1998 Lexus LS 400 - Page 2 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

Hi, jack up the car, remove the wheels.

If you are using a hydraulic jack, this is the jack point I used.

(Unlike many other models, the caliper does not have to be removed to change the brake pads on the Lexus LS430) Push the pin out with a screwdriver as you press on the middle of the metal plate as I am doing with my thumb.


Open the hood and locate and open brake fluid reservoir cap to allow pressure to be released later when compressing the brake piston


Remove the old brake pads, they should slide out. If not, you may need to push the piston back by sliding a flathead screwdriver in there. Comparing the old brake pads with the new.


The old pads will have metal plates which you can reuse. I applied anti-squeal paste on the outter contact surfaces.


Brake pad sensor On the passenger side brake pads, there is a brake sensor which slides out and should be installed back in the new brake pads.


You can either use a C-clamp to push the pistons back in as the new pads will be larger than the old brake pads. Instead of a C-clamp, I stuck the old pads in between the rotor and pistons and pushed the pistons back. It would be wise to put some cardboard paper to protect the surface of the rotor. Also avoid pushing against the piston rubber surface.

Install the new pads and everything else in reverse, and you are done! Don't forget to close the brake fluid reservoir cap, and pump the brakes before driving off so that pistons meet the new brake pads snugly.

NO! sounds high to me, You need a sec. opinion, I would not mess with the timing chain , If it's not broke don't fix it i allways say. Good luck to you., A full tune up should'nt cost over $200 - $250

You should be able to access 3rd brake light through trunk.

Hi Terry, my name is John I will do my best to assist you.

Misfiring can be due to several ignition system faults.

• Crankshaft, or Camshaft position sensor.
• Ignition module/engine control computer.
• Ignition coil/wire.
• Fouled spark plugs.

If the spark plugs have not been replaced in the last 30K miles, this is where I would start, it is the simplest and cheapest of the possibilities. Also make sure that the wiring connectors that plug into the ignition coils (on top of each spark plug) are positively connected.

Your engine is equipped with a coil-on-plug setup. To replace the spark plugs you will have to remove the single bolt that holds each of the coil/wire assemblies, and then carefully twist the coil/wire assembly back and forth while pulling up on it. Then you will need a 5/8" spark plug socket, ratchet, and extension to remove the spark plugs. Make sure that the spark plugs are gapped to .043, if you don't have a gapping gauge you can get one from an auto parts store.

If replacing the spark plugs does not resolve the misfire then the next most likely culprit is one or more of the coil/wire assemblies. I don't have access to the exact specifications for testing the coil/wire assemblies for your Lexus, but I will try to locate this information.

The next in order of likely-hood is the camshaft position sensors. Your Lexus should have 2 one attached to one end of each cylinder head. I will attempt to locate the testing specs for these as well.

Lastly the ignition module/engine control computer. To determine if there is a problem here you will unfortunately have to take the car to qualified service center.

If you have more specific questions please post comments to this thread and I will endeavor to monitor new activity and respond as soon as possible. I recommend that you "bookmark", or "add to favorites" this page for your convenience.

You say you have been to a mechanic and I assume there is nothing mechanically wrong with the brakes so I will not address the numerous possible mechanical causes. But here are a few other suggestions:
Brake sqeal can be cause by high huminty and cold weather and, as you describe, usually goes away after the brakes have been appled a few times and "warmed up" So you can "ride the break" for a few moments when first starting as one easy solution to try.
Accumulated brake dust can also cause brake squeal. Usually this is only in the front wheels as they have the heaviest wear. Try washing by spraying front wheels with highs pressure stream form your garden hose. Do not use compressed air for this task as the dust is unhealthy to breath. Also your local auto part store will sell a spray liquid for this such as:Permatex Brand Disk Brake Quiet 12 oz spray can about $8.00 or CRC 05080 De-Squeak Conditioning Treatment for Brakes. Both can be purchased online also.
Finanlly, if none of these solutions work, and this really bother you and you are willing to spend the money, find a mechanic who is "old school" and know how to fix this problem. There are shims, dampener, lube points, pad shaping and rotor de-glazing that can be tried.
J

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You'll need to get down low with a flashlight and look up under the dash where the brake pedal arm attaches.
Search and you'll probably find the arm is chaffing through the insulation of a wiring harness causing your problem.
Reroute the cable and secure it away from the pedal arm

Yes they can, But they are a MAJOR PAIN IN THE ****. even at the shop there a pain, I hate doing them. Good luck, Have patience

back into a post, take it to a body shop.

if you can get the radio out of dash there is a serial number on the top of radio call lexus number in the owners manual and they can retrieve the code or they will put you in touch with tech support. This way you dont have to go to the dealership and pay hefty charge for the two do three minutes work.

Answer is yes. However it is fixable if you choose and done correctly it will not be noticeable. One way is to take them and have them blasted, polished and clear coated. Sometimes this is more costly than replacing. You could clean the damaged areas with some scotchbrite and reapply a clear polyurethane. This takes time and care to not make them noticeable as earlier stated. or your cheapest bet would be to have them prepped and powder coated to the vehicles' color. Going forward there are products on the market that will reduce or eliminate brake dust which is the numeral one enemy in this fight against corrosion. I personally recommend the ceramic pads and periodic cleaning.

Vcs means "Vehicle Stability/skid Control".Variable Skid Control is a part of your brake system. It is indicating that it senses a problem with your brake system.Get the car scanned at autozone service center.Its absolutely free at autozone to get car scanned.In scanning it will show the error codes as per that you can get the parts replaced.Also if in scanning,if no codes are shown ,then also get your brake system inspected. ----------- This will help.Thanks.Helpmech.

The key is usually attached to the lug wrench at the factory with a wire. If it is not attached to the lug wrench, look for it by the spare or else in the glove box. If you can't find it, buy a new one from the dealer.

try disconnecting the battery and joining the leads together overnight ,if that doesnt work then i do not know only to suggest the dealer

Could be an earth problem, take off the earth strap from the battery to the car body, clean any corrosion and replace, do the same with the body to engine strap.

02 sensor is lean. check for vacumm leaks, check air filter and replace fuel filter

Try checking the fuse block for a bad fuse should be under dash check your manual for the actual location of the fuse. If that doesn't seem to be the problem check and make sure the lights are turned on via the dimmer switch. Sounds to simple but a lot of times the switch gets turned off by accident. Other than that I recommend taking it to an electrical repair shop so you don't damage any of the computer driven parts also DO NOT use a test light on the fuses in the block use a volt meter, you can easily pop the airbags or damage the computers!!

ls 400 - trunk leaks water. Fix -- Under the trunk seal at the bottom/rear you'll see that two pieces of metal come together. The adhesive / sealant that is used at the factory seems to leak with age. pull off the seal and use a good adhesive sealer to prevent water from leaking down between the two pieces of metal. Reinstall the trunk seal after it has dried and set properly.

SOUND LIKE LOWER TRUNK SEAL IS MISSING OR DAMAGED.IT KEEPS RAIN WATER FROM ENTERING TRUNK AREA.THE DEALERSHIP BODY SHOP HAVE TO GET THIS SEAL.

Items to check out AFTER YOU DISABLE SRS SYSTEM:
Horn, relay, clockspring ,wiring.

Hi, the clock reset when the battery voltage falls below the threshold and it happens under load and will be dependent on the duration of the crank. Have your battery checked UNDER LOAD free at auto zones or other retailers. You have to change the battery to solve the problem.
Take care