1998 LX470 Not starting, stuck in the hills!

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dotterJ

dotterJ

Joined
Jun 19, 2020
Threads
3
Messages
20
Location
South Carolina
Hello all,

If anyone can give me some advice on where to start, I'd be very grateful!

I'm up in the hills of VA currently, and I just had some work done on my 98. Mieneke (only place close by that had time to do the work in less than a week) just did my U bolts. On my 6 hr drive up here they went out and were shaking bad. I drove home yesterday for an hour from the shop, stopping once. This morning, the LX started up but quickly shut off. Sort of like I didn't fully turn the key (this happens sometimes when I'm in a hurry). Now, it turns over, but won't start. Batery is charged. It sounds like it's not getting fuel.. Also, new buzzing sound coming from around the throttle sensor cable AFTER I turn it over a few times. See picture I'm trying to upload videos. but internet is horrible here, so stay tuned.. Where to start with the diagnosis? And yes, it has gas.

IMG_0935.webp
 
It could be your throttle position sensor is shot.
 
You mean the blinking red light next to the clock? Yes, turns off before the chimes stop.

Also no codes being thrown. Fuses all good. Relay seems to be working. I don't have tools to test if pump is getting power, so is there a way to test the fuel pump to see if it's pushing fuel? I have just over 300k miles on this one, and I don't know when/if it's had a new fuel pump. I have one ordered and picking it up tomorrow am. Hopefully that does it or else I have to leave it at the closest dealer and get a ride back home.

Of course, I can't help but wonder what the other mechanic broke that caused this since it was in the shop Wednesday. But the fact I drove it over an hour, and stopped twice during that time with no trouble starting makes it really hard to figure out. I checked with the mechanic, he said no trouble starting it and only touched the transmission, didn't unplug fuel pump and nothing was in his way. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Here is an icloud link to the 2 videos--
Videos of car not starting noise

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I’ve never heard a throttle body make that noise. There may be a way to do diagnostics on the TPS, but it is replaceable. You might try disconnecting the harness and see if the sound goes away to confirm it is the source of the sound.
 
Bisho said:
I’ve never heard a throttle body make that noise. There may be a way to do diagnostics on the TPS, but it is replaceable. You might try disconnecting the harness and see if the sound goes away to confirm it is the source of the sound.
Click to expand...
Yes, I did that. Meant to put that video up. When I removed that sensor (the TPS?) the noise stopped. I'm going to get a ride to pick up a multi meter and a new fuel pump today. Will see how it goes. Online and with AI there is talk about it being the Crankshaft Position Sensor. That looks like a pain to get to (have to remove the starter?). I don't think I'll have time to get to that one before I have to get a ride home and leave it at a shop. I'll see if they have a new TPS, too.

Thanks!

Bisho said:
It could be your throttle position sensor is shot.
Click to expand...
I'll check to see if the parts store has one, thanks.

dotterJ said:
You mean the blinking red light next to the clock? Yes, turns off before the chimes stop.

Also no codes being thrown. Fuses all good. Relay seems to be working. I don't have tools to test if pump is getting power, so is there a way to test the fuel pump to see if it's pushing fuel? I have just over 300k miles on this one, and I don't know when/if it's had a new fuel pump. I have one ordered and picking it up tomorrow am. Hopefully that does it or else I have to leave it at the closest dealer and get a ride back home.

Of course, I can't help but wonder what the other mechanic broke that caused this since it was in the shop Wednesday. But the fact I drove it over an hour, and stopped twice during that time with no trouble starting makes it really hard to figure out. I checked with the mechanic, he said no trouble starting it and only touched the transmission, didn't unplug fuel pump and nothing was in his way. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Here is an icloud link to the 2 videos--
Videos of car not starting noise

iCloud Photos - Apple iCloud

View, organize, and share photos and videos with iCloud Photos on the web. Changes will sync across your devices with iCloud.
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Click to expand...
Forgot to add that this rig might have the original fuel pump! My father had records going back to ~100k miles and then I got it at 230k, and I don't remember any records of that work being done.
 
Mine has done that twice - once was the connector to the fuel pump. After chasing wire for a while, I simply unplugged/cleaned/plugged it back in and it fired right up. It has apparently come loose and let dirt/gunk in. Below the drivers door/rear door on the frame. No codes.

The other time was the Crankshaft Position Sensor which was a PITA to get to. That threw a code IIRC.
 
This morning I just noticed that when I played with the throttle cable after letting the electrical do it's start up, the buzzing is still there around the manifold/TPS sensor area, but the noise changes. See video link. I finally figured out if I put my ear to the engine top it sounds like it's coming from inside. Loudest towards the front of the engine. That's right where the throttle body is, right?

I do have a cheap diagnostic tool but no codes are being thrown. I unplugged the MAF and tested it to make sure that would throw a code when unplugged.

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Last edited:
dotterJ said:
This morning I just noticed that when I played with the throttle cable after letting the electrical do it's start up, the buzzing is still there around the manifold/TPS sensor area, but the noise changes. See video link. I finally figured out if I put my ear to the engine top it sounds like it's coming from inside. Loudest towards the front of the engine. That's right where the throttle body is, right?

I do have a cheap diagnostic tool but no codes are being thrown. I unplugged the MAF and tested it to make sure that would throw a code when unplugged.

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Click to expand...
Got to the fuel pump, it's receiving power and engaging. I did find another thread that talks about the whine I have
Throttle Body Whine
But there's no mention of a crank-no start with anyone there.
Seems like a CKP sensor issue?
 
Thanks for the help everyone. It ended up being the Fuel Pump. I did the listen trick and clearly heard it engage (I took out the rear seat to get as close as possible), so I thought it was working. With limited tools and time, I'm not sure if I could have got it done.

307k miles on the original fuel pump! Hot damn Toyota, well done.

medtro said:
Crankshaft Position Sensor is at the front of the engine, no need to remove starter.
Click to expand...
Thank you. I saw one video online I thought spoke about how you had to remove the starter to get to it. Must have been another model.
 
So that was all fuel pump related? crazy, nice fix
 
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