KK95

I'm pretty sure this is a battery problem....

When I went to start the car, the RPM would start to rise like the car was about to start, but then the car would shut off, and the Check Engine Light and Battery Light would be on.

Finally I got the car started by giving gas as the RPM's were about to fall. Do I need a new battery?

SharpLS-96

Most likely it is your battery.
Since it's a 98, do you know if the battery has been changed in the 6 or so yrs as of yet?

lexusk8

KK95, this start-up problem you're having sounds so similar to mine with the '01 ES. Do you ever get a rough or low idle upon engine start-up? If so, it might not be the battery, but instead could be a dirty throttle body that needs some clearning, a sticky idle air control valve, or something abnormal inside the intake system or emissions.

KK95

THe car starts fine now. I think the engine may have been flooded.

Start up is always pretty smooth for me and I don';t get rough or low idling.