1990 Lexus LS 400 Consumer Discussions

LS 400/LS 430 Electrical Questions & Problems

• Re: 1990 Lexus LS 400 Electrical problems [bebe311]

  Written by: wwest on Jun 16, 2010 9:34:14 AM

  Blown fuse or failed relay. Most likely the lighting system "integration" relay assembly/module mounted in the dash panel approximately above the driver's left knee. Check to see if the "flash to pass" headlight function works and if so the integration relay has failed.

• 1990 Lexus LS 400 Electrical problems

  Written by: bebe311 on Feb 13, 2010 7:49:56 PM

  I have read postings on various websites that are similar to my problem, but not quite like mines. My interior power will not work at all! Nothing on the inside works (no heat, radio, dash, seats, etc.) nor will my head and tail lights work. I was told I had an electrical problem (which as not been diagnosed by an electrical technician) The vehicle drives fine, but I can not use ... Read More

Lexus LS 400/LS 430 Instrument Panel Questions

• Lights will not go out. Please help. All suggestions welcome.

  Written by: paul83 on Jun 16, 2007 8:59:26 PM

  Have a 1990 Lexus LS 400. Had trouble with the engine. Had my mechanic put a used 20,000 low miles 1992 Engine in the car. The car runs perfect. Also had him put in a new alternator. He did not hook all the wires on the alternator. Drove 150 miles and the car stop. It was running on battery only. All the lights came on dashboard. Radiator, brakes, battery etc. He ... Read More

Lexus LS Accessories

• Re: LS 400 longevity [bogey23]

  Written by: slexy1 on Mar 18, 2007 4:34:51 AM

  I have a 1990 LS 400 (1st year model that came out in late 1989). While I only have about 165,000 miles on it, I have heard of early 1990's LS 400's going to 400,000 miles. I am biased towards the LS for obvious reasons (I think ConsumerReports.com is too). I took great care of my "white with silver bottom" LS, as this photo (click on it to elarge) shows near ... Read More

Lexus LS Dealers and Service Issues

• Service Issues - DON'T FORGET "INDEPENDENTS"

  Written by: slexy1 on Mar 1, 2007 3:51:41 AM

  I just wanted to clarify what I said above. The reason I got "turned down" by Lexus Corporate and my local dealers (IMO) is that I buy from "people" more than I buy from "companies". By that I mean that I have been giving my Lexus service consumer money to Independent Lexus Service shops more than dealers, ever since my 2001 LS 430 went out of warranty, and "heavy turnover" of ... Read More

Lexus LS 400/LS 430

• Re: 2001/2002 LEXUS LS 430 TRUNK SAFETY PROBLEM

  Written by: slexy1 on Feb 23, 2007 3:25:05 PM

  I just got back from my local Lexus dealer where I bought my 2001 LS 430. The service and parts managers along with everyone working there are very nice and helpful (Park Place Lexus of Grapevine, Tx.) This matter is over their heads, as the problem lies with Lexus Corporate, IMO. Here is some VERY INTERESTING NEWS! A nice new car salesman showed me the trunk mechanism on the brand new ... Read More

• 2001 LS 430 Trunk Lid Safety Problem & Parchment Paint Touch Up Problem

  Written by: slexy1 on Feb 8, 2007 4:40:36 AM

  I just finished sending a reply to Lexus Corp. in Torrance, Ca. Their "Customer Satisfaction" rep told me he could not put me in touch with someone "over his head". Here is part of what I said: "I recently submitted a safety complaint with a suggestion to correct the problem, and I find Lexus Corporate's apology unsatisfactory. You simply say "We apologize that you are displeased with the functionality of the ... Read More

Lexus LS: Problems & Solutions

• Re: The Answer to Many Challenges is with Independent Lexus Service Shops [wwest]

