My Lexus LS400 stuttered for a few seconds when pulling into a parking lot. After a meal the car started fine but didn't respond well when I went to pull out onto the road. The car was very sluggish, not responding to the gas pedal. Then it stalled going around a corner when I stepped on the pedal and at a stoplight, too. It also wouldn't shift well, yet when I shifted manually the car ran well through the first three gears. This car has been running beautifully and the problem occurred like a switch was flipped. Can someone tell me what's going on with this car?

sounds like the rear brake may be siezed , park on a hill let of the parking brake and see if the vehicle will start rolling , if not get the brakes overhauled

To troubleshoot the issue, click the link below:

Car Repair Diagram

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2013/03/car-repair-diagram.html

-------

Its a hot start issue.

Can be related to low fuel pressure or problem with crank sensor.

Also it can be weak battery or starter.

But possibilities are to be inspected to confirm what exactly it is.------

To troubleshoot and confirm the issue,i suggest you refer few solved help links with similar types of problem like yours:------

Click the link below:------

1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html

-------------

1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

------------

1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

------------

2002 Toyota Camry: Puff of Blue or White Smoke while Starting?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2002-toyota-camry-puff-of-blue-or-white.html

------------

Multiple problems on car: Car runs hot, A/C blows hot and car starts surging?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/multiple-problems-on-car-car-runs-hotac.html

--------------

Delay starting on Toyota Prius?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/delay-starting-on-toyota-prius.html

-----------

Honda car will not start intermittently?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/honda-car-will-not-start-intermittently.html

--------------

Vehicle Starts, Runs and Loses Power

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/vehicle-startsruns-and-loses-power.html

--------------

Intermittent starting issues on Volvo 760?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/intermittent-starting-issues-on-volvo.html

-----------

Car starts and cuts off immediately?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-starts-and-cuts-off-immediately.html

-----------

Car won't start when cold?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-start-when-cold.html

===========

These details will help.

Thanks.

Its a hot start issue.

Can be related to low fuel pressure or problem with crank sensor.

Also it can be weak battery or starter.

But possibilities are to be inspected to confirm what exactly it is.------

To troubleshoot and confirm the issue,i suggest you refer few solved help links with similar types of problem like yours:------

Click the link below:------

1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html

-------------

1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

------------

1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

------------

2002 Toyota Camry: Puff of Blue or White Smoke while Starting?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2002-toyota-camry-puff-of-blue-or-white.html

------------

Multiple problems on car: Car runs hot, A/C blows hot and car starts surging?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/multiple-problems-on-car-car-runs-hotac.html

--------------

Delay starting on Toyota Prius?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/delay-starting-on-toyota-prius.html

-----------

Honda car will not start intermittently?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/honda-car-will-not-start-intermittently.html

--------------

Vehicle Starts, Runs and Loses Power

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/vehicle-startsruns-and-loses-power.html

--------------

Intermittent starting issues on Volvo 760?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/intermittent-starting-issues-on-volvo.html

-----------

Car starts and cuts off immediately?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-starts-and-cuts-off-immediately.html

-----------

Car won't start when cold?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/car-wont-start-when-cold.html

===========

These details will help.

Thanks.

Vehicle Starts, Runs and Loses Power

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/vehicle-startsruns-and-loses-power.html

--------------

Its a hot start issue.

Can be related to low fuel pressure or problem with crank sensor.

Also it can be weak battery or starter.

But possibilities are to be inspected to confirm what exactly it is.------

To troubleshoot and confirm the issue,i suggest you refer few solved help links with similar types of problem like yours:------

Click the link below:------

1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html

-------------

1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

------------

1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

------------

2002 Toyota Camry: Puff of Blue or White Smoke while Starting?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2002-toyota-camry-puff-of-blue-or-white.html

------------

Multiple problems on car: Car runs hot, A/C blows hot and car starts surging?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/04/multiple-problems-on-car-car-runs-hotac.html

--------------

Delay starting on Toyota Prius?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/delay-starting-on-toyota-prius.html

-----------

Honda car will not start intermittently?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/honda-car-will-not-start-intermittently.html

--------------

Vehicle Starts, Runs and Loses Power

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/vehicle-startsruns-and-loses-power.html

--------------

Intermittent starting issues on Volvo 760?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/intermittent-starting-issues-on-volvo.html

-----------

Car starts and cuts off immediately?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/car-starts-and-cuts-off-immediately.html

-----------

===========

These details will help.

