I think my starter finally went out. Can I jump it or try something else. I have tried and tried to keep turning the key with no luck.

Is there anything I can try before I get it towed? This really sucks please help.

Thanks in advance.

 

i just had my starter replaced... car wouldnt jump... there is a way to get it started but its a pain in the *** if u got a gs 400 cause u gotta get to the starter and bang it or something like that ..which is located in a wierd place... i had to get towed.. maybe an expert on here can help u

 

Nothing much you can do. Probably just keep on starting it once in awhile and hopefully it will start. At then point, you should drive to the mechanic shop before your luck runs out.

 

Should I be concerned with having them check the relays before i have the starter replaced?

so theres nothing i can do to get it started just one more time?

 

With all seriousness, try beating the starter.

 

How do i get to it to hit it?

 

It won't do any good to hit the starter, even if you could get to it. The problem is the electrical contacts in the solenoid get burned to the point that the solenoid can't turn on the power to the starter motor. You need to rebuild or replace the stater ASAP. It's really not that bad if you are a DIY guy. Otherwise, it could be up to several hundred dollars to replace on the GS400. I rebuilt my starter for under $60.

 

You can't. The starter is buried under the intake manifold in the crotch of the motor.

 

WTF is it? I went to the parking garage where my car was parked and had my gf jump it. Started right up I don't get it. If it starts up by jump then is it really the starter? Thing is all my lights and nav is bright and on when it's not starting so is it the battery?

Im really pissed I can't get this worked out and the bad thing is my gf drives a vw, I always tell her she should have bought a lexus now I look like an ***!

 

oh and just had the battery checked last week and said it was fine.

Is this a relay, battery, starter or ? problem or am I just doomed?

 

Sounds like the battery to me. I mean when you were trying to start the car and it wouldn't start did you hear anything at all? Did it try to crank the motor or it just did not do anything at all?

 

It sounds like a starter to me.

Had to replace one on a LS400 (same engine; thus starter is also in the valley between cylinder banks) i owned not too long ago.

It cost me about $450, be wary though about the hoses that may break off from degradation of the rubber over time when they do the job; also a good time to replace the intake manifold gaskets (included in the $450 i paid)

End result, starting got quite a bit quicker (did not have to hold the key in as long), with little hesitation.

As for your GF, and her VW; Don't sweat it; eventually all cars need a new/rebuilt starter.
It's all part of wear and tear; Like tires and timing belts.

 

It's the contacts inside the starter solenoid. They get burned from the arching when the solenoid plunger is pulled in, and the battery current is sent through the plunger washer and the two contacts to the starter motor. The contacts get high resistance due to the arching over time. The starter will work intermittently for a few months, and jumping the battery will help because you get a little more voltage at the solenoid contacts, which can break through the high resistance between the solenoid plunger washer and the two copper contacts that go to the starter motor, but eventually you will be stranded with a starter that won't work even with a jump. Trust me on this.

 

Ironic...after a day I gave that advice to knock on the starter, here I am searching for DIY starter info b/c mine went out... Took 5 times for the starter to even click.

 

So I fixed it! Bought the starter from pepboys (bousch) went on Craigslist.com and found a mechanic that moonlights and had him replace it for $175. Total cost $350. Better then the $1000 dealer cost and he reused the gaskets. Overall a good deal - now comes the lower ball joints.