My Lexus RX 330 will not start. I got a new battery The starter is good we had it tested and it just won't start it turns over but it doesn't start it really wants to start but it doesn't. The other day when my boyfriend went out to use it to take it to work it started but it made a big noise and then it just stopped running. We don't know what to do I'm not sure maybe the timing belt broke and I hope the engine is not a total loss. I don't know what to do any suggestions would be great from people who have experienced this with their Lexus RX330.

 

You're really not giving us anything to work with. There are SO many questions that need to be asked even to begin with offering ideas. First question, might you have a Autozone or O'Reilly's near you or know anyone with a code reader? IF the timing belt broke then trying to start it will do catastrophic damage to the engine DON'T do that

 

I really don't have much to go on either. The car turns over but it won't start. That's why I don't think a code reader would do any good for it. But my boyfriend does have a cold reader and he says he can't use it unless the car is running. So he's trying to start it we don't want to do any damage to the engine. But I'm kind of stuck. I don't know why this happened. I've had that car for 12 years it's been a really good good running car. And I love it. But today we start looking for another Lexus for me. I may just have to sell it as it is and let somebody else get it running.

 

There is so much "wrong" in your answer/assumptions and choices. Let me repeat - "IF the timing belt did infact break, trying to start the engine wll destroy it IF it is not already destroyed"... I don't kow how to be any more clear and direct than that.
Next - your boyfriend, and you, are wrong in that codes CAN and need to be read without the engine running... you simply turn the ignition to "ON" position. "I don't know why this is happening", of course you don't neither does anyone else as you've given almost nothing to go by even for experienced mechanics except panic and completely unfounded guesses. "I may have to sell it" - Your panic/fear monering is counter-productive as at this stage you know nothing and so far are doing nothing but likely damage start doing and acting in a mannr that actually remedies your issue not causing more problems. You haven't the slightest clue as to what is wrong yet your mind is already deciding you might need a new car... absolutely insane! Stop the drama, stop the panic, start getting logical, sensible, FACTS before making any decision... those answers will be found by competent, logical steps to find the issue. This isn't rocket science, it isn't even teh slightest bit hard to get the right answers OR you can continue down your path adnthe path many others take - throw the "parts cannon" at the problem spending lots of time and money simply guessing and hoping the choice is yours.

Why did you replace the battery and check starter when the engine was turning over when you hit the key?
Start with CODES, without them nobody can help, the computer will tell you very important things.
Post the codes here we will repsond or you can google using AI for likely issues
Give us ALL the details - symptoms, recent work done, and other clues you might have, fluid levels, mileage, last work done, last time timing belt was replaced, any opther issues prior.
and again DO NOT TRY STARTING THE CAR! If the belt broke you' could be making your problem much moch worse

So far you've given us almost nothing to go by yet are expecting miracles, then add to it your unfounded paranoah, irrational thinking/fear is counter-productive. If you want solid answers start asking solid questions and start doing educated analysis... this goes for solving any problems in life. Based upon your brief mention of what your boyfriend is assuming I'd venture an educated guess in that he isn't the guy to be troubleshooting this you need someone with FAR more mechanical sense/experience/competnecy. Do things in a methodical manner if you want accurate advice/help. You're in WAY over your head in terms of trying to solve the problem here as those items are/were obvious not the issue IF the engine is turning over so stop with throwing out solutions until you understand (fully know not guess at) the problem. Your problem migh be very cheap and easy or it might not deal with facts not fear and DO NOT take it to a Firestone, Midas, or other horrible "fix all" place you need a qualified, competent person to look at it.otherwise your problems will become exponentially worse. No clue where you live maybe give a location perhaps someone here is nearby and can check it out. There is nothing special or unique about this car/engine it doesn't atke a genius to figure stuff out, that point is poven by me being able to resolve problems on them...

