Community, hopefully you can help me figure this out. So here's my problem, I have a 1999 gs400 and sometimes when I go to start it, it doesn't start. It may take me anywhere from 2 - 8 attempts turning the key before it fires up. I hear the starter "clicking" when it doesn't start so I know the starter is getting power to it - just not catching every time? Before I spend a fortune having the starter replaced, I want to confirm the starter sounds like the problem. In addition, I don't know if it's all related but sometimes while I'm driving the vsc / vsc off idiot lights come on?

Anyone else have that experience. / thoughts / ideas?

Thanks!

 

The same thing happened to me and it ended up being the starter. Go to Autozone or someplace similar and the starter wont cost you a fortune.

 

Thanks Agent0024, was it difficult to replace yourself?

 

mbrown1782, if your GS is a 400, Yes, it will be a pain to replace the starter. The starters in the LS400, GS400, and SC400 are in the middle of the motor. It would be a 6-7 hour process to have a shop replace it.
So, to answer your q, the starter on the V8eights are not easy to replace. Now on the SC300, the starter is a 30 min deal...lol

 

Like SC400slide said, it will be tough if you have a GS400. I have a 300 so it was a breeze.

 

Thanks all - i took it to my local shop - it is a 6.5 hour job and it will be $950. Of course it couldn't be something I could do in my garage in a reasonable time frame...

 

wow, the starter on my soarer went 3 months ago and it only cost me $300 for a refurbished starter plus installation. sorry about your luck. Hopefully it is the starter, but from what mine did before i had to take it in i would say that is the problem.