Help!!!!

[blackstang06]

I have a 94 Lexus es300 about 6 months ago I started having problems with it :no: I wanna get rid of it but I can't seem to find what this problem is :mad: I tried a snap on reader that u connect to a port and it can't read shit even though it has a check engine light. Here are the symptoms

I can go ahead and drive the car like normal for about an hour but as soon as I shut it off and turn it back on I get a check engine light, if I then put the car in drive it has absolutely no power and it won't rev past 1500 rpm no matter what, if put in reverse it shuts off. If I crank it a few more times the check engine light goes off and I can drive it again like normal. Can someone give me an idea of where to start :cheers:

[ka0tyk]

def need to scan codes while the CEL is on.

[blackstang06]

def need to scan codes while the CEL is on.

I tried it but the damn scanner I had wasn't reading shit :mad: Do u know if autozone does it ? I heard they do

[BISKIT]

I tried it but the damn scanner I had wasn't reading shit :mad: Do u know if autozone does it ? I heard they do

Yeah, they should.

Any autozone should have a code reader they can "rent" to you or just do it themselves.

If all else fails, lemme know and I'll see if I can swing by and pull the code for you.

Any other symptoms that you experience? Any info would be helpful in assisting to diag.

[5litrarag]

the stopping and starting sounds like a failing fuel pump to me, but you really need to get the codes out first.
If you were local I'd tell ya to swing by... I have a reader.
Is it OBD1 or 2?

[BISKIT]

the stopping and starting sounds like a failing fuel pump to me, but you really need to get the codes out first.
If you were local I'd tell ya to swing by... I have a reader.
Is it OBD1 or 2?

I doubt it is the fuel pump as that would either be working or not. To have the car only experience this after shut down and not experience it again until another shut down leads me more towards a sensor issue.

Although it is really hard to tell with the information given, but I wouldn't be surprised if a cam position sensor were somehow involved, but that is an educated guess at best without having the code and/or further info.

The scanner that your buddy lent you (snap-on). Do you know if it was a Modus or Solus, ????

[blackstang06]

It's obd2 I think. Besides that I would say only the smell or like almost raw gas. Smells like I'm running an o/r pipe :laugh: guess I'm gonna be going to autozone tomorrow

---------- Post added 09-08-2010 at 05:19 PM ----------

I doubt it is the fuel pump as that would either be working or not. To have the car only experience this after shut down and not experience it again until another shut down leads me more towards a sensor issue.

Although it is really hard to tell with the information given, but I wouldn't be surprised if a cam position sensor were somehow involved, but that is an educated guess at best without having the code and/or further info.

The scanner that your buddy lent you (snap-on). Do you know if it was a Modus or Solus, ????

I changed the crank shaft sr sensor and another sensor that goes by the driver side schock tower and nada :sad:

[BISKIT]

Pull the code and post it and/or give me a ring.

[blackstang06]

I'll post them up tomorrow. Thanks :cheers:

[Ogbatman]

When was the last time u changed the fuel filter?

Sounds like u may have a vac leak somewhere and when the engine warms up thats when everything goes crazy.

[reivaxtorres]

you guys know autozone doesnt loan or rent the scanners anymore, right? they havent done that in years. even then they only rented out the obd II scanners

[Killer95Stang]

How about clogged catalytic converter?

[ka0tyk]

its like $30 at autozone. comes in handy. used it on a buddies S10, my mustangs, and now my expi.

http://www.monkeeworks.com/articles/auto/LX470.o2/pt1.diag/obd2reader1.jpg

[BISKIT]

you guys know autozone doesnt loan or rent the scanners anymore, right? they havent done that in years. even then they only rented out the obd II scanners

Damnit you are right.

I forgot that as I can rent em still but that is due to having a wholesale fleet account.

You might as well go with what Derek posted then.

[blackstang06]

I ended up borrowing a scanner from my neighbor that's number 3 and it couldn't read the bad code :mad: Yesterday I took the the catalytic converter off and took a couple of golf ball size material that had broke apart off installed it back and did the same thing. I had a few backyard mechanics tell me that it might be the computer that's bad :whoknows:


Anyway of checking the computer at home ?

[BISKIT]

I ended up borrowing a scanner from my neighbor that's number 3 and it couldn't read the bad code :mad: Yesterday I took the the catalytic converter off and took a couple of golf ball size material that had broke apart off installed it back and did the same thing. I had a few backyard mechanics tell me that it might be the computer that's bad :whoknows:


Anyway of checking the computer at home ?

Not with one of the regular code scanners but the snap on scanner that you said your buddy lent you (depending on which model) could tell you.

[ka0tyk]

if you cant read codes using multiple scanners... theres a problem. random intermittent problems could easily be computer related.

[blackstang06]

I'm starting to think that it is computer related :ugh: I forgot to mention that before all this check engine light BS I had let my brother borrow the car, he was on the 101 in the slow lane and the car just shut off it wouldn't crank nada, felt like if someone had taken the battery out ( I know cars can run without batteries). I had it towed out for free parked it for a few hours came back with a mechanic and that sucker turned on like nothing had happen.


I'm about ready to drive this car off a cliff :mad:

[blackstang06]

Well I found my problem I think, it was the ECM. Took my dash apart pulled the ECM out inspected it and found out it had spots that were burned :no:

I heard that if I tried replacing my ECM with a working donor car ECM even with matching numbers I would still need to reprogram it, is this true ? I was also reading on some forums that I would need the donor cars ignition key to program my car is this true ?

Thanks

[ka0tyk]

Well I found my problem I think, it was the ECM. Took my dash apart pulled the ECM out inspected it and found out it had spots that were burned :no:

I heard that if I tried replacing my ECM with a working donor car ECM even with matching numbers I would still need to reprogram it, is this true ? I was also reading on some forums that I would need the donor cars ignition key to program my car is this true ?

Thanks

not sure about lexus if their PATS (key chip) system is in the ECM or in a seperate box. worst case try it and it either will crank or wont crank. =)

[blackstang06]

not sure about lexus if their PATS (key chip) system is in the ECM or in a seperate box. worst case try it and it either will crank or wont crank. =)

Well the used ECM is $150, if i can't reprogram it without the key it's kind of a waste :whoknows:

If I was to just rebuilt mine I shouldn't have an issue correct ? Since my ECM is programed to take my key ?

[06silverbullet]

if you got a new ecm take it to a dealer they could easily reflash it.

[Blind]

I ended up borrowing a scanner from my neighbor that's number 3 and it couldn't read the bad code :mad: Yesterday I took the the catalytic converter off and took a couple of golf ball size material that had broke apart off installed it back and did the same thing. I had a few backyard mechanics tell me that it might be the computer that's bad :whoknows:


Anyway of checking the computer at home ?
this may be off, but OBD2 started in 1996, OBD1 was 94/95, and before that was brand specific diagnostic for the most part like EEC-IV in fords.

so the reason the scanners aren't working is probably because they're for `96 and newer cars.

with my EEC-IV fords I can read the codes and perform full diagnostic system tests with a paperclip and counting the flashes at the check engine light...