So again:
#! - CALM DOWM
#2 - get answers stop seeking fear/panic/guessing
#3 -Start using logic and competnet, proven methodologies to get right answers, STOP believing in people that are NOT competent regardless if how helpful that want to be you need facts
#4 - GET CODES!!!!!
#5 - Nobody can give accurate solutions until you provide accurate answers and give accurate information, we're only as good as what you provide
#6 - if you're unable or unwilling to do those let me know I may well buy the car from you

Good luck,

Steve

 

Actually my boyfriend did hook a code reader to it. It's not a great one he got it from Walmart but he didn't get anything nothing came up on the code reader. He can turn the car on and there are no idiot lights on or anything like that. And like I said the code reader maybe it's not that great maybe he should get a better one I don't know but the one he has now he didn't get any any codes to print out He's out there going to try again though. The reason I'm panicking is because we've been looking for a newer Lexus RX 350 for me and we were going to trade this one in. That's the bad thing nobody wants a car that doesn't run. So even though we're going to look at Alexis RX 350 today we don't have any trade-in or anything so it's always it's going to be just straight cash. That's why I'm so upset. Because it came at a bad time. I'm still recovering from surgery and over a year and a half of being in a nursing home so you know there's things that are going on with me that makes it kind of hard for me to want to go looking for cars. I was hoping to wait and just keep using this one for a while longer. As for the timing belt we don't know when or if it was ever changed. We bought this vehicle in 2014 used it had $99,000 miles on it. The one owner car absolutely beautiful and I've loved driving it every time. But now you know we're trying to figure things out without knowing at all what could be wrong with it. So right now it's just sitting in the garage and Brian thinks it's a timing belt it could be but like I said we we don't know for sure. So if Brian comes back in with any codes from his cold reader I will come back on and let you know what those codes are. But thank you for at least trying to help. As far as buying the car yes we would sell it to you but we are in upstate New York and depending on where you are it would definitely have to get shipped. Even if we sold it to somebody around the corner it would have to get shipped at this point. But like I said if Brian comes in with any p codes I will let you know what they are.
Thank you,

Dianne

 

When you say "He can turn the car on and there are no idiot lights on or anything like that" you need to be FAR more clear, lack of accuracy isn't helping... Are you saying that NONE of the dashboard lights come on, some come on, no warning lights come on? accuracy matters a lot here. Autozone and O'Reilly's has loaner code readers you can borrow for free, head there let us know what the codes are. Are there any sounds? Does the steering wheel move when you put the key in? Any sounds from under the hood when you put the key in (again DO NOT TURN THE KEY to START!!!!!!!!!!).

Panic - Doesn't matter what the reason for panic is, it isn't the least bit helpful to resolving your problem here it only contributes to exacerbating your problems. Brian doesn't KNOW what the problem is and thus far has not been following any logical steps towards resolution he may want to help but is not as he's not taking the proper steps to find out only makng things worse, he is giving you highly uneducated guesses and again you're gravitating towards drama/fear/panic like a moth towards light... it is counter-productive.
What is the most straight-forward route to fixing your problem?" on this car or in life... it is never seeking advice from those that are not qualified to give proper answers regardless of their intent or desire to be helpful that is 100% irrelevant. Your problem may well be very simple and cheap, or it could be quite costly but use proven, logical, simple mechanics steps in figuring it out NOT guesses. Again a competent mechanic could have this diagnosed quickly... you don't know anyone who is pretty sharp mechanically? aside from Brian? Panic once you understand what you're facing doing so now is wasted energy just making teh waters more cloudy and getting you further from the solution.
IF Brian believes it was the timing belt than why did he/you continue to try running the engine as that would permanently detroy the engine? Just an example of how he should NOT be the one offering to help on this matter regardless of how helpful he believes he is or you think he could be. .

You need to answer the other questions I asked rather than share a lot of emotional stuff that is not remotely relevant to your car issues...
Was there any symptoms?
Have you had any recent maintenance or issues?
How many miles on the car?
When was your last tune-up?
When was the last timing belt replacement and who did it?
When the car stopped what exactly were the symptoms? Any sounds, vibraions? It worked one second then you stried to restart it and it didn't start? When you tried restarting it did it make sounds? Did the engine turn over but not start? Did it sort of start, hestitate, but never quite start? and whatever you do DO NOT TRY STARTING IT NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Not until you provide codes

Upstate NY is a deal breaker for me but may not be for others here, I only consider cars from "non-salted" road states especially when considering an older Toyota/Lexus as they are well-known for serious rust issues.

 

Probably best course of action is to search out a honest experienced mechanic owned shop that can probably tell you the problem after charging an hour of diagnostic fee. Generally speaking, they are relatively rare and required some research to find. It's not just the person, the shop's business structure often dominates how much diagnostic investigation they can do.

