Need advice!
05-24-16, 11:55 AM
#1
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Need advice!
I've learned so much about my Lexus RX 300, using manuals and getting a lot of great advice here on clublexus. I am at a point where I must decide to sell this car as is or sell for parts... I'm not really sure what to do. It is a silver 2003 Lexus RX 300 with 191,000 miles, automatic, fully loaded. Additionally it has a multi-disk cd changer and roof racks. Original mats, etc.
Issues: it cranks, won't start. Not sure if it's the ECU or not, board looks normal. Apparently there is no power, no ground to the ECU. After checking the fuses, the starter fuse (cabin panel) and also the headlight fuses (main engine fuse box) are all showing no circuit. The relays are getting power, because it cranks, but will not start.
There is a part of the muffler assembly that needs to be replaced, part is between resonator and catalytic converter where one of the O2 sensors comes in. Needs new tires and just in the last week, some jerk driving too fast past our house must have kicked up a rock and it shattered the drivers side 3rd window (the one that looks into the trunk, but on the side).
Kelly Blue Book Value listed it's price in fair condition as $4000 to sell to a private person, but since it's not actually moving, I'm sure that price is less.
Would love to get some advice on what to do.
Understand that I am a parent on an extremely tight budget, so I need to get as much as I can out of this.
Thanks in advance!
-Christa
Issues: it cranks, won't start. Not sure if it's the ECU or not, board looks normal. Apparently there is no power, no ground to the ECU. After checking the fuses, the starter fuse (cabin panel) and also the headlight fuses (main engine fuse box) are all showing no circuit. The relays are getting power, because it cranks, but will not start.
There is a part of the muffler assembly that needs to be replaced, part is between resonator and catalytic converter where one of the O2 sensors comes in. Needs new tires and just in the last week, some jerk driving too fast past our house must have kicked up a rock and it shattered the drivers side 3rd window (the one that looks into the trunk, but on the side).
Kelly Blue Book Value listed it's price in fair condition as $4000 to sell to a private person, but since it's not actually moving, I'm sure that price is less.
Would love to get some advice on what to do.
Understand that I am a parent on an extremely tight budget, so I need to get as much as I can out of this.
Thanks in advance!
-Christa
05-24-16, 12:32 PM
#3
Moderator
If you decide to sell in parts or full, CL only allows it through classified and to post there, there are some requirements.
The maximum return is by parting it out, but that process may take longer and you have to think what you would do with the carcass and unsold parts. Your neighborhood association may have some input in this situation.
Without the vehicle running, expect low ball offers ,, well you can even get those when everything is working.
You have one more option of donating the vehicle to a charitable cause. Any financial benefit will depend upon your Tax situation.
Trade as is also can give you more than the low ball offers, but dont expect much better.
Having it fixed and then sell is yet another way to go.
Salim
PS: If this thread starts taking the shape of sell and buy, I or another mod will lock it per Forum rules.
The maximum return is by parting it out, but that process may take longer and you have to think what you would do with the carcass and unsold parts. Your neighborhood association may have some input in this situation.
Without the vehicle running, expect low ball offers ,, well you can even get those when everything is working.
You have one more option of donating the vehicle to a charitable cause. Any financial benefit will depend upon your Tax situation.
Trade as is also can give you more than the low ball offers, but dont expect much better.
Having it fixed and then sell is yet another way to go.
Salim
PS: If this thread starts taking the shape of sell and buy, I or another mod will lock it per Forum rules.
05-24-16, 01:56 PM
#5
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
If you decide to sell in parts or full, CL only allows it through classified and to post there, there are some requirements.
The maximum return is by parting it out, but that process may take longer and you have to think what you would do with the carcass and unsold parts. Your neighborhood association may have some input in this situation.
Without the vehicle running, expect low ball offers ,, well you can even get those when everything is working.
You have one more option of donating the vehicle to a charitable cause. Any financial benefit will depend upon your Tax situation.
Trade as is also can give you more than the low ball offers, but dont expect much better.
Having it fixed and then sell is yet another way to go.
Salim
PS: If this thread starts taking the shape of sell and buy, I or another mod will lock it per Forum rules.
The maximum return is by parting it out, but that process may take longer and you have to think what you would do with the carcass and unsold parts. Your neighborhood association may have some input in this situation.
Without the vehicle running, expect low ball offers ,, well you can even get those when everything is working.