  Written by: slexy1 on Mar 14, 2006 3:56:43 PM

  Totally agree, wwest, if you know what you are doing (I'm sure you do) in every eventuality, as the Lexus gets older. I just love the "average cost of ownership" over the long lifetime of ownership that I'm striving for. Frankly, I believe my 1990 LS 400 will start to go up in value in 4 years from now. Then, the overall average yearly cost of ownership will be even lower ... Read More

• The Answer to Many Challenges is with Independent Lexus Service Shops

  Written by: slexy1 on Mar 14, 2006 1:03:23 PM

  I have a 1990 LS 400 and a 2001 LS 430, and I have found that going to the dealer is not only a waste of my time, but a lot more expensive than going to an independent Lexus service shop that is owned by former "ASE" Master Mechanics who have been treated badly by the dealer they used to work for. My question is: Who has found the same very ... Read More

Lexus LS 400/LS 430

• 1990 Lexus LS400

  Written by: kersten on Dec 28, 2005 8:51:53 AM

  Hello, I am considering a 1990 Lexus LS 400 with 65000 miles on it....An older couple had it and had all services done at the dealer, seems like a creampuff,Silver ext./burg.int... recently had the timing belt changed @ 60,000 miles...My question is this, they are asking 7,000 and that is over 1,000 above Edmunds TMV, and on KBB the retail is 8,300 with private party exc. at $6,400..Car listing sites seem ... Read More

• Re: 1990 LS 400 with over 400k miles on it........ [catchdog]

  Written by: pearl on Sep 16, 2005 7:40:43 PM

  Congrats on your longevity! It sounds like you have put 236K miles on it in the last three years or about 79K miles/year. If you don't mind me asking what do you do to put so many miles on your car each year?? This is the equivalent of more than three trips around the earth each year, one H... of a lot of miles. The mileage norm is probably 10-15K/year so ... Read More

• 1990 LS 400 with over 400k miles on it........

  Written by: catchdog on Sep 11, 2005 7:13:23 PM

  My Lexus LS400 has 423k miles on it and runs perfect. I bought it with 187k miles on it about 3 years ago. Since then I have mainly done minor work to it. This car is possibly the best car ever built.

Lexus LS: Problems & Solutions

• 568 thousand miles on a 90 lexus

  Written by: bildow on Jul 17, 2005 8:32:18 AM

  FYI 568 thousand miles was accomplished by a 1990 lexus LS 400 when traded in after 15 years on the road, the engine and transmission were original. The only failures were the air conditioner compressor and 2 power steering pumps. The car is from Southern California and had good maintenance, several dealers have said that if you take care of your lexus it's not a big deal to go 300,000 to ... Read More

• Re: Replacement Key for 1990 LS 400 [kl3415 #1279]

  Written by: aggie76 on Jul 9, 2004 4:47:20 AM

  A couple of months ago I had to replace the battery in my GS key and found several reference to buying new keys on the Lexus Club board. You might search there for some alternatives.

• Multiple LS 400 problems

  Written by: gagrice on Jun 30, 2004 8:49:40 AM

  I think our 1990 LS 400 Lexus is a fine riding and handling car. I think it is more prone to troubles than it should be. It has been serviced every time at the dealer my wife purchased it through. We now have 79,993 miles. The airbag light came on about 50k miles dealer wants $2000 to repair. Rearview mirror went out at about 55k miles repair estimate $1200. Gas gauge ... Read More

• 1990 LS 400 - 166K ....first post

  Written by: svenunderstad on Apr 2, 2004 7:58:39 PM

  First let me say that I am very happy to have found this fine forum! I own an 1990 LS 400 - pearl white and blue leather interior, 166,000 miles. This car was "Doctor Driven" in Minnesota by my uncle and sold to me for a song a few years ago - then transplanted to the West coast. Fuel efficiency is 18/22, with a lot of pep on tap with the ... Read More

Lexus LS 400/LS 430

• rugeti

  Written by: lenscap on Sep 10, 2003 7:06:21 AM

  The current LS is not fairly new. It was unveiled in January 2000 at the Detroit Auto Show and went on sale in the fall of 2000 as a 2001. It is now entering its fourth year. Lexus does not have long model cycles. Typically their cars run for five years, with a cosmetic freshening in the fourth year. So, what Lexus is doing follows their history. Compare this to Mercedes ... Read More

• 2001 LS 430 EURO - ALMOST 30K MILES AND VERY PLEASED EXCEPT...

