Hello everyone, this morning I went to go start my 98 Celsior, turned the key, cranked for approximately 1 second and stopped. Did this 3 times, 4th time the car fired up. Hoping its just the starter as I hear its not a terrible job to do. But if not what else could it be?

Have you replaced the computer yet? I'm definitely no expert, but my LS400 suddenly started running horribly. I did a complete tune-up and checked everything. I have a cheap FIXD code reader. It was giving off weird codes. Turns out replacing the computer fixed everything. They say the capacitors start to leak over time and that causes all kinds of issues......

Clean the battery terminals and take it to an Autozone-type store to have the battery tested.
While you're there, ask them to check the alternator as well.

Where did you hear LS400 starter replacement is an easy job..?!?

I dread the starter replacement! It does have to fail at some point.

Two 400s and a 430 over 25 plus years, and never had to replace one.
Maybe I'm lucky..?

I had my starter go out last year on my '98 at 155,000 miles- yes your symptoms sound familiar. Turn key- click. Turn key nothing. 10 times later it will start our of the blue. Eventually, turn key and nothing. Your starter is toast. This is with a fully charged battery, by the way. With a good battery and starter it should crarrk POWERFULLY and then start immediately. I had an independent shop do the starter jobt for a little over $ 1000 parts and labor including a Denso starter IIRC.
Failure at ~ 150,000 miles is not a rare occurrence.

i would only look at the ECU if the car is a 1st gen 90-94 model. 95-97 are less common, and 98-00 is even more less common - regardless to the OP this sounds like a starter issue.

and yes it's not an easy job as the intake manifold has to come off! starters die for many reasons including obviously start cycles, ambient temp/usage temp, and battery condition. i'm like bradland, in my ls400 ownership to 172k, i never had to replace the starter but yrmv.

Start with the easy stuff first. In increasing PITA ($$$$) order:

1. Battery, cables and terminals.
2. Starter relay.
3. Ignition switch.
4. Starter

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...condition.html

The starter is not easy, it's under the intake manifold. If the starter is going out, you will hear one distinct click when you turn the key, often you can get a few last starts out of a bad starter by just continuing turning the key but that isn't going to work for long, if yoyr startwr ok s bad, it won't work at all in just a few days, check battery and cables etc, but I would start figuring out how quickly you can get it replaced.either DIY or at a shop, it's going to be down for a day while it's getting replcef