1998 Lexus LS 400 - Page 8 - Answered Questions & Fixed issues

This is a known problem and is due to excess lubricating oil on the needle spindles drying out over time and mixing with dust making it more viscous.The suggested remedy is to strip out the pod remove the plastic front and gently remove the excess oil with a cotton bud (UK) Q-Tip (US)
The speedo is electrically driven there is no cable drive involved.
The speedometer is sticking.---------- Try this :--- 1: Wack the top of the dash over the gauge cluster when it sticks.Not very hard, but wack it few times with your hands.-------
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2: Take cluster apart and wipe excess lube off of the needle rest with a q-tip. ------- But if you wack/tap/hit on the dash and your speedo starts working, this indicates problem with instrument cluster board itself.---------- The cost of new cluster board is approx $1200.But there are few online sites who deals with cluster board repairing .They charge very less for repairing this board as compared to new.--------Click this link below to get your cluster board completely repaired. http://www.mrwhizard.com/ -------------- If you want to repair your instrument cluster board yourself, then you can also do it.To go through the repair guide, click the link below:--- http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/08/lexus-ls-400-speedometer-starts-working.html ---------------
This will help.Thanks.Helpmech.

First you have to determine weather you have a FUEL problem or (ELECTRICAL)Spark problem ??

Pull the coil wire off or a easy to get to spark plug wire, Lay it close to were you pulled it off of (Do not hold or touch you may get SHOCKED) and crank motor (need two people) look and listen for a spark, if you see or here a spark, then go to next step which will be to check for Fuel (gas). Be very careful when checking fuel, as most lines are under pressure and may cause bodily harm such as BURNS to EYES and SKIN!! Loosen or pull the inlet fuel line off and put rag over line. Some fuel injected vehicles have a fuel rail the has a valve that looks like a tire valve. Put a rag over this valve and push it in with a small screw driver and have someone crank motor a couple of times to see if fuel is coming out.

If NO Spark---Could be a lot of things Points (older vehicles) Modules, Coils, Crank Sensors, ECT......

If NO Fuel---- Could be Clogged fuel filter, Fuel Pump, Fuel pump Relay, Fuse, ECT..........

Hope this helps you ??

GIve me some more details

Give me some more information about this problem. May be i can help.

Give some more details of the problem.

Take your battery in for a load test. Betcha a cell has dried up. Will probably survive but I would still trade it in.

If the tensioner is broken and cannot move then the only other option is to cut the belt, remove and replace the tensioner.

hello unless your car is a diesel fuel it does not have an accelerator thermal sensor....to me your concern sounds like a fuel pump or a fuel regulater....As for your catalytic convertor your not suppose to clean them period who ever charged you for that I would get your money back they have to be replaced they can not be cleaned also you have to replace your o2 sensor when you change your ....cats...sorry that they were dishonest ...but i hope i helped you out ..write back if you have any more questions..ty

This usually indicates that the engine has a leaking head gasket. Do not run the engine with this problem, it will damage the cylinder head(s).

First. Storing anything that is Gasoline powered for a long time ( typically over 6 months) should have a full tank of fule with Stabil or simmilar product in the tank and fog the engine. ( inducing a engine fog according to product lable)
As for your car I show that the Lexus LS400 has no external fuel filter. ( Poor Choice by Toyota in my opinion) the only filter that AllData shows for your car is in the fuel tank. If you have not *** of yet. I would find a place that sell Castle FireBall. It is the best injector and fuel system cleaner I have found. Try that first. If no luck you may have to try a professional injection cleaning. That would be my first try, if you have ruled out vacuume leaks. Letting a car sit can also cause dry rot of vacuume lines. Look it over good. Spray carb cleaner while engine is running on vacuume lines and see if you hit a spot where engine smooths out. if so that is a sure sign of a vacuume leak in that area.

the smoke is from engine oil, it is caused by leaking valve seals , after the engine is shut down for the day oil is leaking past the valve seals and getting into the cylinders then when you start up the engine the oil is burned off, this is a common problem, and there is a couple of things you can do to help the problem with out taking the engine apart and replacing the seals, try this first at your next oil change add some Restore to the engine oil it will soften the seals and give them a little more life, if this does not cure the problem after a few 100 miles then you will need to have the seals replaced, and this is a costly repair, but you could just live with the smoke it wont hurt any thing just keep an eye on the oil.

Okay this one one of two things, first this car uses two distributors and the rpm signal which is the code 13 comes from one of the distribntors i forget which one but it could be a bad distributor but note that ive run into this and replaced with aftermarket one and the check engine light kepted coming on until i got a factory distributor for dealer, the only other reason would be the timing belt is off a tooth or two, i would make sure that timing belt is dead on. good day.

Hi, you probably have a loose linkage inside the door that connects the lock to the handle. You have to open the door panel to trace and replace the loose linkage and if you need a picture diagram for this purpose, you have to get your car repair manual from Haynes manual.....

IF THE BRAKE ROTORS ARE WARPED IT WILL CAUSE THE SHAKING. BUT YOU WILL ALSO FEEL IT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL.

Thanks for choosing FixYa and welcome to the site. A easy way to trace the filter is by going to the gas cap. Whichever side you fill gas at. Get under the vehicle and follow the gas lines that lead toward the front of the car. You will then run into the filter.

It should run ok, it might not get as good as mileage you would with premium and it might not have normal performance as with premium.

hello skeen... you will need Metric socket wrench set, Screwdrivers,, Pliers and Open-end metric wrenches. If you would like to review all of the steps involved, go to the link below. Joe
Thanks for choosing Fixya!

How to Replace the Starter on a Lexus Ls400 ' eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_4828284_replace-starter-lexus-ls.html#ixzz1JAiysdUX

The low coolant sensor could be stuck...this is located sometimes in the bottom of the overflow tank...(a light tap can sometimes correct) or some are located on the radiator...follow the electrical lead...as long as coolant is circulating properly...this is probably the culprit...if the sensor is on the radiator...a light tap applies too...you can disconnect periodically as this sometimes can correct...Hope this helps.