My neighbor across the street from me has an 2001 RX300 and its starter just gave out yesterday. I'm just curious how many of you every had the starter go out or anyone you knew who has an RX300 had it go.

I've only removed it once when I did some transmission work many years ago.

 

You know Ron, I think the rx starter must be very solid, Now I have read of starter failures on the LS Lexus, usually the contacts....

 

My starter die to,when the car has 107 000 miles.2 years ego.

 

From what I have read here on this forum over the years, same with the RX300. Replacement of the inexpensive solenoid contacts usually solves the problem.

 

I found out just a bit ago that it indeed was the issue on my neighbor's RX300, the contacts.

 

My 99 RX300's went out two years ago with only 45k or so miles. Low miles but couldn't figure why it wasn't starting...intermitantly it would just not turn over, and the battery was good. Got a core replacement at my local Toyota Dealership for around $200 and replaced it with relative ease. No problems since.

 

Those starters are bullet proof. The contacts are about the only thing that ever actually wears out on 'em. I have done several of them and found the rest of the starter to be in absolutely excellent shape, even at over 100K mi. I paid $5. for new contacts (both incoming and outgoing) online and the quality was absolutely 1st. class. If money is not a problem, most people don't want to wait 3 days or so to get the parts, but trust me, the rest of the starter is typical Denso and I think will outlast the car. Even the brushes were only about 25% worn at 100K mi., absolutely amazing!

 

I don't disagree - I chose to replace the whole thing just so that I would eliminate all possibilites. Could be that the contacts were the only bad things in there but after talking to my neighbor who is a lead Toyota mechanic, he said that for $200 you could cover all bases of what might be wrong...I didn't want to get into taking the thing apart and checking for whatever else COULD be the issue.

 

It's an economic thing for a lot of us on this issue. I wish I could afford to get the preferred parts I wanted every time, but it's not easy. On certain things like A/F sensors, MAF etc, I would stick to OEM of course, but with other things I leave it as a judgment call.

 

To clarify, I agree with Lex and going with OEM parts whenever it is practical. I replaced my starter with an authentic Toyota/Denso starter. I got a bit of a break on the price to since my neighbor works at the local Toyota dealership.

 

Yup, dont play around with that after market rebuilt garbage! Its all junk, I believe they clean them up, repaint them, and put em back on the shelf.

 

Sometimes the aftermarket stuff doesn't even fit. Beware when something says fits these models...and they list a whole bunch of Toyota and Lexus models and sometimes they are correct and sometimes not.

 

I have rebuilt two of these Denso starters. Lexus RX and Subaru, both at arounde 150K. The Lexus was extremely easy to remove and reinstall, the Subaru considerably less so. But if you have the source for the contacts, it is the only way to go.

 

What all is involved in replacing the solenoid. A complete pull out and dismantle of the starter? This may be my problem.

 

The starter is easy to remove on an RX, probably one of the easiest starters I've ever removed. I don't think you even have to remove the solenoid from what I remember. Just take the end plate off and then you can change the contacts. If you only change the contacts you'll need to take the round plate that completes the circuit from one contact to the other. I have never replaced one, even though they get pretty burned from the arcing that has burned the incoming contact severely. It's on a shaft and I just take that out and rotate the round disc against the bench grinder wheel and that cleans it up pretty nicely. You can buy that part from aftermarket also if you wish. I'll post the online source where you can buy the parts really cheap.

This is where I got my starter contacts. They were really 1st. class. Looks like they have gone up since I last ordered. I paid $5. for both contacts and $4.95 for shipping. Make sure and get the right kit for your car. http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/densoparts.html
Also a good tutorial for replacing the contacts.