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Lexus ES Starting Problems
portlandchris
Member Posts: 1
I have a 2000 Es300 model lexus with about 99k miles on it.
About 2 years ago it got a new transmission.
Today I went to drive it and started slugishly, turning over for about 10 seconds before starting, when I went to my local welding store and came back out side the car did not start again.
Thinking this to be a battery / alternator problem I had the guys that work there use their jump start battery on the car, to no avail.
A few guys suggested it could be anything ranging from Fuses and Relays, the Solenoid, Spark Plugs, the fuel pump.
The check engine light has been on for a week or so now, but the only lexus dealership is 20 miles away.
If ya'll have any ideas that could help me I would greatly appreciate it. I realize it is hard to diagnose without better information from me, but this is all I have.
Thank you.
About 2 years ago it got a new transmission.
Today I went to drive it and started slugishly, turning over for about 10 seconds before starting, when I went to my local welding store and came back out side the car did not start again.
Thinking this to be a battery / alternator problem I had the guys that work there use their jump start battery on the car, to no avail.
A few guys suggested it could be anything ranging from Fuses and Relays, the Solenoid, Spark Plugs, the fuel pump.
The check engine light has been on for a week or so now, but the only lexus dealership is 20 miles away.
If ya'll have any ideas that could help me I would greatly appreciate it. I realize it is hard to diagnose without better information from me, but this is all I have.
Thank you.
0
Comments
I inserted the key: normal.
Turned to ACC: normal.
Proceded through ON: normal.
Hello START: ABSOULTY NOTHING! All interior lights are bright as always, the radio was crystal clear however the car do not even make an attempt to turn over and start. Not one indicator light was advising me that there was an issue. The engine immobiliser system and the key were operating perfectly together. The battery is new, the starter and alternator were recentally given a thorough check up during one of the expensive scheduled maintence increments.
I tried start again.... dead silence. I called a friend who owns a dealership and had one of his guys transport my ES 300 on a flat bed wrecker about 7 miles back to my house. When they unloaded my car I decided to try and start it again.....PREFECTION, purrr like a kitten. I blurted a few obsentities and pulled into the my garage.
The next morning it started right up. I went into town parked, 15mins later returned to my drivers seat and once again NOTHING! It would not start for about 30mins and then out of the blue I turned the key.....PERFECTION!
For five days now it has been like rolling dice, will come or will it go. Has anyone else experienced this issue? I would like to seem INFORMED as well as ANGERED when I pull into the service area next week
First problem: It would turn over nicely, but would take a few minutes to start. When it did start, a lot of smoke out of the exhaust. The problem ended up being, if I remember correctly, a bad fuel preasure valve. The mechanic replaced it, and the problem was solved.
Second problem: Several times(not very often, thank goodness), the car would just die.....I mean die....as it was being driven. Sometimes, when we would try to start it...there would be absolutely nothing...as in power. CHECK YOUR BATTERY CABLES AND TERMINALS FOR COROSSION! There was a minimal amount of corrosion on the cable end. When I cleaned it off, the problem was solved. Use terminal grease also, as that keeps them, for the most part, corrosion-free.
If you find something, please share. Thanks.
Has anyone ever had trouble with the factory security system keeping the car from starting? Currently the security light on the dash isn't coming on. The key fob isn't locking or unlocking the doors either.
Do you know what to set the codes to if that could be the problem?
My solution? Just step on the accelerator when staring the engine. Not worth $600; i could clean it myself but i'll probably screw something up.
ladyq2
They replaced the start push button. Got it back. Next day same thing. Back to Lexus and they've had it for a week now. Said it's because two fobs in the car. I told them when i brought in that I only have one in my pocketbook. I thought maybe something wrong with them. It did it at the dealers last week also when I brought it in.
It's a 2007 ES 350 only 24,000 miles on it. Bought it brand new. I can't believe they can't figure this out. They made me think I'm the only one with this problem. Even had a Lexus field tech looking at it. Whatever that means. It's been doing this on and off far apart when it happens for about a year. Always thought I was pushing the start button first and brake last. Nah, I don't think so. I'm glad I'm not crazy but now i have a car that's not dependable.
There’s no problem to get it to start, but right away dies. If I keep adding gas, the engine will keep going, but as soon as I stopped my foot on gas pedal, right away it just dies. At first I thought it’s battery problem, I replaced it with a brand new battery. After one day, same thing happened again. I had it towed to an auto repair shop. They change an air flow sensor for me for about $360 (they wouldn’t give me the old parts, saying that I had to pay $40 for that, because they would send it to rebuild shop). After drove for one day, now same thing happened again. Can anybody give me some advice?
The part costs $236 and labor $85.
Good luck.
-chuck
We had an Expedition that has starter problems, and when it acted up it made a horrible noise! The Lexus doesn't do that, so this was a really confusing problem. But my brother's friend was so nice to help us out and listen when he didn't have to! We live in Germany, so we don't have a Lexus dealership to take it to.
