fastegg

My VViT LS has 280,000km and the starter solenoid is starting to click-click... Is a solenoid kit suffice or would you replace the whole lot with a new or reco'd starter ?

Stereorob

oh boy........

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

two of my LS's have clicked, and both times we just put solenoid kits in and never had a problem.. my current driver got the kit in 2010 and is doing fine.. my nephew who works on Lexus said he has never had to replace a starter, just kits....

fixmiester

Probably 95% of LS starter issues turn out to be just a relay or starter solenoid problem. A new solenoid is FAR cheaper than a new starter. BUT, it's such a hassle to get to the damned thing, that you should at least take a peek at the starter brushes, and see if there is plenty of life left, and that the armature looks okay. Otherwise, Murphy might bite you in the butt. Just sayin' .....

Stereorob

the dreaded starter issue is fitting for a prepare your anus ewok meme. its the one part LS400 drivers never want to have to see, or hold in there hand. 3 out of 4 Ls400s unfortunately I got to see the starters in them. lmao.

oldskewel

iTrader: (1)

I don't have any specific knowledge on this item, but if it were my car, with that mileage and I were "in there" anyway, I would replace the brushes whether they need it or not.

sha4000

iTrader: (1)

Are you going to do the work yourself? I would try the solenoid kit if you are and make sure to test it on the bench and in the car before putting everything back together. When I did mine it tested good on the bench so I did not test it once back in the car until everything was bolted back up. Needless to say I had to go right back in there to put a new starter in the next day. It's not as daunting a task if you work on your own cars.

fastegg

Well, its at 280,000 and the 2nd cam belt is due at 300,000 so I'm gunna do the starter and cam belt at the same time... Ive watched both jobs on youtube doco's and whilst its a bit daunting doing these 2 jobs one handed (left arm don't work) it looks quite achievable... I will pull the starter apart and inspect all parts and if everything is in ok shape I'll just do the solenoid kit.
... So over the next 20,000km I'll start getting a Gates timing belt kit, water pump etc, new fan belt and radiator hoses..... take a deep breath..... delv in......

*** By the way, Ive noticed on ebay there are varies starter motors available.. some say 1.2kw up to 2kw... Is this BS ?... are there some more powerful than others ?.... does it matter ?

dicer

The way I will do it, is, remove starter put in a reman one, keep the old one and rework it, I have one that makes a bad bearing noise, also it should be mandatory to change out the one way clutch to. So on a starter project and since its no easy task to arrive at that starter in hand situation, one should make sure before it goes back in that its in tip top condition, and not just the solenoid or the brushes, but the bearings and the clutch. Unless you wish to redo it all in a year or two.

fastegg

Yes.. starting to feel I should put a recond one in just for piece of mind. Solenoid kit will probably do but since its such a job getting to it, I dont want to go back there for a very long time if ever.....

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

what do you mean a year or two, cant you read? mine is going on (6) six years, or is it you dont do math?
"]The way I will do it" is bunk. look at the photos... two bolts (on 98-2000) and starter is in your hand to inspect.

dicer

Well yeah he could do what you say and MAYBE it will go forever, and he could just fix the solenoid and in a month the brushes are all gone, or the clutch or the bearings go. And he could also take a few thousand to a casino and do that too and come out with enough to pay to have the whole car remanufactured.
Or I'm sure he would go with just the solenoid, if your nephew is going to volunteer to do all the work, for a cup of coffee and a smile, if he works for that sort of pay I got lots of projects for him.

fastegg

Haha.. i pissed myself laughing at your post Mr dicer...very funny....

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

[QUOTE=fastegg;9366629]Haha.. i pissed myself laughing at your post Mr dicer...very funny.... [/Q
I almost did my self..
the real difference is if you are paying someone else to put it in or doing it yourself..
me?? Jon takes care of my LS.. I just cant do it anymore.