Please Read This Post

[MusicManRyan]

Last evening, I went outside and drove my RX300 around the back of my house to my garage. I parked and began changing the brakes.

I installed new Rotors and Brake pads to every wheel.

Once finished, I went to drive the car forwards and backwards slowly so the new pads would have an opportunity to "seat" on the new rotors.

The dash lights, stereo, fan - everything works .... except car will not start.

I have chatted online with a Certified Lexus Mechanic most of the afternoon.

I have attempted the following actions as potential resolutions:

1) I tried starting with multiple keys.

2) I turned the key to auxilliary and disconnected the positive battery terminal for 45 seconds, then replaced it.

3) I have removed the hoses between the air box and the throttle body to spray starter fluid into the throttle body while starting.

4) I have crawled under car to verify I did not pinch a fuel line when jacking the car up.

5) The gas tank is full.

6) I have taken the positive and negative terminals off the battery, hooked them together for 15 minutes, and reinstalled them (this is supposed to reset entire brain).

I am out of ideas.

If anyone has experienced similar circumstances, I hope you will consider sharing your experience with me.

My car has ran 100% perfectly every since I've owned it. Everything I own is immaculate, so I do routine maintenance on everything.

Thanks,

Ryan in Franklin, IN.

[lenore]

does the starter turn over? if it does does the engine try to run?

[frostytel]

If the car turns over, does it feel as if it's turning over faster !!!! If so on your short trip u may have washed the bores clean of oil and now have virtually no compression, short trips like yours on a cold engine sometimes do this. It happened with my jaguar, the only way I found round it was all plugs out and cleaned, small drop of oil down each bore, and throttle to the floor and just keep it turning until it started took about thirty seconds with mine ...... The throttle to the floor on the jag tells the ecu to shutdown the injectors, obliviously once the car is running drop off the throttle and tickle it until it settles ..... Not sure if throttle position is same with the Lexus,

Tel

[MusicManRyan]

does the starter turn over? if it does does the engine try to run?

The engine turns over - but it will not start.

Yesterday, I chatted with a certified Lexus mechanic. I trouble shot with him all day. Below is a copy/paste of our conversation.

The car is still not able to start:

______________________________

"

Asked by you on Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:06 PM EST

1 Answered Question

I'm Ryan from Franklin, Indiana.

Last night, I changed the brakes on my 2000 RX300.

Upon completing the job, my car won't start.

Do you have any ideas as to why this might have happened?

Country: United States

Make: Lexus

Model: RX300

Year: 2000

Engine: V-6

Already Tried:

I have changed my own brakes for years. Last night, I drove my car around to my garage where I changed the pads and rotors all the way around. Upon completion, I tried to start the car. It won't start. I have electricity, lights, fan - everything on on and working - but seems like car isn't getting gas ... the tank is full. Have a blown some fuse, or tripped some relay? Never heard of this before.........

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:09 PM EST

Ok so the vehicle cranks over correct?

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:11 PM EST

Yes Sir.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:14 PM EST

Ok is the security light flashing on the dash and will it start with starting fluid sprayed in the throttle body?

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:20 PM EST

Security Light: Is Flashing Red.

Throttle Body: I don't know if it will run with starting fluid sprayed in the throttle body. This is something I haven't checked.

It seems like the car isn't getting gas. Initially, I thought perhaps I had pinched a fuel line with the car jack I used to change my brakes.

With this in mind, I just went outside and re-confirmed the spots where I placed the jack last night. There were no lines in the way - and there are no pinched lines that I can find.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:23 PM EST

OK the security light is your issue.Have the key in the ignition to where the radio will work .Disconnect the positive battery terminal for 30 seconds and reconnect it the security light should reset and the vehicle should start.It will not allow fuel to the injectors when it solid let me know.

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:37 PM EST

I turned the key to accessory (so the radio could work).

I disconnected the positive battery terminal for 30-45 seconds, and put it back on.

As soon as I touched the terminal back to the battery, I heard a faint "chirping" noise ... it seemed to be coming from somewhere on the front of the motor.

Upon trying to restart the car, it turns over just fine, but will not start.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:46 PM EST

Ok is the battery fully charged on the vehicle was the key left on when you did the brakes ?

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:49 PM EST

I listened to the radio while I did the brakes ... but upon completion of the job, none of the lights were dim and the radio was never interrupted.

It is a fairly new battery. Everything I own is immaculate.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:52 PM EST

Yes I bet the battery has a low charge .Do you have another key to try ?

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 1:55 PM EST

Yes, I have a second Regular key, and a Valet key (own a total of 3 keys)

Can a key make a difference?

Which one would you suggest I try? ...both?

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:00 PM EST

Try the second key and valet key and see if it starts let me know.Also try spraying starter fluid in the throttle body to see if it starts.

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:12 PM EST

I tried all three keys.

The battery is turning the engine fine .... but after several attempts to start it, I can tell the engine is starving for fuel.

It is no longer "chug ker chug ker chug" ... It's just turning evenly as if it's out of gasoline.

I don't know a whole lot about this motor ... Can you link me to a picture of this motor, showing me exactly where the throttle body is?

I don't want to spray starter fluid in an incorrect place - making things worse.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:19 PM EST

It's where the air tube goes front the air filter box to the intake .

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:23 PM EST

So I need to remove the black air intake tubing that is between the air box and the intake ...

Then I need to spray starter fluid into the intake, and try to start.

Is this correct?

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:27 PM EST

Yes correct and hold to butterfly open then spray then try to start .

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You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:42 PM EST

I have to run to auto parts store to get some starter fluid.

Should take 30 minutes round-trip.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 2:54 PM EST

OK Ill be here.

