HELP! Car won't start.. need feedback ASAP!
11-15-13, 11:53 AM
#17
Thanks for the advice guys.. some of you ARE right and it was the starter.. Lexus is trying to find out why it went out so early. It'll cost $2,500 to replace due to the location of the unit and the labor involved. I'm trying to see if Lexus can help foot the bill on this one although I do have my doubts.
In the future this is an expensive maintenance item for all of us and something we all should keep in mind if you're planning to hold onto this vehicle for a long time.
In the future this is an expensive maintenance item for all of us and something we all should keep in mind if you're planning to hold onto this vehicle for a long time.
11-15-13, 11:54 AM
#18
Thanks for the advice guys.. some of you ARE right and it was the starter.. Lexus is trying to find out why it went out so early. It'll cost $2,500 to replace due to the location of the unit and the labor involved. I'm trying to see if Lexus can help foot the bill on this one although I do have my doubts.
In the future this is an expensive maintenance item for all of us and something we all should keep in mind if you're planning to hold onto this vehicle for a long time.
In the future this is an expensive maintenance item for all of us and something we all should keep in mind if you're planning to hold onto this vehicle for a long time.
11-15-13, 12:01 PM
#20
Yeah what service dept are you going to. Wow that sucks dude, that is too early for something to go out on a car like ours, reliability was one of the main reasons why I hopped into a lexus at least. They should def cover half out give you a discount !
11-15-13, 12:07 PM
#21
Lexus Test Driver
Thanks for the advice guys.. some of you ARE right and it was the starter.. Lexus is trying to find out why it went out so early. It'll cost $2,500 to replace due to the location of the unit and the labor involved. I'm trying to see if Lexus can help foot the bill on this one although I do have my doubts.
In the future this is an expensive maintenance item for all of us and something we all should keep in mind if you're planning to hold onto this vehicle for a long time.
In the future this is an expensive maintenance item for all of us and something we all should keep in mind if you're planning to hold onto this vehicle for a long time.
11-15-13, 12:38 PM
#22
I know, hopefully they do help cover it
It would be very difficult to find a wrecked car, nonetheless the job is labor intensive (most likely first time for many mechanics diving into an IS-F for a starter change) so I would rather have Lexus tech's do it.
11-15-13, 04:07 PM
#23
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
Are they replacing the whole starter, or just the failed piece? That's a big price difference right out of the gate. The labor for this is obscene. Sure they have to drop one of the exhaust manifolds (if they do it by the book), but there's no way this is a $2000 labor job. Looks like two hours tops with the right tools and that's working slowly and carefully.
It is disappointing this happened at such a low mileage. Given the number of cars over 100k miles just on this forum, I'd say this isn't going to be common. It's also pretty likely a little time with a fine file and some red Scotchbrite pad would solve this without spending anything for parts. The contacts typically last at least 120k miles of average use. If you make only short trips, the service life will be fewer miles because mileage really has nothing to do with it. Switches are rated by number of cycles and current capacity, not time or mileage.
FWIW, I did a starter on a GS400 and that was a serious PITA. The intake manifold had to come off to get to it. It could not have been more buried.
It is disappointing this happened at such a low mileage. Given the number of cars over 100k miles just on this forum, I'd say this isn't going to be common. It's also pretty likely a little time with a fine file and some red Scotchbrite pad would solve this without spending anything for parts. The contacts typically last at least 120k miles of average use. If you make only short trips, the service life will be fewer miles because mileage really has nothing to do with it. Switches are rated by number of cycles and current capacity, not time or mileage.
FWIW, I did a starter on a GS400 and that was a serious PITA. The intake manifold had to come off to get to it. It could not have been more buried.
Last edited by lobuxracer; 11-15-13 at 04:11 PM.
11-15-13, 04:22 PM
#24
Are they replacing the whole starter, or just the failed piece? That's a big price difference right out of the gate. The labor for this is obscene. Sure they have to drop one of the exhaust manifolds (if they do it by the book), but there's no way this is a $2000 labor job. Looks like two hours tops with the right tools and that's working slowly and carefully.
It is disappointing this happened at such a low mileage. Given the number of cars over 100k miles just on this forum, I'd say this isn't going to be common. It's also pretty likely a little time with a fine file and some red Scotchbrite pad would solve this without spending anything for parts. The contacts typically last at least 120k miles of average use. If you make only short trips, the service life will be fewer miles because mileage really has nothing to do with it. Switches are rated by number of cycles and current capacity, not time or mileage.
