Hi every,

I need your help. my 98 GS 400 won't start. the battery is fine. the audio system, lights and Nav all working fine. but when I turn the key, all I hear is a "click" sound. Sometimes it does try to crank, but just for a sec or so, then nothing. about since few months ago, once a while, when I try to start the GS, the 1st time it did the same thing. just a "click" sound. but the 2nd turn of the key always starts the car fine. but today, it just won't start at all.

is my starter going out? any DIY on this? or it is just my Battery terminal needs to be cleaned?

Thanks.

 

Try looking at the starter

 

Your ignition switch might be worn out.

 

It's the starter. Had mine changed recently. Works fine now.

There is no way to fix this but to replace it. You have to remove the ENTIRE engine head to get to it. Roughly a day and a half job if you know what you're doing. Starter should cost 5-700$ through our vendors. Definitely take this to a mechanic that you know.

 

My car JUST (as in 2-3 days ago) rendered itself dead. One click usually, sometimes it starts, not counting on the latter happening often...

E-bay starter is $100, Autozone wants $190. I hear its a 6 hour job, removing the intake, throttle body, and intake manifold, among a few other parts. Start searchin' on here for tips... Haven't ordered the starter yet, so if you find a new one cheap, please lemme know!

 

Starter.........just replaced mine last month ......there is a DIY thred on here.(I'll try to find it for you and post it)......it took me like 4hrs......to do unplug and pull back the harness and remove the intake manifold as a whole(goes quicker this way rather than taking everything apart)....all the 12mm on each side get someone to give you a hand lift it straight up and then forward.. and there it is....(probably along with a bunch of leaves like mine had).....pain in the ***....had mine rebuilt locally for 90buck .......

 

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/show...=starter+gs400 heres the link good luck........

 

hi guys
Before you go and spend all that money, try your spare key. sometimes the key fails to communicate with the security system, happened to me.
try the spare, if it works then you should just change the battery in the key and all the keys will work. If not then try the other stuff.
clive

 

Thanks.

Called a Indy guy who works in Lexus Dealer as a day job and take other side jobs in his own garage.

Since my GS is closing to 120K miles, so Timing belt, water pump is about to change + the starter the total is $1k which including all the labors and parts. is this a good deal? initially he quoted me $600 for timing belt and water pump (labor + parts) and another $600 for starter (labor + parts) but I negotiated it down to $1k.

 

the link is bad.

 

would it make sense that it would be a dead or dying battery as well? I have similar issues but the starter makes no sound whatsoever. I was told by a Lexus tech, that since everything powers on fine (ie headlights, alarm, seats, nav, etc.) but won't crank at all, it sounds like a typical bad battery issue.

(the car has been fine for about 3 weeks, which is how long we have had the car. cranks up fine all the time until today...)