jump start lexus LS400 1996 Engine / 1996 LS400: IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
160
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 ªIf your vehicle will not startº.
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 ªHow to start
the engineº on page 130 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 may try jump
starting. See ª(c) Jump startingº for further instruction.
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
ªForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not pull± or push±start the vehicle. It may damage
the vehicle or cause a collision when the engine
starts. Also the three±way catalytic converter may
overheat and become a fire hazard.
If the engine turns over at its normal speed but will not
start ±
1. The engine may be flooded because of repeated
cranking. See ª(b) Starting a flooded engineº 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 ªForewordº.)

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
161
(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 key to ªSTARTº 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 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 ªForewordº.)
NOTICE
Do not crank for more than 15 seconds at a time. This
may overheat the starter and wiring systems.
(c) Jump starting
To avoid serious personal injury and damage to your
vehicle which might result from battery explosion, acid
burns, electrical burns, or damaged electronic
components, these instructions must be followed
precisely.
If you are unsure about how to follow this procedure, we
strongly recommend that you seek help from your Lexus
dealer, Roadside Assistance or Customer Service
Assistance. (See ªForewordº).
CAUTION!

Batteries contain sulfuric acid which is poisonous
and corrosive. Wear protective safety glasses when
jump starting, and avoid spilling acid on your skin,
clothing, or vehicle.
If you should accidentally get acid on yourself or in
your eyes, remove any contaminated clothing and
flush the affected area with water for at least 15
minutes. Then get immediate medical attention. If
possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while en route to the medical office.
The gas normally produced by a battery will
explode if a flame or spark is brought near. Use only
standardized jumper cables and do not smoke or
light a match while jump starting.
NOTICE
The battery used for boosting must be 12 V. Do not
jump start unless you are sure that the booster
battery is correct.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
162
Discharged batteryBooster battery
JUMP STARTING PROCEDURE
1. If the booster battery is installed in another vehicle, make
sure the vehicles are not touching. Turn off all unnecessary
lights and accessories.2. 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, personal
injuries and burns.)
If the booster battery is an extended maintenance interval
battery, it is not necessary to remove the vent plugs.
3. If the engine in the vehicle with the booster battery is not
running, start it and let it run for about 5 minutes. During jump
starting, run the engine at about 2000 rpm with the
accelerator pedal lightly depressed.
4. Locate positive (+) and negative (±) terminals of each
battery. Connect the jumper cables in the exact order (

 ) shown in the illustration.

Connect a positive (red) jumper cable clamp to the
positive (+) terminal of the discharged battery.
Connect the clamp at the other end of the positive (red)
cable to the positive (+) terminal of the booster battery.
Connect a negative (black) cable clamp to the negative
(±) terminal of the booster battery.
Connect the clamp at the other end of the negative
(black) cable to a solid, stationary, unpainted metallic
point (e.g. water inlet housing filler plug) away from the
battery. Do not connect it to or near any part that moves
when the engine is cranked.

IN CASE OF AN EMERGENCY
163
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 your 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 battery cover cloths 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.
When the engine overheats
Pull safely off the road, stop the vehicle and turn on your
emergency flashers. Put the transmission in ªPº and apply
the parking brake.
A: If steam is coming from your engine:
Turn off the engine. Leave the hood closed until there is no
sign of steam or coolant. Your engine could have been
seriously damaged already. Call your Lexus dealer for
assistance.
CAUTION!
To help avoid personal injury, keep the hood closed
until there is no steam. Escaping steam or coolant is
sign of very high pressure.