Spacepig

My starter, or at least the contacts appear to be on the way out. 4 or 5 times in the last couple of months I've had the "click . . . click . . . click" when trying to start, although after a few tries it will start. My question is whether the starter typically goes gradually, or whether I am at immediate risk of having it go out completely. I know this is an ugly (if I DIY it) or expensive (if I pay someone else) job, and I've been in denial, but I'd like ot avoid getting stranded.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

Might be helpful to know what year, but mine went out suddenly on my old 98LS.

LiCelsior

iTrader: (32)

mine went out when i was changing my injectors. some say u can just change the contacts on the inside and your fine.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

The starter can die anytime so save yourself some grief and start preparing for a DIY or find a inexpensive shop. remember , you might as well do the water pump while your in there.

Spacepig

Sorry I forgot to mention year- its a '98. I've seen the threads here and elsewhere on CL about simply replacing the contacts, which are the likely problem, but since the labor is the same, I'm inclined to replace the starter rather than risk being back in a year or 2 to deal with the starter body. Being of the "do it once, do it right school," I'll probably bite the bullet and do the water pump too unless it was done by the PO.

GRAND_LS 4

iTrader: (2)

when mine went out, replacing the contacts did not fix the problem. Your best bet is to replace to whole starter or practically rebuild everything while youre there.

The brushes seem to be a culprit in many occasional failures.

GABE_LS400

i WOULD SAY do it right the first time. My starter went out the week i bought the damn car and every shop around here in houston was charging me 700 or more to do the job. I rolled up sleeves and started ripping into it, one day later i got it going. With a motor like this you dont want to cut corners, they last waaaaaaay longer if you change parts when needed. I would say main things to change as soon as you get on is timing,waterpump,thermostats,tranny fluid,oil,plugs,caps,starter. You will have a newer ride no matter how many miles it has.

steveski

Yeah agreed the starter can go out at any time. When mine started clicking and turning over slow I had it changed. The luck would be it would work for maybe months and go out at the worst time!

robinrocki

Did you replace your starter yourself....if so do you have any helpful info...need to replace mine on a 2000 ls 400

Lexozz

Why do you suggest the WP if nothing in the front will be pulled off? All the starter work is done on top.

Check these out: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...y-ex-98-a.html
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...-progress.html

I hope they help. Good luck!

Spacepig

I wound up just replacing the starter; water pump had been done by PO 30,000 miles ago. After reading stories about the starter job, I paid to have it done. Seems like I avoided a lot of aggravation for $650. Almost forgot; got charged an extra $50 to have a rats nest removed from under the manifold and have several partially chewed wires replaced. Shop took pictures; I'll post if I can get a copy. A few days before I took the car in, there was an increasingly nasty stench in my garage. I checked a rat trap I'd placed in a corner months ago; I had nailed the furry little bast*rd, so he got his just reward. I had been on vacation, and the car wasn't drive for about 18 days; apparently enough time to move in and set up shop.