Starter died
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Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 722
Likes: 61
From: Co
Starter died
My starter solenoid is not operating. I just hear strange noises coming from it. I’m having it towed to a toylexus independent shop today for a Monday starter replacement. They quoted me $850 plus tax and are using a Denso remanufactured part. For that price there is no way I am going to remove the alternator, suspension parts, right motor mount and exhaust manifold complete with the catalytic converter myself. I will report back on how it plays out. You know I have a lift and all the tools but I still pick and choose my battles.
Last edited by Kennyr44; Nov 10, 2018 at 06:54 AM.
Pole Position
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 2,561
Likes: 365
From: New Hampshire
Well I know you're capable of doing it yourself, but like you said, pick and chose your battles. You know exactly how much of a pain in the *** this would be, and sometimes your own sanity is worth more than $850 bucks.
The only part of this equation I don't like is the $850 price tag with a re-manufactured part. Hopefully there's a huge warranty provided with this repair because if that remanufactured part fails, all that stuff has to come back out. And you'll probably be doing it yourself unless you want to pay 850 again, or more.
The only part of this equation I don't like is the $850 price tag with a re-manufactured part. Hopefully there's a huge warranty provided with this repair because if that remanufactured part fails, all that stuff has to come back out. And you'll probably be doing it yourself unless you want to pay 850 again, or more.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 377
Likes: 14
From: Ohio
I own a 2008 ISF and am looking to come to an LS or GS and stumbled upon this post. I had the starter go out on my F and they said it was the same as the LS. Lexus wanted $2,500, I found a performance shop who did it for $1,200. Said they had to drop the engine and a whole bunch of other stuff just to get enough space to remove the starter. $850 sounds like a pretty good deal but prices could be different for an LS vs ISF.
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Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 722
Likes: 61
From: Co
I was quoted $1,350 by a different Toy/Lexus shop. Anyway it was towed there today while they were closed, they want to work on it first thing Monday. Its going down to 20 tonight and snowing tomorrow so I got it over there today. The battery was run down by me trying to start it off and on the last couple days also I think the tow driver left the ignition on during the tow. I realized this when I got there to watch it come off the tow truck and toss the keys in the night drop. Now I figured that with the weather the perfectly good 2 year old battery would freeze with little charge in it. I went home and got my charger and a long extension cord and returned to charge the battery there in the lot. I found an electrical receptacle on the outside of the building right next door I used. My next report will be Monday when they call me and say it is fixed or it will be more money or the tech called in sick and it never made it into the shop. As long as they don't call me and say an exhaust manifold stud broke off in the head.
Last edited by Kennyr44; Nov 10, 2018 at 10:44 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 413
Likes: 257
From: California
Agreed with you all that it's a tedious job for a DIYer. On the other hand, it is doable if you want to do it. My LS460 starter died at 96K miles. I followed the detailed instruction by fellow CL member LS460ride posted here (Posting 22) https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...starter-2.html, including torque numbers and replacement part numbers. It took me about 6 hours to complete the job on my driveway with a floor jack and two jack stands. The cost was approximately $140 for a re-manufactured Denso starter sourced from Rockauto.
Edit/additional info: I bought the starter for about $190, but Rockauto at the time offered a $50 core refund. After I returned the core (the replaced OE starter which was also made by Denso), Rockauto refunded $50. Additionally, Rockauto at the time offered discount postage for shipping the core back to their warehouse with their packing box. It was a good experience.
Edit/additional info: I bought the starter for about $190, but Rockauto at the time offered a $50 core refund. After I returned the core (the replaced OE starter which was also made by Denso), Rockauto refunded $50. Additionally, Rockauto at the time offered discount postage for shipping the core back to their warehouse with their packing box. It was a good experience.
Last edited by yyymmm31; Nov 13, 2018 at 02:33 PM. Reason: Added the info about price and shipping
That's good info. Even though changing a 400 starter looks just as intimidating I would do that any day compared to the procedure for the 460 in the FSM. I searched for a easier way but could not find any write ups when I first got my 460 so I could bookmark it. I'll def check out the link provided.