My car wont start but the battery has just been changed. What i mean by doesnt start is that it wont even crank over. I hear a clicking noise. I'm led to believe that the started has failed but isnt it a little too soon on a 99gs3 w/80k on it. Need a little help, and how much does the dealer charge for this. Is there a diy for changing out the starter.
Thanks

 

My starter went out at 67k miles. It was $950 done by the Lexus dealer. The starter itself is $600.

 

I know you are kidding right!! I will order one off line and ask them to use that one. Was your car doing the same thing. Does anyone have a DIY on replacing the starter.

 

Why are so many starters failing?

Batteries are one thing...but the starters should last as long as the engine...

 

The starter of the GS is a reliable piece... like most TOYOTA products, but even THEY were not designed to last the life of the engine or car. So far, I believe that most failures are on 1998 and 1999 vehicles. They have been in service 7 or 8 years already.

To have a starter or alternator last 7 or 8 years is excellent in my opinion. Just think of the many hundreds..possibly THOUSANDS of starts it has performed already.

To have it go out is no fun, but the one comfort you have is the fact that they last a long time, and you shouldn't have to do it again in a long time....IF you get a good rebuild. I would trust a TOYOTA rebuild first and foremost.

Remember, that to replace this starter requires the removal of the upper intake manifold and upper accessories, so it is not something you would not want to do over and over again. The 3 to 4 hundred dollars of labor is worth it..especially if you cannot do it your yourself. I would not trust a cheap rebuild.

Just my $.02

GSEREP1

 

There is a component in the starter itself that is failing, and can be repaired without going new starter. I spoke to a guy who is an expert, and has been selling starter repair kits on E-bay. He is knowledgeable about what's failing, and his kit fixes 95% of those failed starters. For what it costs, you should try it first. If you've got the time, you may save yourself a huge chunk of change...I'll see if I can dig up a link...New/rebuilt starters are also on E-bay for like $150.....

 

I just had mine done last week after replacing the battery too. The dealer wanted $900. I went to a reputable Lexus service shop and had it done for $700 w/parts/labors/tax. Apparently it takes 6 hours of labor because of the location on a GS4. Your GS3 should be a bit cheaper I was told.

 

Yea I just had my done as well 99 GS4 with 74k on it at the dealer for $800

 

i remember back when i was in highschool the dude i carpooled with was in mechanic shop class... he told me he learned how to repair alternators and starters for a fraction of the price for a new one

that would be really cool to learn how to repair these components i wonder if when the shop replaces the compenent if u can ask to have the old one and see if u can mess with it.

 

I agree about someone knowing how to rebuild these things. I went to a alternater/starter rebuild shop and this guy still wanted 300 for a rebuild. i mean the price was cheaper but wow. From the way things look, i have to pay the 7-900 price huh!!!
Thanks all, and i do appreciate the advice.

 

Hello,
I like a good challenge, and I believe that I will change my own starter when the time comes to do so. I did my timing belt on my first 99 GS4, and if I can do the timing belt, I should be able to do the starter as well.

You really have to have the proper tools and a well lit place to work. From what I can tell about these starters, the "solenoid" or switch seems to be the part that malfunctions, causing the "click" and subsequent "no start" syndrome. The starter windings hardly ever wear out. Lexus likes to totally rebuild the starter and warranty it all. Most of the rebuild places and parts houses do not sell the solenoid separately anymore. That meansmore money for the rebuilder.

As I said in my last post, the starter is very hard to get to because of its' location near the firwall. The upper intake manifold has to be removed to gain access to the starter, and provide a means of removing it from the edgine. It is located in the "V" of the engine, and actually prevents thieves from "jumping" it in order to steal your car. Cutting the battery cables from underneath is also nearly impossible to do, so defeating the alarm that way is not easy either

I wouldn't want to do just a "partial" repair of this starter, only to have it fail again after only a short time. THAT would be VERY BAD if that happened.

So I know the factory starters are expensive, but face it, they have lasted a long time already, and it is worth spending the cash for it. There is at least one DIY for starter removal / replacement on a GS4, so it CAN be done! For most of us though, looks like the dealer, or specialty shop is the answer. Not everyone has the time or inclination to tackle this job...

Just for grins and giggles...has there been a lot of starter failures on cars newer than say model year 2000? That would be interesting to see just how many newer starters are failing..

Just a thought!

 

1999 GS4

I just had my starter and battery die. (60K on car) Lexus Dealer put in a rebuilt starter ($292.42) and labor was $408.02.

The 60K ran me $792.44

 

That rebuilt starter is just as good as a new one, because all the internals have been replaced. The only thing old is the case, and even it has been cleaned and prepared for the new parts.

God luck with the new starter..plus you shoulkd have a warranty on the labor if it goes out prematurely.