lexus LS400 1998 Engine / LEXUS 1998 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50498U)

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
256(b) Checking by the hydrometer
64L010
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer color.
Maintenance type battery
1
BLUE Good condition.
2
WHITE Charging necessary. Have the battery checked by
your Lexus dealer.
3
RED Add distilled water. (See ”Adding distilled water” on
page 257.)
Nonmaintenance type battery
1
BLUE Good condition.
2
WHITE Charging necessary. Have the battery checked by
your Lexus dealer.
3
RED Have the battery checked by your Lexus dealer.
NOTICE
(For nonmaintenance type battery):
Do not refill the battery with water.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
257
Adding distilled water
(Maintenance type battery only)
64L062
1
Low 2
O.K.
1. Remove the vent plugs.
2. Add distilled water to cells needing fluid.
If the side of your battery is covered, check the water level by looking
down directly above the cell as illustrated above.
3. Retighten the vent plugs securely.
NOTICE
Do not overfill the cells. Excess electrolyte could squirt out
of the battery during heavy charging, causing corrosion or
damage.
Use a cover on the battery for longer life.
BATTERY RECHARGING
PRECAUTIONS
During recharging, the battery is producing hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. Maintenance type batteries Remove the vent plugs.
2. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to
disconnect the ground cable.
3. Make sure the power switch on the recharger is off when
connecting the charger cables to the battery and when disconnecting
them.
CAUTION
Always charge the battery in an unconfined area. Do not
charge the battery in a garage or closed room where there
is not sufficient ventilation.
Nonmaintenance batteries: Only do a slow charge (5 A or
less). Charging at a quicker rate is dangerous. The battery
may explode causing personal injuries.
Maintenance type batteries: Be sure to remove the vent
plugs before recharging.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running. Also,
make sure all accessories are turned off.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
258
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE
BLADE TYPE FUSES
64L011-1
Driver’s side instrument panel
64L012-2
Engine compartment 1
Spare fuses 2
Pullout tool
1. Turn the ignition switch off and open the fuse box lid.Determine which fuse may be causing the problem. The lid of the
fuse box shows the name of the circuit for each fuse.
64L013
2. Make sure the inoperative component is turned off. Pull the
suspected fuse straight out with the pullout tool and check it.
If it has blown, push a new fuse into the clips.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
259
64L064
Good
Blown
a. Look carefully at the fuse. If the thin wire is broken, the fuse has
blown. If you are not sure or if it is too dark to see, try replacing the
suspected fuse with one of the same value that you know is good.
b. Only install a fuse with the amperage rating designated on the
fuse box lid.
If you do not have a spare fuse, in an emergency you can pull out the
”RADIO NO.1” ”MIRHTR” or ”OBD” fuse, which may be
dispensable for normal driving, and use it if its amperage rating is the
same.
If you cannot use one of the same amperage, use one lower than, but
as close as possible to, the amperage. If the amperage is lower than
that specified, the fuse might blow out again but this does not
indicate anything wrong. Be sure to get the correct fuse as soon as
possible and return the substitute to its original clips.It is a good idea to purchase a set of spare fuses and keep them in your
vehicle for emergencies.
If the new fuse immediately blows out, there is a problem with the
electrical system. Have your Lexus dealer correct it as soon as
possible.
CAUTION
Never use a fuse with a higher amperage rating, or any other
object, in place of a fuse. This may cause extensive damage
and possibly a fire.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
260
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGE TYPE
FUSES
64L016-3
1
Good 2
Melted
If the headlights or other electrical components do not work and
the blade type fuses are O.K., check the cartridge type fuses. If
any of the cartridge type fuses are blown, they must be replaced.
If there is an overload in the circuits from the battery, the fuses are
designed to blow before the entire wiring harness is damaged.
