I was really glad to see some posts about the same electrical problem that I was experiencing on my '95 SC300 (5-speed, thank you very much), i.e. panel goes dark and engine stumbles when applying brakes, turn signals or electric windows. I scoped out the negative battery cable for replacement and noticed that I could affect the problem by fiddling with the terminal connection at the battery. I thought I'd try replacing the connector at the end of the cable since I always have the option of replacing the cable if I screw it up (may have to get a ride to the parts place, though). I clipped off the factory connector, stripped back about an inch of insulation and used a propane torch to tin the end of the cable with solder. I find that a little 60/40 rosin core solder helps smooth the dissimilar metal transition from Cu to Pb, don't you? Using a beefy terminal that I got from Pep Zone Plus, I clamped the cable end firmly and attached it to the battery with as much torque as I was comfortable with. The first thing I had to do was reprogram all my radio stations, but after that, I took it on a test drive. It hasn't done the "ghost" thing since. I examined the factory connector and was underimpressed with the size of the conductor or the surface area at the battery terminal, so I think I'm going to do the same thing to the positive terminal. I'll let you know how it goes after I get the radio reset again.

 

That is so strange how this exact behavior is occurring on these vehicles. After months of no problems, my '95 sc400 did this to me yesterday while I was on the freeway... YIKES. Originally I replaced the PS pump and cleaned the alternator and had no problems for like a year.

Thanks for the info, I will check the connections. Geeez I think my dad has had less problems with his Lincoln. exact

 

I was having the problem almost constantly for a couple months after most of the before mentioned fixes. I finally disconnected the battery cables, Cleaned the battery terminals and cable ends with a wire brush and water mixed with baking soda. This was kind of scary because the baking soda started foaming all over the battery when it reacted to the acid. I reconnected the cable and tightened the sh-t out of them. No probems since, but, I will never say it is fixed, only hibernating. Inever did the new Ground cable fix........yet.

DickL

 

hmmm, none of you are going to like what I have to say.

I did the cable fix 3 months ago. After I replaced it, it worked perfect. 2 days ago the ghosting problem re-occured. Why? How? I have no ****ing clue. When I replaced the cable I also cleaned the connections, greased up the contact points, everything. It's frusterating to say the least.

I may just end up selling my SC and get a '98 GS400. this problem is way out of hand. I wonder what Toyota/Lexus has to say about this.

 

I have a 92 SC400 with 54000 miles and as another thread suggest, a removed cell phone. My hibernating ghosts are starting to wake back up. About 6 months ago I was experiencing the exact same symptoms. I have one of the those quick power disconnect ***** on my negative terminal. I took it off, cleaned all contact points with steel wool and then polished them with a copper polish. The ghost went away until a couple of weeks ago when I started noticing the dash lights dim with each turn signal flash. I know the voltage regulator is computer controlled based on load and temperature, it must be hyper-sensitive to variations in resistance in that negative cable. I will clean all contacts again to see if I can put these ghosts back to bed.....
Stoplight

 

Could it be that the ground or some connection is not conductive enough and this causes some sort of ion build up or something? How many of us with this problem have removed cell phones from them? I have. The problem has not reappeared, but I only have put maybe 1100 miles on the car since cleaning the cables and adding an optima yellow top battery and 2.0 farad capacitor.

I know that with electrostatic spray, if there isn't a low enough ground resistance the paint build up is minimal. Adding better grounds always fixes that problem.

I bet this is something a Lexus engineer in Japan is working on or has already explained.... hmmm is this another Clinton conspiracy????