This morning it got down to 18F. Got in my '05 LS430 and here are the things that didn't work when I first started it up and had let it warm up for about 5 minutes in driveway.

1. Seat bottom wouldn't tilt but it would go backwards and forwards.

2. Steering wheel wouldn't tilt or telescope.

Drove about 35 miles and now the steering wheel would telescope and about the same time the seat bottom started tilting. The outside temp was around 30F.

1 1/2 hours later the steering wheel started tilting. The outside temp was about 40F.

Any ideas? My 1998 LS400 never did this. What should I check?

Thanks!

 

Battery voltage and condition. Wouldn't hurt to check the alternator either.

 

+1 on slvr surfr suggestions,our cars get a little weird when these start to go bad.

 

a little weird? LMAO that's an understatement. dead batteries and failing alternators don't make them act a little weird, they absolutely freak out!!! that's really one of the only things that will really **** off these cars.

as far as temp goes, im in florida so I don't know the 18'F struggle, but it gets down into the 40s and 30s here once in awhile, and when it does, almost EVERY SINGLE PART in my Ls makes a sound. lol then it warms back up and all the creaks and rattles go away. weird old car problems that happens when they age

 

For what it's worth, the steering column and all it's features have been a weak link in our cars from the get go. When I purchased my car over 5 years ago, while reading through the vast service history at Lexus, I found my steering column replaced under warranty during the 1st year of ownership! There were numerous complaints after as well. When I purchased my car one of the first items I disabled was the automatic steering move away feature. Not all cars are perfect and our cars are known for these issues. I don't miss it a bit as I am the only person who drives my car.

 

I'm not trying to rub anything in, but mine hasn't given a single issue since new. I was just out and about like 5 mins ago and did a test for any abnormal signs, sounds, etc., and nothing. Still a silent whoosh with a slight (normal) thunk when it sets into place. The power tilt is one of my favorite things about the car, and I thought about disabling it when I bought it, but glad I didn't.

It's kinda crazy to wonder/think about just how many times in 12 years it's extended and retracted, and still works like new. So let's say avg. you drive 3 times a day, so 6 total extension/retractions. That times 365=2190. Times 12 years=26280!!! Holy Moly!!!!! No wonder it's like $1,000 to replace (which I will cough up if/when that day comes).

 

That's a common problem among electronics circuits at places where both the summer heat and the winter coldness are extremes. Aged electrolytic capacitors tend to cause problems loosing the liquid inside and increasing the impedance. Those loose the capability to stabilize the voltage lines also the the coupling capabilities become poor. Without any good power source and signals, circuits have no idea to work properly.

Electrolytic capacitors tend to work poorer when cold as is indicated below link. In addition to the coldness and the increased impedance, you can't expect a lot. Changing those capacitors to new mostly fix the problem.
http://www.nichicon.co.jp/english/pr...f/aluminum.pdf

 

Where are the capacitors?

 

In almost every electronics circuit board.

 

Well, it worked yesterday first thing and it worked today first thing?????

12.62 volts and 880 cca with a Solar Tester so I'm concluding it is not my battery. One thing I failed to mention. The car can set for 3 weeks at a time in my garage and not get cranked.

 

yep.ve this feature too! its even more of a shock to see it in a 1990 model! think about how many times that one has gone up and down over 26 years!! thing is though they always crap out after 20 years, however the Ls400 one is very easy to fix with a simple zip tie. after 1997 you have to replace the entire unit, sadly