So if you can find the starter (our's is towards the top around the battery), take something that can reach it and give it a wack and see if that works. I'm sure this won't solve everyone's problem, but I hope it helps a few people!
An even cheaper way is to carry a hammer.
INSPECT CONNECTOR E60- PIN 3 FOR ACCESSORY RELAY AND INCREASE PIN TENSION.REPAIR TO STARTER CUT CIRCUIT CORRECT VOLTAGE DROP TO ACCESSORY RELAY.
52 Warranty Done
C/S THAT THE STEREO WILL NOT COME ON SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED. C/S THAT SHE LEAVE THE RADIO ON ALL THE TIME. C/S THAT THE STEREO CAME BACK ON BY ITESLF AFTER SOME DRIVING. PLEASE INSPECT AND ADVISE.
REPAIR STARTING CIRCUIT TO CORRECT VOLTAGE DROP TO ACCESSORY RELAY.RADIO AND CLOCK AFFECTED BY SAME CIRCUIT
53 Warranty Done
C/S THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START SOMETIMES. C/S THAT THE ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. C/S THAT THE PROBLEM IS ITNERMITTENT AND HAS BEEN HERE BEFORE FOR THIS CONCERN. SEE HISTORY TECH 746. PLEASE INSPECT AND ADVISE. ADVISOR WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. INSPECT WIRE HARNESS AND CONNECTORS IN STARTING SYSTEM,CHECKED CONNECTOR E58-PIN 6 @ MAIN BODY ECU,CONNECTOR B12-PIN 63/62ENGINE ECU,CONECTOR B36-PIN 4@NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH,FOUND LOOSE CONNECTION AT TERMINAL #3 IN RELAY BLOCK FOR STARTER CUT RELAY. INCREASE PIN TENSION DURING INSPECTION FOR EACH
54 Warranty Done
BATTERY FAILED LOAD TEST DURING SERVICE
REPLACE BATTERY T1 71 T2 73
sorry to bother you. i have been having an intermittent problem as well, where the car won't start ( no noise, pedal hard) then maybe some comes back (almost like a charging problem.) then if i leave it and come back later it starts fine. However, i also had the check engine light come on and to check the VSC. I am wondering if you had these same symptons? this happened once 3 weeks ago then car perfect until last night. I brought car to local mechanic (car started fine after having issues again this morning) but check engine light on. I gave mechanic key, and charging system turns out to be fine and the check engine light is gone. Wondering if this short you mentioned is same thing?
"C/S THAT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START SOMETIMES. C/S THAT THE
ENGINE WILL NOT TURN OVER. C/S THAT THE PROBLEM IS ITNERMITTENT AND HAS BEEN HERE BEFORE FOR THIS CONCERN. SEE HISTORY TECH 746. PLEASE INSPECT AND ADVISE. ADVISOR WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. INSPECT WIRE HARNESS AND CONNECTORS IN STARTING SYSTEM,CHECKED CONNECTOR E58-PIN 6 @ MAIN BODY ECU,CONNECTOR B12-PIN 63/62ENGINE ECU,CONECTOR B36-PIN 4@NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH,FOUND LOOSE CONNECTION AT TERMINAL #3 IN RELAY BLOCK FOR STARTER CUT RELAY. INCREASE PIN TENSION DURING INSPECTION FOR EACH
54 Warranty Done BATTERY FAILED LOAD TEST DURRING SERVICE REPLACE BATTERY T1 71 T2 73"
(Keep in mind, 2002 is not a "push" to start - it is standard key start.
Good luck.
& have also contacted an attorney regarding the California Lemon Law.
I cannot go on like this. I must have a dependable car!
First thought - bad battery. Leave car overnight (after road service jump start and 30 minutes driving to charge battery). After road service, jump start, and battery charge, tried Theory1:
1 - Simple theory: if BAD CELL in battery, car won't start in the morning when engine cold and I just go out and get another battery. Happens all the time. Outcome - car starts just fine lots of times for at least a week. Then, same thing happened. Tried Theory2:
2 - Battery not really charged up enough after jump start and running car for 30 minutes insuring battery charge. Solution verification of charge: bubble indicator on battery reads ("I'm fully charge"). Buy a battery hotshot system (consisting of cables attached to a portable "jumper system", keep it in the trunk just in case it happened again (Costco for about $70).
