Two months ago my car first failed to start. It took three tries to go and finally did. It was fine until labor day weekend hit (out of town) and the issue came back. I guess because it sat three days which is rare for it.

Ever since then it has been doing the same thing off and on. Mostly first thing in the morning or when I leave work; never after a trip say from work to the gym once driven/warmed up.

I did replace the positive battery terminal but I am wondering, based on research (google), if it is not the neutral safety switch.

I will have to look up part nos and prices when I get home but it seems cheaper than a starter. Anyt thoughts? Each failed start is the same: turn all the way and nothing. No clicks or attempts, just silence.

Note the starter was replaced around 60k and currently I'm at 170k.

 

Just a random thought, but did you ever try to start it in neutral or jiggle the shifter to see if it starts? Maybe your shifter isn't going all the way into park sometimes.

 

Sounds like the neutral switch is not engaged electrically. When it is not engaged, there is just no click sound at all. Try to start set the shifter at the position "N". If it starts fine or better, the contacts of the switch are not at good condition. If they are not totally worn out, my cheap electrical method to revive the contacts is mostly effective.

I have posted the way how it's done before and I will be finding it.
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I found it.
See the post #10 at the page below.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...d-starter.html

 

I nominate this for most interesting LS400 tech tip post of 2013

 

Interesting post! I'm on mobile but will dig deeper when I get on my laptop tonight.

For what's it worth, the ECT switch on my car does not display on the cluster when I press it into power mode. I believe SNOW will but power does not unless I tap that button a bit. Doubt its related but weird that another shifter area switch is temperamental.
Thx fellas

 

i second!

 

I just want to know what you're going to send Yamae for Valentines Day?

 

he is sending me a geisha girl

 

My post is just the result of a lazy man's experiment.
Your post #1 of this thread should be nominated the best and the most informative as well as useful post of ever.

 

If the PRND2L lights on the instrument panel work flawlessly when shifting through the gears (never a miss or hesitation), does that indicate that the NSS is fine, or could it still need repair? I've got a similar no-start problem that I can bypass by jumpering the starter relay.

 

This is a tough one. It is either the starter or the neutral safety switch. When it doesn't start, with the key still turned all the way try to put it in neutral while pressing the brake and try it again if it starts its the switch. If all you have to do is turn the key a few times and it's starts its the starter solenoid failing.

 

I'm pretty certain it is NOT the starter. When I jumper the starter relay (bypassing the ECU and the NSS and the starter relay), the starter fires just like it should and the car starts and runs perfectly. I've also bench tested the starter relay to confirm it is good.

My question is a pretty specific one regarding whether it would be possible to have a problem with the NSS that would cause the no-start problem, but would have no problems at all with the instrument lights.

And yes, I've done that sort of test you mention, times about a hundred ;-) Not even a hint of improvement.

 

Yes that's how most NSS switches fail, they will show you what hear you are in perfectly but won't send the signal to the ecm for a safe position to start. I had that problem with my Subaru last week and my cousins 1999 ls400 last November. Changed out his switch and it fired up every time. His also showed all the correct gear indicators light up just fine when in that gear but wouldn't start sometimes. Also in a rare case it could be your ignition switch as well.

 

Great, that actually exactly what I was hoping for. Enough of a reason now for me to jack the car up and take care of it. Hopefully it will be the fix.

 

Ok prefect, keep us posted.