I have a '97, and the car stalls intermittently right after starting the car.
When the car turns over and starts, it idles under 1k for 1/2 second, and it just stalls. It will continue to do this until I gas while starting. I would need to gas it and give it a quick rev and spike it near redline and let go. Then it will idle normally and I can drive off.

Doing a search, I found that it could possibly be the AFM. I purchased one and installed it. It didn't work.

Has anyone experienced this issue? What could it be? clogged vacuum hose somewhere? If so, which one? Injectors? Fuel filter? fuel pump? TPS?

Thanks

Things to know:
Doesn't matter if car is cold or warm (intermittent)
Timing belt changed at 90k by dealer
spark plugs changed after this issue started (routine maintenaince along w/ oil change)
car has 150k miles
Premium gas all it's life
Put in a bottle of techron 300 miles ago (one full tank ago)

The CEL does come on along w/ all other lights after it stalls, but after doing the revving routine and the car is running, the lights are all gone. Will the CEL code still be there if I hook up an OBDII tool to it? Or does the CEL not on mean there is no code to read?

 

Definitely sounds like the throttle body is clogged up and requires to be cleaned out. Do a search for "clean throttle body" in this forum, but basically it requires you to disconnect all the hoses and airbox that lead up to the throttle body. Then you need to get some carbon/throttle body cleaner spray, some used rags, a long screwdriver to clean deep inside the throttle body, and hit it up with those things. You can get the TB spray from an auto parts store like Autozone or Advance Auto Parts. This whole process can be done by yourself and within an hour at most.

 

Clean the IAC, EGR valves & Throttle body.
Fix any vacuum leaks you have.


I have never seen (in real life) or on the internet one of these Denso genII AFM's fail without justification (i.e. someone okayed with it & broke it)

 

check the intake pipe for leaks as well.

 

Thanks everyone. So last night I cleaned the TB with some carb cleaner. This morning, so far so good. This typically happens once every 5-7 days, so I'll keep you posted.

Spent a good hour carefully removing all the oil build-up. In 150k miles, i don't think anyone has ever cleaned it. It was a bloody mess. I'll clean Air Control Valve and EGR tonight.

I checked for torn vacuum hoses, but didn't see any. Thanks again, all your help has been invaluable since I'm still so new to the Lexus.

 

Good deal, let us know how it goes.

 

Well after a couple of days, the car has been idling like perfection. The idle no longer hesitates. The stalling engine is something of the past.

A simple and thorough cleaning of everything was all it really needed.
Clublexus kicks ***!

now, back to that airbox mod thread I saw...

 

Glad to hear it all worked out mistertam. on a job well done