I bought this car for my daughter and it suddenly will not start. Car has 113,000 miles on it. Boyfriend is off-shore and cannot help me.. Below are the symptoms:

- Turn key on and display lights up. Windows, radio and air blower will work.
- Turn key to start car and it does not turn over. Can here huming sound in engine compartment
when key is turned to start position. Dash instruments dem when I do this.

What I have done:

- Replaced battery. And its hot.
- Moved gear shifter.
- Pushed car back and forth in case of park gear error.
- Checked all ignition and starting fuses listed in the owners manual, they are good.

Thanks in advance for any advice on this problem. I am trying to at least know whats wrong before I carry to mechanic. That way I might save some money.

 

If car will not turn over, most likely its the starter.

 

Thanks. How big of a deal is it to replace a starter on the Lexus?

 

Tap the starter lightly with a rubber mallet , or the other end of a broom stick and see if it will than start.


Phil

 

Check your battery and starter connections. Could just be a loose cable.

 

I finally found the starter. All connections looked ok. I got a broom and slide the handle in there and tapped it. Car started right up! Thanks so much guys. I feel alot better knowing there is help out there for dummies like me, ha.

 

Also in the future, the same symptoms apply if the battery to your key remote is very low.

 

So, the starter circuit is somehow influenced by a key fob signal? Is this '03 a keyless proximity start?

 

I would highly recommend having it looked at. The hot battery is an indication of a short. Tapping the stater probably freed it up. It might just have been a fluke or an indication you need a new starter.

 

The OP mentioned turning the key on her 02. Did the ES have keyless go in 03?

Not sure where that comment was going, the transponder in the key is passive, only the remote unlock uses the battery.

Back on topic I'd get that starter replaced. Colloquially this condition is called a "flat spot" on the starter but I think it is usually the solenoid is going or the starter motor brushes or something in there. This problem will likely happen again, and more frequently until you replace the starter.

 

Its probably the starter.
The starters in the 4ES SUCK. They go up quite often.
I work at a Toyota dealer and Ive replaced 6 in the past year. JUST ON 2002-2006 ES.

 

good to know from someone in the biz. But also we are getting up there in years, so some parts start going.

 

I did this and car started but quickly turned off again

 

Where is the starter located on the Lexus ES 300?

 

I just replaced one on a 2002 ES300 this weekend. It is hard to see as there is intact ducting that blocks most of it.

Facing the engine, look at the airbox on the right side, the starter will be below it to the left and aligned just about with the front edge of the airbox.