Mut

About 5 months after my engine check light turned on and paying, $1,500 for repairs, my car ran into another problem. My 1999 RX 300 is having problems just trying to start the engine. It seems to start up almost all the way but gradually die. I'm not sure how I can describe it but to put it in simple terms, I turn the key to start the engine but the sound of the engine fades and eventually the engine dies into silence even when my key is turned all the way. This is the closest video of the sound my engine makes during start up. The first two attempts, especially the second, are the most accurate.

I've noticed that it usually happens after I haven't driven the car for a bit -- say, overnight. If I drive to the grocery store, return and try to start the engine, it seems to be fine. But in the mornings before work, after I've left it sitting overnight, it runs into the problem.

I thought it was because it is an older car (but not that old!) and there has been a few times where I shifted the gears from drive to reverse too quickly without the car coming to a full stop. Also, I'm about 1,000 miles behind on my oil change. As for the all of the fluids for the car, they all seem to be at a normal level and nothing seems to be leaking. No engine check lights or anything like that are on.

This has been only going on for a couple of weeks now and it's getting increasingly worse. I though it would go away eventually but I guess not. Just today, it took me 7 or 8 times to start the car. It's becoming really scary to drive it around because it would be terrible for the engine to die in the middle of the freeway.

Before going to a shop and having them fix it, I've learned to find out what the hell is going on first, especially after getting my wallet shanked in the previous car trouble. So, smart and wise Lexus owners, what is going on and what should I be aware of, looking for and expecting? Could it be related to the previous P0171 and P4050 issues?

Nad1370

Sounds more like the idle air control valve is sticking. IAC.

Very easy to clean.
There are tons of write-up on this subject in this forum.

SEARCH up IACV

Mut

Please excuse my ignorance. But what does the idle air control valve have to do with a car failing to properly start?

And what's "idling" the car mean?

Nevermind about idling. I didn't know why I didn't understand it at first. Doh.

Nad1370

From the video you linked. It sounds like the car idles for a second and dies out.
The IAC valve is what it is. It lets the car idle---keeps it at 750rpms when warmed up.
If the valve is somewhat stuck close, it will keep the right amount of air from getting in and not enough air coming in = car won't stay idle.

Nad1370

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...=iacv+write+up

Here's a good write up on a solution what could be your problem.

Mut

Alright. I'm pretty excited to do this tomorrow and hopefully it will fix the issue I'm having. And I hope I was clear with the video I linked on what I'm experiencing (just the first and second start up attempts). I plan on following this part from Lexmex (post #42) as well and incorporate it to tcheung's guide to not deal with removing the IACV. Is this OK or will I mess anything up?

Lexmex

I have done it both ways, with and without disconnecting the hose, and haven't noticed an issue. However, you get to see any dark matter come out if you disconnect the hose.

Mut

Well, it's been a few weeks and I finally got around to do this damn thing. I decided on doing it after spending 10 minutes of my lunch break trying to start my car.

It took me about 45 minutes as this was the first time even touching a car's engine in this fashion. I absolutely could not get those copper colored screws out so I gave up on those. I stopped the process right after I pulled out that hose and saw all the black gunk pour out. Hopefully this was enough. Putting the entire thing back was harder than taking it apart.

I also found out that I didn't even need the sockets (maybe '99s don't need them?) so the total cost for this fix up should be around $8 for the spray and the screwdriver set.

I'm glad this forum exists. It sure is handy!

lexus114

Did it solve your problem?Let us know.

Mut

Yes! It definitely did the job. I haven't had a single problem since.