dc893

Sometimes I need to turn they key about 10 times or more for my 92 LS to start. Other times it will start the first time. Always starts eventually and runs fine. Once it warms up the problem goes away when I turn it off and start it again. Kinda sucks, it was fine the first week I owned it. started doing this suddenly the other morning.

SpencerT

Whats it sound like when you turn your key?
When my starter died, it was perfec one dayt, then it would do nothing at all.
Not click or attempt to start.
all I could hear was fuel being sprayed if I put my ear to the engine.

steve2006

Now you know why the car was up for sale, the previous owner didn't fancy a $1000.00 spend! If it's on the original starter there's a good chance it is the problem.
It wouldn't hurt to check your battery connections first though.

dc893

All the electronics turn on when i turn the key. when the key is turned all the way to start the car everything turns off, until I turn it enough times to start the car. The more I use the car the less it seems to be a problem. The problem is I don't drive that car everyday.

dc893

Kinda strange they would cheap out at that point. I looked under the car and most of the steering components are very new, the power steering pump is new, timing belt, water pump, transmission mount, new leather throughout the entire car, and new tint. I guess they ran out of cash! That's why it would seem strange to just give up on the car. If I did all that I would spend the money on the starter and it seems like u got urself a new 1992 LS400. lol

dc893

It also clicks one time when the key is turned all the way.

SpencerT

Sounds like an electrical contact has gone bad somewhere to me.
When my started died, it was because the motor got a flat spot in the coils somehow.
The motor would then rest on that flat spot and get stuck.
The only way to start the car was to use a pry bar to rotate the starter motor off the flat spot and it would fire right up.

This does not sound like your problem, but im sure there are many ways that our starters can fail

dc893

Tired to start it Just a minute ago. It took awhile to get the engine to crank. When it did it started right up after a few seconds of cranking. Just like a cold engine. When it did a large puff of blackish smoke came out. After that everything ran ok. It warmed up with no troubles.

Could a not so great mechanic messed up changing the timing belt? The puff of smoke had me concerned that never happened before.