I have a 2001 Lexus ES300 with 161,000 miles. I just bought in December. The guy worked at the local dealership and it was his personal car. Says it was maintained, fluid flushes every 30,000 miles, oil every 3,000, timing belt at 95,000.

Now it will start but not stay cranked. It has struggled for the last week the couple times I've driven, to crank. I put gas in the other day and it almost didn't start.

I've tried cranking several times. I know nothing about cars! After trying a few times, I stopped because I smelled a funny smell, like plastic or something. I've tried different keys, locking and unlocking like I saw online elsewhere, and I'm at a lost. I'm so upset and frustrated!

Advice????

 

Get it to Autozone. They can run a diagnostic... May be spark plugs...?

 

probably need to clean the throttle body and idle air control valve? Seems like a common issue as the car ages. My IACV was actually replaced for around $350 (versus cleaned) which made my starts regular once again.

With my issue, as the car cranked I had to give it some gas and keep the rpms above 3-4k for a little bit. Then the car would run fine. I would think if you keep cranking the starter you could damage it...

No worries the car will be reliable and relatively cheap to maintain once this is fixed. I would consider this as a very rare maintenance item.

 

My guess is it's the battery. Have it load tested at Auto Zone or your local mechanic.

 

I'm confused by what you are describing. Is it turning over and starting but then stalling out or is it turning over very slow or ??

 

If you are not mechanically inclined or have knowledge about cars, I suggest you take it to a mechanic. Or just play the guessing game.

 

Thanks for all the help! I called the guy I bought the car from who works for Lexus.

I somehow or someone else, set off the theft deterent system. Trying to crank it so many times flooded the engine with gas.

To reset the system I had to have the car unlocked, put the key in the door, lock the car. Then pull the key out and wait for the lights to go off. Then put the key back in the door and unlock the car. After that I had to hold the gas down and crank the car. I kept holding the gas until rpm's dropped and that's when the engine had burned off all the flooded gas. Took about a minute to burn off the gas. Car is fine!

I'm so glad it wasn't something major but I feel like an idiot for setting off the security system! LOL