I have a 98 gs300...

The past week ive had some problems trying to start her up...
When i turn the key, i hear a click from the engine, no drone, no err-err-err...

It takes up to 10 turns of the key to start her sometimes...
-No cel
-Oil needs to be changed but N/A
-I have a Very big system (allthough it has its own optima) it could be draining the car battery--i have something that switches the alternator from battery-to-battery depending on the stereo on/off -- what i see wrong hear is that i never have my stereo off?? but i dont think this is it because all my eletrical work... with the key in the ignition

I guess i need to get her checked out... but i really didnt think the 300's had this problem too often... i thought it was moreso the 400-430's

any info or help appreciated..

also, anyone know the price if it is indeed the starter?

-thanks

 

Depends on what it does exactly. If there is just one click and thats it then its the starter, if there is a series of clicks then its the battery. I just replaced my started a few weeks ago, and its a PITA if you dont have the right tools. Its on the tranny, and there are 2 bolts holding it in place. One is easy to get to ad you could take that off with a regular 14mm, the upper one is jammed betweek the tranny and the fire wall, and in order to get to that one I had to go to lowes and get a 14mm bendable gearwrench in order to get it in that tight space. If you are not much of a DIY guy, the labor only calls for 30 minutes according to the labor rates of my buddies shop, so it wont be to expensive.

 

if the battery is good, than it's probably the solenoid contacts in the starter. you can get the rebuild kit for $15 at toyota. I did it on my es a while ago and it's still fine.
http://www.off-road.com/toyota/tech/starter/

 

I have the same problem. I priced on eform a buddy of mines for $105. I will be changing it out this weekend.

 

thanks everyone...

Oddly enough the problem stoppped today... both times i started my car... not a single problem... just fine.

Allthough i will get it replaced...

 

the other day i went to start the car and got a series of clicks.. went to jump it and it took a few tries... but idk if that meant the battery was dead or the car just started b/c i tried a few times any ideas?? battery?? or starter??

 

I should have read this about a week ago. My car began clicking when it sat up over night. I thought it was the battery, so I changed it out and it still did it. I then replaced the connector from the positive terminal to the cable, because it didnt seem to be making full contact. $40. That worked about a week, then it died when I was pumping gas. I could jump the car after, but I think thats only because the starter just needed a little help getting going. I took it to a shop here in town to get the starter replaced because I heard it was hard on a gs4. The bosch starter ran me 277 and they charged me for removing the upper and lower manifolds, and one gasket. This total came to be about $780. Thats really nothing though considering Lexus wanted $1200 for the job. I still feel like I got ripped though. I just didnt have the time to do it myself.