1995 Es300 Start Up Issue, And The Lighter Won't Work

igbeserk · May 2, 2009

Hey. I'm having some issues with my Lexus. Bought it back in january a 95 es300 with about 127k miles on it. basically had these problems not too long after and i had gotten the engine replaced. Now I'm having issues starting it up i know prior to that i had issues of starting it up once in a while. The mechanic said one of my coils were bad but i do not know if he had ever replaced it last i know about this (before he replaced my engine) he was going to take the ones from the back and put them in the front to try and figure out which one has gone bad. Now it's worse if i leave the car off for a long amount of time then i have to keep trying to start it up for a few times before i can give it some gas without it dying on me to keep it on. Then once it gets on everythings settled smooth ride, and if i turn it off and turn it back on or on in a few mins or an hour or so it will come on just fine. So i don't know what it could be someone told me it might be the fuel filter or fuel pump related issue. i know i needed a new fuel filter the mechanic told me. he said he replaced it though yet i still smell strong amount of gas... but looking on line seems to be either a fuel or coil related issue. Any advice would be helpful.

Also i have tried checking/replacing the fuse, also replacing my lighter port but i still can't get it to work. it worked for a bit when i first got the car then it stopped. i'm guessing it's the internal wires that are the issue? i don't know what i could do or try to see if i could get it to work.

thanks for your time and for your help.

blk_on_blk · May 4, 2009

That sure sounds like an IACV (Idle Air Control Valve) issue to me. There are several DIY guides on here if you use the search function. I've cleaned the IACV twice on our 1995 ES300 due to nearly the exact same symptoms. Both times it started beautifully from there out.

BTW, if you had a ignition coil that was bad, you would know it, and it wouldn't be sporadic... your engine would run really rough and with no power. If you engine is running smooth (once you get it started), then your coils are fine.