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I thought Lexus' were reliable!!!

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Old May 11, 2005 | 06:16 PM
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Default I thought Lexus' were reliable!!!

Well, I know they are good cars, I love mine but now the damn thing wont start. Did a search and saw chuckb and gamma's posts about similar topics.

When I put the key in all power works, get one click and almost a fuel pump noise, but it is a slight buzzing in front of the motor. Battery is good to go, cleaned the terminals. Trying to get it figured out before I have to resort to the dealership

Car has 64K on it btw. The past few times it would start, or if it didnt, I would turn the key a few times and it would start or I would wait a little bit and then it would... Now nothing. Time to drive the beater... No a/c and it is hot here!
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Old May 11, 2005 | 06:17 PM
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probably the starter i had to change mine a couple months ago, it was doing the same as you just described...
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Old May 11, 2005 | 06:20 PM
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My starter was replaced at 45,000 miles. It seems to be a little problem
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Old May 11, 2005 | 06:30 PM
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when I had a starting prob with my GS, it was the battery.

now my ES, that was the contacts in the solenoid which is attached to the starter. it would click when you tried to start it and take a few trys , then start perfectly. I removed starter and replaced contacts with toyota parts for $15!!!!!!!!




this site below was very helpfull

http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/
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Old May 11, 2005 | 06:39 PM
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I had the same problems like yours, turns out to be the starter, get a used rebuild one from your local junkyard I got mine for $50. This seems to be a common problem on lexus, good luck men
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Old May 11, 2005 | 07:27 PM
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Thanks guys... I guess I have to bite the bullet and go to the dealership. Lexus dealerships arent as bad as ford ones tho! I cringe at that thought. Heres some pics of the other beater...





I hate no A/C
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Old May 11, 2005 | 07:30 PM
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That isn't that bad of a beater..
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Old May 11, 2005 | 08:37 PM
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Yeah ford dealers suck. They always want to blame everything that happens on the mods that you do. AC atleast you dont get 12 miles to the gallon. Well good thing gas is cheaper down here. I pay $2.17 for 93 octane.
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Old May 11, 2005 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by GammaLex
Yeah ford dealers suck. They always want to blame everything that happens on the mods that you do. AC atleast you dont get 12 miles to the gallon. Well good thing gas is cheaper down here. I pay $2.17 for 93 octane.
The Ford dealer we had in Atlanta was EXCELLENT. Haven't tried one down here in FL yet.

Nice F150 by the way. I was just reading about the Rousch supercharger kit that WON'T VOID YOUR WARRANTY - looks great - no idea how much though. Adding 100+HP in that low boost kit would be fun!
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Old May 11, 2005 | 08:46 PM
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Originally Posted by GammaLex
Yeah ford dealers suck. They always want to blame everything that happens on the mods that you do. AC atleast you dont get 12 miles to the gallon. Well good thing gas is cheaper down here. I pay $2.17 for 93 octane.

in los angeles, 91 octane (highest grade) at any local gas station is $2.70..$2.49 for regular 87 octane.

i wish i can get 93 octane for $2.17
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Old May 11, 2005 | 08:50 PM
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Originally Posted by corkycal
in los angeles, 91 octane (highest grade) at any local gas station is $2.70..$2.49 for regular 87 octane.

i wish i can get 93 octane for $2.17
93 is about $2.45 here. that's all my girl drinks
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Old May 11, 2005 | 09:52 PM
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Originally Posted by corkycal
in los angeles, 91 octane (highest grade) at any local gas station is $2.70..$2.49 for regular 87 octane.

i wish i can get 93 octane for $2.17


The cheapest I've found today was Chevron 91 octane for $2.63.
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Old May 12, 2005 | 01:10 AM
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the last time my car did that, it was because i hadnt started it for over a year. after 10 tries, it started up right away... but the dealership charged 250 for it for a full diagnostic.

on the other topic... our gas here on guam is at $2.85 for 91oct.
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Old May 12, 2005 | 10:56 AM
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Sounds like your battery may be low on cranking amps. I know you said you cleaned the battery but check the voltage. I have had that problem in a few cars, power is there but not enough to turn the starter. Better than buying a new starter from the outset.
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Old May 12, 2005 | 04:05 PM
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Naw, I checked the battery right away and it was fine. Had the flatbed come by this morning and pick it up and away we went to the dealership. They gave me a brand new RX and said it should be done today. Called a hour later and yes, as most of us suspected, it was the starter... damn @ only 60K miles. Well they just called and it is done so now I get to go pay em...
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