No Response When key is turned to start - No Clicking
 

I have a 96 LS400 with about 60k original miles, and it is having some issues starting up now. Sometimes when the key is turned to start, nothing happens. Everything is getting power while it's in "On", dash, the power seats and windows work great(no sign of not enough power), but when turned further to start, there is no response. It doesn't even make any clicking sounds. It takes a few more tries, then it finally turns and the car starts right up. Any idea what it might be?

I read in the starter replacement thread that someone had a bad battery terminal, if that is the case, wouldn't that affect the other electrically powered components? I will check that tomorrow morning

TIA!

make sure the connections on he battery terminals are tight.

Sounds like battery connections aren't quite as tight as you may think that they are. As LI Celsior suggested, check them first.

It sounds like something is killing the ignition like a cut off switch or something. IMO I think if the cables were loose, when the key is turned to start all power would be lost. Its happened to me in the past. It still wouldn't hurt to check though!:uh:

Try to bent the battery cable ring a little bit, and sand the interior surface of the ring. This might help.

Unfortunately I had the same sort of problem and I have the same mileage as you.
Is the A/C coming on?
I tightened & cleaned my battery terminals with no luck. It was the starter in the end.
Give the tests in this thread a shot: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...g-problem.html
There's one there to test the starter without removing it.

Im not much of a Lexus Guru like some of you on here :p
but, sometimes its something else.
For me, if its not the battery cables, then i move the shifter from PARK to Neutral then back to PARK...then magic!
the car started. try it!