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Over the past few months I have had several occasions of intermittent no crank, no start. Did the easiest things first. Replaced the battery about 6 weeks ago, checked the cables, replaced the starter relay and had the alternator tested (good). All the dash lights act normally, the security light goes off when the key is inserted and no dash lights are on. When I turn the key there is no “clicking” sounds when it does not start. If I back the key off one or more times the motor will ultimately crank and start. No issues after starts, no rough idle or odd noises. My mechanic, whom I trust, and has worked on my cars for years reluctantly thinks starter failure. I know it’s a big ($$$) job so I’m wondering if there are any things we should consider before replacing the starter. Mine is 06 with 57k on the clock. TIA
Weird situation for the SC - dunno that many people that have had a starter failure issue at just 57k miles. My previous 122k miles 2005 never had issues with starter - just weaker batteries. Last cheap check before you spend money on the starter - friend I helped replace his battery with a brand new Interstate got a bad new battery. His car is not a Toyota/Lexus though. Symptoms similar to yours after 2 months. Trickle charge/battery tender yours overnight ( these chargers are small money and if you live in NJ might as well have one for the coldest months ). See if situation improves. Here's my take if your situation requires you to trickle charge to get consistent starting results - even if a battery reads say 13 or 14 v when car has engine started, the battery can still lose charge overnight if it is a weaker battery or defective in some other way. Then in the morning you get starting issues. Another one of my cars had this issue - needed to trickle charge constantly to avoid low battery warnings. Then my scanner would show 14+ volts when the car was started. But weird electrical stuff would still happen and warnings persisted even when say I left the door of the car open for just 1 hour with engine off. Swapped out a new battery three weeks ago and at this point my warnings have gone away. So just cos the battery reads 14 V when the car is running does not mean it will hold a charge overnight if it is a weakened battery to start off with. At least if you establish you got a bad new battery like my friend did you can try to get your money back on the battery. Otherwise I guess its the bigger money spend upcoming for the new starter ?
@Rayzerr -- If you've tried all @OBP suggested above and everything else you can think of, there is a Lexus OEM parts sale going on right now thru Apr 15th.
If you're dealership, or whoever you go thru let's you bring in OEM parts, then maybe get the starter on sale from one of the places listed below and they should just charge you labor?
Our local dealership allows us to bring in OEM parts and just charges us labor, so we are always stocking up during these sales.
I don't know if you bring in your old starter to dealership and they replace with refurbished one or not -- like they would do for an alternator. But if you did bring in your old one, at least you'd get credit towards one from the dealership. I would call your dealership and see what their process is if you go this route.
Remember the sale offers Free Shipping and No Sales Tax for out-of-state customers.
STARTER ASSEMBLY
Part Number: 281005011084
Supersession(s): 28100-50110-84; 2810050110
Starter problem?
