Frequently Asked Questions and Answers about Soarers/SC400

Updatedwritten on 25 July 2002 and links updated on 30 June 2014

Answers to Questions 51 - 75

Important Warning

51. Is it easy to remove a faulty EMV screen and send it to you for repair? UPDATED
Removal and installation of the EMV screen is not difficult. We have a detailed illustrated removal procedure available on-line. Check the Order page.
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52. I am buying a Soarer and when the diagnostics are finished on startup there is a Japanese message in red in the combination meter with the word OFF. Is this serious?
Any red message in Japanese on startup is a serious concern. Without seeing the message it is impossible to tell what the problem is. I can only guess that the message is related to the TEMS suspension. I recommend you open the boot and check that the TEMS suspension switch on the left side of boot (near the guard) is ON. If not, switch it on, and start the engine again. All should be well. A complete list of translated Japanese warning messages is available in the Startrade Manual Supplement (A$30).
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53. How can the Soarer glovebox be removed?
Removal of the glovebox is easy. First locate the horizontal cover under the front passenger part of the dashboard. It is under the glovebox, right above the passenger feet space. This cover is secured in place by two black round plugs (tree-type fasteners). Take them out and pull the cover backwards about 10-20 mm - towards the front passenger. This action will release three or four spring type retainers and the cover can be removed. Then you can see two Phillips head screws, one in each lower corner of the glovebox. Remove them and also other two Phillips head screws at the top corners of the glovebox under small square plastic cover plates, accessible when you open the glove box lid. Then just grab the whole glovebox and pull it out by force. Use flat bladed screwdriver to flip the top edge of the glovebox around the glovebox lid lock in the middle of the top edge.
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54. Can you help with Manuals, technical information, etc. for Soarer models made before 1991?
Unfortunately, no. Our interest is only in the Soarer models made from 1991 and predominantly in the UZZ series with V8 engines.
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55. Is there a way of silencing squeeking noises from front/rear suspension when driving over bumps, after the car was not used for a while?
I fixed this on 2 cars by spraying WD40 on all suspension pivot points, particularly where the rubber dust seals rub on the metal parts. Unfortunately, I have to repeat this every 6 months to keep the suspension real quiet.
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56. Does Soarer have a fresh air filter in the ventilation system that could be cleaned/replaced to remove unpleasant odour when the air conditioning system is used?
Yes. Credit goes to a Lexus BBS run by Andy in U.K. where I learnt about this feature. There are in fact two air filter elements under the dashboard that can and, indeed, should be serviced regularly. An illustrated access procedure is available at the Fresh air filter removal section.
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57. Is there anything people should do when using the Startrade Enquiry form?
Yes, Yes, Yes. Please do not forget to input a functional e-mail address, otherwise we are not able to respond to your enquiries and orders. Sometimes addresses, such as "username@afXY.angelfire.com" are input and do not work. Also, it happens quite often that people would show their working e-mail address, then indicate their ownership or that they have not bought a Soarer/Lexus yet but stop short of ticking any of the number of boxes showing what they are actually interested in (manuals, procedures, spare parts, etc.). As much as we would like, we simply cannot provide them with meaningful replies to such incomplete enquiries.
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58. What if I do not have the genuine ignition and door key?
A new Toyota Soarer is supplied with two standard keys that open all locks including the ignition, doors, glovebox and boot. They also have remote locking transmitters to operate the remote central locking system. Another key is also supplied, called "service key", that only unlocks the ignition and doors but not the boot and glovebox.
