Car Won't Start

[skeemer]

I posted the other day asking about engine cleaner for cleaning my throttle body. Today I took the intake and throttle body apart and cleaned it all out. I put everything back, bolted and screwed everything back on, hooked up all the hoses to the proper places, but it won't start. It starts turning over, and we can feel exhaust coming out of the tailpipe, but it won't run on its own. Normally when having trouble starting the engine if you give it some gas it will catch, and you can feel the fuel going into the engine through the pedal, but when I try that now there's no such feeling, as in theres not nearly as much resistance, it just feels like I'm pulling on the throttle cable. Also, one time after trying to start it I could hear a hissing sound coming from the front fuel rail and vibration in the fuel lines, but this went away after trying to start it again and hasn't come back again. I did spray alot of carburator cleaner (and it says its safe for O2 sensors and cat converters) into the manifold beyond the throttle body and tried to wipe as much of it as possible. Could this be the problem, or is my problem more serious? I didn't touch anything besides the throttle body and air intake, and all my disconnections were made from the throttle body end. Thanks for your help.

:(

EDIT: The hissing/vibration sound coming from the front fuel rail area happens whenever the key is in the ON position, not just that one time, and I would assume it happens while in the START position but I can't hear it over the engine. I've never heard this sound before with my key in the ON position before.

EDIT 2: After reattaching the throttle body to the manifold, we had left the MAF sensor unplugged because we were unsure of putting it back in (7 pins). The Throttle Position Sensor was also unplugged, and the car started but ran very rough. We attached the TPS and started it and it ran fine for about 5 seconds and then stalled. This was reproduceable. Then we pushed the MAF sensor in and held it in by hand and the car started and ran normally (very smooth). We then screwed the MAF sensor back in and thats where we stand now.

Also, when the car ran fine on its own, some dark gray smoke was coming out of the tailpipe (presumably the cleaner that was pulled in and sludge/buildup that was broken up by the cleaner but not removed?) It also smelled like burning aerosol.

[steviej]

your description pretty much narrows it down to the MAF sensor. Something may have happened when you attached it permenantly. Remove it and inspect it. Make sure the resistor didn't get smashed or a wire broke. Inspect the pins, maybe one broke and is not making a connection.

If it is not starting, a trouble code may have been sent. Pull the code upon no start and that may lead you to what is not sending the right signal.

the 92 is OBD I, codes 31 and 32 are Air Flow Meter Signal codes.

(Lexus Code Retrieval)

steviej

[SKperformance]

the older maf on a 3vz is a flap type sensor not the vane type on the 1mz-fe

sounds like you know what to do

[skeemer]

Thanks for the help guys.

I tried the method from the website and from Toys and didn't get a CEL warning. I tried shorting it before and after turning the key to ON and didn't get the light either time. I also don't get the light when I try and start the car and it fails.

What bothers me most is the sound coming from the engine when the key is ON, because I've never heard this before. Its a hissing sound, it sounds almost like bleeding air, and it comes from either the front fuel rail or something in that vicinity. I haven't been able to see or feel any leaks.

[skeemer]

I checked every vacuum hose I could find. I found one unplugged, I believe its the EVAP hose coming off of the back-underside of the throttle body, and goes across the back of the intake manifold to the passenger side of the car. I reconnected this and tried again but no luck. Also, one of my spark plug wires was loose and I pushed that back in firmly and that made the hissing sound go away. I unplugged and replugged the MAF sensor but it still doesn't start. Before I plugged the EVAP hose back in I got the yellow oil light when the key was on, now I don't. I'm pretty confused here, and it looks like I'll be having it towed to my mechanic this afternoon.

So no more hissing sound, and now a warning light doesn't show, but I still get the same problem trying to start it.

[SKperformance]

how is the oil and the pcv?

you may have damaged a VSV it is easy to do , my cousin tried cleaing his intake and broke the damn things they are blue and red on the fuel rail.

[skeemer]

The oil level is/was fine. I was coming up on 3000 miles this week so my mechanic is also changing that out while it in his place. I don't know about the PCV or the VSV.

My mechanic got to take a look at my car today and couldn't figure out exactly what the problem was. I talked to him a little after noon today and he said they had put the scanner on and gotten no error codes, which doesn't surprise me since I never had any CELs. They checked all my wires and hoses and everything was attached properly. They're pretty puzzled, and he said he called a few other mechanics and nobody had any ideas. He thinks the MAF may have burned out or burned something out in the computer (if this is possible?). I believe he said if its the MAF its like $400 for the part and he thinks I should take it to a dealer. I had called a used Toyota/Lexus parts place the other day just to get an idea of a MAF price and they told me $125.

What do you guys think? If it's the MAF sensor I believe my mechanic should be able to install the part himself, and if its $400+ for it would I be ok buying a used sensor? If he can't come to a conclusion should I take it to Toyota and see what they have to say? I would like to keep the cost to a minimum, but I also need this resoluted as quickly as possible because I am currently without transportation and I work 7am to after 5pm monday-friday. I don't think I can afford to take it to a Lexus dealer, despite the fact that I'd have a loaner if I took it to them. Any suggestions?

[SKperformance]

not the maf

the one you have is like a tank

and the car still works,just runs rough and throws a code if it had a problem

get the vsv checked on the fuel rail

[skeemer]

Good news!!

My mechanic was able to borrow a MAF sensor from someone rather than buying it to try it on my car, and it started it right up. So he bought the part from the guy and my car is back to normal again.

$200 for the MAF + labor and $65 for the diagnosis, much better than I would have done at even a Toyota dealer, so I'm very happy.

I think this is the last time I fool around with this engine. Next year when I buy an IS or similar type car after I graduate I plan on trying to become more mechanically savvy, but for now I'm content with letting others take care of it for me lest I screw it up again.

Thanks for everyone's help.

[SKperformance]

glad to hear i was wrong and you got it fixed

did you try cleaning the old one with throttle body cleaner?