Ok, I have a strange one. I have a 93 SC400. It won't start, but even stranger every time I try to start it. The doors lock. When I turn the key back to off the doors unlock.. Other than a faint click from under the hood, this is all that happens. I'm thinking something with the theft deterrent system? But I can't seem to find a similar problem anywhere on the web. I really don't want to have to take it to Lexus and pay 500.00 if it's something stupid. Also if it matters, the battery was very dead just before this started happening. (I have since replaced it.) Thanks to anyone that can give me some ideas.

 

Seems like it does have something to do with the alarm. I had an aftermarket alarm back in the days (different car) and this is the exact same thing that happens..... Do you have an aftermarket alarm installed? Have you tried disabling the alarm at all before turning the key to start the motor?

 

before you take/tow it to the dealership, start from the basic first!!!
---> check/test your battery! can you jump start your car?

 

No, I have a new battery in it and even when hooked up to jumper cables from my truck it won't start. does the exact same thing.

 

check your starter next but i hope the starter is not under the intake--> sc400
good luck

 

I have a 95 Lexus SC400, and at first my freeze plug went out and it leaked water into my starter so I replaced both and it was running good, but after a couple days it started jerking real bad when I tried to give it gas and now it wont crank right. If I try to crank it at first it will start up with no problem and then I can turn it right off and it wont crank for another 5 hours, please let me know if anyone has an idea of why this is happening

 

sounds like a starter problem if doesnt cranks and you only hear one click

 

Well, the car's pretty much been sitting in my driveway since the last post. I took the transponder out of a friends' SC and put it in mine. (Keyless entry) unlocked the doors with his remote. (I never got one for mine) got in and it started right up. So what i'm wondering from you guys is do I need both the transponder chip and the key from Lexus or just the key and program it to my transponder? I don't have much money to throw at it right now but it would be worth a couple hundred bucks to get it running again.