Starter Issue @ 30K miles?!?
05-27-08, 01:13 PM
#1
Starter Issue @ 30K miles?!?
Ok, I searched through a few threads here but didn't find anything solid. I know a bad starter is a very common problem on the V8 Lexus GS400 but only at 100-120k+ miles. My parents LX470 is a 2002 with about 30k miles on it and the last 2 weeks or so it's been having issues starting. The battery was just replaced about 2 months ago so that's not the issue. But a bad starter on a Lexus with 30k miles?
The symptoms are that sometimes when I start it...it's just complete silence(maybe clicks sometimes but I don't recall). BUT, if I don't turn the key all the way to the end...just a little bit after the ON position then it fires up. It's really strange.
I'm trying to figure out what it is right now. It's either the ignition switch where the key is at, or the starter is bad. I'm really hoping it's something in the key area since it's a lot easier to service. I don't have a problem swapping it out since I work on cars all the time, but I rather not have to lol. But seriously a Lexus with a starter going bad at 30K? Also, is the starter covered under warranty? Is their powertrain warranty 6 or 7years...I can't recall.
The symptoms are that sometimes when I start it...it's just complete silence(maybe clicks sometimes but I don't recall). BUT, if I don't turn the key all the way to the end...just a little bit after the ON position then it fires up. It's really strange.
I'm trying to figure out what it is right now. It's either the ignition switch where the key is at, or the starter is bad. I'm really hoping it's something in the key area since it's a lot easier to service. I don't have a problem swapping it out since I work on cars all the time, but I rather not have to lol. But seriously a Lexus with a starter going bad at 30K? Also, is the starter covered under warranty? Is their powertrain warranty 6 or 7years...I can't recall.
05-28-08, 09:11 AM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
It's kind of a beeotch to do. Your intake manifold has to come out I think. Check http://ih8mud.com and go to the 100 series forums. There's lots of info and good writeups for starter issues.
05-28-08, 09:03 PM
#6
It's not the total number of miles that matter, but the number of start-stop cycles and how those miles were driven. With most owners driving 12K mi per year, the starter tends to last 7-8 yrs. Evidentally, the PO (if your parents aren't the original owner) drove a bunch of shorter distance trips, which is bad on any engine. When there's an older car w/ few miles, either it was garaged all the time and seldom driven or it was driven on lots of short trips.
I believe the same goes for the exhaust manifolds. Lots of short trips means they rapidly heat up and cool, stressing the metal and causing cracking. They, too, tend to last about the same as the starter, and also cost like $1.5K to replace.
I believe the same goes for the exhaust manifolds. Lots of short trips means they rapidly heat up and cool, stressing the metal and causing cracking. They, too, tend to last about the same as the starter, and also cost like $1.5K to replace.
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meanboy
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
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04-22-08 02:22 PM
