Just bought a 1994 LS400 with 76500 miles on it. Everything is good except the engine is hard to start in the cold morning. I would turn the key and the starter will crank but fuel doesn't seem to go in and the engine wouldn't start. I would crank a couple more times, about 3 seconds each time. If it doesn't start, I would take the key out and re-insert the key, wait for telescoping steering to move into place and then crank. The engine would most likely start then and then it's no problem for the entire day. But the next morning, same thing may happen again.

I wonder if any one else has the same problem with their starting in the morning. Please help. It's very annoying and I think it can kill the starter.

Thanks

 

I have the exact same problem. Posted in a thread a while back...was discussed a bit but alas still no solution.

 

Here is the thread where it was discussed. My post is half waydown first page. The last post to the thread might hold the key but I haven't got that far yet.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=302459

 

Sounds like you need to replace your gas cap. A cap which doesn't hold a vacuum in the fuel system allows the pressure to fall, and it takes a while to build up the pressure in the mornings. Lexus or Toyota dealer only.

 

u can just replace the rubber ring around the gas cap instead of buying a whole new one...unless the old one cracked or something.

 

Thank you guys. I will check on the gas cap today and replace it or replace the rubber ring to see if it works. I appreciate all the suggestions. I will keep you guys posted on the result.

 

By the way PSILOSIN, did you try cleaning out the carbon build up in the air intake?

 

Replaced a new fuel cap yesterday then drove a while. Started fine this morning on the first crank. Let's hope that did the magic. I will post update.

 

I don't think I de-carboned the intake but I have done a seafoam treatment that should have cleaned everything else. I'm going to head down to Toyota and see if a new gas cap works.

 

The new factory original cap costed me $24.00. So far it's working good. Engine fired up on first crank this morning again. Keeping my fingers crossed. This will be the best 24 bucks ever spent if it solves the problem.

 

Thats great news jtc3200!

Is the gas cap a ubiquitos Toyota/Lexus part or do I need a specific part number for the LS400 gas cap? (and if so can I get the part number from someone). My local Toyota dealer will only order via specific part numbers since my Celsior isn't in the Canadian Toyota EPC and they don't have the Lexus EPC.

 

Not so fast Psilosin....

Hold off on your fuel cap purchase. We're back to drawing board again. It took 3 cranks this morning to fire up the engine this morning. So the new fuel cap didn't solve the problem.

Just for your info, I got my fuel cap from Lexus dealer. Part #77310-12140.

So does any one has any other ideas?

I may take my car to the dealer and ask them to check the fuel filter, fuel pressure regulator and maybe the cold start injector. How much is that going to cost me? But I really don't want to leave this problem unattended.

 

I would think cranking the engine about three times is about normal. Unless you mean you are cranking the engine for an extended period three seperate times.

When I turn the turn in my car it goes something like crank, crank, crank and then starts.

 

Yes, I actually meant I cranked the engine 3 separate times, about 3 to 5seconds each time but the engine wouldn't fire up. Then it would fire up within a second on the 3rd or 4th time I crank. I try not to crank for more than 5 seconds to avoid damaging the starter.

Any suggestions?

 

my ls takes about 2-3 seconds when I first fire it up in the morning...5 seconds doesnt seem too bad. but over that is a bit much. Are you sure its not the fuel pump? Sounds like it loosing pressure somewhere, and the longer you crank it, the more pressure (fuel) builds then finally it fires up. Maybe? Maybe not....