Thanks.

CAR NO START PROBLEMS:-----

It can be the issue with weak battery or faulty battery or if battery is ok,then its faulty starter causing the issue.

From start to end troubleshooting these problem i suggest you to click the link below and follow its procedure:-----

What to Do When Car Turns Over But Won't Start?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-to-do-when-car-turns-over-but-wont.html

-----------

Car starting issues?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-starting-issues.html

------------

Car Starting Problems

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/car-starting-problems.html

--------

1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html

----------

1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

---------

1999 Chrysler Cirrus: 8 IGN Fuel Starter Fuse Blows?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1999-chrysler-cirrus-8-ign-fuel-starter.html

-----------

2001 Toyota Camry: No start After replacing Battery?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-camry-no-start-after.html

----------

1989 Toyota Pickup Truck: Turns over but not start?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1989-toyota-pickup-truck-turns-over-but.html

--------------

Car dead and will not Start?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/car-dead-and-will-not-start.html

--------

1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

----------

2001 Toyota Prius will not start?

http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-prius-will-not-start.html

---------

1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Engine will not start?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/1996-jeep-grand-cherokee-engine-will.html

-------------

Mitsubishi will not start

http://www.howtorepairguide.com

It can be the issue with weak battery or faulty battery or if battery is ok,then its faulty starter causing the issue.

From start to end troubleshooting these problem i suggest you to click the link below and follow its procedure:-----

What to Do When Car Turns Over But Won't Start?
http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/11/what-to-do-when-car-turns-over-but-wont.html

-----------Car starting issues?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/car-starting-issues.html
------------
Car Starting Problemshttp://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/car-starting-problems.html

--------

1991 Toyota Trecel: Engine Starts fine but dies when gets Warm?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1991-toyota-trecel-engine-starts-fine.html
----------
1994 Toyota Pickup: Starts fine but dies in few seconds?http://howtobyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1994-toyota-pickup-starts-fine-but-dies.html

---------
1999 Chrysler Cirrus: 8 IGN Fuel Starter Fuse Blows?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/06/1999-chrysler-cirrus-8-ign-fuel-starter.html

-----------
2001 Toyota Camry: No start After replacing Battery?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-camry-no-start-after.html
----------
1989 Toyota Pickup Truck: Turns over but not start?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1989-toyota-pickup-truck-turns-over-but.html--------------
Car dead and will not Start?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/car-dead-and-will-not-start.html
--------1995 Lexus LS400: Running Hot?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/1995-lexus-ls400-running-hot.html

----------
2001 Toyota Prius will not start?http://whatisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/05/2001-toyota-prius-will-not-start.html
---------1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee: Engine will not start?http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2012/06/1996-jeep-grand-cherokee-engine-will.html-------------Mitsubishi will not starthttp://www.howtorepairguide.com
---------
These will help.
Thanks.

I had the same problem with my 1992 LS400. My Lexus mechanic fixed it by replacing the MAF(Mass Air Flow).

This used to drive me crazy when the weather was hot.

I had the same issue with my SC400, it was due to low compression in one of the cylinders, due to a leaking head gasket... I was in the process of swapping out the engine for a new 1uzfe, so it wasnt a huge problem, I had been expecting it due to the fact that I had 301,000 miles on it when I finally replaced the engine last week.

Found blowen altanator fuse which is located under the hood fuse box.
its the box type fuse white 120 amps. To remove there are two screws
that hold it in placse.

A week ago, on my Lexus ES 300 (2001), "Check Engine" and "Trac Off" lights came on. This coincided with me filling the gas tank to the brim to round the dollar to be paid. I cleaned the gas tank cap and the tank opening. However, both lights persisted. On the same day, when I turned on the car again, there was a hesitance, a stuttering to come on. Both "Check Engine" and "Trac Off" lights were still on.

The next day, the car wouldn't come on at all. It sounded as the battery was dead. I couldn't even jump start the car. So, I got a new battery from Costco ($59) and put it in. It took 15-20 seconds of cranking to get the car started. Once it was started, the engine sounded fine and the RPM normal. The "Check Engine" light was off. However, the "Trac Off" was still on. I cleaned the gas tank cap one more time.

The next morning, when I turned the car on, there was no problems. It came on instantly as it used to be, didn't have any warning lights, and drove smoothly.