Is my starter on it's way out...
#1
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Thread Starter
Is my starter on it's way out...
I know I'm living on borrowed time as I still have the original starter at 244K miles.
Got the "click-click-click" when I went to starter the 98 GS400 this morning. Had the battery tested and it was fine. After I put the battery back in, it went "click-click-click" and then finally started.
Maybe my battery terminals weren't tightened enough? Maybe my starter is trying to tell me something? What are the symptoms for a starter about to fail?
thanks
Got the "click-click-click" when I went to starter the 98 GS400 this morning. Had the battery tested and it was fine. After I put the battery back in, it went "click-click-click" and then finally started.
Maybe my battery terminals weren't tightened enough? Maybe my starter is trying to tell me something? What are the symptoms for a starter about to fail?
thanks
#5
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Thread Starter
After some research, I'm going to get the starter rebuild kit as the most likely problem seems to be that the copper contacts inside that starter are just worn out/corroded inside the starter itself. (Why replace the lamp when you just need a new bulb New Starter: $600+ | Starter Rebuild kit: $40
Removing/replacing doesn't seem that difficult; just time consuming. I'd say if you've replaced your own abs unit and or valve cover gaskets, you're qualified to do this job yourself.
Removing/replacing doesn't seem that difficult; just time consuming. I'd say if you've replaced your own abs unit and or valve cover gaskets, you're qualified to do this job yourself.
#6
Instructor
After some research, I'm going to get the starter rebuild kit as the most likely problem seems to be that the copper contacts inside that starter are just worn out/corroded inside the starter itself. (Why replace the lamp when you just need a new bulb New Starter: $600+ | Starter Rebuild kit: $40
Removing/replacing doesn't seem that difficult; just time consuming. I'd say if you've replaced your own abs unit and or valve cover gaskets, you're qualified to do this job yourself.
Removing/replacing doesn't seem that difficult; just time consuming. I'd say if you've replaced your own abs unit and or valve cover gaskets, you're qualified to do this job yourself.
Use caution around the knock sensor wires. Takes 3-4 hours.
Good luck
#7
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I am going to resurrect this thread with a question-
I too have been experiencing the click-click and was hoping it was just a nasty cable but had an interesting thing happen this morning...
I went to start it and after a few click-click key turns the starter engaged and would not stop turning even tho I had the key off.
Soooooo, that tells me that the solenoid is toast and I am going try the rebuild kit for the solenoid as its $18 my cost vs the $135 for the starter -
Thoughts?
I too have been experiencing the click-click and was hoping it was just a nasty cable but had an interesting thing happen this morning...
I went to start it and after a few click-click key turns the starter engaged and would not stop turning even tho I had the key off.
Soooooo, that tells me that the solenoid is toast and I am going try the rebuild kit for the solenoid as its $18 my cost vs the $135 for the starter -
Thoughts?
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#9
if you've never rebuilt a starter, then be ready for a mess and you'll definitely lose some hours
its fun. but IMO not worth the trouble.
and where is this lifetime warrantied reman starter? and what are the restrictions on the warranty
its fun. but IMO not worth the trouble.
and where is this lifetime warrantied reman starter? and what are the restrictions on the warranty
#11
I know I'm living on borrowed time as I still have the original starter at 244K miles.
Got the "click-click-click" when I went to starter the 98 GS400 this morning. Had the battery tested and it was fine. After I put the battery back in, it went "click-click-click" and then finally started.
Maybe my battery terminals weren't tightened enough? Maybe my starter is trying to tell me something? What are the symptoms for a starter about to fail?
thanks
Got the "click-click-click" when I went to starter the 98 GS400 this morning. Had the battery tested and it was fine. After I put the battery back in, it went "click-click-click" and then finally started.
Maybe my battery terminals weren't tightened enough? Maybe my starter is trying to tell me something? What are the symptoms for a starter about to fail?
thanks
#12
Lead Lap
iTrader: (5)
If a part fails during the warranty period shown on your receipt, bring the part to any AutoZone store and you will receive a replacement or refund. Warranty excludes damage caused by misuse, abuse, other faulty parts, improper installation or off-road, commercial or marine use. Warranties on replacement parts cover the unused portion of the original warranty or 90 days, whichever is longer. Warranties expire when you sell your vehicle.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY REPRESENTS THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF AUTOZONE, FOR ANY PART OR PRODUCT. AUTOZONE MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AUTOZONE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or exclusion or limitation on incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
All of AutoZone's parts, except those mentioned above, are covered by our Limited Warranty. The length of AutoZone's Limited Warranty varies with each part.
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY REPRESENTS THE TOTAL LIABILITY OF AUTOZONE, FOR ANY PART OR PRODUCT. AUTOZONE MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. AUTOZONE SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, or exclusion or limitation on incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.
All of AutoZone's parts, except those mentioned above, are covered by our Limited Warranty. The length of AutoZone's Limited Warranty varies with each part.
just one example, but they exist at your kragen/pepboys as well.
they're denso remans so i have no issue with them.
#13
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/par...11092_48987_0_
just one example, but they exist at your kragen/pepboys as well.
they're denso remans so i have no issue with them.
just one example, but they exist at your kragen/pepboys as well.
they're denso remans so i have no issue with them.
but ive never had too many problems with any remanufactured car parts.
#14
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The problem with the GS starter is how to get to it to replace it .
I understand that the intake manifold have to be taken out to obtain access to it , so I can imagine the amount of work needed just to get to the starter ... I think that Lexus either had it wrong on this one , or they assumed that everyone that has a Lexus , would have the cash to pay for the work at the dealer .
So, after doing all of that to replace the damn thing , it better be a good one that would last a long time so you won`t have to do all of that disassembly again in 3 months
Advance Auto Parts sells lifetime warranty on their starters and I think that Auto Zone does it too . I had a 2001 Taurus and when the starter failed the first time , I bought the remanufactured starter from them with lifetime warranty . I was glad I did because I had to replace the starter 3 more times on the following 3 years , but the Taurus starter is very easy to install , with just 2 bolts... .can you imagine taking out the manifold on the Lexus 3 times ? But , to the store credit , I never had a slight trouble obtaining the replacement , just brought in the nonworking starter and they just handed the other one right away . The have the records on computer , so you don`t even need the receipt .
So, even thou it has a lifetime warranty and you don`t pay for the starter never again , it is difficult to install it on the GS, so make sure you get a real good one .
I understand that the intake manifold have to be taken out to obtain access to it , so I can imagine the amount of work needed just to get to the starter ... I think that Lexus either had it wrong on this one , or they assumed that everyone that has a Lexus , would have the cash to pay for the work at the dealer .
So, after doing all of that to replace the damn thing , it better be a good one that would last a long time so you won`t have to do all of that disassembly again in 3 months
Advance Auto Parts sells lifetime warranty on their starters and I think that Auto Zone does it too . I had a 2001 Taurus and when the starter failed the first time , I bought the remanufactured starter from them with lifetime warranty . I was glad I did because I had to replace the starter 3 more times on the following 3 years , but the Taurus starter is very easy to install , with just 2 bolts... .can you imagine taking out the manifold on the Lexus 3 times ? But , to the store credit , I never had a slight trouble obtaining the replacement , just brought in the nonworking starter and they just handed the other one right away . The have the records on computer , so you don`t even need the receipt .
So, even thou it has a lifetime warranty and you don`t pay for the starter never again , it is difficult to install it on the GS, so make sure you get a real good one .
Last edited by josey88; 05-19-14 at 08:47 PM.