mosca714

Hello,

I wanted to know where I could find a starter for my Lexus ES300, it's a 2002 year model. I looked online, but wanted to make sure I purchased the proper one. I was told to get some type of guarantee. I'm thinking I might need to go to my local auto store to make the purchase, but wanted to consult the forum before I do. Do I just tell them the year/make/model of my vehicle and that's it or is there any special information that I need to state to the guy behind the desk?

Oro

There is a big variability in the quality of remanufactured alternators and starters that don't come from big names. Many are done poorly or flat out incorrectly.

Unless you have to have it "yesterday," I'd order the Denso remanufactured Denso brand one from RockAuto. Slightly cheaper than what you can get at NAPA or your local O'Reillys, but takes a few days to get. Also have to pay a core charge and return yours. In the end, cost about the same as local but a slight weight and return to ship. But the quality is, to me, worth it. That's how I would do it if I had to.

PFB

Are these starter actually remanufactured by Denso, or by an unknown third party?

Oro

The way I read it, the warranty on them is extended by Denso and RA lists them as Denso remans, on a Denso core. Others are list in ways such "PYB" reman. on a Nippondenso core. You can check the listing and also call RockAuto, but that is the highest confidence/cost offering I can find.

rlx101

2 years ago my starter went and i got a remanuf. replacement from autozone. i dont remember the brand but it was whatever they carried, since i needed the car running by next morning i did not have time to wait. replacement took a couple of hours in my drive way. you basically need to remove the filter box, battery and battery holder, to get to the starter. then a few bolts off with extension socket and off it goes. keep an eye on those vacuum lines some are small and tend to get lost!!!

i put ~25,000miles on since then and it starts right up (knock on wood).

raphytaffy

Hey rlx101, it looks like I may need to replace the starter on my mom's car. Is the starter located in the same spot for a 2005 ES330? Any chance of a guide on how to do this with visuals? I'm not really a car guy. The battery and battery box is easy enough to recognize but I'm unsure about what the filter box looks like and past that, I wouldn't know how to identify the starter either.

Also, were you able to do this without lifting your car or will I need to get under the car to replace the starter?