
  #3  
Now that's a sweet deal! I need to get off my lazy butt and post some of the LS 430 I just bought.
For the trunk, check fuse #9 in the trunk (floor left side) fuse box. But if your gas cap door release works the fuse is probably not the problem since it's the same.
Pictures?
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May 31, 2011 | 12:02 PM
  #4  
The gas cap door release still works so I guess it's not the fuse, although I can't check it since I can't get in the trunk. I'll take some pictures tonight or tomorrow when I get home.
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May 31, 2011 | 09:12 PM
  #5  
Welcome to the club 265,000 miles wow
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Jun 1, 2011 | 03:46 PM
  #6  
Quote: The gas cap door release still works so I guess it's not the fuse, although I can't check it since I can't get in the trunk. I'll take some pictures tonight or tomorrow when I get home.
Does yours have the "pass-thru" compartment from the rear seat? If so, there is a child release inside the trunk lid. You would need long arms or possibly a long pipe would work.
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Jun 1, 2011 | 04:18 PM
  #7  
wow that is a lot of mileage!
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Jun 1, 2011 | 04:23 PM
  #8  
Quote: Does yours have the "pass-thru" compartment from the rear seat? If so, there is a child release inside the trunk lid. You would need long arms or possibly a long pipe would work.
Won't work. It's the UL.
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Jun 1, 2011 | 04:48 PM
  #9  
and i thought mine had a lot with 103,000,gives me hope. pic wold be good too
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Jun 1, 2011 | 06:38 PM
  #10  
I love when I see posts showing 265,000 miles. Good luck with your new purchase and keep us posted.
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Jun 1, 2011 | 07:29 PM
  #11  
Quote: Won't work. It's the UL.
Ok. And did you make sure the interior trunk lockout is not activated(button pushed in)? Obvious, but gotta ask.
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Jun 2, 2011 | 05:32 AM
  #12  
Yeah, it's got the cooler behind the armrest so no pass through. I read in another thread that even if i remove the rear seat there is no access. The lockout button is out. Sounds like a call to Rivercenter Lexus is in order. In the mean time here are some pics:

Another Newbie!!-100_0292.jpg   Another Newbie!!-100_0290.jpg   Another Newbie!!-100_0291.jpg   Another Newbie!!-100_0287.jpg  

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Jun 2, 2011 | 05:36 AM
  #13  
Welcome to CL
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Jun 2, 2011 | 05:41 AM
  #14  
welcome and i hope you didn't kill your engine with rad-stop-leak.... this is NOT the lexus way to use snake oils...
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Jun 2, 2011 | 06:10 AM
  #15  
How can i kill an engine by putting stop leak in the radiator?
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