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Hello all together
From Germany I'm writing. Since 2 Weeks I own a 1992 LS400, which was standing quite long. It has 151000 Km ( ca 94000 miles), one owner ( *1923 ). It's from a household resolution. The body got quite a lot scratches and damages, I think at the last few drivings the former owner didn't remember the size of his Lexus ;-) , and as well plenty of rust underneith, but nothing which can't be fixed. LS400 1st Gen are really really rare in europe. Very few of them are still offered but they got a lot of Km at a higher price. Next week I'll take some pic's, at the moment it's in a workshop where's pretty dark.
The main reason I'm writing is, want to make the car run good, and at the moment I'm checking the coolant things, esp. the sensors. My question to you all LS400 guys: There are three sensors in the coolant line. One with one cable is for the gauge, that I figured out already. But which one is the sensor directly "reporting" to the ECU, and what kind of sensor is the third? Hope the pic's are good enough that you guys can help me.
Btw, I'm glad that I found this great forum! I already ordered the cap's for the ECU. In Germany the Lexus forum is specially for old LS400 a bit neglected.
Welcome and congratulations on your find. I've attached a picture of one of the many great features in the forum. You may have already tried to use this, but I it's worth mentioned in case you haven't. Sometimes I have to use different key words, i.e. coolant temp sensor, engine coolant sensor, etc. Again, you may know this already.
I know that #2 reports to the ECU. I just recently changed it on a 1991 LS due to a power loss issue. #1 reports to the gauge cluster, as you mentioned. Be careful when installing the new one.
You will need a deep socket to do the job, and you must ensure that it doesn't touch the green plastic electrical connector, because it is very easy to break it off. Be careful not to overtighten it.
This post comes up when I use the search terms 'engine coolant temperature sensor'. It's on the second page and shows a picture that may help you in the 31st post: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...read-this.html
Thank you @Fit1too . I used the search a lot before I register in the forum even trying different phrases and words.
@CELSIOR : Thanks a lot. These two I figured out now. The question is what kind of sensor / switch is No 3?
Hi AlaskanLS and CELSIOR . Thank you both so much!!! I really appreciate it! So I can order this switch as well and do the whole Coolant stuff in one go. That helps a lot of time saving.
Do not change the cold injector start switch, read the pdf that I uploaded. Test your old switch with multi meter as explained in the pdf, if it is in the spec then there is no need of changing it. These switches are not cheap. If your current one is working then there is no need of installing a one. These rarely fail. I in fact change this switch like a month ago and I found my old one was functional. I just wasted money on buying a new one. The same test technique apply to the ECT switch. Use the same method of checking your car's ECT switch, if that is functional then you don't need to change it.
Thanks a lot for your really precious advice. I saw already that this switch is ***********g expensive. And I would have to order it in UK, JP or USA, 'cause in Germany I don't get it anywhere. I decided to let all ( old ) switches in place until I got my workshop Utilities back. Then I can test all the switches. My first goal is getting "TUEV" on Friday morning. The last Examination my Lexus failed because Oxygen - failure and the middle muffler had a big hole on its top. I'm waiting for the two welded flanges for the first two lambda-sensors, the ones with the flanges aren't available. So I cutted out the old sensors and let weld a V2A-weld-in-ring for screwing in the new sensors. I'll report. And when the weather is reasonably good, I will finally take some photos from my scratched Lexus...
Owning a car with scratches has its advantages! You can park up front at Walmart and not worry about the outcome. Our 98 and 99 RAV4s are so small that I think it allows other people's doors time to gain momentum and bash into the sides. Someone dinged the 98s front fender so hard one time that I had to loosen the fender liner and reach in a pop the dent back out. I park out in the nose bleed section when I take the Lexus shopping.
... wait until you see the pic's. The former owner (*1923!!!) tried, so I think, to get the Lexus somewhere in between no more knowing the size of the car. It seems that was a lot of years ago, and all the deep damages started rusting. The main thing is the damaged and badly repaired sill at the driverside. I think that has to be cutted out and welded completly...
My Lexus is still at the workshop on the lifting platform. I ordered 2 weeks ago some parts, mainly the thermostat and the multiripped belt at a german car parts online - store. They couldn't deliver even their site said it's available, until tuesday! So I cancelled everything I ordered there and went to rockauto. They deliver next week tuesday and wednesday. It costs me a huge amount of transport and tax, but they got the parts and they can deliver. Thinking that's gonna be a never ending story...
Even getting fenders, doors or bumpers, it's not possible getting used parts in a good condition for a reasonable price. You guys are lucky, 'cause the LS400 is a well sold car in US. In my country it's more rare than a lamborghini or ferrari. They say it has no "image"
Well, last year my son and I have participated in the greencard lottery, and I hope and pray every day one of us is winning. Then we can move to your country in 2020, and have no more sorrows about car parts for our Toyotas and Lexus'.
Hi There. It is not so bad to be a LS400 owner in europe. I own two . A 1995 for winter and a 2000 for summer use.
For most parts you just need to get used to the few weeks extra time and VAT and shipping expense from US or Japan.
Most parts are easy to find.
Many wear items ship quickly from Germany though. Here in Sweden prices are too high.
The few things that needs fixing I fix on the Lexus not in use. I then have a few months to do it which is nice.
02-10-19, 06:20 AM
New at the forum
. Our 98 and 99 RAV4s are so small that I think it allows other people's doors time to gain momentum and bash into the sides. Someone dinged the 98s front fender so hard one time that I had to loosen the fender liner and reach in a pop the dent back out. I park out in the nose bleed section when I take the Lexus shopping.
Short update
