> i got a 92 ls400 and i'm having the same problem. it's seems only
> after it's been on for a while it happends.
this may help. I saved it for future reference.
J
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "GRL" > Newsgroups: alt.autos.lexus
> Sent: Sunday, November 23, 2003 4:13 PM
> Subject: Gen 1 LS400 AC/clock display washout fix report
>
>
> > I have a Gen 1 Lexus LS400 ('92) which developed the AC/clock LCD
washout
> > problem in cool weather that they all seem to eventually get and that
> Lexus
> > ought to be ashamed of itself for not ordering a recall on.
> >
> > It finally got on my nerves enough that I looked into a repair. I am NOT
> > going to pay Lexus a penny to fix this for the reason stated above; I
> don't
> > plan to reward inept design accompanied by a "we don't care" attitude.
> >
> > Did a web search and found a California shop that sells rebuilt AC
control
> > units for ~$300 (plus ~$150 refundable core charge). I e-mailed Ken
> > Weidemann there (glxtasy@juno.com) a while back and did not hear from
him
> > for some time. Then he e-mailed me a few weeks ago that he had gotten a
> > rebuilt unit in stock. Asked if I wanted it, I said yes and called his
> shop
> > (877-778-6968) and ordered it. It promptly came and I just got done
> > installing if a few minutes ago.
> >
> > For instruction I used my Lexus Service Manual and a web site that gives
> > instructions on radio replacement, a similar operation:
> > http://www.cureline.net/lex/audio/ho...io_removal.htm .
> >
> > The following are my comments based on the cureline link and are
basically
> > useless without it.
> >
> > The walnut trim panel around the shifter is easy to remove if you use a
> > couple of small flat screwdrivers to pry the panel up. The clips are not
> > strong and you will not damage the walnut. Pry by inserting the two
blades
> > under the trim panel from behind the shift lever. No need to tape over
> them.
> >
> > Removing the ash tray/trim panel started out as a major pain. Even with
> the
> > shifter moved full back, there is little room to get a good grip. I
ended
> up
> > releasing the clips holding the ash tray/trim panel using a 90 degree
bend
> > pair of needle nose pliers that I hooked, in turn, outboard of the
> swing-out
> > ash tray on both sides and then pulled, first one side, then the other.
I
> > doubt if I could have done it with just my hands.
> >
> > I removed the A/C vents the way the Lexus manual says to do it. Covered
a
> > small flat screwdriver with plastic tape and then pried the vents out.
> Easy
> > to do.
> >
> > Removing the radio/AC cluster assembly should have been easy, but the
four
> > Philips screws holding it in were so tight that I almost stripped one of
> > them. Lexus should have used hex-head screws here. Philips are
> inappropriate
> > with such high torque.
> >
> > To remove the A/C control from the cluster you need only remove the four
> > round head screws holding the A/C control to the bracket that holds the
> > cluster together and then remove two upper hex-head screws on one side
of
> > the bracket so that the hold on the A/C control is loosened. It slides
> right
> > out.
> >
> > Putting things back together was easy except that I had to rethread the
> four
> > screws that had held the A/C and radio control cluster to the dash. They
> had
> > been damaged in removing them and did not want to go back in.
> >
> > The new A/C display works fine. The old core goes back for credit
> tomorrow.
> >
> > The old one lasted about seven years and if the new one lasts that long
I
> > will be happy.
> >