Hi guys,

A friend of mine has a 1995 Lexus LS400 that will not start. It will run for a moment with starting fluid. Was told it was the fuel pump by a mechanic so she had it replaced and still will not start and about to give up. Car has around 198K miles and said the timing belt was replaced around 178K, so don't think that is it. Any advise/clues?

Thanks!

 

if the car is still running on starting fluid, it is still a fuel problem despite the pump being replaced. next would be injectors but those hardly ever go out. you certain the pump was replaced?

what kind of mechanic changes a fuel pump and gives the car back without further diagnosing and having the car actually drive away?!

 

Did you read the code? That's the important first step.
Other than that, I'd check the circuit opening relay preventing the DC supply to the pump.

 

If a mechanic says the fuel pump is the problem and it is not, then he/she or the business should pay for the part and the time to do the work. Do what the others have said here, then check for fuel pressure.

 

Also check the fuel pump transistor and relay

 

Thanks!

I don't think so. Thanks.

Thanks for all of the replies. It is my understanding it was replaced by a "shade tree" mechanic that went to her home and replaced it and car still will not start and now saying don't know what is wrong. I was just wanting to see if anyone had had a similar experience that could give me some info to relay to her. She is thinking about selling the car to get something smaller. I wouldn't mind having the car myself to use as a work car. I wouldn't want to buy it non running however.

I will relay this other info to her and see if she wants him to check it out again, or maybe someone else. Thanks!

(btw, I can relate to the frustration. I have a '15 Hyundai that is under warranty for 10 years/100k miles, so no worries there, but also have a '91 Cadillac I was using as a work car. I have parked it for long commuting as it has an idling issue when under an electrical load. I have had everything tested and 5 mechanics have basically given up. It is also leaking coolant and two shops say they cannot find the leak... one even put in stop leak without even asking me saying they could not find the source of the leak and it worked for about a week. It is a very small leak, but still leaking, so it has been frustrating. Good mechanics (at least in our area) are hard to find, especially on cars like Lexus and Mercedes. I have had a few Mercedes and most around here are clueless except for one within a 40 mile radius and he stays backed up and very $. I am glad to have got rid of the complex Mercedes I had and now only have one that is now my mothers car. It is an 80s model and really easy to service and maintain, so we do most of the work on the car, but it is very reliable, so no issues there). Thanks again.