You have one more option of donating the vehicle to a charitable cause. Any financial benefit will depend upon your Tax situation.
Trade as is also can give you more than the low ball offers, but dont expect much better.
Having it fixed and then sell is yet another way to go.
Salim
PS: If this thread starts taking the shape of sell and buy, I or another mod will lock it per Forum rules.
I know there are rules on the classified side, but I wasn't going that route with this post, just looking for ideas!
Thanks again!!
-Christa
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05-25-16, 05:00 AM
#9
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Have you checked all the ground connections? Sounds like you need to do more troubleshooting, don't give up on that yet. Trust me, I know how frustrating it can be (just went thru a HORRIBLE timing belt job myself).
One of the things about working on the car, is that it's like a lifetime experience all in one day. Full of ups and downs, it's a rollercoaster.
During one day I went thru 5-6 lows (REAL lows) and couple of highs as stuff gets done.
ALWAYS remain positive and optimistic is the key.
If you are getting crank but no start, it sound like your car might not be getting spark, air or fuel. I would start there. How did you end up at ECU btw?
One of the things about working on the car, is that it's like a lifetime experience all in one day. Full of ups and downs, it's a rollercoaster.
During one day I went thru 5-6 lows (REAL lows) and couple of highs as stuff gets done.
ALWAYS remain positive and optimistic is the key.
If you are getting crank but no start, it sound like your car might not be getting spark, air or fuel. I would start there. How did you end up at ECU btw?
05-25-16, 05:09 AM
#10
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Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Florida
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05-25-16, 01:06 PM
#11
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
Have you checked all the ground connections? Sounds like you need to do more troubleshooting, don't give up on that yet. Trust me, I know how frustrating it can be (just went thru a HORRIBLE timing belt job myself).
One of the things about working on the car, is that it's like a lifetime experience all in one day. Full of ups and downs, it's a rollercoaster.
During one day I went thru 5-6 lows (REAL lows) and couple of highs as stuff gets done.
ALWAYS remain positive and optimistic is the key.
If you are getting crank but no start, it sound like your car might not be getting spark, air or fuel. I would start there. How did you end up at ECU btw?
One of the things about working on the car, is that it's like a lifetime experience all in one day. Full of ups and downs, it's a rollercoaster.
During one day I went thru 5-6 lows (REAL lows) and couple of highs as stuff gets done.
ALWAYS remain positive and optimistic is the key.
If you are getting crank but no start, it sound like your car might not be getting spark, air or fuel. I would start there. How did you end up at ECU btw?
I had a sunroof leak, which I have since fixed, by the time I figured out the issue it was winter, so it had to wait. During that time I had condensation running down the inside of the windshield behind the dash. I took part of it apart and dried it all out and noticed some rust on the outside of the metal ECU box, so I removed the ECU to inspect it. There was only 1 capacitor that looked a bit dark in the top of it, but it doesn't relate to my issue. The rest of the board was great, no issues. I put the ECU back in the car and it is exactly the same as it was before, cranking, but no start.
So... Either my ECU is completely shot, or it's a fuse issue.
05-31-16, 04:37 PM
#12
Pit Crew
Thread Starter
If you decide to sell in parts or full, CL only allows it through classified and to post there, there are some requirements.
The maximum return is by parting it out, but that process may take longer and you have to think what you would do with the carcass and unsold parts. Your neighborhood association may have some input in this situation.
Without the vehicle running, expect low ball offers ,, well you can even get those when everything is working.
You have one more option of donating the vehicle to a charitable cause. Any financial benefit will depend upon your Tax situation.
Trade as is also can give you more than the low ball offers, but dont expect much better.
Having it fixed and then sell is yet another way to go.
Salim
PS: If this thread starts taking the shape of sell and buy, I or another mod will lock it per Forum rules.
The maximum return is by parting it out, but that process may take longer and you have to think what you would do with the carcass and unsold parts. Your neighborhood association may have some input in this situation.
Without the vehicle running, expect low ball offers ,, well you can even get those when everything is working.
You have one more option of donating the vehicle to a charitable cause. Any financial benefit will depend upon your Tax situation.
Trade as is also can give you more than the low ball offers, but dont expect much better.
Having it fixed and then sell is yet another way to go.
Salim
PS: If this thread starts taking the shape of sell and buy, I or another mod will lock it per Forum rules.
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