Need Help (can't Figure Problem Out)

[carlmatthew]

Hey guys I have an occuring problem that I can't seem to fix. My SC300(92) with 130k has been smoking out of the exhaust for a while now. I thought the original problem was with my ECU, but I just don't know anymore. The car is not burning any oil (Oils is clean/has 1800 miles on it) and the gas mileage is good (17-19mpg). It is also not leaking any coolant and the car doesn't overheat at all. Below is a list of my problems:

1 Battery dies often (went through 3 batteries in 2 months)

2 Car sputters and smokes extremely bad when engine warms up.

3 No check engine light comes on at all.

4 Color of smoke (white w/ bluish tint) real rich smell.

These are just a few of the problems that is keeping my car from running.

So far the only MODS I have done is an Injen Intake and a JIC Magic exhaust system. The car idles at 1500 when first crank up. When she warms up she goes down to 8 then starts to smoke and smell of a unburnt fuel. I have been to mechanics and they tell me the ECU is the problem and others say that it is a MAF (mass airfrow) problem . Other mechanics say that I have a clog in my catalytic converter. I just don't know. Please help. Any advice would be greatful

[jzz30]

your alternator is probably bad or you have a short in a wire somewhere.

the light doesnt even turn on when you first key on the car?

[carlmatthew]

Yeah that the thing. When ever I turn my car on for carnk the CEL comes on like normal. I think I have may have a bad MAF and ECU. Do you know of any tests to do to see if these are the problems?

[jzz30]

have the code read and report back.

[carlmatthew]

have the code read and report back.

I just had a mechanic come by my house and the weird this is he said that my ECU isn't throwing any codes. He also informed me that me car had a wire that hooks up to my headlight fuse, straigth to my fuel pump.

I think I have to replace my ECU and MAF.

Do you guys have any other idea on what the problem could be?

[carlmatthew]

Really, no one knows....

WOW

[UCF3]

it still sounds like the alternator. the wiring issue, headlight and Fuel fuse-don't know about.

You don't need a new MAF or ECU. Both of them would give you codes. It sounds like you have a leak. Is your car leaking from underneath, and when you turnover your engine do you hear anything else?

I'd start with a new/rebuilt alternator, maybe a new starter(depending on how many times your have to turn it). You can stop by Toyota and order those two. I wouldn't spend time with PepBoys or Napa parts. They don't last long.

[carlmatthew]

it still sounds like the alternator. the wiring issue, headlight and Fuel fuse-don't know about.

You don't need a new MAF or ECU. Both of them would give you codes. It sounds like you have a leak. Is your car leaking from underneath, and when you turnover your engine do you hear anything else?

I'd start with a new/rebuilt alternator, maybe a new starter(depending on how many times your have to turn it). You can stop by Toyota and order those two. I wouldn't spend time with PepBoys or Napa parts. They don't last long.

Thank you for the help. The reason I'm saying a new ECU and MAF is becasue the mechanic at lexus told me these were back. I'll be installing these part today when i get off work. I think the alternator is also the big problem, too. Whenever I move my car, all I see is Power steering fluid from a leak i have.

Other than that no oil leaks or anything. When ever I turn my car over I use to hear a loud air escaping sound. I fix that by connecting one of my vaccuum hoses back up. I'll look into getting the alternator and starter in the morning. I'll keep you posted on whether or not this resolves the problem.

Again Thank you.

[GrnHrnt]

have the code read and report back.

I just had a mechanic come by my house and the weird this is he said that my ECU isn't throwing any codes. He also informed me that me car had a wire that hooks up to my headlight fuse, straigth to my fuel pump.

I think I have to replace my ECU and MAF.

Do you guys have any other idea on what the problem could be?

Find out why somebody hot wired the fuel pump. Bad Fuel Pump ECU being bypassed? Cheap fix could also be constantly feeding power back into Fuel Pump ECU and Engine Control Module with unknown and unpredictable results. Try to solve one problem at a time, the right way, before moving on to next problem.

[carlmatthew]

have the code read and report back.

I just had a mechanic come by my house and the weird this is he said that my ECU isn't throwing any codes. He also informed me that me car had a wire that hooks up to my headlight fuse, straigth to my fuel pump.

I think I have to replace my ECU and MAF.

Do you guys have any other idea on what the problem could be?

Find out why somebody hot wired the fuel pump. Bad Fuel Pump ECU being bypassed? Cheap fix could also be constantly feeding power back into Fuel Pump ECU and Engine Control Module with unknown and unpredictable results. Try to solve one problem at a time, the right way, before moving on to next problem.

That is a good idea. The fuel pump only works not if my headlights are turned on. When I turn them off it cuts the power. I think the fuel pump ecu is another problem too. The main reason for all of the questions is I'm trying to make what ti last until July. Then I'm doing the complete 1JZ-gte swap. Let me look futher into the problem and actually take time to think about it rather than jumping the gun./

Thanks for the info.

[EPIX INC]

have the code read and report back.

I just had a mechanic come by my house and the weird this is he said that my ECU isn't throwing any codes. He also informed me that me car had a wire that hooks up to my headlight fuse, straigth to my fuel pump.

I think I have to replace my ECU and MAF.

Do you guys have any other idea on what the problem could be?

Find out why somebody hot wired the fuel pump. Bad Fuel Pump ECU being bypassed? Cheap fix could also be constantly feeding power back into Fuel Pump ECU and Engine Control Module with unknown and unpredictable results. Try to solve one problem at a time, the right way, before moving on to next problem.

That is a good idea. The fuel pump only works not if my headlights are turned on. When I turn them off it cuts the power. I think the fuel pump ecu is another problem too. The main reason for all of the questions is I'm trying to make what ti last until July. Then I'm doing the complete 1JZ-gte swap. Let me look futher into the problem and actually take time to think about it rather than jumping the gun./

Thanks for the info.

okay like he said above solve one problem at a time, it might fix the other issues. the lexus is a very complex beast and two things that u would think have nothing to do with each other seem to coincide. first and foremost. disconnect that fuel pump wire from the headlamp fuse. then check the connections at the pump itself. if its plugged in, go to the fuel pump ECU located in the arm rest panel on the driver's side in the back seat. make sure the ecu is plugged in. small silver box with fins on it. attempt to start the car. if u get a no start, disconnect the fuel pump ecu and take the two larger gauge wires from the harness and plug them into each other. attempt to start the car. this bypasses the ECU the proper way. it also ensures u have constant power with the vehicle in run mode, and the proper amperage and voltage. if u get a no start that way, check to make sure ur fuel pump fuse is still intact. after that ur car should be running. then check ur other issues. private message me if u need more help.

[carlmatthew]

okay like he said above solve one problem at a time, it might fix the other issues. the lexus is a very complex beast and two things that u would think have nothing to do with each other seem to coincide. first and foremost. disconnect that fuel pump wire from the headlamp fuse. then check the connections at the pump itself. if its plugged in, go to the fuel pump ECU located in the arm rest panel on the driver's side in the back seat. make sure the ecu is plugged in. small silver box with fins on it. attempt to start the car. if u get a no start, disconnect the fuel pump ecu and take the two larger gauge wires from the harness and plug them into each other. attempt to start the car. this bypasses the ECU the proper way. it also ensures u have constant power with the vehicle in run mode, and the proper amperage and voltage. if u get a no start that way, check to make sure ur fuel pump fuse is still intact. after that ur car should be running. then check ur other issues. private message me if u need more help.

A million thanks. After I get done following those steps, I'll PM you and let you know the results