2006 GS430 Starter Issues/Nightmare
07-08-12, 08:19 PM
#17
Random starting issue
I have been having sporadic problems starting my car... Sometimes it starts fine and sometimes it doesnt. I will try my best to explain what is happening.
When I have a problem, like this morning... I hit my start button (all normal lights come on), however, it just clicks several times and makes a very light spuddering noise and doesn't turn over. I always try it several times in a row and sometimes it will start and then sometimes it just won't for 15 minutes or so. I have never had an issue where I couldn't eventually get it started.
I have taken it to the dealership and an independent mechanic. I have spent money trying to diagnose the issue to no success.
My question is, has anyone heard of this issue? What could my potential issues be? I have had the obvious things checked...but this is really a bad situation for me because I can't rely on my car to start all the time.
When I have a problem, like this morning... I hit my start button (all normal lights come on), however, it just clicks several times and makes a very light spuddering noise and doesn't turn over. I always try it several times in a row and sometimes it will start and then sometimes it just won't for 15 minutes or so. I have never had an issue where I couldn't eventually get it started.
I have taken it to the dealership and an independent mechanic. I have spent money trying to diagnose the issue to no success.
My question is, has anyone heard of this issue? What could my potential issues be? I have had the obvious things checked...but this is really a bad situation for me because I can't rely on my car to start all the time.
SERVICE BULLETIN:LSB-0015-10 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER:10034245
MFG Bulletin Date: 02/04/2010
Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: SOFTWARE
Bulletin Summary: LEXUS: TECHSTREAM ECU FLASH REPROGRAMMING PROCEDURE. FLASH REPROGRAMMING ALLOWS THE ECU SOFTWARE TO BE UPDATED WITHOUT REPLACING THE ECU. FLASH CALIBRATION UPDATES FOR SPECIFIC VEHICLE MODELS/ECUS ARE RELEASED AS FIELD FIX PROCEDURES DES
Date added to datbase: 10/29/2010
07-09-12, 02:45 AM
#19
Hmm.... Starter going bad? I'd have it replaced and go from there.
when you say sputtering, there's many definitions of sputtering, if you say ticking noise, that means the car doesn't have enoguh juice to start. If it's sputtering, that means the engine has started sort of and turned off afterwards.
And as for Boron's statement on the battery CEL/VSC warning, the car doesn't, and has never warned me my battery was on it's way out
Neither did it ever tell me a bulb has gone bad or any warning of that sort.
when you say sputtering, there's many definitions of sputtering, if you say ticking noise, that means the car doesn't have enoguh juice to start. If it's sputtering, that means the engine has started sort of and turned off afterwards.
And as for Boron's statement on the battery CEL/VSC warning, the car doesn't, and has never warned me my battery was on it's way out
Neither did it ever tell me a bulb has gone bad or any warning of that sort.
07-09-12, 06:21 PM
#22
07-09-12, 08:17 PM
#23
Nice alchemist! Surprised these fuel pumps go bad, usually don't hear about that issue.
As for your fuel pump failing, do you drive until hte car's pretty much below the E-line? I ask because people claim that fuel pumps run hotter and the failure rates are higher when you drain your gas down past it's optimum run.
P.S. If it were me, I'd opt for a Walbro fuel pump, they work fantastic, cheaper a bit, but you'll have to DIY your own way around to getting the fuel pump to work.... They're also a tiny bit noisy, not sure if that would even be remotely okay with you. I remember in my Miata, Everytime i'd flip on the "prep" stage on the key, it goes BOING, and i can hear the fuel pump run really loud LOL!
As for your fuel pump failing, do you drive until hte car's pretty much below the E-line? I ask because people claim that fuel pumps run hotter and the failure rates are higher when you drain your gas down past it's optimum run.
P.S. If it were me, I'd opt for a Walbro fuel pump, they work fantastic, cheaper a bit, but you'll have to DIY your own way around to getting the fuel pump to work.... They're also a tiny bit noisy, not sure if that would even be remotely okay with you. I remember in my Miata, Everytime i'd flip on the "prep" stage on the key, it goes BOING, and i can hear the fuel pump run really loud LOL!
07-10-12, 10:43 AM
#24
No, dont run it low on gas. So I'm not happy with Lexus quality in the newer cars. I also have a 92 SC 400 and have not had to change the fuel pump yet.
Last edited by kdouglas39; 07-10-12 at 10:48 AM.
07-11-12, 08:01 AM
#25
Dealer changed fuel pump but did not install it properly, so after I filled my car up with gas, I started to small gas fumes and had to lower all my windows just to breathe. Once i got home, gas was leaking onto my driveway and a lot water was leaking from the engine area. Had to call the local fire department. They came out and set up a containment area and pull my back seat look at the pump. gas was leaking from the cap of the container that the pump is housed in.
Dealer picked up the car this morning. This has been a nightmare and could have been deadly.
I'm just glad I was close to home when I got gas. I still have a headache from the gas fumes.
07-11-12, 10:08 AM
#27
**** me!
Sorry to be so blunt, but what sort of monkeys are dealerships employing these days?
Did they not do a leak test before signing off on the job, and declaring it completed and fit for hand over?