  Written by: slexy on Sep 7, 2002 7:13:53 AM

  Two things have bugged me since I got the car in 10/2000. I want to first say I wouldn't trade this car for any other for many reasons. But, I have given up trying to get the trani to downshift without the short hesitation, since it only bugs me when I am trying to pass a slow vehicle on a two lane road. My dealer says it is possible that Lexus ... Read More

• 1990 Lexus LS

  Written by: nasdaqer on Aug 6, 2002 10:12:19 PM

  Hi all -- just started looking at a Lexus LS 400 for my wife. We are expecting our first little one in December, and we have to cut down on car expenditures. Anyway, I came across a 1990 Lexus LS 400 for $6300. It has 155k on it, but looks pretty clean. Anything that you would look out for on this one? I'm sure that with a car with this many ... Read More

• 1990 Model Owner Questions

  Written by: deaconjones on Jun 18, 2002 11:44:33 AM

  I have a friend who brought a 1999 Lexus LS 400, and is willing to part with her 1990 model. She is an extremely close friend, and her gesture to me is out of good will alone, that I am sure. Think of your kindly, older aunt selling you her Cadillac for under blue book. I'm just curious about first run production models. Any feedback on the reliablity of the first ... Read More

• Lexus Quality

  Written by: lenscap on Aug 6, 2001 3:16:00 PM

  I do not own an LS 430, but rather a 1995 ES 300. But I wanted to mention a few points. First, I believe the LS 430 was rated the car with the fewest defects of ANY car by JD Power. Second, my family has owned several first-year Lexus models, including a 1990 LS 400 and a 1998 GS 300. Neither has had even little problems. While some of you may ... Read More

• Buying a 1990 LS 400: The saga continues

  Written by: gsenthil on May 12, 2001 8:19:53 PM

  Hi, I saw 2 more LS400s today. I didnt see any Mercs because I wanted a reliable car and liked the Lexus features better. The one I have set my mind on is a steel blue 1990 LS 400 122k with nakamichi & cd changer/moonroof. None of the other LS400s i saw had the Nak/CD- which is very important to me. The price is $7000. Is this a good price? Here ... Read More

Lexus LS: Problems & Solutions

• no title

  Written by: dealerflorida on Mar 25, 2001 12:40:05 PM

  The "pulling out of the vents" refers to the A/C vents atop the automatic climate control unit. When you face the vent direction downwards this allows the tips of your fingers to grab the housing surronding the vents. if you pull outward and downward firmly the whole face with vents pops out exposing 2 screws holding auto climate with LCD in its place. For question about wether to purchase a early ... Read More

Lexus LS 400/LS 430

• re POST 439- Long term reliability

  Written by: feverhart on Jan 28, 2001 2:07:32 PM

  I can only give you my experience. I owned a 1990 LS 400 for 11 years before buying the LS 430. I had no problems for the 130,000 miles. I replaced the timing belt at 120,000,whether it needed it or not. After the warranty period I only had it serviced every 30,000 miles. I did change the o & f every 7500 miles (Mobile one)myself. Still had the original rear brake ... Read More

• Replacement for Driver's Floor Mat

  Written by: delliott on Sep 25, 2000 12:08:56 AM

  For some time now, I have been looking for a new replacement driver's floor mat for my 1990 LS 400. The old mat was a light tan color. The dealer informs me that the only new replacement is a darker tan color floor mat. I would like to keep my Lexus all original, so would like to find a new replacement driver's mat for the car with the original color. Can ... Read More