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CAM or crank sensor issue

Tiny
SNITKER09
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 LEXUS LX 470
  • 4.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
My car had been cranking but not starting randomly. When I take the negative off the battery for ten minutes, it starts! The other day my neighbor came over and he just grounded the negative and it started right up. With eight or so runs in between the starting and just cranking, I feel like I am breaking my car because now it did not start. Towed it to the mechanic two times and it did not throw any codes. He tried gas in the intake with no start. Charged up my battery and then he could not get it not to start! So how do I know if it is a crank sensor, shaft or cam sensor/shaft?
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Saturday, April 7th, 2018 AT 6:35 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
From these two statements, "The other day my neighbor came over and he just grounded the negative and it started right up" and "charged up my battery and then he could not get it not to start" I would have to say there is a ground problem. I would replace the battery ground cable and see how that goes. Sometimes the copper wire strands on the inside get old or rusted and a lot of them break or rust and no longer work or work half the time and cause a lot of problems.
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Sunday, April 8th, 2018 AT 7:47 AM
Tiny
SNITKER09
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
We got the ground cable, but my husband could not see where it went in the back of the engine, so it looks like I am taking it to Toyota. This last time that it was just cranking, I could not get it to start. I hope I did not damage the engine. I wish a code would have popped up! Thanks for your help!
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Monday, April 9th, 2018 AT 6:27 AM
Tiny
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You are welcome. I searched through all four of the online databases I have and none show the battery ground cable location, sorry.
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Monday, April 9th, 2018 AT 8:11 AM
Tiny
SNITKER09
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
So I got it towed to Toyota. Just diagnostic is $126.00. They asked if my new starter was Lexus. I think I am going to have to pay a fortune but I hope this gets fixed. Thanks for your time. I did let them know about the grounded wire so we will see what the outcome is!
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Monday, April 9th, 2018 AT 9:32 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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Okay, good luck.
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Monday, April 9th, 2018 AT 9:33 AM
Tiny
SNITKER09
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ended up being an EFI sensor. Not too bad. Thanks for your help!
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Monday, April 9th, 2018 AT 4:18 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
I think they meant EFI relay but none the less. I am glad to hear you got it fixed.
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Monday, April 9th, 2018 AT 5:08 PM

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