Mattkz

I bought the car two weeks ago, it was running fine.
I go to start it a few days ago with a full battery and there are the following symptoms

To diagnose I tried
1. no starter relay click
2. multimeter reads 12.4v
3. checked AM2 fuse
4. car security light is not flashing
5. transmission is in park, the dash says "P" for Park
6. with the key turned all the way to the right, i removed the starter relay from the fuse box and tried to over-ride the starter relay using a jump-wire from posts 1 and 2 - didn't work

I rode my bicycle to the nearest mechanic, andI asked him to visit the house for a diagnosis ($50)
We spent about 30 minutes on it until ..

1. He used a jump wire to cross posts 1 and 2
2. He hit the starter a few times with a hammer, the car started!

He told me the ignition is not sending power to the starter relay, that's why it doesn't click
He also told me the starter is not working, and i'll have to replace that too
I thought it was strange that he said the starter motor and the ignition are gone at the same time

When I got home, I tried to reproduce the fix (jump wire and hitting the starter motor), and I couldn't get the car to start, I tried it for hours

Please help me to get my car started again

Starting Circuit Diagram
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...ng-circuit.pdf

Picture of starter relay
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/att...n-dsc_0229.jpg

Where to whack the starter

Fix 1:
I found the 5a starter fuse in the drivers footwell was blown, I replaced it, but the behaviour hasn't changed at all - the car still doesn't start

Update
Still no lack with the fuse or whacking the starter

Mattkz

Guys I fixed the problem

Problem 1
1. The mechanic said "it's not a fuse" so I ignored the fuse box in the drivers footwell (RHD GS300)
2. The 5A starter fuse was actually blown, so the ignition key wouldn't turn the car

Problem 2
1. I was jumpwiring starter relay poles "1" and "2" instead of "3" and "5" so it kept blowing the 5A starter fuse

Fix 1
I jump wired the correct terminals "3" and "5" and the car started

Fix 2
I replaced the starter fuse inside the car, and the car would start completely from the ignition key

This could have been resolved much sooner if I had known how to properly read a relay diagram and if I had first checked all the fuses on the wiring diagram

FYI a paperclip works fine, see this awesome video ..

Tuanville

Good job!!!!!!!!!

Mattkz

OBD2 scanner
I was about to buy a bluetooth OBD2 scanner to assist with the debug further
Would it have shown the solution a little quicker? Eg. "Interior Starter Fuse not Working"

Mattkz

Thanks! Can I change the title of this post so that someone can find the answer a little easier when searching for a solution to a similar problem?

Tuanville

I think you can update the post and type down FIX

los8301

my Lexus es300 2003 just out of no where try turning the key it don’t click or turn over all the dash lights work batter is new when I’m under the hood and I have someone turn the key I can hear the click from the starter relay not sure if it’s the starter I work mostly on domestic cars and I’m use to hearing a click or something…. Any help will be helpful

BayAreaLex

Nice job! Glad to hear you were able to solve it.

dwoods801

check the voltage at the starter and starter solenoid with a multimeter and confirm that you have at least 12v at both the main power pole and then at the solenoid while someone turns the key, if you at least 12v (more is better) at both posts then you likely have a bad starter, the solenoid could be worn out or something and it’s not giving the motor full power to create the click that. An usual be heard when a starter goes bad, if you don’t have power where your supposed to, then work backwards and find why your power isn’t reaching the starter