I have a '91 Lexus ES 250 with 146,000 miles on it. Occasionally–especially when it has been raining–the car won’t start, or there is a delay between the time that I turn the key and when it starts up.
When this happens, the engine doesn’t turn over, it’s just silent. Also, the steering wheel and gear shift (it’s an automatic) are locked. Sometimes if I keep the key engaged and step on the gas, it will start up after a few minutes. Everything lights up, so I don’t think it’s the battery.
The first time this happened, I took it in to the dealership. They said the starter is fine and replaced the battery, but it continues to happen.
I just bought this car, so I’m not sure when it last had new spark plugs. Could that be it?
Thanks!
if it doesn’t turn over, it’s not the spark plugs. I’m guessing you have a cracked wire somewhere in the starting circuit, and when it rains the moisture shorts or grounds it out so that the starter isn’t getting power.
Start with the starter’s relay. That might have gone bad, which could cause these symptoms.
Replace the spark plugs after you fix the problem if they’re overdue, but that’s not your problem.
Take the car to an independantly owned and operated shop, or even to a parts store, and have the battery and charging system checked as wlel as the battery cable connections. It takes very little battery power to operate the lights, so that’s not a good indication of the battery’s cndition.
Post back with the results.
A few points to consider:
If you don’t know when the spark plugs were last replaced, that would seem to imply that you did not get maintenance records for the car. If that is the case, then you have to assume that NO maintenance has ever been done on the car, and you have to perform the 150k maintenance that is listed in your Owner’s Manual. If there is no 150k maintenance listed, then you should use either the 60k or the 90k list–whichever has a longer list of procedures. Even if transmission service is not listed, you need to have the transmission fluid and filter changed.
If–as I suspect–this car has a timing belt, you also have to assume that it is due for replacement. On this engine, if my memory serves me well, the timing belt is supposed to be replaced every 60k miles, so unless you have documentary evidence that it was replaced within the past 50k miles or so, then you need to have this done.
This 20 year old car definitely does NOT need to be taken to a Lexus dealership. It is mechanically identical to a Toyota Camry of the same vintage. Since Camrys are as common as dirt, any competent mechanic can work on the car, albeit with FAR lower cost than the Lexus dealership.
In addition to the 150k maintenance, and possibly the timing belt, have your mechanic replace the spark plug wires, and have him check all of the electrical connections between the battery and the starter. Also, have him check the the transmission interlock device.
Unless you know that the timing belt has been replaced, you should budget about $400-600 for all of the necessary work. If the timing belt has to be replaced also, then you will need to come up with…maybe $800-$1,000 for all of the necessary work.
Good luck!
Let me make sure I got it right - you turn the key, and nothing happens? Then later it’ll start up fine? Then I’d suspect the contacts in the starter solenoid, it’s a common problem with Toyotas (your ES250 is a slightly-modified v6 Camry). And find a good independent garage, no need to use the dealer.
But your statement that the sterring wheel and shifter are locked with key in the ‘on’ position is very confusing, that means that some mechanical connection isn’t working, then all bets are off as to the cause of the problem. Please explain what happens in more detail.
Thanks, this is all really helpful.
To clarify, when this happens (which has been 4-5 times since I bought the car in November '09), I can turn the key to the start position, but the engine does not turn over. The car doesn’t make any noise at all, although the lights in the dash come on. When this happens, the steering wheel and the gear shift are both locked. I can’t move either of them.
At other times, there will be a lag of a few seconds between the time that I turn the key and when the engine turns over.
One more thing. At times when it won’t start at all, we are able to jump it, and it starts up.
Thanks again.
Well, I stand by my comment above. When my contacts went out, I could jump it, the extra voltage did the trick. Do you plan to do the work?
Thanks! I’ll definitely have this taken care of, I think it’s long overdue.