I have a 93 LS 400. It drives like a dream, still tight and very quick. I love it. It's my second car and I don't drive it all that much.

Recently, it started being quirky. Sometimes I'd turn the key and the engine wouldn't turn over at all. Then a few minutes later it'd start right up, but it still sounds like it's laboring, like the battery isn't fully charged (which it is).

I keep the car at my vacation home in the mountains and there are no Lexus dealers within 60-miles. But, I have a local shop that does great work. My thought is that if it's a starter then I'll get one on the web, less than $200 and have it shipped to them so they can put it in.

Anyone have any experience with this stuff?

Thanks,

Bob

 

does it just click when you try to start it?

 

You turn the key and nothing. But, all the electronics work, lights, radio, etc.

 

no sound at all? it can be starter or ignition switch.....

 

I searched the JC Whitney site and they don't list an ignition switch for the 93 LS400. Could it be that it doesn't have one, or is called something else?

Thanks,

Bob

 

Unless you have an individual in the house with a couple of pounds on "stuff" hanging on the key ring; ("Ya'll know what I mean") chances are it's worn solenoid contacts inside the starter motor... meaning a remanufactured starter motor. It has a tendency to fail a little at a time, as you discribed... where it fails intermittantly without any sound from the starter...

The only instance I've heard of where an ignition switch failed was a circumstance where a female teenager in this home has large metal letters and numbers, several key chains, a compass, some kind of spray stuff, a flashlight and thirty or so keys of one type or another on the ring with the ignition key... All dangling on the lock/switch assembly... ("So I don't loose my keys" was the answer as to why!... what are you gonna do?)

 

I'm going to have the shop replace the starter.

Bob

 

its not worn solenoid contacts. its worn brushes
usually the solenoid is not the one to go its the brushes that touch the amature. if he wants to get down and dirty. he can fix the problem for less than $15

 

Thanks for the correction..
When I lost mine, it was the solenoid contacts burned right away; but the armature brushes were worn..

 

how much is your shop charging you? I know alldata says 10 hours.....

 

we charge approx 5