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Lexus ES300 problems - READ ONLY

88 messages,  Last post on Jul 19, 2003 at 11:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Car Safety, Engine, Transmission, Sedan

Messages Page 7 of 9

#59 of 88 Re: Battery Problem by akw3

Feb 21, 2003 (1:59 pm)

Hi pry2,
My 02 also has the same buzzing sound in the front passenger area but it comes and go. Last time it last more than 30 minutes and it was loud enough to cause me a headache. But it was gone by the time I got to the dealer. Anybody has a fix?

#60 of 88 problems by 1461

Mar 04, 2003 (12:27 pm)

I own a 2002 es300. I purchased the car 3/02 and have 44,000. I used to own an Avalon and kept it until I had 190,000 and loved it. In my opinion, the Lexus has been a major disappointment. The vehicle makes wind noise over 65mph. The transmission does hesitate when changing gears. I had the brakes worked on when I took it in for 10M service; and finally, and most annoying of all the car would shake when it idled. I took it in for service and they couldn't help, not until I brought it in for 30M service and paid for replacing the plugs did it stop. My advice: don't let your ego get in the way of common sense. You will be overpaying for a car with nice interior trim, but mechanically challenged.

#61 of 88 Instrument cluster in my '95 ES 300- backlit bulbs by svier1

Mar 06, 2003 (2:55 pm)

I have a 1995 ES 300 with 51,000 miles on it and (2) of the back-lit bulbs on the speedometer and (1) at the fuel gauge seem to have gone dark on me. The needles on the gauges are still going strong.
 
My question is, how hard is it to replace them?
What would be required to do to remove the instrument cluster to get to the old bulbs? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

#62 of 88 Follow up to #48: Suspension Hop & Shudder by unpolire

Mar 06, 2003 (9:50 pm)

We have experienced this exact same, really disturbing behavior, on a dealer maintained, 1992 ES300 with just over 100K miles. At times it feels as if the rear of the car wants to literally "hop" into (and has tried to!) the next lane. I immediately put a new set of Z rated Yokohamas on, with NO change whatsoever. Lexus parts department informed me that the factory OEM struts are shot, "definitely" at 100K miles, often earlier. I will replace all strut bearings, struts, and strut mounts, inspect the suspension bushings all around, and expect that this will completely eliminate the problem. When I questioned the servicing dealer as to why they never mentioned that the struts wear out at this mileage or earlier, the official line was that they check them, visually, but unless they are clearly leaking, do not recommend replacement! My parents live in Chicago, and with the questionable condition of heavily pot-holed road surfaces there due to salt usage and snow plows, I would not be surprised to find that your OEM struts have failed at 40K miles.

#63 of 88 Instrument Cluster backlights.... by raddboy41

Mar 07, 2003 (6:35 am)

I too have a '95 ES300 that had a couple of the backlights go out.....no big deal. Instead of just replacing the ones that went out, I went to the dealership and bought a whole new set (6-8, I can't remember). It took a total of 1/2 hr. to replace them. Drop the steering wheel to it's lowest position and look at the upper inside part of the cluster bezel. You'll see two little trap doors that can be popped open with a small flatblade screwdriver. Once these two little panels are flipped open, you can remove two screws then pop the instrument cluster bezel (finishing plate) forward from the dash. You'll then clearly see maybe 4 phillips head screws that actually secure the instrument cluster to the dash. Remove those screws and slide the cluster forward out of the dash. Remove wiring harnesses and back cover from the cluster and the bulbs are easily identifiable. Good luck!!

#64 of 88 by q45man

Mar 07, 2003 (7:38 am)

Oem and aftermarket shocks are all worn out by 40-50,000 miles -- things really have not changed in the last 15 years in shock design.
 
Since most drivers don't know the feel of a good shock unless they bought the car brand new and the decline is so progressive and slow ...... Lexus and Infiniti have adopted the leak test which is far from valid........to make these cars appear less costly to maintain and to avoid the hassle and cost by not covering them as a wear and tear item.
 
Rubber isolated suspension pieces also wear and need replacing to reduce the initial slop in the first 1" of body movement.

#65 of 88 by q45man

Mar 07, 2003 (7:42 am)

When you buy a used lux car [over 50k miles] this should be the number one question were the shocks replaced -- 99% of the time the answer is no.
Just do it and you will return the ride to close to new.
 
The rebound stiffness [the force opposing/slowing the bump compressed springs return and overshoot is critical........without it the rear sways and jumps up excessively.

#66 of 88 thanks for the help raddboy41 by svier1

Mar 07, 2003 (11:35 am)

thanks, will follow your advice.
 
Do you know if disconnecting the wire harness erases any info such as the digital mileage info?

#67 of 88 1997 ES300 "hot" start problem by mgimel

Mar 25, 2003 (10:43 am)

After I park a hot car for 5-20 min, I am unable to start it unless I wait another 30 min to considerably cooldown the engine. When I try to start it hot, the engine is chocking just after a 1 or 2 starter cranks. Cold start is not a problem. Other than that the engine performs excellent when started. I have changed the fuel filter (the old one was very dirty), and cleaned the air intake after the air filter, but it didnt help. The car has 56K miles, never skipped a service, very well kept and maintained. The dealer asked me for ~ $1500 to identify and to fix the problem (for only this they have already charged me $105).
Guys and girls, can anybody suggest a possible cause? Appreciate your inputs!

#68 of 88 1997 ES300 "hot" start problem - warranty ?? by daytona01

Mar 25, 2003 (12:40 pm)

mgimel: Lexus warranty for powertrain is 6yr/70K miles... Are you supposed to have warranty cover for this problem (powertrain) ?

Messages Page 7 of 9

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