NickB1234

This was the first time I fueled up and it did not restart normally afterwards. I did not hear any pressure release when I unscrewed the gas cap. When I pressed the Power button to restart, a message was displayed saying to press the Power button with the key. It started up doing that, but what might have caused this? btw, I got 39.7 mpg on the first tank full.

toyotaman7

No gas release when opening fuel cap typically.

Not sure I understand the starting issue. Sounds like your key was not initially detected to be near drivers seat and brake pedal pressed?

NickB1234

Brake pedal was pressed and key was in my sweat pants pocket. After getting home, with key still in pocket, was able to swing foot to open back door. If both operations use the same sensor, I would think the distance would be greater opening the back door. Perhaps battery in key is on its way out?

When pressing the Power On button with the key, is there a slight electric current that passes through or is it only done in this manner so the key is 'close' to the sensor?

Droid13

FYI: There are multiple sensors throughout the car for using handsfree with the fob, one inside for starting, and several at the doors for reading outside activities, per chance you are having an issue with one of them. The one in the power button is similar to an RFID reader, kind of like the credit card terminals that accept tap to pay functionality. It is a backup function in case the battery in the fob is too weak to respond to the car via radio. And to your problem, it is not uncommon for a key fob signal to be blocked while in your pocket if you have other things in your pocket at the same time, especially things like a phone or metal objects.

NickB1234

OK, I just filled up the gas tank for the second time (only drove about 700 miles in past 6 months) and the exact same thing happened again. It did not start when I pressed the power button with my finger and had to press the power button with the key to get things running - unnerving to say the least. Would a low battery in the fob cause this to happen and why only after filling the tank? I have not had any other times where the fob did not work as expected. I will be taking the car in for its 6 month service in a couple of weeks, I'll ask them what is going on.

Sounds

I'd start there. Try a new battery. Do you have a 2nd key fob?

gamma742

Please let us know what they tell you or if replacing the fob battery resolves the issue.

NickB1234

OK, status update.

I mimicked what I did at the gas station at home (but with no actual gas pumping of course) and there was no problem. I took the car in for its 6-month checkup yesterday and ran this issue by the advisor. She guessed that the fob battery may have been low and replaced it for free. I also asked if it was possible some wireless communication was going on at the pump (both times I filled up, I used the same pump) that could have interfered with the car sensor and she said she couldn't say no to that. (Note: finally got my second key after waiting 6 months.)

Since I don't drive much, it will be a couple of months before I gas up again to see if it still happens.

Droid13

I heard of a similar situation on a different model of Lexus. Guy always had trouble starting his car at one particular location. After months of head scratching and taking the car to the dealer multiple times, it turned out that the location had a close by radio transmission tower that was overwhelming the fob's wireless connection. Maybe your car needs a giant aluminum foil hat. I suppose a couple of additional simple tests would help say for sure:

a) Fill up at a different location, see what happens there.
b) Go to the old gas station, stop the car, get out and close door so key is no longer detected within the car. Then get back in and try to start (I wouldn't even say wait until you need a fill, because that actually being the cause of the issue seems so remote).

If you have no problem filling at new location, but old location you still can't start even simply getting out, then its very likely local interference.

NickB1234

Today I went and stopped at pump where I had the problems (no gas pumped today) as per the suggestion and.everything went smoothly, no problem. I used the same fob as in the past, but this time it has a brand new battery in it. When I fill up the tank next time, it will be the final test to ensure the problem has disappeared.