My 2006 GS300 some months ago had Check VSC light come on and then a few days completely died on me pulling out of my driveway. I figured out it was the alternator so I had my mechanic replace it.

About a month later, I start getting this scraping noise for just a half second on cold starts right as the engine turns over. It starts to get louder and then one day my car just wouldn’t start at all, no turn over or anything (push start). Battery fine.

I get it towed home, week & half later I go to start it for the heck of it thinking maybe it’s the starter and the tow truck dropping it off may have jostled it. Sure enough the car starts up, roughly from sitting but it started. Took it for a quick drive and it drove fine. Got home, turned it off, started it back up and fine again. Next day, start it up, no noise at all easy start. Drove it to a few places the next few days later, no issues with anything, drives great.

Then I go up to my girlfriend’s, next day won’t start again, no turn over. Battery is fine. Get it towed home again. Wait a week, try starting and I get turn over sounds 3 times but it won’t start. But now I’m seeing the check VSC light again for the first time since the alternator went.

I had ordered a starter and was going to replace mine next week but now I’m having second thoughts seeing this VSC light again.

1. Could the replacement alternator be faulty? Although there were never any issues when I was able to drive the car.

2. Is it just the starter as suspected? Although why am I now getting check VSC light again?

3. Could it be loose connection at fuel injection driver? Although the instances of this that I’ve seen have made the car stall out when trying to drive, I didn’t experience that.

4. Is it something else?

Anyone who has had similar experience, I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.

 

I wonder if you have carbon buildup issues, to the point that the engine is choked up. These engines are common to have this issue if not addressed. Also the alternator you installed was it denso or oem? Or a cheap aftermarket?

You really need to get it scanned to properly diagnose it. Some symptoms of carbon are soot around the exhaust tips. I would also start by cleaning the throttle body, very simple and may help with cold starts.

Also how old are the spark plugs? Are they original oem or denso plugs and not a cheap knock off.