2002 LX470 Wont Start

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I

ItalianOne

10 Year
Joined
May 13, 2013
Threads
5
Messages
16
Location
Bloomfield Hills MI
Website
www.pickmetro.com
Hello everyone I am new to the group and this is my first post.
I purchased a 2002 LX470 with 135K miles on it from an auction.
The car was running and working when purchased. Had the car shipped up to me here in Michigan. When we were unloading the truck from the trailer we could not get it to start. It started a couple times but it would not fire all the way. I had him put it in my driveway. For all I know the car has been sitting for 7 months without use or more. What should I look at to see if I can get it started. This was my thoughts:

1. Check the mass air flow sensor
2. Check the airfilter to see if clogged
3. Maybe fill the tank with new gas due to condensation?
4. Spray starter fluid in the intake.

Any ideas from the group on what I should look at or do? I would appreciate any advice from you guys since you have more experience then I do!! Thanks for all your help guys!!:confused::confused:
 
Is the starter motor spinning? If so, does it sound slow?
Is the red car indicator light blinking when the key is in the ignition?
What city in MI?
 
Hello,
It could be dodgy petrol. Did anyone inspect the LX at the auction? In addition, have you had a chance to go to Lexus's website and enter the VIN to get an idea of the service history preformed at a Lexus dealer?

If not the gas, it could be the starter, battery and or terminal, and a number of other things. Was the auction in MI as well?
Best,
Jack
 
If the vehicle is cranking, but not starting, it could likely be fuel since you say it's been in there for at least 7 months. I've had some sucess with putting Seafoam in gas tanks with old fuel and it stabilized the fuel enough to run it out of the tank. Definetely easier solution that siphoning or dropping the fuel tank.
 
Good advice here^
fuel, air and spark.

Check the easy stuff first:

1) Fuel~ if the tank is near empty, then add some good clean gasoline. Be careful with seafoam (one can limit).

2) Air- clean Mass Airflow sensor, and check air filter for obstruction.

3) Spark- make sure the battery is fully charged.

If the above 'easy fixes' don't work, it might be worth borrowing a code reader to see if any codes are stored in the vehicle's diagnostic system. This would tell you if any of the cylinders are misfiring as a result of a bad sparkplug or coil pack.

Also like supra 88 said- make sure that the anti theft system (blinking red light in the shape of a car) turns off when you insert the key into the ignition. Your LX has an anti theft system that cuts off the fuel supply until a key with the correct radio frequency chip is inserted into the ignition. Trying to start the truck with a key that has the proper cut but no RF chip would result in symptoms similar to those described in the original post.

Does the starter turn the engine over at a pretty good rate?
If you get only a slow chug-chug-chug when turning the key, then try charging the battery.

Does the engine actually start and then sputter out?
You said "it started a couple of times, but would not fire all the way." Not sure what this means.
How long does it run before stalling?


Good luck, and please report back with results.
 
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Where in Michigan are you? I'm here in the St. Joseph area right on Lake Michigan. If you're close I could help. Might be a key transponder issue.
 
Muddy Bean said:
Where in Michigan are you? I'm here in the St. Joseph area right on Lake Michigan. If you're close I could help. Might be a key transponder issue.
Click to expand...

I'm near Holland and can help if needed.
 
I just wanted to keep you guys updated. I went and purchased a new battery today and put it in
the truck today and it started up after a few tries. I put some stuff in the gas that was recommended from O'Riely Auto Parts to help with the gas that has been in there for seven months plus. Changed that air filter and checked all the fluids and added a quart of oil and topped of the coolant that was low. At first the car would not stay started without my foot on the gas pedal. I let the car run for about two hours. Another weird thing is I think the car would only start with the valet key I have, not the main key. I did not see a blinking light at all on the dash board that goes out when I insert the key? Weird?? Also after I ran the car for two hours it ran on its own without my foot on the gas pedal. The Rpms seem low where I did not think the car was still started. How mant RPMs should the truck idle at? My next step is to get all the fluids changed. What do you guys recommened my next step to be? This is my thoughts:
-Get a oil change and oil filter
-Flush The coolant
-Change Brake Fluid
-Power Stering fluid?
-Transmission Flush?

I live in Royal Oak, MI any recomendations on where I should bring the truck in to get these items addressed? I was thinking about the Lexus dealership but feel they are going to be to exspensive. I appreciate all your help and will post some pics of the new truck soon..
 
I think the idle speed is specified at 700 rpm.
If it is running smooth and quiet, that is a good thing.

Glad to hear you got it started okay.

It sounds like you should probably check all the fluids before driving very far, but if all the fluid levels are correct, it's probably safe to put a few tanks of gas through it and see if you notice any problems.

Provided the fluids look clean and the levels are correct, changing the coolant, brake fluid, PS fluid, transmission fluid are probably not urgent.

I would change the oil, check the other fluids, and then drive it a bit to see if you notice any problems.

The security (immobilizer) light should be in the center part of the dash, below the navigation screen and above the tapedeck.

:cheers:
 
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