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1991 Lexus ES 250 Vehicle died and won't re-start

Tiny
BORASS007
  • MEMBER
  • 1991 LEXUS ES 250
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 175,000 MILES
Hello,

My 1991 Lexus would misfiring (so it felt like) below speeds of 30-35 mph and mostly at stop lights. Finally the other evening it died at a stop light and wouldn't restart. It cranks perfectly. My theory is the fuel pump as I don't think its ever been changed before. Pretty much everything on the vehicle is original as far as I know. I am having trouble locating the fuel pump. I know it's in the tank. I removed the rear seat bottom and found the fuel sender but the pump was not combined with that. Any ideas on what the issue is and possibly where the fuel pump is located?

Thank you very much for your time!

Happy Holidays!

Sincerely

Tony
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 AT 12:07 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Need to drop tank then remove 8 bolts then pump assembly. Have you checked for spark?
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Saturday, January 2nd, 2010 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
BORASS007
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Alright so I found the pump is working and the fuel filter is not clogged. I checked spark at cylinders 2, 4, and 6 - no spark. Went to the coil by the radiator (which looks like it leads to the distributor), found spark coming out of the coil. I'm guessing the distributor is the issue then. Possible it just is the rotor in the distributor? I almost have the distributor cap off (its -5 degrees with windchill and the car is stuck in the driveway outside many warm up breaks).

THanks for the help! It's greatly appreciated!
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Monday, January 4th, 2010 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
When you get dist. Cap offf crank engine rotor turn?
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Monday, January 4th, 2010 AT 4:04 PM
Tiny
BORASS007
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Got the cap off, the rotor does turn when cranking engine. Actually had to do that to access the small screw holding the rotor off the distributor. The cap contacts are pretty worn as well as the rotors contact spot.
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Monday, January 4th, 2010 AT 4:15 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
That would do it especially in extreme cold. Let me know after it's replaced.
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Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
BORASS007
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Hey, I got the distributor cap and rotor replaced. Vehicle is running great! Thanks for all the help!
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Thursday, January 7th, 2010 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Nothing like a happy ending
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Thursday, January 7th, 2010 AT 2:58 PM
Tiny
GINA BUSKIRK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am having same problem with same car. But we replaced distibutor and rotor first. No spark. Sprayed starting fluid. Still no start. Any ideas what the problem might be?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 2:04 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
Does rotor spin when engine cranked?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 2:38 PM
Tiny
GINA BUSKIRK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Put everything back together. Didn't know to check it spinning. What if it's not?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 2:42 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,828 POSTS
If rotor does not spin then Timing belt broken
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 3:00 PM
Tiny
GINA BUSKIRK
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Spark plug was removed and the Pistons were moving up and down. Air coming out sparkplug hole. Would it still do that if belt was broke?
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Tuesday, January 3rd, 2017 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,643 POSTS
Yes it would, to check the timing belt remove the distributor cap and have someone turn the engine over to see if the rotor moves.

Please let us know happens so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Monday, January 9th, 2017 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
DANIEL LEE FLOWERS
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Okay, so I've got the same problem on my 1991; it will crank over but will not start. I've replaced the timing belt so I know it's not broke. I've replaced the coil DCM, the fuel pump, plugs wires, cap and rotor. It was running fine up until I changed the timing belt. I don't know if I broke a wire I've checked all the fuses. Any suggestions?
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Friday, January 29th, 2021 AT 4:46 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
If this just started after doing the timing belt then I suspect the timing is not correct. We can confirm this by running a compression check.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-test-engine-compression

If this proves out then I attached the process on how to install the belt below for your review.

Also, here is a guide on the issue in more general terms in case you or others have this issue:

https://youtu.be/dCjmRL3p4Cs

Let me know what the compression readings are and we can go from there.
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Monday, February 1st, 2021 AT 4:07 PM

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