Hi guys,

So I've been having a weird issue with my car during the last week. The car won't start, the battery is good and tested the alternator was good, also checked the starter was doing well.

I eventually got the car to work later on in the day. I came to realize that it depends on the way I am pushing the key in the cylinder to start it up. It's really weird. Sometimes I have to kind of lean on it down and turn the ignition for it to work, sometimes have to really push it in sometimes I have to pull it towards me, you get the idea. Anyways, this takes 3-4 times every time I am in the car.

At first when it started acting up I thought it was because of the cold, because it only did it in the mornings. Then proceeded to be every single time I get to start the car. I fear it will only go on to be worse until it doesn't start anymore.

^^All these tries were using the OEM key that has the unlock/lock panic functions.

I just tried the spare key, and it seemed to do better than the remote one. It doesn't need as much harassment to work.

If I just put the key in and try to start it, it will click once then make a constant sound kind of like a buzz.



Could this be a failing ignition switch problem?

 

It sounds like faulty ignition switch.
Do you have a heavy key chain?

 

That's about it. I just completed 2 weeks with this car. So I'm not sure what the previous owner did.

How much is it for the ignition switch? Is it a simple DIY?

And if someone can get the part number that'd be great.

 

I have never change the ignition switch on a Toyota/Lexus.

But I have done it on Honda. I believe the part is around $200. I had to remove the dash to access the ignition switch....I think it took me 2 hours?

 

You know that's what I was thinking, never saw this issue on a Lexus, saw it before on a Camry.

But now that I think about it, this car is almost 16 years old, with 255k on the odo, you know for sure this car has been driven a lot, and every time it was driven this ignition switch was there to help start the car.


It seems to be acting alright today, I just have to handle the key like a very smooth feather into the ignition then switch easily to ignite the car. I hope it just remains like this and I don't have to replace this part.

If I ever end up doing it, will be sure to post back. Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

I recommend you change it. You will never know when it will fail....in the middle of an intersection, highway, etc. It can be unsafe.

 

Try making a new key, since you say the (lesser used) spare is doing better.

What are the symptoms of it not starting? When you say it makes a buzz, is that the starter ticking? Does the security light stop blinking when you insert the key?

 

my gs 300 98 trunk is very heavy how to reduce weight please can any one help me

 

I'll get a vid tomorrow morning.