Within the past year my '93 LS 400 with 196K miles has started to let me down a bit.

I'm now having a problem with starting it. This is after I've replaced the battery and alternator when my battery warning light started coming on. Then, the battery warning light would go out at around 2500 rpm. I started with changing the battery and when that didn't get it, I replaced the alternator.

I don't know if I got the traditional power steering pump leak onto the alternator or if it just died after 10 years. It wasn't putting out any current. In any event, I did break down and get an Autozone alternator: $179. I feel so dirty paying that little for a Lexus part! It has a lifetime warranty too. However ....

My starter hasn't really been spinning the motor like I'm used to. It almost wouldn't start today. I took my car to Autozone and they had a tester to check the alternator and battery on the car - I watched the load test on the alternator. It put out 85 amps (I think the alternator is a 100 amp model) and the battery checked out fine too. They thought both were fine. I've cleaned the battery terminal contacts well. The battery has 800 CCA. That should get it, I would think although when I have had my car jumped in the past, it really takes some power from the other car. Is this too small a battery? Any other ideas? Is the starter going out (no, please don't say that!)?

Is there any other car that puts it's starter ***IN*** the engine!!??!!

Thanks,

Pat