1) Confirming timing belt is healthy (variety of ways, prob some specific method on this engine). If so, then 2) Get pending codes (I think possible with key in ACC position without cranking the engine) to see where that leads 3. Check fuel or spark missing are all the logical steps an experienced mechanic would do. Sounds like these diag steps are likely beyond BF's experience.

Where are you located? (city + zip). For example Eric O. (South Main Auto on Youtube) in upstate NY; AMD (Car Care Nut on YouTube) in Chicagoland. Many other good mechanics and places less famous without YouTube channels. Depending on area and of course and a tow to their shop is likely required. Every shop I've ever visited or sent family and friends to starts with researching the shop. Know their structure (Small shop where owner is the mechanic is ideal) and reviews. Generally, the more car knowledge one has, the better one can evaluate the shop/shop owner/mechanic.

 

I'm pretty sure if the timing belt broke you would have some nasty codes. Lol

We have cam sensors on our engines and the Engine Ecm(computer) will know instantly if there is a problem- and throw a check engine light.

If there are codes, the Check Engine Light will stay on and be persistent- IF the bulb isn't burnt out.

Please try this:

(1): have your phone ready- and put the key in the ignition and turn it all the way on but don't start it- and take a pic of your dash lights and post it here for us to see.

(2): leave the key all the way on- wait 30 seconds- and then snap a pick of your dash lights again and post it here for us to see.

Please label your pics #1 and #2 so we know what we are looking at.

 

The only p codes that came up were p0102 and p 0 113. For some reason the car isn't getting spark. My boyfriend's boss is supposed to have his son come out to look at it because his son has a garage not too far from here. Hopefully he will do that because you know that's the only way somebody's going to have an idea of what happened. All I know is my boyfriend went out to start it it started it ran and then it and then it shut off when he came back out in the garage it was shut off he tried to start it again and he heard a big loud noise a bang of some kind. And then it just wouldn't start anymore. We don't know anything about the timing timing belt I didn't even know it had one. We've had it for the last 12 years and we never changed it I don't know if the people who owned it before us changed it. The last time the car had service was back in the summer of 2025 because the whole steering system went the steering was completely gone The rack the rack and pinion was gone the steering column was gone. That was expensive because I had to get a lot of parts but they were all steering parts and they had nothing to do with the car running. And after those were replaced it was running great. Then all the sudden this. So the car is still in our garage can't move it so I have to wait and see if this boss of Brian's will send his son over here to look at the vehicle this week sometime.

 

What my boyfriend just told me is that the car is not getting spark it's not getting any spark to start it and when he does turn it over you just get a thumping noise. It sounds like it's close to starting but it's thumping over and over again. So that's all we know so far. The P codes that I have are P0102 and P0113. That's basically all we know right now. One of Brian's boss's has his own garage not too far from here we may have him come out and look at it and see what happens but that's about it. It's not getting spark and when you try to turn when you turn it over is a lot of thumping.
Thank You,
Dianne

 

Okay here are the pictures labeled number one and number two. But there isn't much of a difference between them.

This is photo number one

This is the second photo

Here's the third one for good measure. If you see anything please let us know.

 

What part of "DO NOT TRY TO START IT" was confusing? Clearly stating that "IF is it the timing belt you will cause permanent damage to the engine trying to start it" didn't give you any hestitaton at all huh? Good luck, I'm out

 

Thank you!

Pic # 1 confirms the check engine light works and is not burnt out.

Pic #2 after waiting means check engine light is persistent and you have codes.

And you just scanned for codes in your last post update so yep. Lol. Got codes.

You might need a pro to come check it out because your codes are a little odd for a surprise no start condition without warning.

The loud noise you heard could be anything, hard to know.

In your case with limited technical skills, you need a pro.
Shade tree mechanics won't cut it. 😀

 

It is too late for that; how would anyone know there is a malfunction without attempting to start the engine?

If you meant further attempts to start the engine could cause damage, if the timing belt failed, the damage occurred when the engine stalled or the first time the engine was cranked over.

Either way, if the timing belt broke, the remedy will be to replace the engine as the valves will be bent and there is possible damage to the pistons.