All my crazy Lexus issues SOLVED!! (ECU-leaking capacitor)
#931
I have not checked the capacitors using an ohm meter. My caps looked fine before I replaced them, I just assumed they were bad and did preventative maintenance (no actual leakage). I was having this starting issue before I replaced them and wanted to be able to rule out the ECU as the culprit. I am not sure what would be causing a "safety shutdown". Would this be an action controlled by the ECU or the theft deterrent system? I am out of ideas as I have been working on this no start issue for the past month and it has me questioning my troubleshooting skills (or lack thereof) .
#932
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I worry about the board was already damaged as you wrote above. As I wrote in the post #925, the leaked liquid damages not only the traces, but also the board itself invading inside of layers. I suggest you to find some used ECU on ebay or somewhere and to use it after replacing original capacitors to the recommended ones.
#933
Thanks Yamae. Although I guess I can't rule that out, I think I wasn't totally clear: one ECU I have has visible damage, the one I re-capped and have in the car has no visible damage. I just want to be sure the issues I'm experiencing are ECU related and not something else. The symptoms are that the car will start and idle fine and rev fine up to 5k rpms, etc. but feels a little rough. When I drive it, it stutters when shifting to 2nd and 3rd and if I try to accelerate too much, it will just stall. It will then start but if and when it stalls again, it will not start. Disconnecting the battery for several hours then seems to get it to start. During this time it won't start, there's a smell like starting fluid (I haven't used any). Do I need a new ECU? Thanks again.
Get them diagnosed ASAP. A full inspection may be necessary. (Not a emissions and safety inspection, but more like a PPI).
#934
Moderator
I have not checked the capacitors using an ohm meter. My caps looked fine before I replaced them, I just assumed they were bad and did preventative maintenance (no actual leakage). I was having this starting issue before I replaced them and wanted to be able to rule out the ECU as the culprit. I am not sure what would be causing a "safety shutdown". Would this be an action controlled by the ECU or the theft deterrent system? I am out of ideas as I have been working on this no start issue for the past month and it has me questioning my troubleshooting skills (or lack thereof) .
#935
Moderator
Thanks Yamae. Although I guess I can't rule that out, I think I wasn't totally clear: one ECU I have has visible damage, the one I re-capped and have in the car has no visible damage. I just want to be sure the issues I'm experiencing are ECU related and not something else. The symptoms are that the car will start and idle fine and rev fine up to 5k rpms, etc. but feels a little rough. When I drive it, it stutters when shifting to 2nd and 3rd and if I try to accelerate too much, it will just stall. It will then start but if and when it stalls again, it will not start. Disconnecting the battery for several hours then seems to get it to start. During this time it won't start, there's a smell like starting fluid (I haven't used any). Do I need a newthe ECU? Thanks again.
#936
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Things like this are hardly ever just a one thing. Its probably quite a few things. I would start to look at the fuel system. A clogged fuel filter will allow for a car to start but once the engine is placed under load, ie heavy acceleration, the fuel requirements are increased and the fuel filter can't pass fuel through adequately. Also a bad fuel pump will exhibit some of the same symptoms as what you are describing as far as the car stalling and sputtering.
Get them diagnosed ASAP. A full inspection may be necessary. (Not a emissions and safety inspection, but more like a PPI).
Get them diagnosed ASAP. A full inspection may be necessary. (Not a emissions and safety inspection, but more like a PPI).
#937
Thank you Yamae-San. I finally figured out the problem to all my starting issues, it was a clogged third cat. It was obviously so clogged, it was preventing exhaust flow completely causing the car to start once and then die and not start for the remainder of the day. We at ClubLexus are grateful to have you as a contributing member of our community. Not many would invest the time that you have into helping others troubleshoot their cars. Domo arigato Yamae-San
#938
Trying to solve an issue w/ an older Lexus, 1994 LS 400. Problem code said the issue was w/ speed sensor #1 which I replaced. Not shifting into overdrive, cruise control doesn't work. Some have said it might be a problem with speedometer/odometer but found this thread through a search. Searched within the thread but didn't see overdrive issue being related. Has anyone solved same/similar problem as mine by changing capacitors?
Thanks in advance for reading and/or responding...
Thanks in advance for reading and/or responding...
#939
Moderator
Thank you Yamae-San. I finally figured out the problem to all my starting issues, it was a clogged third cat. It was obviously so clogged, it was preventing exhaust flow completely causing the car to start once and then die and not start for the remainder of the day. We at ClubLexus are grateful to have you as a contributing member of our community. Not many would invest the time that you have into helping others troubleshoot their cars. Domo arigato Yamae-San
Thanks for the update and congratulations on your success to figure out the root cause, IBGREEZY.
I'm sure your LS400 now runs very well.
#940
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99 es 300
Excellent post! Our 99 ES 300 exhibits some of the listed symptoms. I have changed 100's of caps, but never in a car. I became a monitor repairman at Zenith in 1980. I will definitely ck out the board. Thanks again.
#944
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Tech help replacing the caps
I was an ET when it was tubes and transistors. I am now 72 and down to one eye that doesn't do close work very well anymore. I thought I could do this cap replacement project but I was wrong. I replaced two caps with some difficulty but a third gave me fits and I tacked the new cap onto the old cap's leads. In short.....the board is OK and I have thrown in the towel. I have all the hi quality caps in hand plus extras.
Where can I send this ECU to have the remaining caps replaced? The post is 64 pagers long and I am going blind looking for a contact.
My original problem was it went into limp mode a couple times and just stalled/quit once. All this was reported to me by Wifey.
I live in Eugene, Orygun. Last thing I read years ago was that there was a shop in "Georgia" that did repairs.
Thanks for your help......I need it. 1993 SC 400, 160K miles. Original ECU 541 915 0832 jegrabe@gmail.com
Thank you,
John
Where can I send this ECU to have the remaining caps replaced? The post is 64 pagers long and I am going blind looking for a contact.
My original problem was it went into limp mode a couple times and just stalled/quit once. All this was reported to me by Wifey.
I live in Eugene, Orygun. Last thing I read years ago was that there was a shop in "Georgia" that did repairs.
Thanks for your help......I need it. 1993 SC 400, 160K miles. Original ECU 541 915 0832 jegrabe@gmail.com
Thank you,
John
#945
Driver School Candidate
Sounds like what's wrong with my GX470??? HELP!!
HI Yamae and all,
My 2004 GX470 is currently dying while at idle randomly and will currently not start; reading this thread makes me think I may have this ECU issue.
Here's the thread I posted in the GX470; does this sound like it may be the same thing? If so, are the CAPS on the GX ECU the same as the LS? The car is currently at a local shop where they're trying to track down the problem - I'm trying to help... Thanks for any thoughts or guidance you might have.
GX forum link: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...tart-help.html
My 2004 GX470 is currently dying while at idle randomly and will currently not start; reading this thread makes me think I may have this ECU issue.
Here's the thread I posted in the GX470; does this sound like it may be the same thing? If so, are the CAPS on the GX ECU the same as the LS? The car is currently at a local shop where they're trying to track down the problem - I'm trying to help... Thanks for any thoughts or guidance you might have.
GX forum link: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...tart-help.html