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Im gonna check the ground cable tomorrow. The new starter never turned on. Just clicks. Thinking maybe the new starter maybe is bad.
Bring a new battery in case that's part of the problem, return it if not. Reminds me that my AAA membership is coming up for renewal, recently had to use that to get our vehicle towed to a shop where they found a faulty alarm system connection causing a no start condition.
Ok so i tried to turn it by hand and dont go forward. Only a quarter of a turn to the left on the crankshaft. I took out the spark plugs and inspected the cylinders heads on the front of the vehicle and dont see any damage. #2 #4 #6
Could it be possible that the chain broke? This is weird asf.
If after the spark plug removal you are still stuck the next step should be to open up the valve covers and see if the top end is moving. You can be relatively less or more lucky by just opening the radiator side valve cover [it is easier].
Salim
PS: Sorry for being the harbinger of bad news.
Based on how you shared information I made the best guess after eliminating battery, wiring, starter+solenoid, and control signal to the solenoid.
Last edited by salimshah; Sep 16, 2025 at 09:23 AM.
Reason: ps
If after the spark plug removal you are still stuck the next step should be to open up the valve covers and see if the top end is moving. You can be relatively less or more lucky by just opening the radiator side valve cover [it is easier].
Salim
PS: Sorry for being the harbinger of bad news.
Based on how you shared information I made the best guess after eliminating battery, wiring, starter+solenoid, and control signal to the solenoid.
No worries. After the crankshaft didnt move i already knew i got bad news. And car has 130k miles is not thatt much. And that engine has timing chain that wasnt even making a noise. Tought lexus were reliable.
No worries. After the crankshaft didnt move i already knew i got bad news. And car has 130k miles is not thatt much. And that engine has timing chain that wasnt even making a noise. Tought lexus were reliable.
The timing chain actually failed or is that a guess on your part? Seems unlikely that a timing chain would fail at the same moment the engine ran out of fuel... or are you guessing on the fuel? I'm not a mechanic... but based on your initial repot that the starter was already failing prior to this... it remains a starter/electrical issue.
The timing chain actually failed or is that a guess on your part? Seems unlikely that a timing chain would fail at the same moment the engine ran out of fuel... or are you guessing on the fuel? I'm not a mechanic... but based on your initial repot that the starter was already failing prior to this... it remains a starter/electrical issue.
Well that was until today morning that i tried turning the crankcase by hand and is not turning. I checked the pistons on the front and dont see any damage. Gotta check the ones in the back.
I didn't quite understand about the starter. Have you checked the ground wires and the small wire plus that comes in? Try supplying power directly from the battery. ?And for motor, read the Internet on how to turn ...belts, direction, etc. I would start with the starter and wiring.
I didn't quite understand about the starter. Have you checked the ground wires and the plus that comes in? Try supplying power directly from the battery. ?And for motor, read the Internet on how to turn ...belts, direction, etc. I would start with the starter and wiring.
AI and the Sienna forum folks say to turn the 2GR-FE engine clockwise by hand and you reported trying to turn it counter-clockwise. No wonder it stopped when you tried to turn it backwards! That can cause damage. Try turning it clockwise.
To manually turn a 2GR-FE engine, remove the spark plugs to relieve compression and use a 21mm socket or an appropriate wrench on the crankshaft pulley nut, turning clockwise. You should feel resistance from compression, which will then release. If the engine turns with "relative force" and without extreme difficulty, it's turning normally; however, if it feels completely stuck or requires excessive force, there may be an internal problem.
I would think a seized bearing more likely than a timing chain issue, if it is not the starter.
AI and the Sienna forum folks say to turn the 2GR-FE engine clockwise by hand and you reported trying to turn it counter-clockwise. No wonder it stopped when you tried to turn it backwards! That can cause damage. Try turning it clockwise.
To manually turn a 2GR-FE engine, remove the spark plugs to relieve compression and use a 21mm socket or an appropriate wrench on the crankshaft pulley nut, turning clockwise. You should feel resistance from compression, which will then release. If the engine turns with "relative force" and without extreme difficulty, it's turning normally; however, if it feels completely stuck or requires excessive force, there may be an internal problem.
I would think a seized bearing more likely than a timing chain issue, if it is not the starter.
Heyy thanks. Yes i tried clock wise and dosnt do anything. But i didnt remove the spark plugs. And just went back a quarter of a turn it would turn back and forth only a quarter. Guess it could mean compression wise? Do i have to remove all the spark plugs.
Heyy thanks. Yes i tried clock wise and dosnt do anything. But i didnt remove the spark plugs. And just went back a quarter of a turn it would turn back and forth only a quarter. Guess it could mean compression wise? Do i have to remove all the spark plugs.
Once transmission is disengaged [P or N], when you turn the crank, you are fighting compression. With V6 you are not fighting compression on all 6 at the same time. It takes more than feather force, but once can overcome with deliberate steady force [it tends to become stiff and once past TDC the compression it practically flops over. [my estimate 25ft/lbs]. I have done number of T-blet changes and had no issues ever turning the crank by hand with 6-8 cylinder engine. If you remove all plugs it would be relatively easier, but not night and day difference.
I suspect your old starter was a collateral damage as it tried to turn over a locked engine and burnt out.
Important .... You may like to remove the starter, just in case the starter pinion is the proverbial monkey wrench.
Rotating the engine backwards is not recommend but if if done slowly [without causing too much stress it is ok.]
I still think the next best action is to remove both valve covers and confirm there is no issue with the chain. Once you confirm top-end is in unison with the crank, then remove all plugs and pour 1/4cup ATF into each cylinder and wait over night. Next day use try to work the the crank back and forth [yes back word with increasing force] to see if you can free the crank up.
