HELP-Car would not start!
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: NY
HELP-Car would not start!
Just like to ask on how to reprogram the immobilizer on the LS430?
Car would not start. The immobilizer keeps on blinking even if i already inserted the key. If you try to start it, it will crank but would not continue.
Help please!
Fuel, battery, ignition is ok.
Car would not start. The immobilizer keeps on blinking even if i already inserted the key. If you try to start it, it will crank but would not continue.
Help please!
Fuel, battery, ignition is ok.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 723
Likes: 8
From: CA
Are you sure its the immobilizer? If it is, I think Lexus must replace the whole immobilizer. That is a $3000 job plus towing!
Im pretty sure its the battery. Its a common problem with the LS430 around 50k miles.
Im pretty sure its the battery. Its a common problem with the LS430 around 50k miles.
Lead Lap
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 534
Likes: 0
From: New York
I think reprogramming the key is a simple job that the dealer should help you out with.
I know friends who had a new key bought on ebay, and went into the dealer to get it programmed, and just gave the service guy a tip.
Are you still under warranty?
I know friends who had a new key bought on ebay, and went into the dealer to get it programmed, and just gave the service guy a tip.
Are you still under warranty?
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: CA
I just had this problem in my 04 LS 430. It's a new car to me and it wouldn't start-up. I kept getting the error "Check S/T Lock." Of course I couldn't find anything about a "S/T Lock" in the manual and I spent 15 long minutes trying everything I could to get it to start. Finally, I called the local dealership service department -- fortunately it was 4:45 -- and they told me to try turning the wheel a little bit as I turned the ignition switch. It worked and I assume it was b/c the steering lock had too much pressure on it.
Anyone else have this experience or a different explanation for this situation?
Anyone else have this experience or a different explanation for this situation?
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 321
Likes: 1
From: St. Peters, Missouri
my 05 does this all the time if I pull into a parking spot with the wheels turned a tad,, don't know why Lexus can't fix this as it can be a pain in the rear,, the lightest pressure aginst the wheel seems to lock it and if you do not apply pressure in the other direction it plain will not start,,
would call this one of Lexus defects, there are not many though,,
would call this one of Lexus defects, there are not many though,,
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I just had this problem in my 04 LS 430. It's a new car to me and it wouldn't start-up. I kept getting the error "Check S/T Lock." Of course I couldn't find anything about a "S/T Lock" in the manual and I spent 15 long minutes trying everything I could to get it to start. Finally, I called the local dealership service department -- fortunately it was 4:45 -- and they told me to try turning the wheel a little bit as I turned the ignition switch. It worked and I assume it was b/c the steering lock had too much pressure on it.
Anyone else have this experience or a different explanation for this situation?
Anyone else have this experience or a different explanation for this situation?
my 05 does this all the time if I pull into a parking spot with the wheels turned a tad,, don't know why Lexus can't fix this as it can be a pain in the rear,, the lightest pressure aginst the wheel seems to lock it and if you do not apply pressure in the other direction it plain will not start,,
would call this one of Lexus defects, there are not many though,,
would call this one of Lexus defects, there are not many though,,
Its not a defect, thats how the system is supposed to work. The steering lock is mechanical, and its to protect your car from theft. To turn on the car after its been locked, you have to move the steering wheel as you turn it on. This ensures the key is being used to turn the car on (on pre smart systems) and the actual lever being used on smart system which would only turn if the system recognizes your key.
CL Community Team
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,916
Likes: 227
From: Alabama
If the ignition switch wont turn to start the engine in most cases it is because the steering wheel lock has not released. If you turn/wiggle the steering wheel a little (maybe 5 degrees or so) the steering wheel lock will disengage and allow the ignition switch to turn. This happens on an intermittent basis on my car and has randomly happened since the car was new. Lexus was never able to duplicate it so it was never fixed. It is a defect but not a major one if you know how to work around it.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Texas
2004 LS430 Check ST Lock
This check ST Lock situation of the car not starting happened for the first time today on my 2004 LS430 that I purchased this month. Thanks to this great forum, I was able to quickly find the simple solution of turning the steering wheel while trying to start the car and it worked! The car started with no problem. 
Thank you!! I also have a 2002 LS430 but had never had this situation before.
Thank you!! I also have a 2002 LS430 but had never had this situation before.
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