SHAWNGS300

Hi i had the same problem with my 1998 gs300 125k miles. Turned out to be the crank position sensor, look into that. If that does not fix it, then it maybe the ECU (main computer) or Immoblizer, they may not be communicating with each other.

Sounds like your speed sensor (maybe on transmission) maybe malfunctioned. You can replace it, or buy a cheap GPS. My Garmin Street Pilot 330c will tell me my speed on the lower left corner of the screen, if i select view map mode. It is very accurate, if you shop around you can get one for less than $200.00. Good luck.

-Well let me brake it down: The electrical problem the car wasn't starting (clicked but didn't turn over, turned out to be the starter), the fans did not come on to cool the engine when car was idle some relays were missing, the wiring was screwed up by some fool i use to have working on the car, dealer had to get everthing back to spec. That was the $1,500. The brake job for $900, i guess i got robbed. The ECU the car wasn't starting, cranked but won't turn over, immoblizer on ECU wasn't see key with chip. Now if i spend another $1,500 will i have any other problems to look forward to with a car this age & milage? That is the question ? Also Anyone out there with a GS with more miles than me? And what did you have to change?

Can you please send me a copy or link also: shawngs300@msn.com Thanks...

What up guys? I have a 1998 GS300 with 125,000 miles on it. I need to spend about $1,500 on repairs for:Ball Joints,Crank Position Sensor,Valve cover gasket,spark plugs & stem seals,coil rack, & wires. I just spent $700 for a new ECU(main computer). Also just spent $900 on front brake calipers,rotors,& pads. Back in January i spent $1,500 for some electrical problems and a new starter,and o2 sensor. The cars body, interior, and A/C are all good, still has a smooth ride. Everthing else works good, I only drive the car average 3000 miles a year, my weekend car. Do you guys think i should invest the money on the ride, or sell it fast? Is it a money pit or if i repair everything, when i'm done will i be problem free for years?

Well www.rockymountainradar.com has a system that can be installed under your hood, for total stealth, this system also blocks radar & laser, you'll be a gost on the road.

Well as far as L.E.D.'s (Light Emitting Diodes) there is a web site that has all colors & good prices. www.superbrightleds.com I also have Led tail lights looks real good, from ebay. Projector head light, i wouldn't really recommend it, i have a pair on my 1997 Honda Civic, the beams are slanted, can't seem to fix it cheap stuff made in China. Good Luck.

Hey thanks Matty, I'm glad you like my car, she is a beauty, i try to take care of her. Had her for 8 years now, can't tell you how many times she has got me laid, lol. I will check out that wiper blade, thanks.

Right now the car is at the dealer looks like it is a problem with the ECU the main computer. It is not communicating with the immoblizer to tell it to turn on. $1200 for the part alone. Has anyone had this before?

It is the immoblizer, the ECU Electronic Control Unit. $1,200 at dealer, anyone know where i can get one cheap..

Well the car is at the dealer getting checked out right now. So far it seems like a problem between the immoblizer and the ECU (i'm not sure which one yet). The ECU does not seem to recognize the key with the chip. Or the ECU is not sending the signal to the immoblizer that the key has a chip and is the correct key. I will know better in a few days, stay tuned...

Hi, I have a similar problem with my1998 gs300 125k mi. cranks but wont start. Have you checked your spark plugs, air filter, relays, oxygen sensors. Any check engine lights? Does the car have a immoblizer?

Great, thanks guys, more feed back is always welcomed.

What's up Guys? I currently have some 19" crome wheels on my Silver 1998 GS300, i would like to go for a lighter in 19" wheel, for performance reasons, this time no crome, under $300 per wheel. Does anyone know what's light or have any pics of what looks good? I was thinking of TSW, Konig, etc. about 27lbs per wheel. Anyone?

Problem is the Electronic Control Unit (ECU), the main computer that has the immoblizer unit attached. Part cost $1,200 dealer. Does anyone know where i could get one for cheap?

Whats up Guy? I have a simailar problem, may or may not be the same symtoms as you but worth the shot: HAVE A 1998 GS300 125K MILES, WHEN I GO TO START IT, IT CRANKS BUT WON'T TURN OVER/START. I CHECKED BATTERY CONNECTION IT WAS OK, ALL THE LIGHTs AND WINDOWS WORK. TRIED TO START IT ABOUT 10 TIMES EVEN GIVING IT GAS AS I ATTEMPT TO START, NO LUCK. 2-5 HOURS LATER OR NEXT MORNING TRIED TO START IT AND IT STARTS ON THE 1ST TRY, WEIRD...The car is at the dealer right now they are checking it out for a few days. When i findout i'll let you know.

Yea i guess i'm gonna have to do that, ill post a reply.

Your car is 11 years old. The knocking noise is probably a worn bushing, the life of which depends a lot on the types of roads you drive on. The starter would probably explain the intermittent no-start. As for the rotors and pads, in 11 years and 125k miles I expect that you would have gone through several sets of pads and a couple rotors. You also mention in other posts you've had blue headlights, have heavy 19" wheels which cause a lot more wear on suspension components than stock and that you live in NY. You also mentioned that a mechanic told you that you had a blown head gasket from oil on the spark plugs that you never bothered to repair. My guess is you've been pretty hard on your vehicle over the years, had you treated it and maintained it properly you would probably be more satisfied, as the rest of us that have are. Do us all a favor too, and please stop posting in all caps. The Lexus is a machine like anything else, its a high quality reliable machine but it still has to be maintained and wear parts still have to be replaced. Most people who are disappointed expect too much. Well since yo know so much 'SW03ES' maybe you can explain a few things to me. -Like the worn bushings? Where are they located? - Is it something i can change myself? -The starting problem, i had the dealer replace the starter a few months ago, back then it was clicking but wont crank, or turn over. Now it cranks (tries to start, but doesn't) but won't turn over/start. -I find the Lexus Dealership repair here in Orlando,Fl (where i now live) is incompetent, i took my car to them 4 times already for the same problem spent alot of money and they still can't figure it out, so yes i am bitter.

Thanks, i will check into that and leave a reply post.

Hey Guys, I tried to change my spark plugs on my 1998 gs300 (125k miles), when i took them out they were wet on the bottom half with engine oil. -Is this normal? - If it is not normal, does any one know what is the cause? -If/how soon and how much to repair? -Also i have a problem with the car not starting intermitently cranks but won't turn over, could the wet spark plugs be the problem? :(

YES CRANKS BUT WONT TURN OVER. UNTIL I WAIT ABOUT 15-20 OR 2 HOURS LATER MINUTES THEN IT STARTS WITHOUT A PROBLEM...WEIRD.

HELL NO!!!!

WHY DOES THE LEXUS HAVE THIS STARTING PROBLEM? WAIT 20 MINUTES TRY IT AGAIN THEN IT STARTS...

MY 1998 GS HAS 125K MILES, I CHANGED STARTER, CALIPERS, ROTORS, PADS, I HAVE A KNOCKING NOISE FROM FRONT END, CAR WONT START INTERMITTENTLY, GOT STRANDED A FEW TIMES. YOU ARE ONLY PAYING FOR THE NAME, NOT WORTH IT, LAST LEXUS I BUY!!!

I AM HAVING A SIMILAR NOISE, I TOUGHT IT WAS THE CALIPERS LOCKING UP, THAT WAS PROBALLY A PROBLEM AS WELL, BUT I STILL HAVE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE METAL BENDING, AND KNOCKING.