Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

For the last few weeks my 98 has been making that telltale clicky noise when I go to start it. It's gone from ocassional to almost daily so the problem doesn't seem to be fixing itself, lol. Had her in for an oil change and service last week and the battery checked out just fine. That leaves only a few other possible culprits - starter relay or the starter itself.

Going to autozone to get a new relay and I pray to the gods of Mt. Fuji that this takes care of it because if it's the starter, well...this post says it all.


https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...ry-by-bdr.html

johnnyg66

Starter is not the end of the world. My experience is roughly 10 hours with a helper going slow. total cost was about 400. I bought other parts to do along the way. Misc washers and knock sensors as such.

Unless your 98 has greater issues keep it. My 92 now has 248k and have taken her one 2 nice long road trips this year.

Just watch for brittle clips and be gentle.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. I got the relay last night and so far so good. No clicking this morning - started right up. Funny thing is the original Toyota Denso relay looked brand new...on the outside. Do you think people have actually ditched their Lexus when the starter went out to avoid this repair job? That sounds drastic.

johnnyg66

I don't think many have ditched it buy you sure sounded that way. Keep us posted on this and how much was the relay?

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

My car is in near-perfect condition (fingers crossed) and this starter is the first major component to fail in the 3 years I have owned it so I won't be getting rid of it - I just wish it was an easier DIY job. I can do certain things but removing the top half of the engine is beyond anything I want to attempt. My local shop who only does toyota, lexus and scion quoted me $900. Seems like money well spent to avoid this:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...00-brutal.html

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Relay was $35 at autozone and it was in stock.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

It's really not that difficult a job. the most time consuming part is getting the starter bolts out IMO. There are 6 bolts and 4 nuts to remove the manifold in one piece.

randal

Not to be a naysayer, but my bet is that the gods of Mt. Fuji will be letting you down. ;-) Stay tuned....

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Agreed. My mechanic already advised me that the symptoms I described are almost never fixed with a simple relay replacement but for now it gives me a false sense of security, and it is starting better, so....

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Welllll, 2 months since my last post and you can probably guess what happened. The starter finally gave up the ghost, leaving me stranded from getting to work one morning. Luckily, the next day it had one more start left in it and I drove it straight to the Toyota dealer. No, not Lexus...their "best price" was $1,300. Bwahahahaha.

The repair was pretty straight-forward but ended up taking 2 extra days because some $2 o-ring was out of stock. Grrrrrr. Anyway, cost me $900 (ouch) but she's back running strong and more importantly...no leaks from the disassembly/reassembly of the upper manifold, etc. Dealer even detailed the engine for me. Nice.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Ouch...That's to bad though you knew the procedure was coming, $1,300 is quite high. There were no trusty indie Lexus mechanics in the area?

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

Yea, my regular mechanic would have been more. Believe it or not, Toyota was the cheapest.

RA40

iTrader: (6)

Well, looking at the bright side (not the empty wallet) your starter should not pose an issue any time soon. You've done pretty good so now and then these types of repairs come up.

Hiroshi12

iTrader: (1)

True enough. I consider myself lucky that after 3 years of ownership, the starter is the only major component to fail on me. Fingers crossed.

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i see you have a TORC sticker! so you've been to it? i always thought you were in norcal (though of course anyone can drive from anywhere to attend). glad the starter was done and the car is up and running once more.