Douglas - this is wholly UNACCEPTABLE, and a "sorry" just won't cut, if it were me.
They owe the FD guys at least a slap-up meal each for having to be called out unnecessarily, and I can't think what would be suitable compensation for that level of screw-up.
A bunch of flowers isn't going to paper over that crack, so it'd need to be something major.
I'd also be of the mindset that it'd be the last time I go anywhere near them, if they have technicians that incompetent or blasé/apathetic about their job.
Something as monumental as that doesn't deserve repeat business, no matter how trivial - I wouldn't trust them to inflate the tyres after that.
Whilst it's human to err, training and experience suggests that something is amiss - inadequate training/supervision/checking or attitude of middle-upper management towards floor staff "mistakes".
Sorry to be so blunt, but what sort of monkeys are dealerships employing these days?
Did they not do a leak test before signing off on the job, and declaring it completed and fit for hand over?
Douglas - this is wholly UNACCEPTABLE, and a "sorry" just won't cut, if it were me.
They owe the FD guys at least a slap-up meal each for having to be called out unnecessarily, and I can't think what would be suitable compensation for that level of screw-up.
A bunch of flowers isn't going to paper over that crack, so it'd need to be something major.
I'd also be of the mindset that it'd be the last time I go anywhere near them, if they have technicians that incompetent or blasé/apathetic about their job.
Something as monumental as that doesn't deserve repeat business, no matter how trivial - I wouldn't trust them to inflate the tyres after that.
Whilst it's human to err, training and experience suggests that something is amiss - inadequate training/supervision/checking or attitude of middle-upper management towards floor staff "mistakes".
07-12-12, 12:29 AM
#28
Update:
Dealer changed fuel pump but did not install it properly, so after I filled my car up with gas, I started to small gas fumes and had to lower all my windows just to breathe. Once i got home, gas was leaking onto my driveway and a lot water was leaking from the engine area. Had to call the local fire department. They came out and set up a containment area and pull my back seat look at the pump. gas was leaking from the cap of the container that the pump is housed in.
Dealer picked up the car this morning. This has been a nightmare and could have been deadly.
I'm just glad I was close to home when I got gas. I still have a headache from the gas fumes.
Dealer changed fuel pump but did not install it properly, so after I filled my car up with gas, I started to small gas fumes and had to lower all my windows just to breathe. Once i got home, gas was leaking onto my driveway and a lot water was leaking from the engine area. Had to call the local fire department. They came out and set up a containment area and pull my back seat look at the pump. gas was leaking from the cap of the container that the pump is housed in.
Dealer picked up the car this morning. This has been a nightmare and could have been deadly.
I'm just glad I was close to home when I got gas. I still have a headache from the gas fumes.
You're telling me
**** me!
Sorry to be so blunt, but what sort of monkeys are dealerships employing these days?
Did they not do a leak test before signing off on the job, and declaring it completed and fit for hand over?
Douglas - this is wholly UNACCEPTABLE, and a "sorry" just won't cut, if it were me.
They owe the FD guys at least a slap-up meal each for having to be called out unnecessarily, and I can't think what would be suitable compensation for that level of screw-up.
A bunch of flowers isn't going to paper over that crack, so it'd need to be something major.
I'd also be of the mindset that it'd be the last time I go anywhere near them, if they have technicians that incompetent or blasé/apathetic about their job.
Something as monumental as that doesn't deserve repeat business, no matter how trivial - I wouldn't trust them to inflate the tyres after that.
Whilst it's human to err, training and experience suggests that something is amiss - inadequate training/supervision/checking or attitude of middle-upper management towards floor staff "mistakes".
Sorry to be so blunt, but what sort of monkeys are dealerships employing these days?
Did they not do a leak test before signing off on the job, and declaring it completed and fit for hand over?
Douglas - this is wholly UNACCEPTABLE, and a "sorry" just won't cut, if it were me.
They owe the FD guys at least a slap-up meal each for having to be called out unnecessarily, and I can't think what would be suitable compensation for that level of screw-up.
A bunch of flowers isn't going to paper over that crack, so it'd need to be something major.
I'd also be of the mindset that it'd be the last time I go anywhere near them, if they have technicians that incompetent or blasé/apathetic about their job.
Something as monumental as that doesn't deserve repeat business, no matter how trivial - I wouldn't trust them to inflate the tyres after that.
Whilst it's human to err, training and experience suggests that something is amiss - inadequate training/supervision/checking or attitude of middle-upper management towards floor staff "mistakes".
07-16-12, 07:51 AM
#30
People build lawsuits off of these idiotic mistakes, just sayin
You're telling me
Lol.... You're totally right, this isn't just something he should let go with a simple "sorry" or any compensation as little as "free car washes" or anything in that matter. This should be taken to corporate and dealt with there. Hopefully he has the ***** to do what I claimed above too
You're telling me
Lol.... You're totally right, this isn't just something he should let go with a simple "sorry" or any compensation as little as "free car washes" or anything in that matter. This should be taken to corporate and dealt with there. Hopefully he has the ***** to do what I claimed above too
Update: finally got car back and money back.
Last edited by kdouglas39; 07-21-12 at 06:46 AM.