My key doesn't appear to have any cracks and seems to be in good shape. The engine turns over and will start with starting fluid. I though security issues would prevent cranking of the engine?

 

Most of the lights come on it seems, except the CEL. The bulb is verified good, but it does not turn on. I light has not come on with 3 separate ECU's of varying part numbers.

 

I have a broken key fob and a cracked key fob, that will both crank the engine, but no fire. I put in the valet key and it fired spot on first try. Check your vacuum hose from the PCV valve to the intake for cracks in the back. Better yet, put it all back together and have a helper try to start it when spraying starting fluid around the intake (this will identify vacuum leaks)... bet she will try to start.

 

How would that help diagnose why the FP isn't pumping fuel? Won't a car still pump fuel even with vacuum leaks? I was able to get the car idling with starting fluid(not well, but idled), with the intake tubing removed and MAF disconnected. So, there is spark. With your broken keys, was there spark?

 

Also, wanted to verify. What other symptoms would a key issue cause? I ask cause after some fuse replacement, the stereo works, no security light on dash and everything seems right, except no CEL and no fuel, and the brake light orange light thing to check your brake bulbs.

 

You could go rent a fuel pressure gauge, if you are set on this being a fuel pump issue, If you have vacuum leaks then the fuel/air mixture is way off and it won't run. do the vacuum hose spin on the fittings? If so you have vacuum leaks. Have you tried removing and inspecting the hoses for cracks? With all the disconnecting of sensors did you disconnect the battery? You should because the computer will need to reset. I did not check for spark with my broken keys. Do you have the valet key?

 

Did the PO do his own water pump/ timing belt? One could really screw up the cams on that job. I think getting some honest answers from the PO might be the way to go.

 

I am not sure if this is a FP issue or something related to turning it on. When I replaced the FP it had no pressure in the line. After installing the new pump, I have not once heard it turn on. Neither the old or new have appeared to power on with the key(I should be able to hear it with no back seat installed I assume). On my other Toyota's the FP would normally still run even with the fuel pressure sensor broken. I will try checking for leaks, but I am trying to line up as many possible fixes so that when I set out to work on it I have a few things to try.

Everytime I disconnected ECU, sensors, etc, I disconnected the battery as to make sure I wouldn't cause any damage to the ECU.

I do not have a valet key.

 

They did not do the timing belt. The belt is near end of life, but no missing teeth. They said all they did was replace the PS pump then it quit starting. The pump does look newer, but they did a poor job replacing it cause it has leaked out all the PS fluid lol.

I know this car is a basket case, but I did not expect to be dealing with a FP not turning.

Is the fuel system on the 1UZ returnless fuel system?

 

I would listen to Yamae

 

Hmmm... they replaced the power steering pump and then it quit starting and all the fluid ran out? Is the pump still empty? Wonder if they took the timing covers off and the timing belt in order to take the pump out from the top. Bad idea if they did. Again, I think getting detailed info from the PO is the way to go.

 

Waiting for him or someone to reply with what and where that item is lol. I am use to Celica's and carb'ed Corolla's. This Lexus has alot more electronics than even my FR-S it seems.

 

If the timing belt was removed and the screwed up re installation, wouldn't that prevent it from even starting with starting fluid? I spoke with the kid for 45 min while waiting for a tow truck. I believe he said he took it out the PS pump from the bottom, cause he described having to fight to get it out. Not sure if there is still fluid in the PS pump. Haven't checked recently, but it seemed to leak every time I cranked the engine. He had also removed the crank position sensor for some reason. I reinstalled that.

It appears only the timing covers on top were removed....atleast upon a quick visual inspection.

Having no way to check codes could be making this difficult.

 

There is no reason to remove timing covers for the power steering replacement, unless the tensioner pulley arm broke off during the job and needed replaced. Those bolts are under the covers. So I would be asking him if he took the timing belt off. If he did, then the cams spins on this engine and it's not a matter of just setting the timing belt back on the pulley. I don't know if it would still start with starting fluid. Never free balled one and left it like that.

 

It is only the top covers that were removed. What you would remove to inspect the timing belt.

So, small update to try and rule things out.

I ran a wire from the battery to the fuel pump. Heard the pump kick on. Tried to start it with no luck. So, it would seem like the injectors are not firing. There is the possibility the fuel pump is kicking on with key, but maybe it's pumping at a lower volume? Not sure. Just figured I would try a quick test to rule out it not get fuel from the pump.