Hey guys,

Every once in a while, when I turn the key to start, I just get one click. All the dash lights go off like theyre supposed to when starting, but my starter does not clank. I just get that one click and that's it. yesterday it got so bad that after trying for 45 minutes it finally started. So I went to a local mechanic and he told me it sounds like the starter is bad.

Btw I noticed that I usually run into this issue when it is very humid out, or it rained the night before. Usually happens on a cold engine, and usually once a week, otherwise it starts fine.

I replaced the starter to one of those remanufactured factory ones. I had the same issue today... Everytime its just one click and that's it. Now it only took about 3 times for it to start today, but I do not think that the starter made a difference here. Battery is fairly new, and when I replaced the battery before, it still had that issue so it is not the battery. Would this be an electrical problem that I am dealing with?

are you lowered? if so, have you relocated your engine harness?

Nope all stock. I have not touched the engine harness, but I am not the first owner either so Ill look into that.

After speaking with a lexus technician, he says it has to do something with the ignition wiring, the ignition lock cylinder itself turns so he's saying that its not it. Anyone else ever have ignition problems?

Hey man did you ever figure out the issue with this?? Man im pretty much in the exact same boat as you right now....

Check all of your grounds for the starter. I had the same issue and replaced it with a Lexus rebuilt starter last summer. Everything is good now.

Steve

Sounds like it could be bad contact to battery, check your battery cables and test wiring to make sure you are getting a solid voltage.

I had this issue on my 95 sc400 also after having my timing belt and water pump and pulleys all replaced turned out the mechanic let the alternator hang and the wires stipped back the casing while it rubbed the frame and was doing the same thing i replaced my starter and bought a new almost $200 battery before I found the wires stripped I put a lil liquid tape on them for now just till I can order another or at the least pull and heat shrink them back good and it fixed my car for now hope u figure it out

Sorry to bring an old threat back, but I'm just curious to know if the original poster or anyone else has resolved the issue. If so, can you share what the fix was and how you guys tested (or discovered it).

^Also Interested, where would grounds for the starter even be as mentioned above?

All. The problem seemed to go away after I changed one of the battery connectors. Been good since.