Occasionally when I try to start car, nothing happens, after I have turned the key several times, the car will start. What could be causing this?

 

How does the starter sound, does it crank normally?
How old is the battery?
How many miles on car?

 

If you google Lexus LS400 starter you will find loads of info,if as I suspect all you get is a click when you turn the key it will be the stater motor or more specifically worn out contacts in the starter motor.
Replacing the contacts is easy getting the starter motor out is not easy

 

When it catches, the starter sounds normal. Battery is less than a year old, 114,000 miles on 1998 Lexus LS400.

 

Thanks, I was afraid of that, it's the labor that is the big expense.

 

Kinda hard to replace the starter on these, you have to remove the intake in order to get to it.

 

we just replaced the contacts on my 99LS

 

Looks too complicated for us!

 

My '98 had the same symptoms. There was no click, click that I'd normally hear to indicate it was the starter. Although it started most of the time, from time to time, the car just wouldn't start. This went on for months. Once I had to have it towed to the dealer and they had it for several days and couldn't find anything wrong (it started for them). I replaced the battery. When I eventually replaced the starter, the problem stopped.

Greg

 

@bjjenkin, you don't say what year ls400 you have.

I did my 95, it takes time but it can be done. 98-00 years are easier than earlier years because no EGR tube running through the rear water bypass bridge.

 

post 4 says 98.

 

Ah, I missed that. Then they're in luck (so to speak).

 

Replaced a bad terminal on the battery, no problems now.