Ls 400 Starts, Won't Start, Then Starts - Help

[harrylime]

tried to go out yesterday, Lexus would not start. Tried it later it would start. Turned off, repeatedly failed to start. Everything lit up, but just a click when I turned the key further. i charged the Battery for six hours on trickle (although it showed 12 volts plus), and is only ten months old, just to exclude the Battery. It would not start. tried again and it did, then it would not. I'm sure you're getting the picture.

The last time I tried, the starter churned , and kept turning, without the engine starting even though I had fully turned off the ignition. Thinking that something would self destruct if I did not stop it, I was about to run into the house to try and find a spanner, but wiggling the key finally turned it off.

Has anyone experienced this, or have any idea what the likely problem is? I have had a Lancia which had countless electrical problems, but to get this on my Lexus is worrying and disappointing. I would appreciate any help or advice at all

[Mybikes a cx500]

Sounds consistent with the ignition key contacts problem

[harrylime]

I was thinking either that, or the stater / solenoid. I hope to God it's not the starter. Is there a reliable way to eliminate either one? The starter continuing to turn worries me, as it smacks of the solenoid. the car has done only 61000 miles

[Spottedlaurel]

Maybe the ignition switch?

[Titch LS]

Sounds like the dreaded starter problem to me. The solenoid is sticking and the contacts need replacing. There is a kit you can buy on line for around £13 or £14, or, you could go the whole hog and go for a complete reconditioned starter. Hope you get it sorted soon. A good 'indie' will be much cheaper than the dealership. 61,000 miles does seem low mileage for this problem. Perhaps your car has done a lot of short journeys in it's time with more than the average number of 'start ups'. Anyway, keep that 10mm spanner handy to quickly disconnect the Battery if the key 'wiggle' method doesn't work!

[harrylime]

I've been trying to find a good indi in south or west yorkshire or north midlands without luck. Don't fancy that job myself, if it is the starter

[bookend]

The starter job isn't too bad just take your time.

Will take about 4 hours

[The-Acre]

When mine went it just clicked,then occasionally started, but I have heard of them spinning as well. As said, the kits are cheap, and the ones off eBay are good quality for about £13. I think the suggestion that low mileage means lots of short journeys and lots of start ups is a good possibility. Mine cost £350 for labour.

[harrylime]

whatever happens, I'll make sure I have a spanner handy for quick disconnection. I remembered this morning that there is one in the car toolkit, but yesterday I would have been furiously searching through the garage while the starter ran on. Shows how upset i get when my baby is not working

[harrylime]

The starter job isn't too bad just take your time.

Will take about 4 hours

The problem is I don't have access to my garage and I'm totally tied up with a house renovation. I also cannot find a definitive guide to what is involved. I need step by step instructions generally. I will call Lexus Sheffield but I may also have a chat with my local small garage to see if he is comfortable with it. While this work is done, is it a good time to change the spark plugs as well?

[The-Acre]

The starter job isn't too bad just take your time.

Will take about 4 hours

The problem is I don't have access to my garage and I'm totally tied up with a house renovation. I also cannot find a definitive guide to what is involved. I need step by step instructions generally. I will call Lexus Sheffield but I may also have a chat with my local small garage to see if he is comfortable with it. While this work is done, is it a good time to change the spark plugs as well?

It'll certainly make getting to the plugs easier, although there's nothing really difficult about changing the plugs on the MK4. Just be sure any mechanic is confident, they'll be lots of holes to drop small bits in when the manifold comes off!

[harrylime]

Hi Phil, I think ghat's my main worry. The sterile environment of the lexus showroom appeals to me, but they just quoted £360 plus vat in labour plus £200 plus vat for a reconditioned starter. He figures an hour at £90 plus vat to dismantle the starter, test it and change the contacts so a recon starter seems the way to go.

[harrylime]

I just rang a Toyota dealer for a quote, they came in at the same price exactly

[cruisermark]

i would be happy to go with those price purely for piece of mind that its done right and everything is put back properly with no nuts and bolts left over.- this is a very involved job and i would not want it going wrong therfore wouldnt risk it with an independant garage unless the mechanic had done it before.

[harrylime]

good point- does anyone know how I can find the part number for a series 4 starter motor?