masagsxr

Trying to help cousin diagnose his 1998 Lexus GS400. Not exactly sure what the problem is. He says, he hit a pot hole pretty hard or something then the car stalled. Could not start the car back up. It would start then immediately stall/die. He had the car towed at his mom's house.

2nd problem: He wasn't sure if there was a CEL and we could not check it anymore since the battery ran out of juice and must have cleared the code.

Where should we start looking into to diagnose the problem?

I'll forward this post to him in hopes that he chimes in to explain to you guys exactly what happen the day he hit that pot hole.

Thanks!

tinman

Sounds like the battery cable or the alternator cable got knocked loose. When warm, the car starts up, then drops to ~500-750 RPM. The alternator can't power the entire car at that speed, and it will die. I had this problem on as SC and a GS. Oddly enough, even though my battery cable got knocked loose (just loose, not disconnected), i could still start the car.

toy4life86

iTrader: (4)

yah sounds like a battery problem

AristoPra

iTrader: (10)

Thanks for the reply fellas! Replaced the battery and battery terminals and its still doing the same thing. Forgot to check the alternator cable so I'll check it tomorrow after work since the GS is at the parentals.

tom steele

is the maf sensor loose? if it comes unplugged that happens so maybe it came loose.

toy4life86

iTrader: (4)

how bad was the hit?
check the obvious stuff too fuses especially the main ones

AristoPra

iTrader: (10)

well, i didn't hit a pot hole, i ran over a piece of debris and it kinda messed up one of the brackets that hold up the gas tank. i will definitely look over the things mentioned above as i just haven't had much time to look it over since it happened. thanks again for errone's input!!!!!!

masagsxr

This is why I wanted you to respond right away to begin with to state exactly what happen... I forgot you ran over something hahaaaa.....

AristoPra

iTrader: (10)

Well, I just looked things over and I have a freakin' big **** gash on the gas tank!!!!!!!!

Anyone know where I can get a used gas tank for cheap!? !? !? Hopefully local to Rowland Heights since that's where the GS sits collecting dust and bird poop!!!!!

Again, thanks to errone who gave their inputs! It's greatly appreciated! THANKS!!!!