I bought a 2008 es350 that had been sitting outside for three years. 150k miles. I put in a new battery and drove it home; all good. The fob battery was dead, but was able to hold it against the start button and the car started. A day later, still with dead fob, I started it but it died right away. Then it just cranked and felt like no fuel was being sent along. Now, the next day, with a fresh battery in the fob, the start button doesn’t light up, and no action when pushing it. The door open light works, seat can adjust, headlights come on, dome lights work, but nothing else regarding the ignition . Checked the fuses and nothing looks bad. No change when jumping it. Voltage is 12.4. Any guidance is appreciated! Otherwise I’ll get it towed to Lexus as I’ve reached my limits as to what could be wrong.

 

Does the dash say anything?

 

The dash is blank; only the open door light is on.

 

Maybe try reseating the battery inside the FOB. Is the fob next to another fob for another car? Maybe there is interference.

Check if the ground to the battery is tightly secure. Check the other end looks good. Might be some electrical gremlins from sitting for 3 years (mice can do wonderful things). Was the gas replaced? Maybe bad gas, gas is low, or both. Although I'm sure the ignition switch should light up. Is the security light on the dashboard lighting up?

When the button doesn't light up, is that for both positions ACC and IG-ON, or just one?

You can try an emergency start procedure.

1. Set the parking brake
2. Set the shift lever to P (PARK)
3. Set the engine switch to ACC Mode (Press the button once, even if it doesn't light up)
4. Push and hold the engine switch for about 15 seconds while depressing the brake pedal firmly (press hard)

If the above steps don't work, you can try the same procedure except WITHOUT pressing the brake.

Also, any signs that a drink spilled near the shift lever? From what I understand the immobilizer system has some wiring in that area.

Try following this as well. Also opening and closing the door while from inside the car will cause the car to try and communicate with the key again.



Which fuse did you check, the fuse should be AM2,

 

Thanks, I'll try that tonight. FOB works for doors. The security light does blink. I think it did stay lit when it would start then immediately die a couple days ago, before all went dark. The Start button is dark for both positions. I am able to lock/unlock the doors with the FOB from inside the car. If I take the battery out of the FOB and hold the fob to the start button, the message says to depress the brake and push start. But of course nothing happens when I do that...
Thanks for your advice/guidance. It feels like something simple is wrong, but feelings can be misleading. No drink spill near shifter. The car did have water in the trunk and rear seating area behind drivers seat from a sunroof leak ( I think).

 

Did you check the fuses?

 

I checked am2 fuse and it is good. Tried the emergency procedure above with no luck. The fob opens doors and trunk, and Interior lights come on. Brake lights work. Guess I’ll Jack it up tomorrow and look for mice damage, though I don’t see how I could have driven it for a day if mice damage is there. Any ideas out there? I’ve seen people post this issue, but they don’t post the resolution

 

Please try to remove the negative and let it sit for 30 mins. Maybe it needs a reset. I bet it has something to do with the immobiliser.

 

I pulled all fuses including bolted ones: all are good. Pulled battery for 1/2 hour and no change. Dash is still dark. I did notice that if I use the fob to lock/unlock the doors a couple times, the start button lights up green, but it still doesn’t do anything upon pushing, and no amber light on the start button. I didn’t see any wires chewed. Is the signal from the fob different for ignition than the signal for the doors/trunk?

 

What happens if you try to start the engine without the key inside?


Open all windows, get out of the car, let the key inside and try to lock the door (if it detects the key inside). If yes, you will hear a long beeeeeep.

 

There is no accessory mode available, so I can’t roll down the windows. The dash and start button are dark and do nothing. I found some sort of nest in the cabin air filter, made of whole bamboo leaves. Bizarre; no idea how an creature got into the car with those. I now fear there may be a nest elsewhere behind the dash that is the cause of all this. Is it difficult to take out the dash?

 

Yep, there it is. Possibly got in there from the interior, I think it's harder from the outside. You should pull the rear seats and check under there as well.
This is the process for the dash, it is quite intensive. Maybe you can get a little camera and find a way to stick it somewhere in the dash. Or maybe you can remove the center part of the dash (The panel with the AC controls). That isn't too difficult. The start button will be right there and you can probably take a good look around and better access with a small camera.
Here is a video of that

Removing the entire dash is a very intensive and long process. Here is a video

The main ECU I think is on the opposite side of the AC cabin air filter in the engine compartment. Maybe you can check the connectors and wires there?

 

It is not an easy task.

Try this method: Lock the door with the key, wait 5 min, press unlock on fob, then unlock/lock 3 times with the key, and finally start car by pressing fob onto start button.

 

I was able to remove the glove box and clear out the rest of the creature nest. I removed the area around the shifter and radio, but no sign of any chewed wires/creature activity. I checked all the fuses inside the cab as well, none blown. A couple questions, if you please. While the fob clearly sends a signal to the car (it locks/unlocks doors) does that automatically mean that the car sends a signal to the fob and is received? If not, How would I check that the car is sending a signal?
If the brake lights go on when pedal is depressed, can I assume that the brake switch circuit to the ignition is good as well?

Thank you for your time and advice.

 

There is a device for certificate/ID on lock/unlock and start. It is located between the engine wall and the HVAC. Very hard to get to it.
I think that device lost it's communication with the key when it comes to starting the engine. Maybe there is the nest or some sort of damage from the jerries.


If you see the brake lights when you turn on the car, then your switch is fine.

Did you try the last method?