Need Help: Starter or alternator or both dead?
#16
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Agree but Lex dealer is another towing and total cost will end up significantly more. Mechanic i am at now is recommended by local friends. He quoted Denso part and his software did show the 6.1h labor.
#17
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Spark plugs can be addressed at another time. There is no starter belt but there is a serpentine belt for the front of engine. If it's cracked/worn it needs replacement. It can be addressed another time. The starter on LS460 is in a difficult spot that requires more than normal labor. He should be able to show you the "book" hours that is standard practice. If he won't, it may be wise to have it taken to the dealer or your trusted mechanic by truck.
#18
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A bad starter alone will not cause this.
#19
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I replaced my LS460 starter a few years ago on my driveway with hand tools by following this ClubLexus member's instructions: Post 22 of ls460 starter ? - Page 2 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion. It took me about 6 hours. The procedure was not difficult but needed patience. I used the Denso starter from Rockauto (about $160) More Information for DENSO 2800370 (rockauto.com), plus a few gaskets from the local Lexus dealer. If you are handy, you may do the work yourself.
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#20
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You need to check the battery’s State-Of-Charge to see if it has enough energy to start the engine. The battery may be just discharged. Before you start on the starter, you should try a battery that you know has an adequate charge.
#21
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I replaced my LS460 starter a few years ago on my driveway with hand tools by following this ClubLexus member's instructions: Post 22 of ls460 starter ? - Page 2 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion. It took me about 6 hours. The procedure was not difficult but needed patience. I used the Denso starter from Rockauto (about $160) More Information for DENSO 2800370 (rockauto.com), plus a few gaskets from the local Lexus dealer. If you are handy, you may do the work yourself.
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I replaced my LS460 starter a few years ago on my driveway with hand tools by following this ClubLexus member's instructions: Post 22 of ls460 starter ? - Page 2 - ClubLexus - Lexus Forum Discussion. It took me about 6 hours. The procedure was not difficult but needed patience. I used the Denso starter from Rockauto (about $160) More Information for DENSO 2800370 (rockauto.com), plus a few gaskets from the local Lexus dealer. If you are handy, you may do the work yourself.
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#22
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I agree, and as I had just installed a brand new costco battery stamped "09/23" more than a week before, I instantly rejected the battery as the source of the problem, because at the time of the failure, I first attempted to jumpstart the LS with another car, but in vain. As a result, I "narrowed it down" to the starter because the dashboard was powered properly and even jumpstarting with cables didn't help, indicating that the battery is working properly (since it is still charged after more than a week of use) and this issue is not related to a battery or/and alternator failure--hence the starter, particularly because of the clicking sound when you try to start the engine.
#23
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Here is the costco battery that I installed over a week ago: https://costco.interstatebatteries.c...183&Country=US , stamped "09-23" and it has been functioning since as expected, so I don't think the battery is the problem. But only time will tell, especially if this replacement of the starter is the only action needed to be taken - or not..
#24
Lexus Champion
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Thanks but I want to see the condition of the terminals. What some people consider great condition isn't. Your description of a no start can happen when the terminals flake out under heavy load I'd hate for you to replace the starter and find out it wasn't the cause.
#25
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I did check the terminals to make sure none had come loose, but they were both secure, and I use the red and green rings to prevent corrosion. I concur that the terminal might be the source of the problem, and I've also read that an electric harness coming loose can also result in this kind of problem. I rolled the dice and it is being "fixed" because it happened 50 miles away and I'm not good at do-it-yourself projects. We'll see when I pick it up next week.
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swfla (10-28-23)
#26
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These are the related threads I was referring to earlier:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...read-this.html
and
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...w-starter.html
Again, I want to thank you all for your wonderful feedback. According to the clicking sound, something went wrong at the starter level, even though the battery is brand new and even jumping it didn't help. I hope it gets corrected properly.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...read-this.html
and
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...w-starter.html
Again, I want to thank you all for your wonderful feedback. According to the clicking sound, something went wrong at the starter level, even though the battery is brand new and even jumping it didn't help. I hope it gets corrected properly.
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Anfanger (10-28-23)
#27
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I agree with several others here that the starter is probably not the problem. My starter went and when I pressed the start button I got nothing.
That clicking sound is text book for not enough juice getting to the starter motor. I would start with the battery. For cheap money you can get a charger that also has a power setting that will produce enough to start the car. As far as the terminals, whenever I have changed batteries I also use fine sandpaper and scour the inside of the terminals. They may appear clean, but a thin clear film can form that limits the connection from the battery.
And yes, it is a labor intensive job to change the starter motor. I remember when mine failed I told the flatbed truck driver that I knew it was the starter motor. Trying to be helpful he said "let me get my hammer and rap it a couple times". I laughed and said good luck with finding it!
That clicking sound is text book for not enough juice getting to the starter motor. I would start with the battery. For cheap money you can get a charger that also has a power setting that will produce enough to start the car. As far as the terminals, whenever I have changed batteries I also use fine sandpaper and scour the inside of the terminals. They may appear clean, but a thin clear film can form that limits the connection from the battery.
And yes, it is a labor intensive job to change the starter motor. I remember when mine failed I told the flatbed truck driver that I knew it was the starter motor. Trying to be helpful he said "let me get my hammer and rap it a couple times". I laughed and said good luck with finding it!
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#28
Intermediate
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I agree with several others here that the starter is probably not the problem. My starter went and when I pressed the start button I got nothing.
That clicking sound is text book for not enough juice getting to the starter motor. I would start with the battery. For cheap money you can get a charger that also has a power setting that will produce enough to start the car. As far as the terminals, whenever I have changed batteries I also use fine sandpaper and scour the inside of the terminals. They may appear clean, but a thin clear film can form that limits the connection from the battery.
And yes, it is a labor intensive job to change the starter motor. I remember when mine failed I told the flatbed truck driver that I knew it was the starter motor. Trying to be helpful he said "let me get my hammer and rap it a couple times". I laughed and said good luck with finding it!![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
That clicking sound is text book for not enough juice getting to the starter motor. I would start with the battery. For cheap money you can get a charger that also has a power setting that will produce enough to start the car. As far as the terminals, whenever I have changed batteries I also use fine sandpaper and scour the inside of the terminals. They may appear clean, but a thin clear film can form that limits the connection from the battery.
And yes, it is a labor intensive job to change the starter motor. I remember when mine failed I told the flatbed truck driver that I knew it was the starter motor. Trying to be helpful he said "let me get my hammer and rap it a couple times". I laughed and said good luck with finding it!
![Big Grin](https://www.clublexus.com/forums/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
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Nospinzone (11-01-23)
#29
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Good to hear you got it back and all's well. I appreciate the way you communicated with us. It brought about interesting suggestions, scenarios and final resolution. A successful thread as well as your outcome.
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Nospinzone (11-01-23)
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