I have a 1997 Lexus es300 and it recently stopped working. I have checked the battery, alternator, and starter but they all work fine. If you turn the key the starter just clicks but the Motor won't turn over. Please help!!!

 

How many volts does the battery show? It really sounds like that is the cause? What is the date on it (sticker or punched-out numbers on label).

I

 

I took it to auto zone to get it checked out and they told me it was good. The alternator is brand new and I had bought a new starter for it but it did the same thing, just clicked. So I returned it and put the old one back in.

 

I just noticed that the security light used to blink when locked but now the light doesn't blink at all, could that be the reason why it won't start?

 

Absolutely possible. The security system will definitely prevent the starter from engaging if you have an issue.

Are you using the master key? Make sure all electrical connections are free of corrosion and tight between the battery, alternator, and the starter. You only need a good battery and a working starter to get the engine going.

What has happened from the time that the car last ran and today? What symptoms have you had and what services have you attempted? Also, what's the mileage.

 

Would also be a good idea to check your fuses and make sure the car is in Park. Making sure the battery connections are tight is also a good idea.

 

If it clicks it is detecting the park switch. No one mentioned it but check all the GROUNDS also that go to various parts of the body. Great batteries can be brought down by bad grounding.

 

A "good" battery that is undercharged will still do exactly what you are describing. You need to put a voltmeter across the terminals and read it, then charge to capacity.

Before chasing down less likely sources of your problem, eliminate the most obvious.

 

Forget the voltmeter - a battery can have a surface charge of 12v, but almost zero amps. Get it load tested at a car parts store.

 

The video is a bit long but talks about testing for voltage drop and uses an actual demonstration of a bad cable to the starter motor.

 

No, the voltmeter is the next step. See post #3, he did this already. But there's no guarantee it's currently charged if it's drawing down from a ground or something else. Getting it to proper voltage while in the car and THEN trying to start it would be a powerful diagnostic tool (and the vid above is a good help for those who want to know how to do a draw test).

 

Need help my car won't crank won't start 2nd gen gs 300.the issue i am having is i would drive my car in the morning to work and when i am ready to leave it wont crank or start and it would be like this for 2 to 3 days which i have to leave it then it would just start i changed the starter, the alternator and the starter fuse and the same thing happen like 3 days after does anyone know why this is happening please help

 

Need help my car won't crank won't start 2nd gen gs 300.the issue i am having is i would drive my car in the morning to work and when i am ready to leave it wont crank or start and it would be like this for 2 to 3 days which i have to leave it then it would just start i changed the starter, the alternator and the starter fuse and the same thing happen like 3 days after does anyone know why this is happening please help

 

What about your battery?