Looking for help or advice or suggestions. 2 weeks ago while starting my 2003 rx300 with my 3 yr old aftermarket remote starter I heard a weird noise while walking up to car at the engine. I shut the car off and it seemed as if it wanted to start by itself once I put key in ignition. It seemed as if it started but shut off and started again. I ran it by the shop that installed the remote starter and everything checked out good on the remote starter however he checked my battery and seen I had a dead cell in a 3 yr old interstate battery. So I put in a new battery but a week later I started vehicle and starter stayed engaged and began to smoke. I replaced starter with a manufactured starter and all was good for about 3 days until that starter made a whining sound before starting. A few friends said that maybe that starter is bad so I exchanged it for another new reman. starter. It was fine for 5 days but today at a cool damp morning start the starter stayed running after car started using remote starter.A friend pulled the relay out and starter disengaged while car was running. I noticed also at one point if I turned key from off to acc the car would start at acc position before even trying to get to start position of ignition. I don’t believe I have another bad starter. Can a faulty ignition switch cause starter to stay engaged once car is started? Can the relay in the engine compartment fuse box be bad? At one moment with car running and relay pulled while reinstalling relay starter grinded as if trying to start again. Looking for ideas or help Thanks!!

 

Very likely that is being caused by the remote start unit. Needs to be corrected before it starts a fire.

 

it seems to act up sometimes with just starting with the key itself sometimes with the remote starter so it’s confusing and frustrating.

 

Remote start box is hooked into multiple power taps on the car and the starter motor. If it malfunctions it will run the starter continuously as you found out.

 

I too suggest that totally disable the remote starter and see if the random start or starter remains engaged happens.

Salim

 

I will check again in morning starting normal first with key then trying with remote start after as I mentioned in original post I took to the installer who went through and checked everything I’ve never had problems with his installs as we’ve had multiple starters put in over the years as have friends but yes I know things can happen

 

I am only suggesting a process to help determine what could be wrong by elimination.

Other thing that is odd is number of starters you have replaced. Discussing statistically wear item, the solenoid contacts go bad, but they fail to provide good contact. The built in return spring should be able to release the contacts. Flywheel to starter pinion gears need to be examined to ensure no binding.

Once the remote starter is out of the picture one can debug starter itself.

Salim

 

Salim this morning when I went outside to start the car it was cloudy and 47 degrees no moisture. I started the car with the key slowly stopping at each position of the ignition then on to start. Car started normally but I was ready to jump out and raise hood and unplug the relay if need be. The wife and I went to breakfast and do a little shopping and each start up was fine. I’m going to see how it goes with just starting with the key the next few days and see if I get any hiccups with normal key starting. The first starter I replaced 2 weeks ago I’m assuming was the OEM which had the Toyota sticker on it. It’s possible that this issue I’m experiencing is what kept that starter engaged and by the time i realized it it was too late and the starter was over run and died. The replacement started to do the same but I just exchanged it out right away. So yes now trying to pinpoint is remote starter the issue or is their a current issue starting all the way up to ignition switch. As i mentioned I will attempt normal key startups the next few days and go from there. I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL THE SUGGESTIONS AND FEEDBACK as this is a 21 year old Rx300 that is in very good condition with approximately 165k that was well maintained from the original owner who I knew and purchased from. It’s just frustrating and aggravating to have it be fine for 5 days then act up 🙁 THANK YOU AGAIN !!

 

Salim i figured I’d update my original post about my starter not disengaging issues. It’s been one week today that I had the issue with that 2nd remanufactured starter I mentioned. I tried a test this whole week of just starting the car with key and NEVER had an issue. So today I decided to try the remote going out for a coffee run and car started fine once before leaving and also started fine leaving the coffee shop. Didn’t do anything other then pulling the starter relay in fuse box out then back in a few times last week when the issue happened last week. Not sure if dirty contacts were on it or what but I’ll keep fingers crossed and will update. Thanks again for replies,tips,suggestions!!