I have a 2009 Lexus LX570. I've owned it for a couple years and love it! It has 180,000 but it's in perfect shape. Anyway, I was on an extended business trip for 3 1/2 months and it sat in my garage and wasn't started. When I returned I had to jump it but it started and everything was fine. Then a couple weeks later it wouldn't start right up when I pressed the start button. The steering wheel would come out and it would act like it was going to do something, but it wouldn't do anything. I would push the button again a few times and eventually it would start. My first thought was the battery, so I had it replaced and it was ok for a day. Then it would do the same thing in the mornings, have a hard time starting. Not slow cranking, but like it's just not connecting or there's way too little voltage to turn the motor. Clicking etc. So I took it to the place I got the battery and they tested the battery, the starter and the charging system, all of which checked out fine. That was yesterday, we drove it around all day without issue and then this morning, it will not start. Not even with a jump. I have a battery charger with a start booster and it wouldn't work, I tried one of those little battery boosters and it didn't work and I tried to jump with another car and nothing. The steering wheel goes in and out when I push the start button but it will not turn over.

HELP!!!

 

When you press the start button to acc mode, what does the voltage read?
Are you hearing any noise from the engine at all when trying to start?
I am leaning towards your starter being bad but not sure.

 

When u first start the vehicle in the morning / after parked overnight, do not turn the engine but put on acc mode, listen carefully and see if you hear the fuel pump working.... Also do a load test on the battery (most autoshops / mechanics have the machine you can probably borrow) and see if it passes. I also wonder if the starter is acting up (sometimes)...When it's NOT firing, do you hear like a machine gun sound (like a tick tick tick sound) or no sound at all.... or you would hear the engine actually turned but slow like grandpa?

 

Yes when I press the start button the steering wheel comes out and everything lights up as if it were going to start, but nothing happens. I press again and the steering wheel goes back in and it shuts off. It does that same thing over and over. I do hear a click under the hood somewhere when I press it, but it doesn't crank. When I test the battery (i have a bench tester) it reads 12.6 volts. The battery is brand new. When it still started I took it to AutoZone and they did a battery, starter and alternator test on it. All 3 said good.

 

Thanks so much for your response. Unfortunately due to short time availability, I had it towed to the Lexus dealership this morning. I did have a load test done on it at AutoZone and it passed. I did install a new battery when it first started acting up. And no it didn't click like a machine gun or turn over at all. I did everything I could to start it...Jumped it with another car, I used my bench charger boost and I also have one of those little 1k Amp battery boosters and still nothing. Lights go on, everything powers on but the engine won't even turn over. Anyway, I'll let you know what the dealer tells me and how much it will cost. Typically Lexus service it over priced, but I'd rather pay more and have it done right.

 

When I first turn it on the voltage meter on the dash reads about half voltage, but my bench tester reads 12.6 I wonder if there's something in the system somewhere that's not letting all the juice flow to the starter. Whenever it did turn over it was never sluggish or slow, it started right up.

 

I would put money it's the starter. They give little to no notice before they go out and if that is your original starter you did really good.

It won't be cheap at the dealer to have that fixed. It is a pain to get to and probably at least 5 hours book time.

I have a new starter ready to into my 2009. I have about 115000 on it so holding out as long as I can but will probably replace it soon so I don't get stranded somewhere.

 

Any idea how much it cost to install a new starter?

 

I would guess $1500 minimum but that is just a guess. 5@$250 (estimated dealer rate) part 3-500 depending on dealer markup. You might have a good dealer with someone who is a bit quicker but it is not an easy repair.

 

It is a rare dealer who will charge less for labor hours if a job goes more quickly than what the book says.

 

You are absolutely correct. They use some kind of "factory time standard" book to determine labor and I've never seen them charge less if it doesn't take as long as the book says.

Update: My LX570 is currently at the Lexus dealer being repaired. I had it towed in on Monday morning, the let me know that afternoon it was the starter. Unfortunately they didn't have one in stock and took 2 days to get it. I called this morning to confirm the new starter had arrived and was informed it had and the mechanic was working on it as we speak. He also let me know it was a difficult job to remove and replace (Ratchey nailed it) and most likely will need it all day. I was quoted just under $1,200. total for the job.

 

Glad it was less than I thought it would be.