I have this issue with my 04 ls430 80,000miles, brand new tested battery

Turn the ignition, it would crank "whrr' sound, then it seems like its going to start, but it's just "whrring"

I would stop and re try couple times until i starts again.

Over the 2 yrs of ownership, this happened maybe 4 times on hot and cold weather, even though it always pulled through at the end, I still have doubts...

I've also noticed that this almost only happens when i turn off the car and start again. (picking up people, shuts off car then start again in less than 5 min gap)

Any thoughts or comments on this issue?

 

Kind of hard to tell from your description. The starter motor would be the first thing to look at.

 

what kind of battery


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well, if i understood correctly, it cranks but doesn't 'catch' and start right away?
OR starter 'whirs' but it's teeth don't seem to rotate the crank?
if first of the above - this may be a bit hard to diagnose. i'd say off the top of my head it's a fuel issue - leaky injector, faulty pressure regulator, may be pump. this particular symptom - hard start right after shutting off - is kinda pointing, that fuel pressure drops (something letting gas seep thru, but not very fast, so when car sits for 1+ hour that something cools down and leak/leakback stops) OR(and) one or more cylinders get flooded and you have to crank it for extended period (because engine computer will delay ignition until flooding is gone, that's a standard function).
can although be an ignition issue as well, but those should light up the CHECK ENGINE light after it finally starts.
how's your sparkplugs?