DHenn

Hey guys,

been lurking here a long time between the SC forums and the RX forums...

Having a problem with a 99 RX300 i bought with a blown motor. Had the motor rebuilt at a local machine shop and all was well... put it back in the shell and it started up fine.

Started experiencing problems with the injector o-rings so i replaced them. during this time, obviously, i had most of the engine bay apart... upper intake manifold, intake, battery out...

Got it all back together and it wouldn't start, in fact, the starter wasn't even engaging. So, naturally, i removed the starter and bench tested it... tested fine, lots of torque and good response.

Turns out their is no signal at all to the starter.

Scanned for codes, only code was the unplugged maf

Tried plugging in the maf, no signal.

I suspect the security imobilizer/alarm is preventing the signal from firing, however, i can't seem to get it to turn off...
what i've tried:
- removing the battery (for a week)
- checked all fuses (engine bay & interior)
- put starter relay in my SC and it fired right up
- bench tested starter
- using master (grey) key

Would like to fire the engine to make sure the injector o-rings don't leak again (original problem) before putting the rest of the bay back together.

Any and all help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks

Darren

ukrkoz

Hi Darren.Grey key is valet key. Not sure what you mean by master key.
Presuming, all dash lights etc are good and fuel pump works?
Did you try to jump starter? 99 is not really that much complex on electronics, should be jumped.
Security would have cause some sort of warning light in the dash.
I think, security disables fuel pump, not starter.

Here's how to reset security:

The procedure is:
Insert master key (non-remote master) into driver's side door.
Remove key.
Insert master remote key into driver's side door.
Remove key.
Insert master key (non-remote master) into ignition.
Remove key.
Insert master remote key into ignition.
Remove key.


Try that, if it does not work, you either have disconnected wire, or damaged wire or bad ignition lock or main relay. I think, 99 still had main relay.

salimshah

I would suggest , read the 'having problems start here' sticky thread.

When members post 'does not start' it can have multiple meanings.

From your post I gather that the starter does not spin and you not getting the solenoid clicking noise.

Imobizer, kills the spark and lets the starter spin endlessly. So if my understanding above is correct, the issue is not with the immobilizer.

The solenoid gets the low current 12v signal from the the ignition key. You can connect a voltmeter to check it or provide 12v from the battery [All precautions still apply .. transmission in park and hand and clothes out of the way or moving parts. Make sure you are not pinned in case the vehicle moves etc].

There is a safety interlock ... PRND switch on the transmission that acts as a switch for ingnition. Some times the shift lever is not solidly in the Park and that prevents the low current to get to the starter.

Salim

DHenn

Thanks for the info guys, that's exactly what I was looking for.

this would mean that my ignition cylinder is likely the problem.

salimshah

ummm I would only list it as possible source of problem ... it can be the solenoid, PRND switch connectors or break in wire. Since the ignition switch was not messed with, the likely-hood of that being a problem is low. [cant say zero]

Salim

DHenn

Just to follow up for anyone with a similar issue, and to provide some closure to this thread...

We finally found the problem... it was a disconnected connector to the transmission itself. Once we found that and plugged that in, the car fired right up.

Thanks for all the info guys, it really helped track down the problem!

Cheers,

Darren

salimshah

Was it the PRND switch connector?

Salim

DHenn

it was the larger of the two so likely yeah.