cookr14

Hello. What would you do if this was your car.. I have moderate mechanic skills and I would rather know how to fix the car rather than simply take it to a lexus dealer.

I was told on youtube this is a coil issue.

If I buy a code reader (innova 3173), will it tell me the exact code that points to the problem?

Crazy that a month ago the same thing happened a month ago. Once it sat for a week problem was gone - now problem is back again.

Please help me. This is my Grandfather's car and it has huge sentimental value to me. It is in great condition and I planned on driving it for years to come. Thanks.

CELSI0R

Welcome, cookr14!

Just to provide some background, I was that guy commenting on Youtube.

Like I mentioned, I'm not sure if it's a coil problem unless you smell gas coming from the front of the engine. There will also be a noticeable loss of power.

An OBD-1 scanner may help you find out the problem, but I'm not sure. It's definitely a good investment for the future.

aptoslexus

Tutorial on getting the codes.

http://www.lexls.com/tutorials/intro/codereading.html

dicer

Number one anyone that knows auto mechanics should know that a code reader is NOT NEEDED to read the codes on OBD1.
The tick sounds like valve lash and nothing to worry about right now.
A scope would be nice to check some ignition signals. Yamae needs to add his ideas here.

sndlight

That is a bad ECU. The capacitors are known to fail

cookr14

Hello everyone and thank you for your help.

So far, a jumper wire to read the codes does not work. Check engine light is solid. I followed all instructions including trans in N, OD off, AC off. I cant get the check engine light to blink.

I have changed the 2 coils... didnt fix the problem..
I have changed the fuel filter.... didnt fix the problem.

I just ordered the innova 3173. Hopefully it will give me a code.

I am starting to suspect clogged cats or the leaking capacitor issue. as SNDLIGHT suggests..

dicer

It could be water in the fuel. But no blinking light is ecu stuff. The code reader will not see a thing then.
Try disconnecting the battery for 10 minutes or so and reconnect and try it.

djamps

If you aren't able to get any codes, I'll say it's most likely your ECU. Check out the ECU capacitor thread for more info.

sndlight

What gave it away to me was your check engine light sort of cutting out and blinking when you floored it in the video. Also, if that ECU is dead to the world it won't allow you to pull codes.
Definitely try leaving the battery unplugged as dicer says and see if the behavior changes at all.

Edit: Does it drive at all? Another hint that the ECU is bad is the trans will shift weird or harshly.

Yamae

+1 to sndlight .
It seems to me that the capacitor issue is widely recognized. A 93 is old enough for those QAS capacitors in the ECU to fail badly. I'd simply say,
"Replace those before you have additional problems and worry about".

Ls4000101

Have you check the passenger side cam sensor? My 91 kinda did the same thing. Lunged at a stop. Then barely got her home. Turned out that the clip holding the cam sensor wire back, broke from old age and heat . The wires rub on the back side of the serpentine belt and eats through it. With it receiving the crank sensor signal it will fire up sometimes and randomly.throws a spark to that bank of cylinders. I replaced cam sensor made my own metal wire retainer and have not had a problem since.

But the ticking, mine does the same. I thought it was just the electric arc jumping from the distributor rotor to the cap....read on above replays it may he valve backlash?