1994 Lexus ES300 ignition

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
132
IF YOUR ENGINE STALLS
WHILE DRIVING
If your engine stalls while driving....
1. Reduce your speed gradually, keeping a straight line.
Move cautiously off the road to a safe place.
2. Turn on your emergency flashers.
3. Try starting the engine again.
If the engine will not start, see “If your vehicle will not start”.
CAUTION:
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes
and steering will not work, so steering and braking will be
much harder than usual.
IF YOUR VEHICLE WILL NOT
START
(a) Simple checks
Before making these checks, make sure you have followed the
correct starting procedure instructions in “How to start the
engine” on page 107 and that you have sufficient fuel.
If the engine is not turning over or is turning over too
slowly −
1. Check that the battery terminals are tight and clean.
2. If the battery terminals are O.K., switch on the interior light.3. If the light is out, dim or goes out when the starter is cranked,
the battery is discharged. You can try jump starting. See “(c)
Jump starting” for further instructions.
If the light is O.K., but the engine still will not start, it needs
adjustment or repair. Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside
Assistance or Customer Service Assistance. (See
“Foreword”.)
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not
start −
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated cranking.
See “(b) Starting a flooded engine” for further instructions.
2. If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair.
Call a Lexus dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer
Service Assistance. (See “Foreword”.)
(b) Starting a flooded engine
If the engine will not start, your engine may be flooded
because of repeated cranking.
If this happens, turn the ignition key to “START” with the
accelerator pedal held down. Continue this operation for 15
seconds and then stop cranking. Then try starting the engine
with your foot off the accelerator pedal.
If the engine does not start after 15 seconds of cranking,
release the ignition key, wait a few minutes and try again.
If the engine still will not start, it needs adjustment or repair. Call
a Lexus dealer. Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See “Foreword”).

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
1342. If required, remove all the vent plugs from the booster
battery. Lay a cloth over the open vents on the booster battery.
(This helps reduce the explosion hazard.)
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for a few minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the accelerator
pedal lightly depressed.
4. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order shown in the
illustration: positive terminal (“+” mark)-to-positive terminal
(“+” mark), and negative terminal (“−” mark)-to-engine or body
ground. Note that you first connect the positive cable to the
discharged battery and then to the booster battery. Next,
connect the negative cable to the booster battery and then to
a solid, stationary, metallic point (e.g. engine hanging hook)
away from the battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that
moves when the engine is cranked.
NOTICE:
When making the connections, do not lean over the
battery or accidentally let the jumper cables or clamps
touch anything except the correct battery terminals or
the ground.
5. Start you, engine in the normal way. After starting, run it at
about 2000 rpm for several minutes with the accelerator pedal
lightly depressed.6. Carefully disconnect the cables in the exact reverse order:
the negative cable and then the positive cable.
7. Carefully dispose of the batten, cover cloth which may now
contain sulfuric acid.
8. If removed, replace all the battery vent plugs.
If the cause of your battery discharging is not apparent (for
example, lights left on), you should have it checked.
IF YOUR VEHICLE OVERHEATS
If your engine coolant temperature gauge indicates
overheating, if you experience a loss of power, or if you
hear a loud knocking or pinging noise, the engine has
probably overheated. You should follow this procedure ...
1. Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in “P” and apply the
parking brake. Turn off the air conditioning if it is being used.
2. If coolant or steam is boiling out of the radiator or reservoir,
stop the engine. Wait until the steam subsides before opening
the hood. If there is no coolant boiling over or steam, leave the
engine running and make sure the engine cooling fan is
operating. If it is not, turn the ignition off.
CAUTION:
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed until
there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is a sign of
very high pressure.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
143
Emergency towing
Emergency towing eyeletsEmergency towing eyelets
If towing service is not available in an emergency, your
vehicle may be temporarily towed by a cable secured to
one of the eyelets under the front or rear of the vehicle.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer it and operate the
brakes. Towing in this manner may be done only on
hard-surfaced roads for a short distance and at low speeds.
Also, the wheels, axles, drive train, steering and brakes must
all be in good condition.
Before towing, release the parking brake and put the
transmission in “N”. The ignition key must he in “ACC” (engine
off) or “ON” (engine running).CAUTION:
If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes
and steering will not work so steering and braking will be
much harder than usual.
IF YOU CANNOT SHIFT THE
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
SELECTOR LEVER
Lock
Cover of shift lock
override button
If you cannot shift the selector lever out of “P” position to
other positions even though the brake pedal is depressed,
use the shift lock override button as follows:
1. Turn the ignition key to “LOCK”. Make sure the parking
brake is applied.
2. Pry up the cover with a flat-bladed screwdriver or
equivalent.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
144
3. Insert the screwdriver or equivalent into the hole to push
down the shift lock override button. You can shift out of “P”
position only while pushing the button.
4. Shift into “N” position.
5. Insert the cover.
6. Start the engine. For your safety, keep the brake pedal
depressed.
Be sure to have the system checked by your Lexus dealer as
soon as possible.
IF YOU LOSE YOUR KEYS OR
LOCK YOURSELF OUT
If you need replacement of an ignition key, contact your
Lexus dealer.
See the suggestion given in “Keys” on page 8.
If your keys are locked in the vehicle and you cannot get a
duplicate, many Lexus dealers can assist you. If you must
break a window to get in, we suggest breaking the smallest
side window because it is the least expensive to replace. Be
extremely cautious to avoid cuts from the glass.