Starting Problem And Lpg Car

[Barry1000]

I came home from holiday having left the car at the airport for a couple of weeks and it started fine. Drove home and left the car for a couple of days and the Battery had gone flat. Called out the breakdown and they jumped it with another Battery and suggested I went and got a new Battery. Had Battery replaced the next day, and went to start it and only got the dreaded click. It seems the solenoid has gone.

Have now had car taken to Lexus , but have a feeling that they will not be able to help as I have discovered that the starter work requires removing the inlet manifold. My car has been converted to Lpg and while lexus have done all the servicing on the car they said at the outset they would not touch the Lpg system. Does any one know of anyone near Worcester that might be able to help me with this, as I understand the starter change is not a straight forward job?

[jonthetourist]

Hi Barry

I believe there is a Lexus specialist in Swindon where the guy actually owns an LS430 which he has converted. May be called Gas and Go, I am not sure.

Good luck

Jon

[Bluesman]

There are some Lexus dealers that will do it as I am sure I have seen LOC members mention it. Have a ring around you may get lucky. Mike.

[Loathecliff]

Who says the solenoid is faulty?

Looking at the sequence of events, I would not be convinced.

Suggest asking around for a good auto sparks first.

[Cotswold Pete]

Hi Barry

I believe there is a Lexus specialist in Swindon where the guy actually owns an LS430 which he has converted. May be called Gas and Go, I am not sure.

Good luck

Jon

Barry,

By all means give Gas & Go a call, they do my servicing (though I am not running with LPG) and they seem to know what they are up to.

They are right next to Swindon station, but I guess the problem might be starting the car to get there in the first place.

[dave1]

If you have breakdown cover would they not either start the car or if they can't they should "recover" you to the garage.

[runsgrateasanut]

I'd check the new Battery voltage first to be sure its not a dud. Did you have to charge it?

[Bluesman]

There is every chance it is one of the solenoids especially as there was no problem before you left it to go on holiday. Mike LPG user for over 16 years.

[Titch LS]

I once thought my starter was on the blink and dreaded getting it (or the solenoid) replaced, but found out it to my relief that it was the Battery.

[Chris Skelton]

Hi Barry

I believe there is a Lexus specialist in Swindon where the guy actually owns an LS430 which he has converted. May be called Gas and Go, I am not sure.

Good luck

Jon

Yes, that's right. I've used them.

[Barry1000]

Thank you for your replies. The outcome was that I had the replacement Battery fitted at Halfords as it was still under warranty with them. It then didn't start and was transported to Lexus Cheltenham. They looked at it and initially said yes it was the starter, but because of the Lpg they were not sure if they could repair it. They then contacted and Lpg coy who advised them and Lexus then said they could do it. In the mean time I contacted Gas and Go who said they could fix it but we're busy for at least a week funnily enough because they are converting and ls430 to gas! When I mentioned to Lexus that I thought I would move the car because their price was too high they sharpened their pencil considerably and almost matched Gas and Go, so I told Lexus to do it. About half an hour later I had a phone call from them saying that they had just started on the job only to find that the Battery had not been reconnected correctly by Halfords and that they had left off the starter connection! They put it back on again and off it went. So they only charged me for half an hour. Overall I thought Lexus were excellent. I cannot say the same for Halfords as the episode has cost me a triple journey to collect the car today, numerous phone calls and time, and difficulty managing without the car for a couple of days. In fairness they have said give them a bill and the will consider it. So in fact this excellent car continues to be highly reliable and the moral is be very careful who you let work on it!

[Chris Skelton]

Hooray!.....though I always fit my own batteries, ought direct from Bristol Batteries!

How the he** can you NOT connect the same thing that was originally connected???

Or see it later.....

[runsgrateasanut]

I'm not following this - you had the Battery replaced at Halfords "and drove it home"?

then it didn't start next day or you had it towed from Halfords?

sounds more like the Battery just needed to be charged.

Only other explanation is that terminal was loose.

[Titch LS]

The moral of the story is; NEVER let Halfrauds loose on your LS! That goes for Kwik Fit too. From experience, both these outfits are a bunch of amatuers.

[Ruud]

I guess it depends what kwikfit you go to.

I'm friends with the local kwikfit manager and he was a 1st class Toyota mechanic before he became a manager at kwikfit.

I must admit that I only let him work on my car and not anyone else of this staff :)