I'm new to the forum and I'm hoping someone can help me out with this problem I have. I own a 2007 Lexus IS 250. Here's my story: The car started to make a noise when turning either right or left. Long story short, it was a faulty steering rack. I ordered one online and let the car sit on my driveway not wanting to drive it (a period of two weeks). One day I was forced to drive it and noticed the "check vsc" light came on along with the trac light and caution main light. I didn't give it much thought as I figured it was something with the faulty steering rack. Once the rack arrived I had it replaced by a friend who's a mechanic. I was with him while he worked on it. Pretty basic procedure (yes the battery was disconnected). Once the new rack was installed, the car would not start. It cranks and wants to start (maybe it actually does for a millisecond) but then it shuts off right after. I tried again and it doesn't even crank, just the clicking noise. I wait a few hours and it cranks again "starting" and shutting down again. At first I thought it was related to the rack, but the more research I've done points me otherwise. Now, I've tried everything I can think of: tightened the gas cap, checked all the fuses, checked the battery, I connected an OBD II scanner and it says "no link" so it's not even connecting to the ecu. Any ideas, suggestions, help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

Have you check the battery. New one might help.

 

Yes I have.

 

where are you located in CA?

 

My wife Is250 have issue with starting and the car died at gas station couple time, but after new battery She had no problem with starting.

 

I'm located in Palmdale, California.

 

try taking your car to a local shop or a lexus/toyota dealership bro.

 

dead cells in the battery.
get a new battery.
problem solved!!!

 

Yep, I agree, most likely the battery got weak from sitting for so long. Modern cars with all the electronics don't like weak batteries, causes all sorts of weird issues. I would say try trickle charging the battery overnight.

 

Either the battery is dead or you have to clean out your MAF sensor.. common problem. Let us know!

-Josh

 

Unless you accidentally left some electronic item on in the car to drain the battery, this may be the problem. Hopefully it will start right up if you jump start it...if it does start then go to an auto parts store that has the correct battery in stock and have them do a free test on your current battery to verify it is the culprit.

 

Check the "obd" fuse at the left side kick panel. It's most likely blown as to why the scanner can't link.
Put the battery on a charger or jump box and try starting it that way. Also check the ground bolt to chasis. This bolt gets oxidation and causes poor contact to body ground.

 

Thanks guys, really helped me a lot. So it turns out it was the battery. I'm still a little confused as I would check the battery and it read 12.4-12.6. A jump start wouldn't work either, but I took the battery to autozone, fought a little with them over warranty, and car started.

Now I have a check engine light with code "P0301 cylinder 1 misfire detected". Could this have arised from the car sitting around for so long? I was doing some research and looks like I should start with checking spark plugs and ignition coils? Thanks again.

 

^Give it some time for the car to re-learn everything. Over time it'll probably go away.

 

Ok, will do, I did forget to mention the first time I drove the car it would shake and wouldn't have the normal power. I drove it later on the day and the power seemed to come back.