reefguy

I've got a '99 GS400 with about 146K miles on it. Just found out today that the starter went. The part is $285 which isn't so bad. But the labor is going to be $680. Yikes. They said that it is going to take about 8 hours to fix. So, my question is is this normal for a starter to go at this stage or am I just lucky ?? Also, is the 8 hour labor reasonable ??

svt5150

Lucky? YES you are... Mine went this week and I only have 62K miles on my car! I was mad to say the least but what can you do? I paid $287 for the part and it took Lexus 6 hours for the install. Was about $900 out the door... Crazy. I would be very happy if I had 146K and just now had to replace it.

TLW

LOL i think you got your moneys worth

hmmm 8hrs of labor huh

i know some guys DIT

i think you have to take off the intake manifold ..that where most of the labor is

corrct me if im wrong

TLW

reefguy

Thanks, TLW. This helps quite a bit. I initially didn't understand when the service person said that they have to remove the Intake manifold. I'm sitting there scratching my head thinking why is the intake manifold at the bottom of the engine. I suppose I have to get used to the fact that they don't make cars the way they used to !! Plus, have to leave it Lexus to make simple things complicated. !! Just like you have to remove the entire tail light assembly just to change the bulb !!

TLW

yeah i know what you mean

i thought it was a very strange place to put a starter also

not like on my old 74 blazer ....2 nuts ,2bolts and its off lol

good luck
johnny

reefguy

Good news. It wasn't the starter after all. It was the battery. Last time I bring it to the local Toyota dealer.

Lextreme

If they are pro, it will take 5 hours. I did it for 6 hours. You can try to do it yourself. Its a lot of work, but not hard. The hardest thing was the two screws for the starter. www.lextreme.com/starter.html


LOL... battery 80 dollars vs 1000 dollars for the starter......


Good luck.....

david