Help !!! sputtering, no power, red cats,shaking.!!
That "running rich" smell could be from clogged cats. That would recycle fuel through the evap system and overwhelm the filter for the system. I've never seen this happen on a Lexus and I'm not intimately familiar with the evap system on an SC but the glowing cats sure lead me in that direction!
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 2
From: NM
I have a 93 and it was just age that did mine in. The rich smell could just be coming from the cats not functioning
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: CA
Update he styill cannot find out what the problem is, the muffler shop said my cats were plugged so they deleted all the cats even the one right fter the headers
things are fine-
injectors
timing
distibutor
ignition coil
compression
tps
any ideas i have no car
please help anyone in socal have a ecu that might have one i can borrow if thats the problem ill gladly buy it 
things are fine-
injectors
timing
distibutor
ignition coil
compression
tps
any ideas i have no car
please help anyone in socal have a ecu that might have one i can borrow if thats the problem ill gladly buy it
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: CA
Hel,p please i do not have a car they cannot find the problem
Things that were checked
Injectors
timing
dis
ignition coil
compressison
fuel ecu
tps
is there anything else that might be holding it back please help you guys i appreciate it
could it be my general ecu if so could anyone in socal have one laying around i could borrow and pay for if it is my ecu. Ill gladly buy it if my ecu is actually the culprit.
Things that were checked
Injectors
timing
dis
ignition coil
compressison
fuel ecu
tps
is there anything else that might be holding it back please help you guys i appreciate it
could it be my general ecu if so could anyone in socal have one laying around i could borrow and pay for if it is my ecu. Ill gladly buy it if my ecu is actually the culprit.
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
From: Tx/Co
just throwing em out there but charcoal canister and fuel filter/pump, fuel regulator. iacv. no codes?
on a n/a you need cats for back pressure and such.
on a n/a you need cats for back pressure and such.
Last edited by SCstone; Nov 16, 2013 at 04:26 PM.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: CA
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Lexus NX 350h: A Fuel-Sipping Secret Hot Hatch???
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Lexus Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
Top 5 Hottest Lexus & Toyotas in 2026 (Hardest To Buy)
Brett Foote
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles
Michael S. Palmer
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4
Joe Kucinski
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Another thing you can do is rip open the main ECU and check closely for leaking capacitors.
For the future, fuel pressure should be between 38 and 44 PSI. At WOT, 50 is fine. (older SC models go a little higher)
For the future, fuel pressure should be between 38 and 44 PSI. At WOT, 50 is fine. (older SC models go a little higher)
You've checked the coils, distirbutors, timing, and the cats are off... How about the ignitor (ignition control module) and plugs? Has your tech done a "smoke" test (pressuring the system with a smoke generator)?
Check the Main ECU under the carpet on the passenger side foot well...Most likely your capacitors in the ECU need repaired...Do you know someone close by that you could swap out ECU's with. If not you could try replacing the ECU....Im sure someone on the forums has one for sale
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
ajonesy
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
19
Aug 26, 2015 01:20 PM
UofACATS
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
26
Dec 22, 2007 12:16 PM
