Hello, I have a 2008 Lexus IS350 that will not start! Recently within the same month, had the alternator replaced with the battery and still no go! My mechanic told me that the PCM needed to be reprogrammed and he does not have the means to do so. I called around and every auto shop told me I have to go to the dealership for the problem even performance shops said the same. I find this hard to believe when they specialize in modifying and tuning imported cars. Has anyone been through this problem? Is there a way to get this job done without paying a ridiculous amount at a dealership? Or do I have to bit the bullet? Any information will help a lot. Thanks!

 

Any chance it may be something else? starter relay, or a starter?? Have you lost any other electronics? Or is it just bricked??
The issue with calling around with the issue is that most will defer you to the dealership, some shops may offer free towing if you're in town with the charge of diagnostics. If it turns on can you pull codes??

 

So far the mechanic gave me back the paperwork/diagrams that he had gone through it looked like he went through a physics course. He showed me that nothing is wrong with the starter, relay, electric wiring, battery power, and alternator. The ground was good and all power was going where it should except to the PCM, he told me somehow that one piece that was needed to start and keep the engine running got fried and needed to be replaced or reprogrammed. Nothing will connect to scan any codes either, basically, the car is a super-sized paperweight. Every shop I called didn't bother with helping or providing information, even the shops that rip out ECU's and replace them with aftermarket tunes, which I find strange. The nearest Lexus dealership is an hour away from me too, luckily my mechanic did not charge me anything to find this out he said it would not be right, he did not do the damage, I had to tow it to him, to begin with. I just had to pay for the tow back home. Right now I'm researching alternatives, like for PCM's that are OEM preprogrammed to my car VIN and then he can put that in its place, and hopefully, that works. However, all research still points to the dealership because all reviews of stores that do this service are not that great in reviews and can not be trusted. If you know any place that sells legit OEM programmed PCM's that would be amazing because right now during these times I can not afford that dealership beating.

 

You can try Ebay, or look up some of these sites to car run diagnostics and repair the PCM, ensure you contact them before you send anything and ensure its good. High chance they can repair it and send it back for pennies on the dollar, worst case you can look for a new one on ebay and have it reprogramed to your vehicle.... Hardest part is looking for where it is, and before you unplug it snap a pic on how its plugged in and send it away..