Starter? WTF
#16
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: colorado
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thanks for the help guys! Im going to check all the connections today and see if that helps. Maybe I'll buy a new battery too, seems the interstate in there now is a little old. Pluse Colorado winters have been brutal.
I really hate the fact I will need to spend close to1k on a starter. My old SC had close to 240K and never replaced the starter. Makes me a little upset.
I thought that's why you buy a Lexus, it just doesn't break down.
I really hate the fact I will need to spend close to1k on a starter. My old SC had close to 240K and never replaced the starter. Makes me a little upset.
I thought that's why you buy a Lexus, it just doesn't break down.
#18
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hey Gsteg - thanks for your reply. One more question on this -- In reguards to the labor on this thing, is the labor to replace the timing belt some of the same labor to do the starter?
In other words -- if one is going to replace the timing belt should you go ahead and replace the starter at the same time to save on labor costs since you are in there anyway (if in fact you are in there anyway - I'm not sure if it's all in the same areas - that's what I'm asking)?
My 2000 GS4 has about 95K and this topic applies to me at some point from what I'm reading about them going out at around 100k, and I still haven't done the timing belt yet. Perhaps I could get both the birdies with the one stone - let me know. Thanks!
Scott
In other words -- if one is going to replace the timing belt should you go ahead and replace the starter at the same time to save on labor costs since you are in there anyway (if in fact you are in there anyway - I'm not sure if it's all in the same areas - that's what I'm asking)?
My 2000 GS4 has about 95K and this topic applies to me at some point from what I'm reading about them going out at around 100k, and I still haven't done the timing belt yet. Perhaps I could get both the birdies with the one stone - let me know. Thanks!
Scott
#20
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I concur. I had the same problems and made a thread about it. I lagged with replacing it and it died on me one day. Better to get it replaced sooner than later. And it ran 4 hours of labor + price of refurbished starter... $500 for me.
#21
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
A starter in a gs400 is worth about 100k, I have two of them, one with 250k miles plus and the other with 125k. Two replacements in the first and one in the second, both around 100k each. There is alot involved with replacement, so I usually have the dealership do it for about $1000. Get it to the dealer before you are stranded as I was the first time this happens. Also, it tends to happen more for some reason when cold outside. GL
#22
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Just had the starter replaced on my 99 GS400 at the Austin Lexus dealer... TWICE!! The first one sounded like a blender full of ice after the engine turned over. And they said they were surprised when I pointed it out. Second starter was ok. BUT, saw a few drops of coolant on the garage floor tonight so started looking around. There is a vertical pipe/hose at the rear, driver side of the engine. Right behind the intake manifold as far as I can tell. And its got a very slight coolant leak. Is that the crossover pipe I've seen refered to in the starter threads? Looks like they may have tried to patch it with some black goop of some sort. Anyone have some insight into the part I'm describing and what might have happened? I have to go back tomorrow to have them fix the key they broke, so I'd like to point this leak out to them too.
#24
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a starter problem for about a year.
ABout once in 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 1.5 months (always different), the car will give me starting problems and then start perfectly. I will turn the key, it will click, but not even try to start, also I will turn the key, it will click, try to start, but just not start. This has been happening for about a year so I have been told it might not be the starter, maybe only a connection, because it would have been dead by now -- don't know how true this is. And I drive and start my car a lot. About 35000 KMin a year and a lot of very short trips, so a lot of starting. Now, my car has been in a garage for an oil change. The mechanic told me that while the car was just standing at the side, he heard it trying to start itself. No key was in it or anything. He then told me I need a new starter (only because it tried to start itself, he does not know I am having starter problems for about a year). I have never installed a remote starter, I do not have one on my keychain now, and am unaware if my car has one, maybe the previous owners put it on -- I doutb it though. Could anyone tell me if the problem with the car trying to start itself is related to the starter and I should indeed replace my starter, or it could be something else -- maybe electrical? And also someone tell me something about my starter problems which I have had for a year. Thanks !
ABout once in 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, 1.5 months (always different), the car will give me starting problems and then start perfectly. I will turn the key, it will click, but not even try to start, also I will turn the key, it will click, try to start, but just not start. This has been happening for about a year so I have been told it might not be the starter, maybe only a connection, because it would have been dead by now -- don't know how true this is. And I drive and start my car a lot. About 35000 KMin a year and a lot of very short trips, so a lot of starting. Now, my car has been in a garage for an oil change. The mechanic told me that while the car was just standing at the side, he heard it trying to start itself. No key was in it or anything. He then told me I need a new starter (only because it tried to start itself, he does not know I am having starter problems for about a year). I have never installed a remote starter, I do not have one on my keychain now, and am unaware if my car has one, maybe the previous owners put it on -- I doutb it though. Could anyone tell me if the problem with the car trying to start itself is related to the starter and I should indeed replace my starter, or it could be something else -- maybe electrical? And also someone tell me something about my starter problems which I have had for a year. Thanks !
#27
Instructor
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
The contacts in the solenoid are caught on the plunger. IF you can tap on the starter it may loosen it, but on the GS400, I do not think you can get anything to tap on the starter. Maybe tap on the bellhousing from underneath.
...here is a link that will help with your starter project and save you some money.
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Starter.shtml
good luck
#28
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
ALSO mine is doing the same thing....i work at toyota...and one of the techs said that it could be the starter contacts....which are common on toyota's...and they r cheaper than replacing the starter
#29
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: colorado
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Dude you should just replace the starter... I went back and forth with issues like you, once I replaced it no more problems.
You can buy the starter online for about $200, I ran an add on craigslist, found a mechanic that worked at lexus that was moonlighting on the weekends, he installed for 275. Total cost 475, it was worth it
You can buy the starter online for about $200, I ran an add on craigslist, found a mechanic that worked at lexus that was moonlighting on the weekends, he installed for 275. Total cost 475, it was worth it
#30
![Default](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
SO as for the connections, you guys said replace the connections. I am gonna replace the starter, does it come with new connections, or is that something else I should buy from lexus. Also, all the wires - e.g. ground wire, might be corroded, do those come with the starter, or do I need to buy those sepaately from the dealer. Basically when I replace the starter I want to replace all the other little stuff (wires , connections) to be sure that everything is fixed.