My mechanic has diagnosed my problem as a bad solenoid in my '98 LS400. He said you basically have to take off all the "top" of the engine stuff to get to the starter and solenoid. He says it is a real PITA. Since I have 265K on the engine, he is suggesting I replace the starter as well as the solenoid. What is your opinion? Would you replace with Toyota parts, Bosch parts or Carquest parts?

Thanks, Gary

 

When you dig into it that far and have to pay a mechanic to do it. It would just not be smart to replace just one of those choices. If you replace just the solenoid then next week the starter goes out, or vice versa. So replace the whole starter unit. And the most smart thing to do would be go with a new lexus part, but its gona be some $.
I'm probably not going to do after market rebuilds anymore since they are done out of the US. So having it rebuilt locally is a good idea, I will do it myself though.

 

if you have to PAY to have it done, then get a toyota rebuilt starter... period.. if YOU can do the work, just replace the solenoid... I replaced the solenoid in my 99 LS 6, that is SIX years ago and it is still working perfect.. you are the deciding factor.. not dicer (as much as I like his wisdom) (smile) bp

 

Denso reman. starter $106.79 plus approx. $10.00 shipping at rockauto.com good luck.

 

I paid for a reman Denso.. Might as well doing right the first time and not paying twice for labor.