hoffmanjp Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 Hello, I've got a trusty old 92 LS400 that has the miseries lately. Two days ago, I was driving it and noticed steam (smoke?) coming from under the hood about 1 mile from home. My wife asked what that nasty smell was. (It smelled like burning plastic or electrical smoke). I pulled over and opened the hood. There was still a bad smell and what appeared to be steam coming from the resevoir tank. I let it sit for 10 minutes, then drove it back home. I noted the temp gauge was normal at that time. The next day I went out to try and find the problem and noticed the 2 cooling fans did not go on when the A/C was on. I got out the Lexus Manual and started troubleshooting that. I inspected the cooling fan relays and found then to look ok. Being an electronics tech in a previous life, I noted no burnt smells or components. I then disconnected the radiator temperature switch and the electric fans came on. Hmm.. Plugged it back in. I left the air off and added some coolant and noted the temperature in the normal range. I then took the car for a short spin and noted the temp running a bit warm. About a 1/4 mile from my house, the car just died. The engine turns over easily, but never starts or even tries to start. I pushed it back and let it sit overnight. This morning I read the manual and started troubleshooting the Check Engine lights. Got a Code 12. The manual says Cam position or Engine Speed sensors or ECU. Are these symptoms just coincidence? Anyone have any ideas on where to start on this one? I still can't find the source of that burning smell. Thanks in advance. John Hoffman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92Lex Posted August 24, 2004 Share Posted August 24, 2004 If it was a speed sensor the D4 should flash...Im leaning more towards the CMP, maybe your timing belt slipped a tooth. Check your timing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smithm92 Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 I would follow the lead of the underhood "steam" and presume that what you have is a coolant system leak. If enough coolant was lost perhaps this affected the water pump or sensors feeding the ECU. I would disconnect the battery in order to reset the ECU and then check for reported diagnostic codes. If you have white smoke coming from the exhaust, you may have a coolant leaking through the head gasket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99lsguy Posted August 25, 2004 Share Posted August 25, 2004 If you have white smoke coming from the exhaust, you may have a coolant leaking through the head gasket. Agreed.... check your oil cap too. If it has a milky film under the cap, then the head gasket is failing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoffmanjp Posted August 27, 2004 Author Share Posted August 27, 2004 Yep, It's the timing belt. Took off the covers and it's shedded. Also this is where the burnt smell came from. FYI Got 137K out of the belt. Looks like a weekend job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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