SoCalGS400

Hi all, my engine won't crank, battery terminals are fine, and I want to inspect the starter relay. In the repair manual, it looks like the whole cartridge fuse pops right out, but I couldn't pull it out as shown. With pliers and a rag, I only managed to pull off the plastic housing and crack it. Is there a trick to pulling out the relay? Any other suggestions? The relevant repair manual page is attached.

Debonair

Looks like it should just pull out. Does it look disfigured due to possible melting or corrosion that may have it stuck in there? Pics?

SoCalGS400

I didn't see any melting or corrosion. I attached one picture with the housing on, and two with it removed. Thanks for looking.

Debonair

You got lucky and got those pictures up while i was working on my car.

I took a look and found the issue. You missed the locking clip to release the relay. Look at the pic below.

SoCalGS400

Thanks Debonair, that did the trick. The relay failed the third load test, so hopefully that's the problem rather than the starter, and the test didn't fail just because of the ghetto method I used to apply 12 V across the terminals. I'll pick the new one up tomorrow and give it a shot.

Debonair

Happy to help. I hope the new relay does the trick.

SoCalGS400

Awesome. That did it. To be sure, it might not have been the relay, because I replaced the battery (Interstate Megatron 800 CCA) at the same time as the relay. The service tech at Miller Toyota where I got the relay ($66, Lexus Santa Monica wanted $100) said that relays don't go bad that often, and that the reason it might not have jump started was that my 4-cyl Highlander wasn't up to the job.

wechslerl

Who knows where is the Starter relay in 2016 RX 350, cannot find it !

LeX2K

#6

wechslerl

How do you get to the starter relay, it must be under the fuse box ?!

dwoods801

so the starter relay is just basically a heavy duty relay that functions through the fuse box located just north of your battery, the inside of the lid should have a road map for your car, looks like whatever model being discussed has a blue relay. Yours will probably be in the spot could be a different color, just verify before removing.
What specifically are the symptoms your car has? There is another component that can go bad and will usually be attached to the starter, called the solenoid. They can sometimes be replaced separately, but if your car is the V8, it’s pretty much just standard maintenance to pull the intake at around 150k, and replace the starter, knock sensors some wire harnesses, and the VSV for the variable intake. And then replace all the gaskets and such while your in there and give the throttle body and MAF a proper clean up. I also suggest doing the coolant temp sensor and intake air temp sensor along with any damaged plugs Or wire harnesses. It’s pretty easy to just or replacement plugs and build an all new harness for the front of the engine too.