my starter fried
my starter fried
sup guys.
I've been wanting to replace my starters for about a month now. Last time I went to my trusted shop they were on vacation, so I've been putting it off, with school and work getting busy.
Last Thursday after work around 1pm, about to leave, started my car with a few attempts, it finally started, but made this very weird sound. Sounded like the timing belt was about to fly away or something. I turned off my car, but it wouldn't
It would vibrate very hard, RPM probably around 100 or so. So i turned the key to the ON position, and the RPM would pick up.
I thought to myself "this is not good", so I decided to swing by the shop. It was about 2 minutes drive from where I work.
Right around the corner to the shop, my engine bay started smoking I quickly made it to the shop within 10 seconds of smoking and shut my car off. Opened the hood, all these smoke came out, and something smelled burnt.
Long story short, the shop replaced the starter. It was fried. The shop owner said wiring might need replacement if it's burned too, but he inspected it further and said wiring is fine. Total cost is around $190 for remanufacturered starter installed.
So guys, if you sense problems in your starter, get it fixed or replaced. Don't risk frying anything.
I've been wanting to replace my starters for about a month now. Last time I went to my trusted shop they were on vacation, so I've been putting it off, with school and work getting busy.
Last Thursday after work around 1pm, about to leave, started my car with a few attempts, it finally started, but made this very weird sound. Sounded like the timing belt was about to fly away or something. I turned off my car, but it wouldn't
It would vibrate very hard, RPM probably around 100 or so. So i turned the key to the ON position, and the RPM would pick up.I thought to myself "this is not good", so I decided to swing by the shop. It was about 2 minutes drive from where I work.
Right around the corner to the shop, my engine bay started smoking
I quickly made it to the shop within 10 seconds of smoking and shut my car off. Opened the hood, all these smoke came out, and something smelled burnt.Long story short, the shop replaced the starter. It was fried. The shop owner said wiring might need replacement if it's burned too, but he inspected it further and said wiring is fine. Total cost is around $190 for remanufacturered starter installed.
So guys, if you sense problems in your starter, get it fixed or replaced. Don't risk frying anything.
yea.. the starters can lock up in the start position, and even with the IG off, they stay stuck engaged.. ive seen it much more common on ES and RX models though.. at least you got it fixed and no futher damage! 
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 1
From: Northern California
Is there a point in mileage servicing (eg. 90k, 120k, etc), that we should consider replacing the starter? (as we would the timing belt at 90k etc)? I had a recent issue with the car not starting, but fortunately a new battery solved the problem. But the starter and alternator were both concerns for me at the time it happened.
BTW GlobeCLK, Im glad to hear you were able to get that issue resolved without further damage
...I dont know how Id reactive to see smoke coming out of the engine bay. 
BTW GlobeCLK, Im glad to hear you were able to get that issue resolved without further damage
...I dont know how Id reactive to see smoke coming out of the engine bay.
Trending Topics
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 334
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Is there a point in mileage servicing (eg. 90k, 120k, etc), that we should consider replacing the starter? (as we would the timing belt at 90k etc)? I had a recent issue with the car not starting, but fortunately a new battery solved the problem. But the starter and alternator were both concerns for me at the time it happened.
BTW GlobeCLK, Im glad to hear you were able to get that issue resolved without further damage...I dont know how Id reactive to see smoke coming out of the engine bay.
BTW GlobeCLK, Im glad to hear you were able to get that issue resolved without further damage
...I dont know how Id reactive to see smoke coming out of the engine bay. Hey GlobeCLK, I'm glad you didn't have more extensive damage. I can bet that you were sweatin' buckets when you saw all that smoke, but you must have been just as relieved to hear it was only the starter. That was a close one - thank goodness.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Top 10 Reasons to Buy a Lexus TX 550h+ (& 3 Reasons to AVOID!)
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyota Models of the 1990s RANKED!
Joe Kucinski
10 Great Toyotas That Could Have Been Lexus Models
Joe Kucinski
Driver
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Texas
$850 holy #$*&. That is beyond being robbed. I got my starter replaced with my 90K service for a total of 1300. That included Waterpump and timingbelt. Do not send your car to that dealer. Throw a brick through there window. lol
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 3,221
Likes: 51
From: Michigan
CEO