2003 Lexus ES 300 no crank

2003 LEXUS ES 300
174,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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THOMASRICHARDSON
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  • 1 POST
When I turn the key I can hear the starter spinning but the car won't crank.what could cause this?
Sep 15, 2015 at 1:12 PM
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CARADIODOC
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 34,321 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
There's two common causes. One is a cracked flex plate. More common is a broken timing belt. You have an engine problem and you didn't bother to list the engine size, so I can't look up if it's an "interference" engine. If it is, a broken timing belt will result in bent valves and no compression. The engine will spin very freely.

To determine if one of these are the cause, watch the crankshaft pulley and / or serpentine belt to see if they turn when a helper cranks the engine. If they don't turn, suspect the flex plate.
Sep 15, 2015 at 5:29 PM
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