Has anyone changed the starter on a 2013 GS 350? Any pics or videos for DIY would be much appreciated. It looks like a difficult job due to the starter is hidden under the exhaust manifold. I am wondering if there are tips and tricks on how to attack this problems.

 

Are you sure you need a new starter? That's a very unusual issue.

 

How many miles? More likely an alternator or battery long before the starter. A bad alternator and quickly kill a new battery. If you have 150K+ miles then that's the time an alternator can go bad.

 

I have 159k miles on it. Both starter and battery were replaced within the past 3 months. I hear clicks but starter did not engaged. It happens intermittently, like having a good or bad days.

 

You replaced the starter and the problem persists, tell me again why you want to replace the starter again?

It sure sounds like the alternator is not doing its job and not keeping the battery charged enough.

 

My first thought is your 3 month old battery may have a bad cell and is essentially dead, incapable of fully engaging and operating the starter motor, thus the clicks you hear but no startup.

I would have the battery load tested to determine its health. NTB (National Tire & Battery) - if you have a store nearby - will load test your battery at no charge (excuse the pun). They'll do it in their parking lot and give you the printed readout from the load test device. The load test only takes 3 minutes or less. Of course your Lexus dealer can load test the battery too. I suppose most places like AutoZone, O'Reilly's, NAPA and Pep Boys can also do it.

 

Another thought is....... depending on and where you got the starter? It is a possibility that the starter is defective.

Some Alternators and Starters are rebuild, and they only rebuild what's bad in them. Lots of cheap made in?????, parts out there that can fail quick. I would start with a good load test with the battery in the car 1st though.

 

True! Oftentimes a rebuilt [whatever] is just plain inferior to OE. I personally would not want a rebuilt alternator or starter or water pump, etc, etc...or used parts sold on eBay. I'll have Lexus take care of it or I'll pay the extra for the real deal...

 

Yeah always buy new OEM parts from a Lexus dealer. We're driving GS here not a cheap beater so don't cheap out on parts.

 

Yea I need a new Tensioner pulley and Belt. About $450 Lexus parts. I can get them for $140 aftermarket. No thanks I don't like doing the job 2 or 3 times. You get what you pay for most times.

Strange as it is.... I always cut everything off in the car before I cut the car off. Been doing that on my cars for a while. That way when I start I have no extra loads at start up. I hate starting a car with the blower going hi, radio playing, wiper going and so on.

 

Unfortunately, the GS isn't DIY friendly, in terms of resources. Compared to BMW forums, for example.
I'd also like to know how to do this job, just in case.

 

It’s the alternator, you replaced a working starter for no reason. A bad alternator will kill a battery fast and then the car won’t start. You were better off taking it to a mechanic to diagnose instead of wasting time and money replacing the wrong part.

 

Bad alternator will kill a new battery fast and if you replace the battery next one will die shortly. He needs to replace the alternator.

 

I would also check your fuel pressure regulator as that’s known to cause no starts on the 2grs (clicking but not cranking)

 

Every time you start your engine the starter is at lock rotor condition which at DC voltage it is drawing about 10 times the amount of current the starter motor would nominally draw under a no load condition. Starting an engine takes a lot out of a battery - and it must recover with the alternator recharging the battery over a period of time - the longer the period of time, the better. That's why when you have your battery load tested (which simulates the battery starting an engine with a significant current draw) it's best to drive the car for 30 minutes or more to have the alternator recharge the battery and bring it back to sound health. If you fail to recharge the battery it can act like a very weak battery and not even be able to engage and turn the engine over (click, click). Then, you begin to wonder if the root cause of the problem is the battery itself, or the alternator, or you not allowing the battery to appropriately recharge over a period of time by driving the car long enough after starting engine. One of the most damaging things you can do to a battery is starting the engine and driving a short distance of a few blocks or a mile or so, stopping and then restarting the engine again, and maybe again and again. The battery is never given the opportunity to recharge after starting the engine before it is asked to restart the engine again! And, if you have a habit of not traveling but just a few blocks or a mile or so on numerous little errands then you're going to pull the life out of that battery...