Hey guys,
Just tried to start the RX and it wouldnt start. Tried again and i got this terrible grinding noise so I have left it alone for now. It is not the battery and it has plenty of gas, so I'm stumped. It also just hit 102,000 miles if that helps.

Thanks in advance.

 

Terrible noise ???
Is there oil and is the oil clear of metal shavings?
Visual of the engine and belts?


After verifying the above and some one looking at the engine bay (to observe) try starting again.

This time please add details like, the starter is spinning the engine at good speed?
Loud clicking ... terrible noise??
misfires ... terrible noise??
unburnt gas smell at the exhaust?


Without the details, it is like shooting in the dark.

Salim

 

Does it crank over?

The grinding noise could have been the starter already being engaged and you cycling the key back to "start". But, like Salim said without more details it's hard to identify the problem.

 

It takes a lot more than just gas and battery to get the car started. If you're stumped at this point you may want to have a shop take a look at it.

 

Could possibly be starter grinding, but hopefully not...

 

Just an update, son got home before I did and he got it to fire up. Said it took a couple tries and once it finally did start it smelled like gas and had a rough idle.

 

Did he pump the pedal to get it to start? If so, clean the IACV.

 

It has a little over 200K+ miles. It was runing smooth until I took it to my local mechanic to fix a known problem of oil leak. He's been taking care of this oil leak for a while. When I came to pick up the car. I was told that car suddenly failed to start when they attepted to move it. I realized the key was broken and the transponder was not with the key. Alarm light kept flashing regardless of key position. Car sounds like its going to start but refuses. I tried my other old broken key. Held the transponder close to the key and tried but same issue. Its not the battery. Only 3month old and it has gas.
Towed it to lexus dealer. They claim senior mechanic got it to start at half engine ( I don't know what that means) but they don't know exactly whats wrong with it. They said they would replace the ECM and if this doesn't fix the problem, then they would move on... which would cost thousands of dollars to fix according to lexus dealer. They advised me to come and tow my car because its a waste of money to fix!
Car is now towed back to my local mechanic. Any advice to help my mechanic fix this issue.
Thanks.

 

Without the right transponder, the starter would spin the engine but the engine would not produce spark to run.

Dont know how much of the above will help, but your mechanic can confirm spark or no spark by removing coil-pack and a spark plug.

There may be other reasons not to get a spark, but if you do get the spark, then the mechanic needs to look at fuel delivery, air and timing.

it may have been worth your money letting Lexus diagnose the problem fully.

You can buy used ECMs (remember to get registered master key) and then deal with issues with locks etc).

Salim

 

I think the issue is with the key and security system not letting the car start.

If the mechanic broke the key, he's liable for all damages. I'd make him cough up the money to have it fixed, and if he can't do it himself, send it off to Lexus again and let the mechanic deal with the cost. < I know easier said then done, but it certainly sounds like he caused the problem.

 

An update: Mechanic just told me he can now get the car start for only 10 seconds but doesn't stay runing no matter what he does.
Any recommendations?!

 

Maybe the IACV needs cleaning....(Idle Air Control Valve) do a search on this forum.

 

I agree, check the IACV. If it is a problem with the IACV you should be able to keep the car running by holding down slightly on the accellerator pedal.

 

You need to reset the engine immobiliser put the key door and lock, and unlock a few times and then use the remote to lock and unlock this will reset it.

 

could be battery is on way out and that grinding noise was the lesser effort of the starter motor ticking over.