I inherited a 2003 GX470 with 260k miles on it. The car seems to be in pretty good shape for the miles and age and was dealer maintained until about up until 2012 when it had 230k miles on it.

By the time I got it last month, the car had been sitting for about 8 months without being started, had a completely dead battery.


I'v replaced the battery and now the car starts. I am able to drive the car only after pushing the override switch near the shifter to get it out of park. It basically drives fine. Sifts and accelerates well, idles smooth.

It has every possible warning light on: vsc, check engine, abs and etc.

With the exception of the horn and instrument panel nothing else electrical is operational: climate control, windows, head lights, brake lights, turn signals, radio, mirrors, door locks and etc.

The car will not start with an obd2 scanner attached. If I connect the obd2 scanner after the car is running it will not connect or turn in. I have tried three different obd2 scanners.

I have pulled out and check every single fuse both in the box under the hood and under the dash. None are blown and all are the correct amperage.

As only the bare essentials are working to drive the car, I am guessing the computer is in some sort of protective/emergency only mode.

Does anyone have any ideas what I should try before I turn it over to the dealer?

Thanks in advance.

 

Now that the computer has been woken up, try resetting it. Disconnect the negative battery terminal, wait a minute, then reconnect it.

Chip H.

 

Hit the brake pedal after disconnecting the neg. terminal, and it will purge the system of any remaining charge when it lights the brake lights, THEN wait a ,minute and reconnect it. Report back with an update.

 

I was going to suggest touching the two battery cables together, but I like your answer better.

Chip H.

 

Been there, done thatdone that ( all of the above) and for kicks I did it all again today - while neg terminal disconnected i hit the brakes, hit the horn, even turned the ignition. I then let the car sit with the terminal disconnected for 4 hours... I just tried connecting the battery terminal this evening - no change.

One thing to note: I keep the battery disconnected and only connect it when tinker with it. Do i need to leave it connected and let the computer fully boot.. : - ). I have no idea.

What's next?

thanks for the responses.

 

I would poke around for evidence of wire harness damage in the engine bay...

Sounds like if it has sat for as long as it has, a mouse or other rodent may have made a nice home and chewed through some wires...

 

Check under the dash too, they have a tendency to get inside when cars sit unattended for ages.

Also, check the switch on the brake pedal that actually controls the solenoid on the shift lever. After sitting for so long, it might be gummed up and stuck, which therefore would not be telling the computer that you were putting the brakes on at all... hense why you wouldnt be able to shift out of park.