autorun

Hi all,

Mine is a 2015 ES350. I drove it normally on last Friday. Today Monday morning, the car can't be started. Other symptoms are no any lights, stiff brake, shift locked in parking position, no clank with a jump starter.

The battery connection is tight; I also tried both keys and holding it right next to the start button.
It seems like the car system is shut down.

Any suggestion? I may call AAA to tow to dealer. However, the shift is in parking mode. Is there any way I can override the shift to N?

Best regards,
James

Mike728

I would call your dealer and let them come and get it.

This sounds like the semi-common dead battery issue. Not sure why a jump start won't work, though.

Good luck and keep us updated!

bc6152

Once the hook lifts the front wheels it doesn't matter if it's in Park. BTW, I think your dealer will tow it for free under the warranty.

zes

A 2015 ES?? They better tow it for free AND give you a free loner..

autorun

Thank bc6152. My car is currently inside the garage. I just wonder how can I pull it outside for towing if the shift is in 'P'.

Best regards,
James

bc6152

Well I've seen cars pulled by the rear when the front wheels are locked by the trans, i.e. locked in park position. I don't know the ramifications of doing this and even if it's injurious to the car. However, I've also seen where dollies are placed under the front wheels and the car is lifted by the back, pulled out to get it in position, then lifted by the front.

offroad200

As with any automatic car, there is a button that let's you put the transmission on neutral for situations like this. It's under a small cover next to the shifter.

bc6152

Good Info, Thanks! Always something to learn...

autorun

Same here ... thx both bc6152 and offroad200

Originally Posted by offroad200 View Post
As with any automatic car, there is a button that let's you put the transmission on neutral for situations like this. It's under a small cover next to the shifter.
Good Info, Thanks! Always something to learn...

pab12

>As with any automatic car, there is a button that let's you put the transmission on neutral for situations like this.

Ummm, do Toyota automatic transmissions not have a parking pawl
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parking_pawl)? Not sure how you can get the car to roll without disengaging it.

To get a FWD car out of a garage I believe they would jack the front end up and place a wheeled dolly under the front wheels and then pull the car out.
=================================
My karma just ran over your dogma
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '08 Jaguar S-Type 4.2

offroad200

I don't know. I just know it's called a shift lock override button. Upon further review of the owner's manual, it does state to put the car in "ACCESSORY" mode first. So that wouldn't help out the OP as his car has no power.

pab12

>I don't know. I just know it's called a shift lock override button.

Ok, understand a bit better. It's so you can disengage the parking pawl by moving the shifter without have to have the engine running:

http://www.justanswer.com/lexus/7h3o...can-t-car.html

larrytstar

I've done this. There is a small square to the left of the shifter. Pry it our with a small screwdriver. Then put a screwdriver or the key (extracted from the fob) into the hole and push down. It will release the shifter so you can shift into neutral and roll the car freely.

autorun

Hi Larry,

I found the small square and pry it out. However, I didn't figure out that I need to push it down.

Thanks for the tip.

autorun

Hi all,

Update:
I used my portable jump starter and it didn't work at the beginning. The same jump starter could jump my another Chrysler 4L engine.

Right before I called the dealer, I pulled over the Chrysler to jump start between 2 cars.

Amazingly, it worked

I thought my portable jump starter couldn't jump a completely dead battery. Once it was started, I noticed an overhead light was on. Hence, it was my bad to leave the light on for a few days

Thank all.
James