I turn the key and nothing??
07-03-08, 12:35 PM
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I turn the key and nothing??
Yesterday I went out to my SC3 for work and when I turned the igintion all the dash lights came like always, but when I turned it to start the car..........NOTHING. Not a single sound, no clicking, dimming, just complete silence. So I turned the car off and tried it again and it started with no problem.
Now today it did the samething
It seems to only did this after sitting for the whole night, any ideas on what this could be and how to fix it?
Now today it did the samething
It seems to only did this after sitting for the whole night, any ideas on what this could be and how to fix it?
07-03-08, 05:22 PM
#4
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Sometimes starter motors stick and a good whack with a hammer or bar frightens them into life, make sure you're careful though. 
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07-03-08, 06:07 PM
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Ok so it just happened again. My car has been sitting since 3:30 this afternoon.....so thats about 5 hours of just sitting. I went out to get a pizza and it would not start again. This time it would not start even after turning it off and on about 8 times. All the lights and everything work but no ignition. So I popped the hood unplug the igniter to see if there was something wrong with it. After I plugged it back in and tried to start the car the samething, but this time there was a clicking coming from the engine. Finally on the second try after reconnecting the ignitor it started right up.
I drove about 5 miles picked up my pizza and left the car running because I dont want to get stuck. When I get home I turn the car off wait a few minutes and try to turn it on and guess what...............it started right up no problem.
So at this point Im not sure if it is ignition or starter
I drove about 5 miles picked up my pizza and left the car running because I dont want to get stuck. When I get home I turn the car off wait a few minutes and try to turn it on and guess what...............it started right up no problem.
So at this point Im not sure if it is ignition or starter
07-05-08, 12:32 AM
#7
Sounds to me like it could be either your starter solinoid going out, or the ignition switch itself. If you're getting no crank what-so-ever, then its not your ignitor or spark plugs. Next time you go to crank and it doesnt start, keep the key turned in the start position and wiggle the key a bit. This can help you see if the ignition cylinder has bad contacts. Next step id take, is wait until it wont crank again, and have someone else try to crank it, while you listen real close under the hood near the starter to hear if its struggling. Usually you should be able to hear a high voltage type of sound from the starter trying to engage. Better yet, if you have an ammeter, you can check for draw when you are cranking. If it wont crank, but you're drawing a ton of amperage, then you likely have a bad starter 
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07-05-08, 11:40 AM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Sounds to me like it could be either your starter solinoid going out, or the ignition switch itself. If you're getting no crank what-so-ever, then its not your ignitor or spark plugs. Next time you go to crank and it doesnt start, keep the key turned in the start position and wiggle the key a bit. This can help you see if the ignition cylinder has bad contacts. Next step id take, is wait until it wont crank again, and have someone else try to crank it, while you listen real close under the hood near the starter to hear if its struggling. Usually you should be able to hear a high voltage type of sound from the starter trying to engage. Better yet, if you have an ammeter, you can check for draw when you are cranking. If it wont crank, but you're drawing a ton of amperage, then you likely have a bad starter
Where should i test for amperage?
07-05-08, 12:49 PM
#9
No problem.. You can check for amperage at the battery cables, either by using an inline ammeter or an inductive pickup. Either way, you should be able to see what kind of draw you are getting while cranking (or attempting to crank). You may also want to check the resistance in your power and ground cables to make sure you have a good chassis and engine ground.
07-05-08, 03:15 PM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Ok so I just went out there and tried to wiggle the key while in the start position but nothing. I popped the hood and had my brother turn the key while I listened and all that happens is after holding the key in the start position for about 2 seconds I can hear a clicking from the igniter then an odd buzzing from what sounds like the middle of the engine after that dead silence.
I then unplugged the igniter/plugged it back in and tried it and I could hear the same thing a CLICK, buzzing and dead silence.
I'm starting to wonder if its the ECU
I then unplugged the igniter/plugged it back in and tried it and I could hear the same thing a CLICK, buzzing and dead silence.
I'm starting to wonder if its the ECU
Last edited by Sup2jzgte; 07-05-08 at 03:36 PM.
07-05-08, 03:58 PM
#12
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
LOL ha ha now this is bothering me. As of 6:50 tonight I went back out turned the key.....nothing.....turn the key nothing...........turn the key a third time starts up perfect no issues, I shut it off and tried it three more time and it was fine. If it was a starter would it start every so often?
07-05-08, 04:18 PM
#13
Yes...
When you turn the key, you are hearing a click or no? If you hear a single click, then nothing, you are likely looking at a new starter. What happens is that some of the contacts in the starter go bad, so it takes a bit to get it to crank, but other times, it stops on the right contact, and fires right back up.
When you turn the key, you are hearing a click or no? If you hear a single click, then nothing, you are likely looking at a new starter. What happens is that some of the contacts in the starter go bad, so it takes a bit to get it to crank, but other times, it stops on the right contact, and fires right back up.
07-05-08, 04:22 PM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Yes...
When you turn the key, you are hearing a click or no? If you hear a single click, then nothing, you are likely looking at a new starter. What happens is that some of the contacts in the starter go bad, so it takes a bit to get it to crank, but other times, it stops on the right contact, and fires right back up.
When you turn the key, you are hearing a click or no? If you hear a single click, then nothing, you are likely looking at a new starter. What happens is that some of the contacts in the starter go bad, so it takes a bit to get it to crank, but other times, it stops on the right contact, and fires right back up.