1999 Lexus ES 300 Car Fails to Turn Over

Tiny
JOHNGALT
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 LEXUS ES 300
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 180,000 MILES
About 8 days ago car died. I was driving at about 55 mph with the acceleration at 2.5. Without warning the acceleration dropped to 0 the check engine light went on and I had to pull over to the side. So far I've replaced all six spark plugs, replaced the battery, and replaced the fuel filter, and did an oil change.

When I turn the key I hear the engine try to start, but it doesn't seem to want to turn over. I'm thinking about the timing belt. Like the spark plugs, nothing except the oil and batter have been replaced since it was purchased. Any help would be appreciated, please let me know if I should be looking somewhere else to fix my car or if it is the timing belt.

However, if you do suggest I check the timing belt. I don't have a clue where it's located, on top of that being a Lexus es300 - and if I were to do this on my own. What type of tools or parts would I need to replace it?
Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 AT 4:09 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JOHNGALT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have located a plastic housing on left side of the car above the serpintine belt line. After removing some metal bracings to better access the bolts and remove the cover, the timing belt looks perfectly fine.

When I let another person crank my engine, (turn it on with the key) I can see the timing belt move fine, no slipping, it moves slowly, but it doesn't jerk. Serpentine belts are moving as well.

After eliminating the battery, spark plugs, feul filter, doing an oil change, now finally checking the timing belt, I worry that this may be an internal problem.

At this point, I'm stuck. What other tests should I do to try to find out what's wrong with my Lexus es300 (1999)?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, February 21st, 2008 AT 3:22 PM
Tiny
JOHNGALT
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I do need to clarify something.
The car does crank but it will not start.
Is the the same as the car won't turn over?
I have seen the listing of the "crank but will not start" section.

Basic Check:
A. Test fuses: Not done, no testing tool available.
B. Test Feul Pressure: not done, no testing tool available.
C. Check timing belt: Done on Feburary 20, 2008 - belt is in good condition, all flywheels rotate in unison while ignition is on, and when manually cranked by hand, belt is properly tense.
Compression test not done, will purchase compression tool at Kragen soon, will be the next test.
A test has been done to eliminate ideal of "seized engine" all pistions are moving up and down at the same distance (tested with placing a marked stick into the piston chambers)
D. Test for injector pulse: Not done, I don't know where to place injector tool, no testing tool available.
E. Test Spark Plugs: Battery and Spark plugs replaced, no test has been done to see if they spark. Will be the next test done. (Can this be done with one person?)

.
Notes: oil change was preformed after engine stopped.

.

Dispite the list, is there anything else I should preform/do?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, February 23rd, 2008 AT 1:29 AM
Tiny
SHAYAN
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Hi Did you ever figure out what was wrong with your car? Because I have same exact problem engine try to start but it wont start? Any help.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, June 17th, 2009 AT 12:07 PM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links