So I purchased my LS400 back in March. It is a great car and love it. This morning my wife went to drive it. Turned the key and nothing (engine would not turn over but everything in the car would turn on like the radio, dash, etc). She said she tried it 4 times. Came and got me and when I came down I hit the unlock button twice before I got in, put the key in the ignition and it started right up. When I purchased the car back in March (2011) it just had a new starter put in it from the Lexus dealership. Guy said cost $1300 bucks. Although I can not see the starter because it is in the middle of the motor it does look like there is new cable coming from it. Is it possible the starter is going bad again? Could it have been a security issue? Or could a starter solenoid be going bad? Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
Craig

 

who knows......... I have repaired both of my 99's this year.
dont worry about it unless it is a reguler occurance. then find out what dealer he used, and take it back....
there are too many things to guess at for a one time failure.
keep us posted.

 

Thanks Billy... Nice car album. My 98 is same outside color as yours (but I do not have the chrome wheels. I get really depressed when something is not right with the car.. It can be a little frustrating so I appreciate the response....

 

It does sound like it was security related. Just keep track of it for a little while, like if it starts slow, or if it clicks and then starts. If you turn the key and nothing happens for a second and then starts I would think a bad connection or relay. If it doesn't do anything wrong in the next 5 - 10 starts, I wouldn't even think about it anymore.

 

Thanks Deanshark.. I will keep track of it and thanks again for the tips.. I will keep you guys posted..

 

Keep an eye for other symptoms. Whenever I've triggered the system, I usually wind up doing the remote unlock or inserting the key into the driver door cylinder to unlock the car. That seems to clear the security code and it starts normally.

If it were the starter, it would just click. Just as some FYI if applicable, with the non-transponder key, the car will just crank and not run.

 

try jumping it...

if the battery's drained just enough it can light up the dash and turn on the fan but NOT have enough juice to turn over the starter (or oddly enough, turn on the radio.)