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96 ES300 Initial Start Trouble

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Old Jul 24, 2008 | 03:40 AM
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Question 96 ES300 Initial Start Trouble

Hey Fellas,

I am having some initial starting issues:

When cold or sitting for more than 5 minutes (still warm) it takes 3-5 seconds of crank to start. If I shut her off and start her up, she starts immediately. Runs like new, shifts smoothly & quite as a whistle.

I've done the following, after my 1st CEL (EGR IF & Bank 1, Sensor1)

I replaced:

EGR
Both O2 Sensors

WIIT (While I'm In There) I did the following:

Oil and Filter Change
Air Filter Change
Fuel Filter Change
PCV Change
New Spark Plugs
New Battery

2nd CEL (Random Misfires, 2,4,6)

Replaced EGR VMV (failed to hold vacuum)

Cleaned:
MAF
Throttle Body
ICV

I am suspecting either the Starter or VCV. It seems the starter just struggles while at rest and once in use within 5 minutes will start right up.

If I press the gas she will start a bit faster but I hate doing this because when she is cold it is not a good thing.

Oh yeah, prior to all the work above, she smoked like crazy when I tried to start her up with long crank.

Anyone have any thoughts?

TIA,

Jim

BTW, the ES is my Lady's car and she is amazed at the new performance but I am not happy with the initial start issue, can't believe she was driving it like the way it was.

Last edited by DRACO A5OG; Jul 24, 2008 at 03:49 AM.
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Old Jul 24, 2008 | 03:15 PM
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Update:

This morning she started right up, ran perfect for 45+ miles round trip, A/C on, 80+ MPH FWY, 800 RPMs Steady at Stops, strange will keep an eye on her and advise.
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Old Jul 24, 2008 | 11:47 PM
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Crap!

This evening my CEL from Hell came back with P0300, P0302, P0304 & P0306.

Then an hour later went off but still registered the DTC on the OBD.

I am thinking maybe I have defective O2 Sensor on Bank 2 that may be effecting the ECU somehow. I disconnected it and there was no change at idle. I replace it and see what happens.
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 12:10 PM
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The 3-5 second cranking bothered me when I first purchased my 94' ES, but the consensus seemed to be that that was the norm for these cars, just a quirk they have. I had my car fully diagnosed by Lexus before I bought it, and they said it was in perfect running order as well.

I did, however, do 3 Seafoam treatments recently, and althought I didnt notice much improvement overall, it did quicken my crank time up a bit, more like 2-3 seconds now, and I dont notice a delay anymore.

Last edited by kevster; Jul 27, 2008 at 12:14 PM.
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Old Jul 27, 2008 | 03:44 PM
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Hmmm, That seems so intolerable.

I get the dreaded CEL P0300, P0302, P0304, P0306 then it resets itself after an hour of good fires and run.

It went on again today but she runs perfectly just initial start issue and on occasion rough idle which trips the CEL.

I need to check the coil pack and plugs again.
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Old Aug 2, 2008 | 04:37 PM
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Update:

Changed to NGK Iridiums, checked the pre-gap .43.

Now I get only P0300, P0302, P0304.

I am stumped, all vacuum hose are connected, cleaned everthing.

Just can't understand why only the 2nd bank is miss firing. At least #6 is Ok now.
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