Chin

iTrader: (34)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...K%3AMEWNX%3AIT

The car was supposedly sitting for a little under a year. Person I purchased it from says it was driving fine when they brought it in, but they lost the keys, so the car sat for a while. Guy seems like an honest person and I don't think he would suggest starting the vehicle if it didn't run. I am usually very good at sniffing out someone who is full of sh&t, but this guy seemed genuine.

I made a replacement key and tried to start the car, I really wanted to wait and replace the gas but we were having trouble at first getting the car on the car carrier, so we wanted to see if we could drive it on there. The car turns over fine, idles/runs for maybe a second, then dies? Engine sounds very strong and smooth. I need a new radiator and battery but don't want to purchase one until this no idle/run issue is fixed . I tightened the battery cables yesterday as they were loose and the battery has been re-charged overnight. Battery is strong enough to crank the car 5 or 6 times and crank it very quickly (spins the starter nicely). Battery is permanently hooked up to a charger for now, so battery voltage/strength is not the issue. The car was donated to a charity, so original owner may have had an intermittent problem? I do see that most of the wires under the hood have a 1/4 inch or so of their electrical tape / loom removed at the connectors. It seems as if a previous mechanic was probing almost everything under the hood to find a fault at some point in the cars life.

I really want to get this car running and running today, I only paid 1k for the car and can definitely part it out for more than that, but I want to fix it and start modding. Car is damn near perfect cosmetically except for missing paint on both bumpers and a fender. Interior will clean up nice and no odors.

Any and all help / advice is appreciated. I may even throw in a reward (honor system) to the person that helps me fix it. Well, I am off to the back yard to try and get this thing running. Thanks for listening.

Chin

iTrader: (34)

Couple of quick questions:

1. Does the 1997 model have the fuel pump ECU in the trunk like the earlier LS400's? If so is it in the trunk on the passenger side like earlier models? If it does, I want to try and bypass it.

2. Is the main ECU still behind the glove box? This year has the dual glove box sort of set up because the CD changer is up front. I just want to check it for leaky caps even though I don't think the 1997's had the ECU problems like the earlier models?

damon

Sounds to me like an aftermarket theft device is shutting down the ignition??

RA40

iTrader: (6)

The car may be fine overall but you are screwed in the absence of a master key. The '97 has a transponder built into the key that works with the ignition immobilizer. Without the master to program the succeeding keys, you are out of luck short of a new ECU.

As the new owner so long as you have registration papers, you can contact the Lexus parts dept and see if just a key can be ordered. If not, the ECU and new key will be required.

You can probably part it out and get some good $$. If so, I would like the tan front driver and passenger seat belts.

Chin

iTrader: (34)

You sure? I thought that started in 1998?

Chin

iTrader: (34)

Nah. Car is bone stock with the exception of a radar detector (built-in) that I just removed.

MicahBerry

While my experience with an immobilizer is limited, your description precisely reflects what my daughter's car does when the copy key (not properly coded) is used to start the car (a Mazda). The master key starts the car with no issue at all.

If you are sure that the copy key has a transponder, Billy Powell posted this thread at the Lexus Owners Club:

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=66517

I'm not sure that the process is the same for a 97, but it couldn't hurt to try.

Good luck!
Micah

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

yeah, lexus intro'd engine immobilizers in '97 for some reason.

Chin

iTrader: (34)

RA40. I thank you and everyone else that chimed in. I love this forum. 50.00 goes to RA40! I spent half the day testing all the sensors in the car, I was starting to think it was the computer. Locksmith re-flashed the car in 20 min.

RA40 send me a PM with your address. 50.00 gift card to Hooters goes to you!

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Good deal...happy it worked out. Not necessary for the "reward" but thanks. Apply that to any maintenance that might come up.

Chin

iTrader: (34)

Thanks again. I spent half the day testing basically every fuse, relay, sensor in the car...

lmn8

iTrader: (1)

congrats..car looks amazingly clean

black_LS

Glad you got it sorted. What exactly did the locksmith do?

Chin

iTrader: (34)

He was literally at my house for 20 min. and I think he was milking the job. He does tons of work for the Lexus dealers in Long Island, NY so I new I had the right guy from the job.

I bought the car with no keys. I told a dealer in Chicago this and that particular dealer told me since its a 1997, there is no transponder in the key, just a regular key. So he cut me a key from the VIN and it opened the doors and it started the car for one second, then the car shut of (every time).

Come to find out with the help of you guys and another Lexus dealer in NY who was more thorough when researching my car - verified that my LS does indeed have a transponder key.

The locksmith pulled some sort of unit from under the glove box area, assuming it's the anti theft unit. He brought it into his van, he came out of his van plugged it back in the car, then he got into the car with the freshly cut transponder key, closed all the doors, did some sequence and the car started on the first try. 300.00 for about 20-30 min. of work