Outcome - Battery seems OK (says I'm OK) and car starts just fine lots of times for a few weeks. Then, going through a puddle after a rain storm, car looses all electrical power. But (fortunately), about 5-10 seconds later, comes back on (as if power grid re-initialized itself like after EMS revives a heart attack victim). You don't hear that this happened often, especially in a Lexus, probably because everyone was killed in the ensuing car accident which fortunately didn't happen to us. So. I the Tried Theory3:
3 - Battery OK. Electrical system (battery cables; grounding, wiring, connectors; fuse seating in fuse panel, computer malfunction (heaven forbid)? Take car to dealer (who also provides fantastic service including free breakfasts, internet access while waiting for repairs, or loaner cars if needed). Make sure to have the cables cleaned, checked, reseated, or replaced.
Outcome - dealer couldn't find problem, but cleaned and reconditioned cable, cable posts. Recommends buy new battery. I don't buy new battery (didn't seem correct solution).
Car starts just fine lots of times after that for at least 2-3 months. Then, out of the blue, same thing happened re starting car. This time after short visit to a Mall. Clicks, clicks,..clicks, but car doesn't start. Battery reads "I'm fully charged", Hotshot indicator on portable reads "battery charge ok" on load test, Hotshot works fine. Car starts ok as if nothing happened.
Current theory4: Starter motor and/or wiring harnesses at issue (although I would have thought the dealer looked at these items). Have begun carrying a hammer with me (if only I knew exactly where the solenoid to the starter motor was located like in my old 1969 Dodge Dart I had way back when, or even if there still is such a part and it works in my Lexus like the old starter motor worked). or Trade the #$$% thing in and get a new car (but with only 50,000 miles?).
Anyone have similar experiences? Ideas? Thoughs? Did the problem really go away after starter motor issues repaired?
I haven't touched the car, but I'm thinking starter solenoid or starter relay. To narrow it down, I'm hoping to identify the problem by feeling each one when the problem occurs. The one that clicks should be the culprit.
Although your battery may not directly be the culprit behind the random starting problems that your ES350 exhibits, the battery terminal (positive or negative) could be loose. (reference this diagram) In my old '91 MR2 I would experience occasional difficulties starting the car even though I had recently replaced the battery. After carefully scrutinizing the battery itself I finally noticed that the positive terminal was hanging minutely off of the battery. So I screwed the terminal back onto the battery and consequently I did not experience this random starting issue any more.
I've taken to a local mechanic, couldn't find a problem, taken it to the dealer, they had it for 2 1/2 days, couldn't find a problem. I've had a full BG fuel system service, new "Lexus" spark plugs, and a new battery installed, didn't fix the problem. Good news is, I've gotten a tune-up, but I worry this problem is a pre-cursor to something bigger, and I would like to fix it early.
My car is a 2003 ES300 with 138,000 miles. The car runs and drives great, it's just when starting up there seems to be a problem lurking. Also, it happens at random times, never a way to predict, and of course, the dealer "couldn't re-create the problem", as usual.
Don't get me wrong, Lexus is still one of the nicest most polite dealership establishments I've used, and they actually care, but I just wonder why they can't hear/see/feel what I'm experiencing, or why they can't diagnose.
Any others out there with this particular type of issue?
I turn the key, get the radio and lights, all is well. But no engine action. It doesn't crank, click, nothing. Just the radio.
I tried a second key to see if the electronic key wasn't working, but that didn't help.
Any ideas?
Since your post was only a couple months ago, I'm wondering if the new starter fixed the issue?
Thanks - Toby S.
Sorry that I'm just now responding to this, I suspect your reply in November may have got caught in my spam filter. I just received an unrelated reply and noticed your post.
In answer to your question - yes, I replaced the starter that day, in late November 2011, and as of this writing, which is about six months later, May 23, 2012, the car's been fine, no problems whatsoever.
True, machines don't last forever, and they aren't perfect. The reason I understand the "no warning" concern is this: I've been driving since the mid-1970's, and older cars, prior to electronic-everything, often gave warnings of upcoming problems. When starting mechanisms were wearing out, they would struggle to start the car, but still get it started. The result: you knew in advance that you needed to address something.
I'm a tech geek and love features and electronics, but if I were given a choice, I would NOT take them in my engine. Engines used to be so much simpler to work on and cheaper to fix. Nowadays, most of the maintenance expense I've had with vehicles involve fancy electronic features I never asked for and never wanted. How many of us have to take our cars in the shop to get warning lights turned off, or electronic monitoring systems fixed? I'd just as soon skip all that nonsense and stick with a simple motor. I just got back from a classic car show and was chatting with lots of people who talk about getting older model cars NOT just for their collectible value, but more as a preferred alternative to the new, complex, expensive, electronics-laden error-prone monstrosities burdened with loads of trivial features that do nothing to help me get from Point A to Point B, they just add to the risk of malfunction and increase the maintenance expense.
Toyota is something of an exception in this regard, I've been very happy with Toyota or Lexus vehicles, in general. Were it not for that, I think I'd be shopping for an older model simple vehicle, free of all the electronics and their associated maintenance risks.
I can't diagnose your problem, but more details might help those with mechanical expertise.
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