Engel

Further to my post, this is the type I've been using, purely because of its size. It fits in the small space in the roof console, and only a couple of cm from the camera: https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/133802601384?chn=ps&_ul=AU&_trkparms=ispr%3D1&amdata=enc%3A1sjGStMfvSUuRCsi6h6U7VA93&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=705-139619-5960-0&mkcid=2&itemid=133802601384&targetid=1598233946344&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9069039&poi=&campaignid=14475548621&mkgroupid=125379202014&rlsatarget=pla-1598233946344&abcId=9300653&merchantid=494541360&gclid=CjwKCAiA3L6PBhBvEiwAINlJ9L07Y9pqmIPDlBw-fJ45jSVg1eq6Bg0l_8sHDrmKmaEEHqUHPUaT7hoC3jQQAvD_BwE Cheers, Engel

That is brilliant Bazzle. Thank you very much. I'm now thinking that the power supply/converter I had is not up to the job, or may have malfunctioned. I'll buy one of those kits, and let the group know. Cheers, PaulE

Hi all. I have a Viofo A119 Dashcam installed in my 2004 LS430. It doesn't have a battery as such, but rather it's a capacitor powered unit. Worked fine for quite a while. However of late it has stopped working. I have a small circuit board running power from the 12V circuit up in the overhead console housing the interior reading lights, to a USB socket. Puts out the correct voltage for the camera. (I can't remember exactly which circuit it is - lights, sunroof etc), but if I take the camera out of the car and plug it into my PC's USB port, it works perfectly. I'm wondering if perhaps the 12V circuit I've uses doesn't have enough power (ie amps) to power the camera correctly? Would all the power circuits be on a multiplex system, and so controlled as to output? Any clues? Cheers, Engel

Hi all. On our way to Brisbane the other night,, (2004 LS 430), with 4 pax and bootful, we came over a rise in the road and suddenly there was something laying across the entire right hand lane. It was the size & shape of one of those sharp speed bumps you see in carparks. I had a car next to me in the left lane, and Armco to my right, so there was no way I could avoid it, and we hit it square on at 100 km/h. Bang, Bang!! Imagine hitting a speed bump at that speed. It shook the car like a bomb. In fact when we got to our destination and got out, the turn indicator in the mudguard had been shocked out and was hanging by the wires. (BTW, we called 000 police to report it in case a smaller car hit it and potentially became airborne. Never heard any more of course). So now, there's a definite vibration in the car, noticeable on even smooth road surface. The wheels & tyres seem all OK. I've checked them thoroughly. The vibration is like a drumming, similar to when you have a rear window open and the wind sets up a resonance. It's way too fast for the rotational speed of the wheels, so doesn't appear to be a bubble or flat spot in the tyre. Almost seems like the rate of one of the cylinders firing at around 1600 RPM. ie maybe 3-5 Hz. There's no vibration like an out of balance tyre, or anything at that sort of rotational speed. It's a much faster frequency than that. Any clues as to what it could be? I've yet to get the car up on a hoist to inspect for cracks in structure, damaged bushes etc. It has trashed the rear shocks, which were getting weak anyway, so they will now need replacing. What other potential damage should I look out for? Everything still seems to work OK. Cheers, Engel.

Similar thing happened a week ago. 2003/2004 LS430. We were cruising in slow traffic, foot almost off the pedal, for about 1/2 hour driving up the length of the Gold Coast. After about 25 minutes like that, it started to misfire when we were at traffic lights. If I kept slight pressure on the pedal to bring idle up to about 900-1000, then it smoothed out. Gave it a normal run the next morning and the problem disappeared. Don't know if it was the constant slow running and maybe getting warm, or dirty fuel or something else. Sorry that doesn't answer your question exactly, but at least it seems to have fixed itself after a good long run.

Hi Smilingjack. Easy mate. Just contact a forwarding agent in the USA and then you can get the goods sent to their warehouse, and they will then send over here for you. Sounds complicated, but really very easy. One I've used is "Shipito.com" but there are plenty. They charge a minimal fee (couple of dollars) and you just have to pay the shipping cost to Oz (which you would have anyway). Shame the Aussie dollar is so bad at the moment though. Makes the parts a bit dearer again. Ah well....... Cheers, Engel

Hi AngelEyes. Before I bought my LS430 9 months ago, I made a few calls to ascertain the overall servicing costs compared to my then vehicle, a Hyundai Grandeur. To change the belt on the LS at the Brisbane Lexus dealer was around the $1250 mark, which was comparable to the Hyundai dealership for the V6 Grandeur. I can't recall if that included all pulleys and water pump though, so $1590 seems about average based on that quote. My LS is just overdue for a new belt now actually (155,000 km), so I shall be getting a couple of prices shortly. I'll reply on this list once I've got some. Don't want to leave it too much longer. There's a great tutorial on here somewhere of how to change the belt etc yourself if you're a handy mechanic, and it doesn't seem too difficult, but then my thinking is that if THEY stuff it up, it's down to them to fix it. If I stuff it up, I'm up for a huge expense. Only has to be one tooth out........ Cheers, Engel.