Hi, new here and hoping to get some help. I’m currently in the middle of doing an engine swap from my wrecked 2012 IS350 into a 2008 IS250 chassis, and I’ve run into some electrical issues that I can’t seem to figure out. So far I’ve swapped over the ECM, ID code box, smart key module, and the odometer cluster. At this point I’m unsure what else needs to be transferred or matched for everything to work correctly.

Right now the car won’t crank or start. It doesn’t seem like a simple wiring issue , so I’m thinking it might be something related to immobilizer or module communication. I've read a bit about the steering lock module possibly causing issues, but I’m not sure how to find the IS350 steering lock or if its even compatible with the IS250 steering column.

If anyone has done this swap or has experience with Lexus immobilizer systems or CAN communication between modules, I’d really appreciate any advice on:

• What modules absolutely need to be swapped/matched
• Whether the steering lock module could be preventing crank
• Any common issues with IS250 → IS350 swaps
• Things I should check before going further

Happy to provide more details if needed

 

The steering locks are paired to each ECU in the car. So you would need to plug in the steering lock that was paired to all the ECUs you swapped over. The steering locks are also physically different between the cars with the power tilt steering column, and the manual-adjustable steering column. And yes, the steering lock will absolutely prevent the engine from cranking.

 

where and what does the steering lock look like?

 

Not sure if it's the same in the US, but in the UK 2008 is a weird year where even the trim level is totally different to pre and post facelift, it's called SR in the UK. I personally wouldn't try swapping anything between facelift and pre-facelift, there's always something that's different and a PITA and an engine swap would mean entirely different harness, a few ECUs, transmission, might just sell both cars or part them out and get another IS350, it's more trouble than it's worth but if you really want to do it there's a lot of trial and error, it's not very documented.

As for the steering lock, it's right under the steering column at the top close to the steering wheel and depending on if you have manual or electric steering column, it looks slightly different like Inactive said, also the bolts have to drilled out since they're security bolts that have no head:

Electric adjustment column (2 bolts):

Manual adjustment column (1 bolt):

 

The swap is fully finished, but I’m having trouble getting the car to crank. Everything has mostly been direct plug in, so I’m not sure what I’m missing. I’m thinking I may need to look into the steering lock as that could be the issue. but I cant seem to find it on the is350

 

You need to swap over the steering lock from the car you’re swapping stuff over from. The steering locks are coded to the cars, so if you’re swapping parts from an IS350 over, you need to also bring the steering lock from that exact same car in order for the system to work.

The steering lock is right on the steering column, you can’t miss it.

 

wondering if u could convert the manual steering lock to the electronic one since the 2012 has the manual. Also I’ve tried connecting it before I took everything off the car and still did not crank so I’m unsure if it’s even the steering lock anymore.