So the other day my 2006 GS300 didn't start, I chalked it up to being a dirty terminal since there was corrosion all around the positive terminal, so I cleaned t and it started right away. The day after, the same thing happened, no start, no clicking noise, so I jump it and it starts 2 more times. The third time again, no start, no clicking, but the lights work fine.

Its at the dealer now after getting the battery tested with the drain charge being suspect despite it only being 2 years old, but what worries me is the intermittent start and the no clicking leading me to believe it's the starter. How common is this because the service advisor said it isn't a common issue. If the starter were going bad, wouldn't the times it started be rougher than usual? Any input would be great thanks

 

Got a call from the dealer, unfortunately I was right and it is the starter. Quoted $850 for a Lexus starter and $630 for aftermarket so I'm going that route.

 

Be careful with those aftermarket parts! I replaced my original water pump last February (failed around 90,000 miles/8 years) with an aftermarket one from Oreilly's, and about two hours ago I took delivery of a Lexus water pump to replace the aftermarket one (started leaking out of the weep hole after about 17,000 miles/10 months).

 

The dealer is doing it and has a warranty on it so it's their problem if it goes bad ha, it's a denso so it should be ok

 

Denso stuff usually lasts, so I wouldn't worry too much. My starter has been giving me intermittent issues since 20k, but it's been a while since, so keeping my fingers crossed.

 

I drive about 2-3k a month so I didn't want to take a chance, also got an RC for a loaner for 3 days so I'm ok with it

 

Rebuilt ones are good but after market? Who knows where it is made?

 

Ah I see. Yeah in that case both starters probably came off the same assembly line, the only difference being that one of the factory workers then wrote "Lexus" on one of them in crayon so that the dealer could charge 35% more

 

Buy a used starter! I checked on car-parts.com for a starter in your area and the starters from 06-2014 IS350 are the same and for $50 bucks for a 2014 is imo better then buying a aftermarket or a rebuilt

 

I already paid the $630, not ideal but really not a lot to ensure the vehicle runs ha