NOTICE
Before replacing the fuses, have the cause of electrical overload
determined and repaired by your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
Always use a genuine Lexus fuse or equivalent for
replacement. Never install an ordinary wireeven for a
temporary fix. This may cause extensive damage and possibly
a fire.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
261
ADDING WASHER FLUID
64L017
If the washer tank becomes nearly empty, add washer fluid.
You may use plain water as washer fluid. However, in cold areas
where temperatures range below the freezing point, use washer fluid
containing antifreeze. This product is available at your Lexus dealer
and most auto parts stores. Follow the manufacturer’s directions for
how much to mix with water.
NOTICE
Do not use engine antifreeze or any other substitute because it
may damage your vehicle’s paint.
CHECKING THE HEADLIGHT AIM
(Vehicles with discharge headlight only)
64L0732
1
Adjusting bolt (vertical movement)
2
Beam angle gauge and adjusting bolt
(horizontal movement)
Before checking the headlight aim:
1. Be sure that the body around the headlight is not deformed.
2. Park the vehicle on a level spot.
3. The driver gets into the driver’s seat and puts the vehicle in a state
readying for a driving (with a full tank).
4. Bounce the vehicle several times.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
262
Adjusting the vertical aiming
If you adjust the vertical aiming alone, the horizontal beam
angle is also affected. To prevent the horizontal beam angle from
being incorrect, follow all the steps 1. to 4.
64L075
Lock
Unlock
1. To release the lock of the horizontal movement adjusting bolt,
push the lock release with your finger.
64L077
2. Turn the vertical movement adjusting bolt in either direction. At
this time, keep the turning direction and number of turns in mind.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
263
64L076
3. Turn the horizontal movement adjusting bolt the same number of
turns and in the same direction at step 2.
4. Push the lock release of the horizontal movement adjusting bolt
in the opposite direction as you did at step 1 to lock the adjusting bolt.
Adjusting the horizontal aiming
64L021-1
1
Mark 2
Acceptable range
Horizontal movement gauge: The mark should not deviate by
more than 2 marks to either side of the gauge.
If the error is over the value specified above, take the vehicle to your
Lexus dealer to adjust the headlight aim.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
264
REPLACING LIGHT BULBS
The illustration on the following pages show the locations of light
bulbs. If it is necessary to replace a bulb, take your vehicle to your
Lexus dealer as soon as possible. Use bulbs with the bulb numbers
and wattage ratings given in the table.
CAUTION
Do not disassemble, repair or take apart the low beam
headlight bulbs, connector, power supply circuits and
rotated components. Or you may be injured by electric
shocks. Call your dealer when the headlights fail to work
or have to be replaced or disposed of.
Halogen bulbs have pressurized gas inside and require
special handling. They can burst or shatter if scratched or
dropped. Hold a bulb only by its plastic or metal case. Do
not touch the glass part of a bulb with bare hands.
NOTICE
Only use a bulb of the listed type.
LIGHT LOCATION
64L022-4
Light Bulbs Bulb No. W Type
1 Headlights (High beam) HB3 60 A
2 Parking lights 5 D
3 Headlights (Low beam)
Discharge bulbs D2R 35 B
Halogen bulbs HB4 51 C
4 Front turn signal lights 21 D
5 Front side marker lights 5 D
6 Fog lights HB4 51 C

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
265
64L0233
Light Bulbs Bulb No. W Type
1 High mounted stoplight 921 18 D
2 Trunk light 194 3.8 D
3 License plate lights 5 D
4 Backup lights 21 D
5 Stop and tail lights 21/5 D
6 Rear turn signal lights 21 D
7 Rear side marker lights 5 D
64L0613
Light Bulbs Bulb No. W Type
1 Front personal lights 8 F
2 Front interior light 8 E
3 Rear interior light 8 D
Rear personal light 5 F
4 Rear personal light 5 F
5 Door courtesy lights 194 3.8 D
6 Footlights 1.4 D
7 Glovebox light 1.2 D
8 Vanity lights 3 E