Toyota Japan does not supply replacement keys. If you need one you can get it cut using non-Toyota blanks and we sell them at A$19 each. Or you can order a full set of new ignition, door, boot and glovebox lock barrels with keys but they would be very expensive and quite difficult to replace. Imported used cars are often supplied with non-original keys without the remote locking transmitters. If you desire to have a new remote locking transmitter, this is handled by Toyota supplying a new set of a blank key with built-in transmitter plus a matching remote locking receiver module. The module is then placed in your existing remote locking receiver in the car. You then use your existing key as a master for cutting the blanks. This replacement set for Soarer has to come out from Japan at a significant costs - about A$600 in about 4 weeks.
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59. How can I run the air-conditioning system diagnostics?
Running the A/C system diagnostics: When switching ignition ON push RECIRCULATION and AUTO buttons together and watch the LCD aircond. system screen normally used for temperature settings for a numerical code indicating the problem area. BTW, zero zero (00) means normal. First, all indicator lights will flash 4 times, then a buzzer beeps. When error codes are displayed a short while later, slower display (step mode by repeatedly pushing Fresh) can be activated by pushing FRESH. Hitting OFF stops the diagnostics.
The SC400 Repair Manual has in Volume 2, section AC exactly 141 pages devoted to trouble-shooting of the airconditioning system.
NOTE: You can clear the error codes by pulling out the DOME fuse (in the engine compartment fuse box) for 10 sec or more. Unless you fixed the problem first this would not achieve much, though.
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60. What if my V8 power steering pump leaks hydraulic fluid?
The 1UZ engine power steering pump can be re-sealed using a factory re-seal kit. Check Accessories and Spare Parts section of the Order form.
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61. Is theToyota Soarer certified for use in the USA?
Soarers are all made in right-hand drive only and I do not know if US car registration rules allow that. In Australia left-hand drive vehicles less than 30 years old cannot be registered unmodified on a permanent basis, only for use by short term visitors. I suggest the compliance status of Soarers imported to the USA be checked with importers. People living in left-hand drive countries (such as USA) and wanting the V8 Soarer would be better off with the genuine Lexus SC400 because of readily available service backup.
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62. My fuel gauge is not accurate. Can it be calibrated? UPDATE.
First of all, check the condition of car battery. It is known that a weak battery can affect the car electronics and especially the instrument indications. If the battery is good, the fuel gauge can be re-calibrated. The fuel tank has to be emptied first and then filled by adding 5 litres of fuel at a time. It is quite a messy business but the fuel gauge can be made accurate again. Detailed procedure is available through the Order page
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63. My EMV screen seems to be having only a minor problem in that it does not light up. Otherwise it works OK (touch feature still works). Can I get a replacement light bulb or tube for the screen?
I am afraid the description of a "minor" problem is not accurate. The fact that the touch screen feature of an EMV screen still works is merely a sign that at least some circuits inside the screen are still operational. The major problem, as we know it, is with the EMV screen backlight circuitry. Owners of so afflicted screens often mistakenly believe that "a bulb or tube" has blown and can easily be replaced. Sadly, this is definitely not the case. We have seen many faulty screens and not a single one of them had a burnt source of light inside.
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64. One day I started up my Soarer and could not move the gear shift selector from Park. A few minutes later the gearshift worked O.K. again. What happened?
Gear shift selector can only be moved from the Park when the foot brake pedal is depressed and ignition ON. This a safety feature designed originally for the American market. There is an override switch available in the form of a red button in front of the gear shift lever (see Q7).
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65. Are there any updates on the PAL TV conversion and GPS conversion for Soarers to work in Australia?
As of January 2001 the situation is that GPS mapping discs for countries outside Japan will never be available for the Soarer due to the difficulties with disc creation and questions about copyright of the mapping information used to make any such discs.

