1998 GS300 not starting $1000, Columbus OH

I have too many projects to work on this as I've got a new daily driver for my wife. This is a 1998 GS300 with about 180k miles on it. It has been very reliable, until about two months ago it wouldn't start. I replaced the fuel pump and that didn't fix it. I don't have time to mess with it, have about 10k projects and a one year old baby. Something's gotta give.

Everything electrical/electronic works, the a/c works, the motor is in good shape physically. The motor turns over but will not fire. It would stumble on starter fluid which is why I suspected the fuel pump - and there's no shrader valve to check fuel pressure so I just winged it. Well that was a mistake. New fuel pump made no difference.

When it ran, the only problem was that the ABS would actuate as you came to a stop. I replaced what I thought was the bad wheel sensor with no luck. Apparently there's a common problem with the rear tone rings corroding and it's fixed by new axles in the back.

It's a reasonably quick, comfortable, and good handling daily driver. 2JZ powered! 5-speed auto transmission.

Does not include the snow tires that are on it; comes with a good set of Pirelli all-seasons on identical factory wheels.

There are some cosmetic issues: 1) Small tear in the front bumper 2) Big dent in the trunk lid (trunk still functions) 3) Passenger side view mirror has some plastic broken off 4) Rubber trim on bottom of passenger front door has small torn bit 5) Driver's front seat bottom has tear 6) Front center arm rest has tear

Price is $1000, firm. Buy it fast, I'll probably tow it to a mechanic if it doesn't sell soon.

If this were closer I'd be on it in a heartbeat. Someone should grab this.

That looks to be a good deal. I would get that as a potential flip. The old if you were closer apples.

So a free bump for what looks to be a grew car.

Thanks guys. It's a great car, this is literally the first problem it's given us (other than an aged out battery) in three years of daily driving. I should just fix it and then sell it but it's crunch time on projects versus winter and I'm freaking out a but about what all needs done. I still haven't set up my garage at the new house and that makes it harder to work on cars AND is something I want to do before the hard freeze hits. Argh!

That needs megasquirt and a huge ass ebay turbo for $2016 glory!

I agree. A turbo would be awesome on this thing, and it could lose a few hundred pounds with interior removal. But it's really a very nice daily driver so that probably makes more sense.

If I didn't already have a '90 Infiniti Q45, I would be considering this as a DD.

Anyone have an idea as to why this won't start? Also would this be a good first car/father and son project? I assume they are safe, but maybe too powerful as a first car? Also I think that engine is an inline six correct?

Dude, where have you been hiding? What's new? How's family life?

Mazdax605 wrote: Anyone have an idea as to why this won't start? Also would this be a good first car/father and son project? I assume they are safe, but maybe too powerful as a first car? Also I think that engine is an inline six correct?

It's not super powerful by today's standards; it's about 225hp? 0-60 is in about 6.9-7 seconds. So quick by 90s standards but about average nowadays. It's an inline six, yes. It's safe, even has side airbags. Easy to work on, the engine has plenty of room around it.

As far as why it's not starting, I'm going to guess ignition module, crank sensor, cam sensor, something like that. Something that would keep it from having a strong enough spark to run. I haven't removed any coils or done any diagnostic work. My first guess was fuel pump because of the stumbling on starting fluid. I knew there was some pressure but couldn't check how much because there's no fitting on the fuel rail for a pressure gauge. (Dang!) So I replaced the pump and it didn't help. (Double dang!) Then threw my hands up since at any given point I have a ton of stuff to do and this car is about last or second from last on the give-a-f---ometer.

@Klayfish: Just taking care of family and home! Hard to find time to come on the forum with everything I have going on. Everything is going well though, Naomi is an awesome little girl. Just had her first birthday. I hope to do some racing in 2016 so hopefully we'll see each other again! I saw Mental at the AER race at Mid-Ohio, I went up to spectate for an hour or two.

And it's fixed. Off the market for now. Make me an offer if you really wanted it but it's going to be a bit higher since it runs now.

Turns out something chewed on the crank sensor connector. I did a nice repair (peeled back the loom, soldered in extension w/shink wrap, and rewrapped the loom) and it fired right up.

The ABS isn't activating any more since it gave up and just illuminated the ABS and Trac lights, turning off the ABS. Should be easier to figure out what's going on, by hooking up an ABS capable code reader, but I don't have one of those yet.