Starting Issue - A Toughie.
#61
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Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: MA
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I also had a windsheild replace and am going to check the box to see if there is any water sitting in there and to also re-seat the starter, and main relays. Will keep all posted.
#62
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jledue - if it turns out that your main block has water in it, make sure to get the windshield checked out asap.
Because this electrical problem was intermittent and went on for some time, I didn't know about the rust caused by the leakage until I had surface rust at the top of the windshield. This all required that the windshield be removed, the rust repaired, and my whole roof repainted at a cost of $900.
Because this electrical problem was intermittent and went on for some time, I didn't know about the rust caused by the leakage until I had surface rust at the top of the windshield. This all required that the windshield be removed, the rust repaired, and my whole roof repainted at a cost of $900.
#63
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Join Date: Jul 2009
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I have a 99 GS300. About the past few weeks, i have hade problems starting the car. After ther car sits more than a few hours, it would try to turn over a few times before actually doing so. Then it would start up everytime for the rest of the day. Well this morning she did the same, but i noticed a weird sound coming from the engine. I turne the ignition off and the car tried to start itself! It wouldnt stop. So i turned the key back to the "on" position, and the car ran, but with the same noise. I lifted the hood, saw white smoke coming from the area beneath the manidold. Also smelled electrical. as the smoke started to disappear, the noise went away. I then tried turning off the ignition again and was successful....only problem now is it wont do anything when i turn the ignition! One "click", then nothing. All lights work and seem to be normal.
With that being said, what in the world was the white smoke?
With that being said, what in the world was the white smoke?
#64
Driver School Candidate
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99GS Boi -
I'd be willing to bet that even while your car was running, your starter was still engaged. Mine wouldn't quit until I pulled the starter relay.
Not sure about the white smoke, tho...
I'd be willing to bet that even while your car was running, your starter was still engaged. Mine wouldn't quit until I pulled the starter relay.
Not sure about the white smoke, tho...
#65
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Couldnt really tell if it was or not due to the tears in my eyes! Just got the car 2 months ago...rims, LED tails, and a kenwood DVD already installed...Halos on the way, now this happens.
Had one of my workers call the local Lex dealer (I'm in Holland on a military assignment) since I dont speak a lick of Dutch. Just over the phone from what was translated to them, they think its a short somewhere between the ignition and the starter...but i'm sure it burned out the starter motor or at least destroyed some contacts. Wasnt a lot of smoke but it was noticeable. Gonna have it towed to them maybe in the morning. One positive thing, the dutch are very honest, the dealers wont try to stiff you with a bunch of unnecessary parts.
Had one of my workers call the local Lex dealer (I'm in Holland on a military assignment) since I dont speak a lick of Dutch. Just over the phone from what was translated to them, they think its a short somewhere between the ignition and the starter...but i'm sure it burned out the starter motor or at least destroyed some contacts. Wasnt a lot of smoke but it was noticeable. Gonna have it towed to them maybe in the morning. One positive thing, the dutch are very honest, the dealers wont try to stiff you with a bunch of unnecessary parts.
#66
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I am experiencing my of the same issues as GS400Dave. A couple of days ago, we experienced some heavy rains here. After this when I started my car, the starter kept engaging. I had to disconnect the negative terminal on the battery to get it to stop. A couple of hours later I reconnected and the car was running like a champ. After leaving it sitting for the evening, I heard the starter motor going again. I ran out to see the starter motor engaging with no key in the ignition.
I am confused as to how I should proceed. I brought the car last year used and am uncertain about whether the windshield has been replaced. I am also having a hard time understanding how a windshield leak would lead to water getting into the fuse box.
my battery is brand new and the terminals are clean.
My mechanic suggested changing the starter relay, but it appears as though most all people are experiencing problems with the main relay. Has anyone had success in quelling these symptoms by changing the main relay?
I am confused as to how I should proceed. I brought the car last year used and am uncertain about whether the windshield has been replaced. I am also having a hard time understanding how a windshield leak would lead to water getting into the fuse box.
my battery is brand new and the terminals are clean.
My mechanic suggested changing the starter relay, but it appears as though most all people are experiencing problems with the main relay. Has anyone had success in quelling these symptoms by changing the main relay?
#67
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
TK - it wasn't the fuse box down by your kick plate. It was the main junction box, and since I didn't do the replace I'm not even sure where it was. But they gave me the old part, it's about a 4x5" plastic box, and it was definitely corroding from the metal contacts.
It seems to me that the relay is the more likely problem, but it wasn't for me.
It seems to me that the relay is the more likely problem, but it wasn't for me.
#68
TK - it wasn't the fuse box down by your kick plate. It was the main junction box, and since I didn't do the replace I'm not even sure where it was. But they gave me the old part, it's about a 4x5" plastic box, and it was definitely corroding from the metal contacts.
It seems to me that the relay is the more likely problem, but it wasn't for me.
It seems to me that the relay is the more likely problem, but it wasn't for me.
The 4x5" plastic box that you described - what colour was it? did it have a lid as well? Was it perfectly rectangular?
#70
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Just for thought
hmmm....i have been having problems starting my car the past few days also
but it only happens in the morning, after it has been sitting all night.
Yesterday:
i put the key in, turn to position 1, turn to position 2 , all the dash lights come on, then turn it to crank it and nothing happens. no sound, no clicking, no starting.
so then i took the key out. let it sit for a few seconds. and tried it again.
it finally worked after the 4th try, but when it did crank, it sounded very weak and it barely started.
the rest of the day, i had no problems starting it.
Today:
on my first attempt to start, it was cranking over in a very weak manner, kinda sounded like it was about to die, but it ended up starting on the first try.
hopefully it continues to start for the rest of the day.
Is this a relay problem? or starter problem? or alternator?
i dont think it is a battery issue b/c all the lights came on and i just put in a new battery a few months ago.
any thoughts???
but it only happens in the morning, after it has been sitting all night.
Yesterday:
i put the key in, turn to position 1, turn to position 2 , all the dash lights come on, then turn it to crank it and nothing happens. no sound, no clicking, no starting.
so then i took the key out. let it sit for a few seconds. and tried it again.
it finally worked after the 4th try, but when it did crank, it sounded very weak and it barely started.
the rest of the day, i had no problems starting it.
Today:
on my first attempt to start, it was cranking over in a very weak manner, kinda sounded like it was about to die, but it ended up starting on the first try.
hopefully it continues to start for the rest of the day.
Is this a relay problem? or starter problem? or alternator?
i dont think it is a battery issue b/c all the lights came on and i just put in a new battery a few months ago.
any thoughts???
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