My 2003 LS430 is stuck outside a Panera. Help! The vehicle is making when I turn the keys over. Gas tank is full, plenty of electricity. I still jumped it to be sure. No change. You can hear a sound like something is spinning, and then a click.

 

Sounds like your starter is dead

 

+1 for the dead starter. The pinion gear is just spinning and not engaging.

 

Thanks. It's kind of funny. I found these videos with "The Nine Sounds a Bad Starter Will Make and Why!" and after watching 3 of these...none of the starters sounded like mine. None had the spinning at all. I'm pretty handy and the vehicle is only an 1/8th of a mile (uphill) from my drive way. But based on a little research I've done there is no way I can get it started (it is an automatic). Looks like I'll be calling a tow truck in the morning.

 

the starter solenoid has gone bad, and it's not coming forth and engaging the flywheel/flex plate.
time to replace the starter motor.

 

If it is making that sound the starter bendix is bad or a bad tooth on flywheel. In either case need to pull manifold and replace starter even if good. Another thing to try is turn crankcase pulley to move flywheel before teardown.