I have a 1997 LS400 with 83K. Recently, when I turn the key to start it, I get one click followed by nothing. Returning the key to the off position followed by another start attempt, done several times usually results in the starter working and the engine starting. It has a new battery and the battery posts do not appear to have any corrosion. Any ideas or has this happened to anyone else?

 

sounds like a starter to me, but before you go and purchase one make sure you have someone confirm that because i believe you have to take the entire intake off the top of the engine to acces the starter.

 

I had the starting problem fixed. Bad contacts in the starter. BUT....price for contacts $8.00, intake gaskets $10, anifreeze $8.00, Labor $300. The designer who thought this baby through should be fired. This is rediculous. $300 labor to replace an $8.00 part. This may be my last Lexus.

 

Good choice:

Get something like a Jaquar where a loose screw (<$1) that caused a small oil leak costed $1K to tighten. The screw could be seen but nearly half of the engine bay needed to be removed to tighten.
You were lucky that your starter could be rebuilt for $8 in parts. For many cars out there, their starters worth no more than their core values when went out and you had to buy a new or rebuilt one.
If you worked on cars long enough, you would find that $300 in labor is no biggy compared to the potential cost for labor when replacing other cheap parts. I suggested that you drop Lexus and get something else for personal enlightment.

Good luck man!

 

I have a 95 LS400 and it had the same starter problem. The dealer would charge me $1200 for a 2-day job, since the starter is under the intake. Sears guys could not even find the starter. I took it to a private Toyota mechanic and spend $400 on it. This is definitely a weak link in the Lexus design.