JVRudnick

Hi all...

New member, first post...did search for this particular issue but couldn't find any spot-on answers...

My 97 LS 400 has a fairly new battery, starts up perfectlyl until this am.

When I turn the key the dash lights up (lotsa power) but instead of hearing the crank, all it does is plays like a short 3 second tune - like do-re-me-fa-so.....

As you can prob tell, I'm NOT a car guy....could someone offer a pointer?

Oh, I did lend the car to my wife yesterday - first time she's ever driven same so I'm wondering if something she might have done when she turned it off in the driveway might have been "wrong?"

And as i said, lotsa power in the battery, radio, lights, horn, tilt steering wheel etc all are find...but no crank???...just that dang tune???

Pointer here lads?

JVRudnick

Hi all...

in my searches for the problem I'm having where my LS wont even crank yet there's tons of power in the battery & it plays a short tune to me - I have noticed that many 'start' threads have an answer to - put key to on position & leave for 6mins & turn off & turn on to start?

what does this actually 'do' and the manual doesn't seem to have that fix in same....

???

LScowboyLS

can you buy or borrow an OBD-II scanner and dump the diagnostic codes and report them here, a scanner such as this $18 one

you hook it up at the OBD-II connector under the trunk/gas release lever area near your left leg when in the driving position

JVRudnick

Um...guess I could...but do I suspect as a guy here who knows his stuff - that if you dunno a quick answer then it's gonna be expensivve???

LScowboyLS

there are several of the world's foremost Lexus experts here, but we need a little to go on, there are 50+ different reasons a '97 LS400 might not start, even the dealership would start by scanning the ECU to see what's going on!

most LS400 problems are actually really low cost to repair if you can turn a wrench!

JVRudnick

;-) wrench is not something i own nor can use i'm afraid...

could you offer - has there ever "been" a thread here with the same issue as my own? all I hear when I turn the key is a simple 5 note scale....do-re-me-fa-so and that's it.

:-(

LScowboyLS

I am drawing a blank on the "tune" (but granted I haven't had my afternoon coffee yet!)

the OBD-II scanner just plugs in to a connector, no tools required!

JVRudnick

Sorry...maybe "tune" isnt such a good term...

Its a computer set of beeps...5 of them...that simply plays like a piano set of keys...

C-d-e-f-g -- type of very quick error message i'd think...this is VERY common in my mind as an audible error mesage for a user...

I come from more tahn 30 years of Cadillac ownerships...so the Lexus is new to me...but i cant be the only one whose ever heard it?

Anyone ever turned the key and NOT heard the starter crank but this 3 sec audible ???

Largefarva

Got a way to record it and link to it here? Could be any number of things but we need a better description to start with, you could try putting it in neutral and see if that changes anything. If not you could always try jump-starting it even though you don't think its a battery issue. Also, if you aren't familiar with cars and don't even own a wrench I'd be towing it to a reputable shop. There's nothing your wife could have done to cause this though, no wrong way to shut it off.

JM51526

I'd like to know this as well.

KYLS400

There are a number of things that could cause this - and LSCowboyLS is NOT a fan of jump-starting these computer controlled cars.
Unless you can provide more info, we can't even suggest anything.
I know if it was mine, the first thing I would do is clean the battery terminals.

YoshiMan

It almost sounds like an aftermarket security system which is acting up, Because I can't say I'm familiar with any Toyota's making a multi-note chime other that the 80's cressidas which play "Happy Birthday" when your big day comes.
One of the only real things that made me sad to sell mine!


Do you know if there is such a system on yours?

dc893

Have you disconnected the negative battery terminal for a few minutes?

YoshiMan

Check my post on your other thread. It sounds like an aftermarket security system wired in there somewhere thats decided to go haywire to me

JVRudnick

thanks Yoshiman - but the car is totally stock...so it's not that (but cool vid you u/l!)

can anyoen tho pls explain exactly what this 6 minute trick 'does' and it will work on my 97 right?

I am willing to try anything!!1