Car was perfectly fine, filled up with gas for a long trip the next day and car would start, run for a second then stall. VSC code on dash, has disappeared. Check engine light briefly on. Local mechanic obviously completely stumped, living down in Key West it's a $600 tow up to the closest Lexus dealer.

Bought the car in August w 88K on it. Has run flawlessly up until this point.

Any ideas? Does this sound like the random hesitation problem that some experience?

 

Do you have aftermarket alarm system installed on your car?

 

Can you keep the car alive by feathering the throttle a bit during startup? If so it could be a dirty throttle body.

 

The only way to keep it going is to quickly get it in gear, drives perfectly at higher speeds.

 

I don't think so, just the alarm that came w the car.

 

So when you put the car in the gear, do you have press on the accelerator to keep it running?

 

If it can quickly get into gear it can run, but as soon as you press on gas dies. If I could feather the pedal and upshift I could get it to run smoothly. But still couldn't get my foot into it, it would sputter and die.

 

I wounder if you have a problem with the throttle position sensor. Did you get any error codes?

 

Waiting to hear back from mechanic on that one.

 

Brought it to the dealership in Miami, said it was bad gas and needs new spark plugs. Crossing fingers!

 

Oh Boy !!! Good luck with that decision.

 

I might need it, yes. $800+ spark plug job is a little tough to swallow but really don't have any other option than taking to dealer. No one locally has any Lexus expertise and while handy with older vehicles, these newer cars are far, far above my pay grade.

 

You can do spark plugs yourself, it is not hard. All the money you save, you can invest in some good car tools.

 

Diagnostics is my biggest problem. Spark plugs I definitely could do, yes.

 

Is the car at the shop now?