Hello all I am so happy to be back with a Lexus. Traded my LS 400 Anniv Edition on a 500e and really missed it. Just picked up a nice clean 92 with 83k Pearl White. Had car checked by Lexus dealer and gave big thumbs up with a few issues which were factored into price. Have a few things I need to have done to it and looking for guidance. I have scoured the Posts so I wouldnt bother anyone if documented anywhere but couldnt find the following:

1. Center heat register is cracked in 2 places around the vents. Wanting to find out how to replace. Bought part but wondering if the job is going to be bigger than I thought. Anyone ever changed this and successfully?

2. Rear speakers not working pulled amp out seemed a bit dirty with little bit of rusting in places assume amp went bad. Seems usual for this year if I replace it and speakers dont work what would be next steps? I checked lines and blew them out with air and they were all clean.

3. Indicator lights (Traction Light, O/D off light, shift indicator) flicker with turn signal on or Hazards. Would this be a battery thing or alternator issue. Seems like battery has been changed frequently in this car according to Lexus Svc records (4 times in 8k period last changed 10/2001 with 52k miles along with alternator).

4. Can you REALLY use the lower control arms from a Supra as a direct replacement on the SC?

This Forum has been tons of help so far with replacing the struts and other useful information to look for when buying the cars its greatly appreciated. Hope someone can help me now.

 

Congrats on the new car and welcome to the forums. Is it an sc300 or 400?

1. Yes it can be done by yourself. I believe somebody posted a diy for it just try a search. It involves removing the woodgrain pieces.

2. If a new amp does not cure the problem check to see if the speakers aren't blown and if there is power going to the speakers.

3. Search for 'electrical ghosts' or 'voltage' and you will be able to find a good amount of threads about this issue. If the battery and alternator are good, the next thing to check is to see if electrical grounds from the battery to the body are clean. You can also try replacing the negative battery cable with one from a 93-97 gs300.

4. Yes you can use MKIV Supra front lower control arms on the SC. They provide a slightly sportier feel. I believe you need to order them from a 93-96 Supra Twin Turbo model.

 

Thanks for the info! Its a SC400.

With regards to the first issue...removing the dash vents...the instrucions that I could find dealt with removing an airbag mine does not have one. I will keep scouring the posts but I have not been able to find the procedures if there is NO passenger airbag...BTW was that an option for these cars?

 

92 models did not come with the passenger airbag or it was optional, I forget. It was standard from 93 and on.
Procedure should be the same minus the airbag step. Probably even easier that you don't have one. Is there an outline of a rectangle on your dash is it just completely smooth?

 

THANKS for taking all the time with this...It is completely smooth and there is no break in the wood trim on the dash.

So the procedure would still invoilve removing the glove box but NOT the whole dash right? I guess the part that messes me up is by removing the airbag and glove box u expose the nuts with the non airbag version I dont see by doing this where any nuts will be exposed to remove.

BTW...I went to Lexus dealer and they said it wasnt available but do you know where I can get a shop manual?

 

Not sure if they still make them, but I see some for sale on ebay sometimes. The thing is there are 3(?) volumes for mechanical and 1 for electrical so it can get pretty pricey if you want the whole collection. I only have the electrical manual so far. Waiting for good deals on the others.

 

Thanks man for the guidance. Looks like I am getting there slowly but surely. MAN they didnt want these things to come off easy. I am still workin on gettin the wing nuts off they are a PITA themselves. Seems like there are 3 wing nuts (2 down) and 2 11 or 12mm nuts then i cant see any further down the piece if there are any more "challenges" to gettin this piece off. From anyones memory is that all there is it isnt connected anywhere else?

 

No prob man just take your time and do things right the first time. I haven't bothered to change out that vent because most likely it will happen again sooner or later.
Heres the link to the DIY if you haven't found it already:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sc-1st-gen-1992-2000/69083-diy-remove-cracked-center-vent.html

 

Thanks thats what I have been following. I take my time always which is why my jobs take a while sometimes. Whats the saying...measure twice cut once!

It prolly will happen again but this way I get time to work on my car and get something accomplished and know how to do it if it happens again.

 

hey post up some pics newbie.....introduce yourself, were alot friendlier here than you may think......

 

Hey guys I got all the wing nuts off and the 2 10mm bolts holding on the center vent piece but still wont budge is there another clip I am missing I cant see anything using a flashlight. I was looking at the instructions online and its not very clear. PLEASE HELP I am so close.

 

Hey all I am Mark and as mentioned in an earlier post I bought a 92 SC400 Pearl White with 83,800 on the clock. It has some issues mostly cosmetic and working the kinks out now already did the supports and swapping out the amplifier and AC control but the biggest issue/PITA is the center vent I am swapping. I am a car nut and love the lines of the coupe always have it just took a lot longer to find a good one to buy. I dont plan any mods for the car and plan on enjoying it as long as I can. BTW I also got an extended warranty with the car good for 2/30k its not bumper to bumper but cover most of the problem areas for the car including the A/C.

My digital camera is down for the count but the car was up on Ebay here is the item number #120168285158 enter that into search and will pull up the car there are a bunch of pics there.