You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 3:49 PM EST

I removed the necessary tubes to gain access to the intake.

I had my father open the flaps, and spray starter fluid in while I cranked the key.

It is turning over very fast, but will not start.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 3:52 PM EST

Ok is the check engine light on also at this time.Try this one last time for me.Disconnect the battery .Then while both terminals are off the battery clamp them together for 15 minutes it will clear all codes .Then reinstall the battery terminals.

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You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 3:54 PM EST

When I turn the key on (to where the radio will work), all lights (caution, engine, oil, airbag, etc) are on under speedometer.

Is your advice still to go ahead and disconnect both battery terminals, put them together for 15 minutes, then reconnect to the battery?

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 3:55 PM EST

Yes this will clear all systems.

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You replied

Thursday, August 23, 2012 4:32 PM EST

I have done everything we have discussed.

Same result.

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From Cardoctor 74

Thursday, August 23, 2012 7:58 PM EST

Ok and the security light is still solid correct ?Also is the engine light on?

You replied

Friday, August 24, 2012 12:07 PM EST

The security light is off (not blinking red, not solid red).

The engine light is lit, along with several others associated with the key being in the accessory position.

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From Cardoctor 74

Friday, August 24, 2012 12:16 PM EST

Does the vehicle crank over?

You replied

Friday, August 24, 2012 12:18 PM EST

Yes. It turns over just fine."

[lenore]

I would check the fuel pump fuse or relay....Cant remember which one it has or both....

1, fuel tank empty

2. battery discharged

3. leaking fuel injectors, faulty pump, (Can you hear it trying to pump with key on and not starting car) I remember I could hear mine.

5. Ignition Do you have spark to the plugs, pull one on front and crank engine. should get spark to ground.

6. Faulty Camshaft or Crankshaft position sensor.

Check fuse AM2 Fuse 20A In the engine junction box fuse assembly Also the Starter fuse 7.5A in the I/P junction box the Last thing is the Park/neutral position switch. All of these provide power to the computer and ignition system...

[frostytel]

The fact it's turning over fast would suggest to me a lack of compression caused by washed out bores

[frostytel]

Have u got her started yet ?

[cmeesey]

Understandably a great deal of time as past since this was posed ... but I came across it in Apr of 2013.

In case anyone else experienced a similar mystery of their RX not starting after taking off the rear valve cover & doing any work / tune up on the back of the motor. I had done just this and my RX WOULD NOT START. It would crank, and crank but never 'catch' & run. After reassembling it, I tried multiple tests and finally committed to taking it apart again and sift thru the wiring harness to see if I stressed or damaged any of them during my work.

After taking off the wiper assembly, and after removing the intake manifold for the second time - I noticed what turned out to be the problem in my case. When I removing the "blind" bolts from the back of the manifold and removed it; I saw my mistake. ONE of the two ignition grounding wire pairs had gotten jockied around during disassembly and went unnoticed when I reconnected the bolt thru the wire crimp washer. I only reattached one pair of wires rather than finding and securing the second pair. Without that second one being grounded the engine would crank and crank but never fire and run.

Being 6'7" tall with sausage fatigued swollen hands made it really tough to reach and access the bolts between the back of the engine and the firewall on this car. WAY too tight of an engine fit IMO. I'll gladly work on my Toyota LandCruiser any day of the week over this thing. The LC you can practically sit on the fender with you feet in the engine bay and still have ample room to work. It is the polar opposite of the RX300.

[Terry Town]

Problem: Engine cranks but does not fire.

Prior Action Taken: Replaced both the Knock Sensors, Coolant bypass hose, knock sensor harness and spark plugs. This is not a fun job.

Cause:

Track light comes on randomly and RX hangs and is slow to shift into overdrive. Intermittently loses power but recovers after stopping or idling. Engine throws up a code indicating front knock sensor is failing. Basically the RX-300 runs great and this problem seldom occurs.

Repair process:

Took about ten hours mostly because of problems removing and re-installing the miserable blind fasteners from the number #1 engine hanger to the (AIC) Air Intake Chamber, and the capscrew through the Air Intake Chamber Stay into the back side of the throttle body. (A little more room between the firewall and AIC please Toyota) Disconnected the negative battery terminal prior to disassemble. Removed the body parts, wipers, wiper drive, cowling, top panel and cross brace. Drained the coolant. Disconnect the connections for the fuel injectors and laid it aside. Dug out the intake air connections and box, removed the AIC & Throttle body setting them aside, then removed the Intake Manifold Assembly. Replaced the bypass hose, knock sensors, and knock sensor wire harness. Took the time to replace the spark plugs while I had the opportunity. Thoroughly cleaned the valley area and all the machined casting surfaces on the manifold assembly and the Air Intake Chamber. Gaskets were perfect and undamaged so I reused them. (Would replace gaskets if I did it again). Reversed the process for reassembly.

When re-installing the AIC we connected the tube from the PCV valve and the two wire harnesses, one on the end and the other in the blind spot fastener on the firewall side, prior to securing the AIC to the Intake manifold. (I am concerned I missed one or have a poor connection to ground. This apparently enables the [ECM] Engine Control Module, to send spark to the ignition system). Please read above post #8.

I have checked the fuses, swapped keys etc.. and the Security light flashes as normal. Going to try resetting the codes with the battery cables removed and connected for 15 minutes. I think I got the RX-300 to run a few cycles when I sprayed with starter fluid. Wanted to run the engine so I can complete adding coolant to the engine with the pump circulating the jacket water but will not start. Cranks fine. Still will not start.

ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS!!!

Terry Town

[Terry Town]

This is an old post but I still didn't mean to hijack the thread. I have started my own post with the same problem.

Terry Town