rkblackjr

I have a 2005 Lexus ES330 that currently has 265,000 miles (most highway miles). I am having a recent "no start" issue. My mother was first owner and I am the second. The car is the cleanest both under the hood and in general I have seen. Here is my issue:

I hopped in the car just 3 days ago, went to turn the key and the car wouldn't turn over. No sound of the starter, no sound of anything. We checked the battery and it tested 12.6 volts (good battery). The posts of the battery - very clean. We went as far as testing the starter, had it bench tested and it works perfect. My father-in-law reconnected the battery and the car ran. I used the car for a day and a half an not issues until today and it did it again. We got a second opinion and decide to change the ignition switch thinking that was the issue. Here is the crazy thing, after changing and then reconnecting the battery the car fired right up. Drove home tonight and pulled right into the garage. In fact, I turned the car off and on just to make sure we were good to go and all good. One hour later i went to do an errand and the car wouldn't start. I am stumped. I even called AAA just to verify and the battery is good. He put the car in neutral and tried to start and nothing. The dash lights up, the car when the key is turned has a serge sound like it wants to turn on but does nothing. Random...

Note: This is a car that is very clean. I just had the oil changed (change every 5,000 miles). This car has never over heated, never had a mechanical change others than a break or tire job needed.

1. What am i missing?
2. Is there a relay that could have went bad?
3. Are there fuses that are possibly bad? If so, where is it located?
4. Why would the car randomly want to start when it wants too?




2005 Lexus ES330





When I turn my key to start





Battery tested 12.6 volts and very clean





Very clean 2005

LeX2K

You cannot test if you have a good battery with a volt meter it needs to be load tested. Don't assume the battery posts and terminals are clean, clean them anyway. Make sure the terminals are tight you should not be able to rotate them on the posts easily or at all. I can't tell by your description if you have a bad starter or not, just because it worked on the bench doesn't mean it is good the contacts in the starter could be worn (or something else) causing an intermittent crank condition.

rkblackjr

I did clean the battery posts as well as the connectors. Do you think that a new starter and cable (positive) that connects to the battery could be the issue? The interesting this about the vehicle to your point is I don't even hear the starter wanting to turn.

rkblackjr

To your point, the connectors on the starter leading up to the battery is something that we did consider changing. Assuming that this is not the issue, what would your next suggest be if indeed the starter was good?

HomerJay

I suspect the starter is the problem, who bench-tested the starter? If you did this at home I would recommend bring it to a shop or parts store that has test equipment. Simply applying 12 volts to see if the starter spins is not a complete test.

fortitude

When my starter died, the following symptoms
Key in on position - dash/gauges light up
Turn key to start position - dash/gauges go dark. Starter makes NO noise (not even a click), engine obviously does not crank.

Took a long extension and tapped the starter 5 times. Then tried to start car, car started right up.
Replaced the starter - car starts fine now

PFB

Try starting the car in neutral instead of park.

Corkman

Is there any chance that sense it is kinda intermittent could it be the ground to body connection. I thought I read some where on here last summer about the ground wire on these models was a weak link in the system, but can't seem to find it again.

hzt30

Check to see if there is 12 volts at the starter terminal when the key is in the start position. If no 12 volts there then you need to check back to the source.

If this is the original starter then at 265,000 miles this could be bad.

speedkar9

If its not the starter you should check for a loose or corroded ground wire from the battery to the engine/transmission.

pauloil

if you are concerned about the wires, search "voltage drop" testing

ShaXaD

Hey Guyz,

I have a similar problem as rkblackjr. My 02 ES300 won't start. When i trun the key nothing happens, no sound, nothing. But the dash lights up and everything electrical works.

I noticed something strange. My gear was in P but the dash indicator shows it at R. The dash indicator doesnt move from R even by shifting the gear position. The gear shift also feels comparatively loose.

Battery is OK. I doubt its the starter. I replaced the started a couple of years back.


Going to take it to an electrician in the morning.

fortitude

Check to see if the shifter linkage is actually functioning - set the e-brake, chock the rear wheels, open the hood, have someone look down at the linkage connection at the trans. you go inside the car, and move the shifter. If the linkage is not moving at the trans, it could be a broken cable or a broken connector at the console shifter.

fortitude

I have fixed a broken bushing inside the shifter console on a 1998 Corolla. I used the below link as a guide. FYI - I had to manually move the linage at the transmission to secure it into park.
http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/13...automatic.html

I am not familiar with the type of connector for the Lexus - so the process could be different.

ShaXaD

It was indeed a broken connector.

Thanks