The PAL conversion of the Soarer TV has finally been resolved and I understand there are 2 systems available in Sydney. The simple solution employs a PAL TV tuner controlled by a remote control (about A$1,000) and the more complicated conversion has the PAL tuner connected through the original TV tuner so that channel tuning and memory setting are possible through the EMV screen, as originally designed (about A$1,500).

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66. What is the TEMS and its main functions?
TEMS stands for the Toyota Electronically Modulated Suspension, controlling spring rates and damping. The variable spring rates are achieved by changing air pressure in the front and rear compressed air suspension units and the damping is altered by switching between two (Soarers) or three (Celsiors) damping modes in shock absorbers. The electronic part comes into play when these two variables are modulated on-the-go, depending on many conditions. Functions like "anti-squating" on acceleration and "anti-dive" on braking are part of the suspension control program, as well as automatic lowering of high ride height and firming of damping with increased speed. Limited room does not allow me to elaborate on details but the TEMS is quite a sophisticated system. One example is the steering wheel angle change relative to road speed having effect on the suspenion in order to maintain safe roadholding.
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67. Are instructions available in English for the adjustments and repair of TEMS?
Yes. We managed to obtain from a friendly contact in England a copy of such instructions for the Lexus LS400 four-door sedan that has TEMS option. The TEMS system fitted to Soarers is very much the same and these instructions are now available through the Order page.
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68. The Japanese message in my Soarer combination meter indicates that the tail-lamps are faulty and, yet, the lamps are working just fine. What is the problem?
Most likely there is a voltage drop in the circuit of brake lamps through a pinched wire touching on the vehicle ground. This is known to have happened in the circuit of an additional brake lamp installed in an aftermarker rear spoiler where the lamp wire was poorly routed around the boot lid hinge. Another possibility is a faulty tail-lamp warning sensor mounted in the boot under the right side trim close to the fuel tank filler neck. A specific testing procedure exists for checking the sensor and is detailed in the Lexus Repair Manuals.
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69. The struts lifting the boot lid are so weak that I bump my head on the lid each time I open the boot. What can I do?
The struts can be repressurised in Sydney for the fraction of their replacement cost. I had it done myself when I fitted an aftermarket boot lid spoiler and two years later the repaired struts are still working fine.
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70. Can you help me to buy an imported Nissan, Subaru, Honda etc. and/or parts for it?
No. Our interest is in Soarers exclusively.
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71. What do I have to do to import a car to Australia?
First of all read the information provided by the federal Department of Transport and Regional Development in Canberra. In all cases an application for importation has to be made and approved by Canberra first. As a NSW licensed certifier I am familiar with the registration requirements and know that some minor construction modifications are required in most cases in order to be eligible for registration. I can modify and inspect imported vehicles and issue compliance certificates for registration in this State that may be recognised in other Australian States. Contact the other States and Territories for their registration requirements.
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72. My front tyres are wearing badly on the inside, are there different wheel alignment settings for 255/45x17 tyres?
I do not know about different adjustment settings being required for different size tyres, as I prefer to run the original 15 inch rims and 215/60 tyres (P6000). However, a special attention must be paid to any changes in ride eight, caused e.g. by the fitment of aftermarket springs. The standard wheel alignment settings are referenced to the original ride height of 194.4 mm (7.6 in) front and 251.7 mm (9.9 in) rear when measured from "the ground to the centre of the lower suspension arm mounting bolts" for the front and from "the ground to the centre of No. 2 lower suspension (rear) arm mounting bolt" at the rear. It is clear that different ride height will have an effect on the proper wheel alignment figures, even if it has not be quantified/documented.
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73. What should I know about the wheel alignment? UPDATE AT Q79.
Lexus SC300-400/Soarer has fully adjustable caster, camber and toe-in. Also, the rear axle has the same adjustments available. For starters, the wheel alignment should be adjusted to the factory recommended settings. After that you can experiment with changing castor and camber slightly to get the best tyre wear. If at all possible the adjustment should be done with good tyres, new or with regular wear, so that you may be able to observe the car's handling immediately after the adjustment. Of course, the car should drive straight with hands off the steering wheel on a flat straight road.
If you want to do the wheel alignment properly, you should get hold of the Lexus SC400 Repair Manual that has in Volume 1, section SA no less than 11 pages devoted just to this procedure with several diagrams.
It is worth noting that the suspension itself should be checked before wheel alignment. Especially the front lower suspension arm bushes are known to deteriorate on high mileage cars.
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74. Can worn front lower suspension arm bushes be replaced?
Repair is possible but not easy unless the whole suspension arm with new bushes is fitted (expensive). Otherwise, the original worn rubber bushes can be removed from the suspension arm and replaced with new non-original bushes. There is a company in Sydney doing this repair.
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75. My CD magazine is stuck in the 12-CD changer and won't eject. How do I remove it?
Problems with ejection of CD magazines can be solved by removing the CD-changer from the boot (just 4 off M6 nuts and 3 or 4 connectors). Then you will be able to see a rectangular removable cover on the side of the changer, near the electrical connectors. Open it up and turn a small wheel with a finger to operate a vertical screw that will slowly lift up and eject the magazine manually. Of course, the sliding main top cover must be opened first.
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