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Lexus ES Starting Problems

60 messages,  Last post on Jun 04, 2013 at 9:46 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Lexus ES 350, Fuel System, Electrical, Engine, Fuel System, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 7

#17 of 60 Re: Starting Problem [ladyq2] by andiamo924

May 22, 2009 (5:03 am)

Replying to: ladyq2 (Apr 21, 2009 12:20 am)
Yes, yes, yes. Same problem. Car towed from my garage to Lexus an hour away.
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.

#18 of 60 1999 Lexus es300: started then right away die by tkao

Jul 26, 2009 (9:02 am)

My 1999 Lexus es300 recently have a problem: every time it gets started then right away dies. Does it happen to any one?
 
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?

#19 of 60 es300 idle problem by chkwong

Jul 26, 2009 (10:07 pm)

i recently had similar problem. I had the idle control valve replaced. It works fine now.
The part costs $236 and labor $85.
Good luck.
-chuck

#20 of 60 2007 ES 350 starting problems by keithinvegas

Aug 02, 2009 (12:28 pm)

Has anyone been able to get a "fix" on the starting problems? Our 2007 ES350 has 26,000 miles and in the last six months began having problems. Replaced both key fob batteries. Have tried only one fob, leaving cell phones out of the car, no other keys, etc. Nothing seems to be identifiable as any electronic signal problem. Will attempt to start and it shuts off immediately. Usually after 6 or 7 attempts, the car will start and run just fine. When first starts up though, the auto a/c has shut itself down and the windshield heat control switch is flashing on and off. Thinking this may be a clue for the dealer, I have taken it to the dealer. They say nothing wrong and no computer messages are being recorded during the starting problems. Seem to me to be computer related. This morning when it did it, there was a strong catalitic comverter smell. Will relay that to the dealer the next time I take the car in. The dealer tries to tell us that we are the only people in all of Las Vegas having this problem. Hard to believe. This is our third Lexus and just may be our last. Any help or clues would be appreciated.

#21 of 60 Re: 2007 ES 350 starting problems [keithinvegas] by keithinvegas

Sep 10, 2009 (11:15 pm)

Replying to: keithinvegas (Aug 02, 2009 12:28 pm)
After keeping the car in the shop for five days, the dealership was able to duplicate our starting problem. Turned out to be an intermittent short in the push start button. Replaced the button and no problems.

#22 of 60 Re: Occasional starting issue with 2002 Lexus ES 300 [kinley2] by jbwheeler

Sep 16, 2009 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: kinley2 (Jul 07, 2008 9:29 am)
Did you ever find out the problem? Our 2002 ES300 has started doing this and it is so frustrating! Would really like to get it fixed, but would also like to know the problem before spending an arm and a leg to get it fixed!

#23 of 60 Re: Occasional starting issue with 2002 Lexus ES 300 [jbwheeler] by andiamo924

Sep 29, 2009 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: jbwheeler (Sep 16, 2009 12:49 pm)
Upon the first visit to Lexus they replaced the starter push button. But it still happened. On the 2nd and 3rd visit they told me they can't duplicate the problem so they can't fix it. It happened again Labor Day weekend and I was going to bring it back a 4th time, but didn't. Since then it's been fine. Everyone I've spoken to says if they can't duplicate it, they can't fix it. My friend in southern NJ outside of Philadelphia has had it happen to her 2008 IS. I can't believe Lexus can't figure this out. I just don't believe them. This is happening all over the country to different years and models. Sorry I can't help you. But if I ever get it figured out/fixed, I'll post.

#24 of 60 Re: Occasional starting issue with 2002 Lexus ES 300 [andiamo924] by jbwheeler

Sep 29, 2009 (2:27 pm)

Replying to: andiamo924 (Sep 29, 2009 2:11 pm)
My brother has a friend that works for Sewell Lexus in Dallas, and so I called him and asked him what he thought the problem was. He suggested the starter and told us to hit it with something, and if it started then that's the problem. We did, and it started!
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!

#25 of 60 Re: Occasional starting issue with 2002 Lexus ES 300 [jbwheeler] by johngreis

Sep 30, 2009 (11:58 am)

Replying to: jbwheeler (Sep 29, 2009 2:27 pm)
About 50 plus years ago I had the same problem on a Studebaker. I carried a hammer with me and when it wouldn't start I gave the starter motor a whack. I finally took it to a garage and they said it was just the brushes. They sometimes hang up in their holder or get warn down to the point that the little springs can't push them against the armature. Replacing the brushes fixed my bug. That's a lot cheaper than replacing the starter motor.
 
An even cheaper way is to carry a hammer.

#26 of 60 Lexus LS 460 Fuel Injector Problems by jimscar1

Oct 16, 2009 (1:04 pm)

I have a 2007 Lexus LS460. A few months ago I started having problems starting the car after sitting for about 2 hours. It starts fine when cold and fine when hot but when it partially cools down, it cranks through two cycles before it finally starts. It also seems to idle a little rough and sounds a little different. Lexus has replaced the fuel injectors once which helped for about 2 months. They now tell me they suspect the cause is the Costco gas I have been using. They say they have about 30 vehicles with the same problem and all have been burning Costco gas. Has anyone else experienced this problem?

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