airahcaz

1998 GS400

After a turn of the key, I would here nothing but a click or two, then would put the key back in the left lock position, turning it back right to the start position, where the starter would then crank and start the car. (not needing a boost, battery has juice) At first I thought it was the battery, and have since replaced it to no avail.

Common? Replace starter?

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

yah first thought is the starter
if you have a meter check output of the battery at idle sometimes they are not 14.4 volts
also check the terminals on the battery and starter might be loose
also if you hear a click then the solenoid is engaging but the starter motor is not turning
could be the actual motor( starter)

good luck

airahcaz

But the assumption is the starter is fine, cause once it does make the right connection the second turn of the key, it starts right up, I would think a starter going bad would have different symptoms

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

a starter can still be bad even though it will still work after

airahcaz

I have a CPO, probably covered eh?

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

definatly if still under the cpo warr
real easy fix for them

airahcaz

More on the issue. It appears I only have a problem after the car sits for a while. When warm, it starts on first turn. Moreover, when I turn, I hear no clicks at all.

This morning, it didn't turn at all, as I kept trying, there was one time where it turned slowly, the second time, I pumped the gas(probably for no reason), and it started. Again, battery is fine. Pops told me to try next time shoving the gear far into park, or try in neutral. Just posting to see if someone experienced similar symtoms. To me, it is a connection issue, not the starter.

skperformance

iTrader: (6)

the neutral thing won't work as that would only be if the neutral /park switch was faulty
also if it trys turning over it might be the solenoid not connecting properly
or a connection
only other possibility is an alternator not charging properly but you said it works fine cold
then it is more likely a heat resistance issue
so give it to lexus to look after under warr
unless you feel like looking for the main starter wires and tracing them to make sure all connections are made

it could also get progresivly worse if there is a carbon trail or deposit created by the arc of the 2 points not meeting properly

airahcaz

It takes a few tries (no sound, no clicks) after sitting over night, till it "connects" and starter turns. It starts fine after the first start of the day.

airahcaz

Funny, I drove it into Lexus this morning, and since the problem opnly occurs on cold starts, they found nothing. I told them to keep it and try it tomorrow morning.

Blanco

iTrader: (8)

It's the starter. "I guarantee it"! I had exact same symptoms. If you crank it enough times the starter will heat up, eventually starting. The warmer the easier to start. At first the symptoms seem intermitent, but I 'm telling you it's the starter. I'm pretty sure it falls under the powertrain warranty. It's not cheap to replace on the 400($900), but on the 300 it's half that because much less labor involved.

Good luck!!

airahcaz

Wow, you were right, they called me this morning, and the car won't even start (supposedly glad they found it), car has only 78K, what the heck? GS400, glad I got it in on time before being really stuck--parts come in Monday, and they are doing 3 service recall thingies too.