R7000

Hello all,

I have a LS400 '98 with 190,000 mi. it starts reliably 95% of the time but occasionally all I get when I hit the key is panel warning lights, no sounds, no starter clicks, nothing audible. Hit the key a few more times and it starts vigorously.

I opened the relay box under the hood, unplugged each relay, sprayed contact cleaner in the sockets and plugged them all back in. Still doing the same thing occasionally.

Anyone??

Thanks!
Tom

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

did you try putting the car in neutral, then back in park, and starting it?

R7000

No I did not but I will try that. Thanks

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

yes i say it's the gear select as well. if there is some gunk built up under there, from spilled soda or the like, it can cause problems like you described.

the car needs to know the transmission is in park or neutral in order to engage the starter.

PureDrifter

iTrader: (10)

not the selector so much as the neutral safety switch.

yazeed132

check the battery voltage and the starter relay

note : u can start the car from the relay if it wont start from the switch.

Doc Yota

My '99 did they same thing for about a year. Ended up being my broken key.

UNCNOR

iTrader: (1)

Where's Cowboy? Vacation? Tokyo? Tuscaloosa? Jail? ISS? Kidnapped?

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Check the terminals first to make sure they are tight and there is no corrosion on the battery. If all is ok then I would get the battery tested to see if it is holding a charge it might be on it's last legs.

eld4au6

Starter contacts? Sounds just like what my land cruiser did.

Yamae

+1 for this.

Yamae

I like this idea to check quickly.

Kansas

My 2000 LS400 had the same intermittent starting issues and symptoms last year. I thought it must be something else since the car started fine much of the time but it turned out to be a failing starter.

Check to see if the starter is drawing excessive amps. I don't remember the specification for amp draw but I do remember that mine was "off the charts".

Yamae

No sounds mean no engagement of starter relay in most cases. If you hear any clicking sound, then you don't need to read below.

The no sound is mostly caused by the bad contacts of the neutral safety switch, according to my experience. It needs to replace the neutral safety switch for the best fix but it costs you more than $250 for the switch alone and it is located where you can't access easily. A dealer wants you to pay $350 or so to replace it including the labor.

I have fixed several of no sound and no engagement problems for free. Everybody wondered why free. Those fixings were just my experiments how my method is effective and cost nothing. So far the the success rate is 100%.

I will show you how to do it simply and easily if you want to try. All you need is a 21W bulb for the brake or the turn signal light and some wires.

Below are just FYI.

SkulCracka

I say drifter is right he allways is. LMAO keep is simple S........ most of the time it is the simple and obvious. terminals or that neutral switch.