Kruger

For the second time in a few weeks my 1999 GS400 is at the Lexus dealership. It starts intermittently - the guages will all light up but when I turn the key, nothing - no clicking from the starter, nada. Here's a link to a 45 second video on photobucket: I'd appreciate any insight into a diagnosis. The dealership wanted to replace the starter on a hunch the first time I took it in...that's a $1,000 repair on these cars. There appears to be no correlation with weather or temperature. I replaced the battery in mid-August, I don't recall any starting problems before that. The car has approx 64,000 miles.

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v3...arterGS400.flv

fordsvtmfl

iTrader: (13)

it really really seems to be the starter...im in school to be a mechanic..and every time something like this has happened its been the starter...take it to a good local mechanic, and it shouldn't be over $500 the starter itself is under 200..and its really not that hard to get to it..they just make it seem like it is, so they jack the price

jcat_350

starter contacts need to be replaced. Should not be a big deal. If you replace them and still have problems, check all your cables and be sure you have good connections. If you still have problems, the whole starter needs to be replaced. Good luck

FrankT

Low miles do not matter as much as the number of cranks.
The contacts in your starter are most likely toast (this is a wear part in the starter solenoid with a lifespan of 10+ years) .

There is lots of info on starter rebuild / replacement on this forum.

Now, the question is, are you willing to tackle this fix yourself?
Easily done for less than $50, cost of new contacts, gaskets, coolant and a few hours.
...or pay someone $600 to $1000 for the fix.
On the 1uz motor the complete intake must be removed to access the starter.

Where in Texas are you...?

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

NO click whatsoever? When my starter went out, the starter clicked once. Open the window and listen for a click.

GS4_Fiend

iTrader: (22)

Not positive but i think it's the starter for the look of that video. But also, when you said it only has 65k miles, that just makes you jump into conclusion. But if it really is the starter, it surely is going to be expensive to change labor wise because the starter is underneath the intake so its going to cost a lot of hours thats why it's expensive. So GL!

nate579

iTrader: (4)

Another thing is check the ignition fuse it's in the box under the hood. Mine blew and I had no power going to the starter just wouldn't turn over. Fuse replaced and bam. On the road again. Just a thought, might just that simple. At least rule it out.

FrankT

Yes, Nate is right on.
Check the simple stuff first.

ShaneC

could be what fonzy said too. does your key have the battery in side it?

kit cat

iTrader: (6)

it's a relay so it's bigger than a fuse

this got me thinking...try starting in neutral in an open field in case the gear position isn't recognizing that it's in park.

If it's not even clicking, I would also check the cable that runs from the battery to the starter.

GS FONZy

iTrader: (6)

It looks like your security system is not recognizing your key.

BLAZE

iTrader: (2)

That's what I thought, but the car would still turn over. I'd check the fuses and relay's first.

Oleg400

iTrader: (7)

Same thing happend to me set the car in N and push it it might start or just knock the starter with something(worked for me), but as everyone else stated its the starter and its starting to go out.

GS_OREO

Get a test light and check power to to the starter while cranking the car. That would elminate all the fuses, relays,and wiring from the ignition system.

If you get power, then its a bad starter. If nothing, then get the schematics and start tracing wires, fuses, and relays.

VipDout

iTrader: (4)

I have heard horror stories of how to get to the gs400 starter ...


Good luck

:ver and out::