FWIW, I did a starter on a GS400 and that was a serious PITA. The intake manifold had to come off to get to it. It could not have been more buried.
It is disappointing this happened at such a low mileage. Given the number of cars over 100k miles just on this forum, I'd say this isn't going to be common. It's also pretty likely a little time with a fine file and some red Scotchbrite pad would solve this without spending anything for parts. The contacts typically last at least 120k miles of average use. If you make only short trips, the service life will be fewer miles because mileage really has nothing to do with it. Switches are rated by number of cycles and current capacity, not time or mileage.
FWIW, I did a starter on a GS400 and that was a serious PITA. The intake manifold had to come off to get to it. It could not have been more buried.
They are replacing the whole starter unfortunately.
11-15-13, 04:30 PM
#25
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
Are they buying the parts or are you? I'm really curious if the contacts and plunger set from the Supra would fit this unit and make this a super cheap repair from a parts cost perspective.
If I didn't have a life, I'd probably be under my car right now figuring out how to get the starter out and back in under an hour. I'd bet a lot there's a way to do it quickly if you ignore the book's process.
FWIW, I did a few clutch & flywheel replacements on Scion tCs some years back. The book tells you to drop the engine cradle. After doing two of them, it was a three hour job and only needed an engine support bar - I never ever considered dropping the engine cradle, what a nightmare!
If I didn't have a life, I'd probably be under my car right now figuring out how to get the starter out and back in under an hour. I'd bet a lot there's a way to do it quickly if you ignore the book's process.
FWIW, I did a few clutch & flywheel replacements on Scion tCs some years back. The book tells you to drop the engine cradle. After doing two of them, it was a three hour job and only needed an engine support bar - I never ever considered dropping the engine cradle, what a nightmare!
11-15-13, 04:37 PM
#26
Are they buying the parts or are you? I'm really curious if the contacts and plunger set from the Supra would fit this unit and make this a super cheap repair from a parts cost perspective.
If I didn't have a life, I'd probably be under my car right now figuring out how to get the starter out and back in under an hour. I'd bet a lot there's a way to do it quickly if you ignore the book's process.
FWIW, I did a few clutch & flywheel replacements on Scion tCs some years back. The book tells you to drop the engine cradle. After doing two of them, it was a three hour job and only needed an engine support bar - I never ever considered dropping the engine cradle, what a nightmare!
If I didn't have a life, I'd probably be under my car right now figuring out how to get the starter out and back in under an hour. I'd bet a lot there's a way to do it quickly if you ignore the book's process.
FWIW, I did a few clutch & flywheel replacements on Scion tCs some years back. The book tells you to drop the engine cradle. After doing two of them, it was a three hour job and only needed an engine support bar - I never ever considered dropping the engine cradle, what a nightmare!
Once the old one is out (if it is not goodwilled) I can request to keep the old starter and send it to you for analysis.. I would love to help others find a cheaper solution than having to worry about a "possible" $2,000 fix from the dealership in the future.
11-15-13, 09:17 PM
#27
Tech Info Resource
iTrader: (2)
I didn't mean buy the parts outside, just whether it is warranty or if you are paying out of pocket. Sounds like they haven't decided yet who is picking up the tab. If you do get to keep it, I'd definitely like to get a look at it to see what can be done. If it does happen that way, I'll post a write up on it with pics so we can have it on the forum for all to see.
11-15-13, 09:48 PM
#28
I didn't mean buy the parts outside, just whether it is warranty or if you are paying out of pocket. Sounds like they haven't decided yet who is picking up the tab. If you do get to keep it, I'd definitely like to get a look at it to see what can be done. If it does happen that way, I'll post a write up on it with pics so we can have it on the forum for all to see.
11-17-13, 11:53 PM
#30
The dealership does not allow for owners to buy their own parts because of the (chance) that it may not work after install. To hold the dealership liable for the full fix of the vehicle they need to buy the unit themselves.
Once the old one is out (if it is not goodwilled) I can request to keep the old starter and send it to you for analysis.. I would love to help others find a cheaper solution than having to worry about a "possible" $2,000 fix from the dealership in the future.
Once the old one is out (if it is not goodwilled) I can request to keep the old starter and send it to you for analysis.. I would love to help others find a cheaper solution than having to worry about a "possible" $2,000 fix from the dealership in the future.
Such bull****, this dealership is inconsistent. They're giving customers the run around on leaking water pumps too. They have installed aftermarket parts for some, plugs from Sewell and brake components from tire rack for me, I know a starter is different in terms of overall function but where is the documented policy that lists these exceptions? This dealership is getting worse, might be time to find another ...
