I recently purchased a 1995 Lexus LS400 from an Auto Auction in my area. The car didn't run when I bought it and I got it for a great deal. I started working on it and put in a brand new battery, fuel pump, fuel filter, spark plugs and wires, ignition caps and rotors. When I crank the car it sounds absolutely great but refuses to fire. I know it's getting fuel but when I pulled a plug wire and tested to see if it had spark I found it was not arking at all. I cranked the car for about 20 seconds with a buddy watching for a spark and the plug wire arked one time. When it did spark the car almost started.

I know now that this is an issue involving the spark on the car. I was aware that to troubleshoot this issue it is wise to replace the plugs, wires, caps, and rotors (which I have already done).

So I'm wondering what is the next logical step if the car isn't making a spark? Are there any other parts that I need to replace/test?

 

Hi,
Lack of a spark could be down to the crankshaft position sensor located low down near the crank pulley.
This device tells the ECU the position of the engine pistons and when to supply a spark at the correct time,if it has failed no sparks will be produced.

 

steve2006, you were absolutely right, the crankshaft position sensor was somehow semi melted and had lots of play. I had my buddy crank it and pushed it in with a screwdriver and it fired with no problems. I got a new sensor and the car ran great... for about 5 minutes.

After warm up I revved the motor and all of a sudden the car died. We looked under the hood and found that one of the pulleys was broken... I have no idea what this pulley does as a belt doesn't run around it (guessing something with the timing)? Going to tig weld the pulley back together sometime this week and see what happens.

If anyone knows what pulley I'm talking about I would like to learn more.

 

can you send a picture of the pulley and its location

 

I will try to get one posted tomorrow