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Aug 19, 2003 | 03:33 PM

ajkochuiuc

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 9

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From: Illinois

Problems Starting

Hello All,

I have a 94 ES 300. It has a lot of miles. Well 155K. Anyway, yeaterday I went to start the car up to go to a friends house and it took awhile for the car to start. What actually happened was that I turned the key and then a second or so later it started to crank. It was almost as if the starter wouldn't initialize or something. This happened a couple more times since. The car like I said has 155K miles on it with I believe the original starter. I bought it from a friend of mine and he said it had done that a couple of times when he owned it but that it is fine after the second or third time. Well it has happened five times so far. Most of those 155K are highway as it was a 100 mile daily round trip for him in the Chicago area. I had gotten back from a 100 mile trip earlier and it didn't happen when I started it then. Anyone have any ideas on this. I live about a 2+ hr drive from my dealership and don't want to take it up there only to have them not find a problem. Just let me know. Thanks.

Andrew Koch

Aug 20, 2003 | 09:59 AM

Lexmexico

Lead Lap

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 509

Likes: 1

From: International

Do you give it a little gas when you are attempting to start it, or just turn the key?

Aug 20, 2003 | 10:08 AM

ajkochuiuc

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 9

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From: Illinois

Just turned the key. When I turned the key there was noithing no cranking or anything. Then about a second or so later it started a weak crank and turned over.

Aug 21, 2003 | 02:45 AM

mooretorque

Lexus Champion

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 2,851

Likes: 4

From: Arkansas

Your battery has gone to battery heaven. Either that, or there's enough corrosion on the terminals to prevent much current passage. There's a small possibility that your alternator is bad instead (so that the car systems have been runnning off the battery at the same time that it's not being recharged) but it's more likely just a dead cell in the battery.

OEM Lex batteries last from 2.5 to 5 years, in my experience, and then it's time for a new one. Have service dept do a "load test". BTW, new battery is way cheaper than new alternator.

Aug 21, 2003 | 06:49 AM

Lexmexico

Lead Lap

Joined: May 2002

Posts: 509

Likes: 1

From: International

About a year ago, I also had a weakening battery, and had it replaced. Funny thing was that the Lexus battery is made in Mexico, which is exactly where I live.

However, I never did have a starting problem with the battery, just that time and radio settings would reset. I usually use a little Coca-Cola (true) to clean the battery connections.

Aug 21, 2003 | 09:02 AM

ajkochuiuc

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 9

Likes: 0

From: Illinois

Everything else works fine in the car. All accessories and everything. There doesn't seem to be any problems with it at all. I have looked at the terminals and they all seem fine as well. I am taking the car home this weekend to get it looked at and I will let you guys know what it is.

Andrew

Aug 21, 2003 | 11:56 AM

Nick T

Pole Position

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 216

Likes: 6

From: AZ

ajkochuiuc,
The weak crank suggest the battery like others have said. The 2 second "wait" before crank suggests a problem with your ignition switch contacts. Check the battery first, as it's easier. If the battery is good, try wriggling the key between the II and START positions to see if you get a better contact.

Regards