So the starter on my sc400 has been on it's way out and I planned on getting it done somewhere tomorrow. But unfortunately all I'm getting now is a click. I've gone out and tried multiple times, and was hoping to not have to pay for a tow bill as well.

Is there any tricks I can use to get at least one start out of it? Obviously I can't tap it with a hammer. I tried rocking the car back and forth it bit, but nothing seems to work.

Also how many hours of labor have you guys been quoted for doing a starter job? Alldata says 5.2, but a local shop with an ex Lexus dealer tech says they charge 8 hours.

 

Are you sure it's not the battery? Yeah, usually if the starter wont turn the engine, it's done for. It will take around 5-7 hours for DIY IF you know what you're doing.

 

Yeah I wish it was the battery, but it's been grinding the first start of the day for a while. Then it almost left me stranded a couple times, but I got it to start after several tries. Now it seems to be done for


I did try to jump it just to double check though lol.

 

5 to 7 hours, thats crazy, it should take no longer then 45 min to remove it and replace it

 

Mikef, you are thinking of the 300. The 400 starter is buried in the center of the engine. You have to take off the air intake, throttle body, manifold and more to get at the starter. Easily a 5-6 hour job.

 

That's on the SC300. The SC400 starter is in the center of the engine, aformentioned by Bankswood. Many things need to be removed in order to gain access to the starter.

 

I never updated this. I was very fortunate. It was mainly a combination of corroded cable ends, and while the terminals looked okay, they were brittle and had weak conductivity. Replaced terminals, cleaned cables, and it fires up like new!

 

cable on the starter or on the battery?
that is good news. I would have suggested tapping on the side/top of the bellhousing near the starter if you are really stranded. no idea if it will work but probably closest you can get to tapping on it for that extra start.