2000 LX 470 very intermittent starting issue (4 Viewers)

[Stevelugzit]

I second the starter. I had an issue like this and another where it would just click once with each key turn. New starter and relay resolved the issue. Id recommend picking up a new starter and a new relay for peace of mind. This should fix your issue. Repair is exaggerated in its complexity. Starter removal is very easy and relatively satisfying to do. Nothing is hard

 

[anthonydiaz85]

I second the starter. I had an issue like this and another where it would just click once with each key turn. New starter and relay resolved the issue. Id recommend picking up a new starter and a new relay for peace of mind. This should fix your issue. Repair is exaggerated in its complexity. Starter removal is very easy and relatively satisfying to do. Nothing is hard

I agree with it being exaggerated. I rebuilt the upper portion of a 351W last year and the job is pretty similar. I am knocking on wood as I type this....I haven't had an issue since June 15th. I have taken it off road camping twice and I am driving it about 3 days a week.

 

[anthonydiaz85]

I jinxed myself. Got in the car today. Turned the key and nothing. The security light was not blinking either. Cycled the key again and it started right up. There was no clicking from the starter or anything sounds on the first key turn.

81 degrees out
5:00 pm
All the lights had been turned off
Door were unlocked
Last drove the day before and parked at 6:45pm

 

[Stevelugzit]

I mean kinda obvious but have you checked your battery terminals and connections? Could be that simple.

Could also be a short on the wires going to the starter. A short to ground would cause this. Perhaps its even before the relay which is why you hear no relay actuation.

 

[DaMan]

I have chased electric gremlins in my cars before. Thankfully, never really had to do that with the LX much. So these are just random things to look out for (not related to the platform specifically).
- What is on your keychain? any magnets, any other door key chips. e.g a gym key that you touch on a scanner to unlock the door etc.
- Look for anything done to the wiring, anything out of place. Any splices, maybe some previous work (before you bought the car) that was done for whatever reason. Especially soldering, never ages well for joining wires. You might have to pull some of the interior panels to inspect the wiring that goes to the key switch and trace it back.
- Have you tried using a different master key? Also open the key fob see what it's looking like. I have one Ebay master key and it's remote is separate from the small rice grain sized chip that servers as the ID for the key. If its moving around in there it might cause weird issues.

 

[anthonydiaz85]

I mean kinda obvious but have you checked your battery terminals and connections? Could be that simple.

Could also be a short on the wires going to the starter. A short to ground would cause this. Perhaps its even before the relay which is why you hear no relay actuation.

There is actually a small crack on my Block assembly fuse link. 100 Series OEM Fusible link assembly kit (1998-2002) - https://www.cruiserpatch.com/products/98-02-100-series-oem-fusible-link-assembly?_pos=2&_sid=d4baebf6b&_ss=r

have been considering replacing it. Do one of these wires connect to something related to the starter or something else that could be causing the start issue?

 

[anthonydiaz85]

I have chased electric gremlins in my cars before. Thankfully, never really had to do that with the LX much. So these are just random things to look out for (not related to the platform specifically).
- What is on your keychain? any magnets, any other door key chips. e.g a gym key that you touch on a scanner to unlock the door etc.
- Look for anything done to the wiring, anything out of place. Any splices, maybe some previous work (before you bought the car) that was done for whatever reason. Especially soldering, never ages well for joining wires. You might have to pull some of the interior panels to inspect the wiring that goes to the key switch and trace it back.
- Have you tried using a different master key? Also open the key fob see what it's looking like. I have one Ebay master key and it's remote is separate from the small rice grain sized chip that servers as the ID for the key. If its moving around in there it might cause weird issues.

-I have a small pocket knife on my key chain and my house key.
-The only splice in the wiring that I have found is an after market DVD player was installed and it appears it was spliced into a radio wire behind the stereo. I is a Nakamichi head unit.
-I opened the key fob and it looks clean inside. It looks to be the original housing as well. I also did not know about the rice grain sized chip. I will open the fob again this weekend after I do a bit more research! Thank you!

 

[anthonydiaz85]

On 9/8/25 -

I went to start the vehicle. The starter engaged but did not turn. I immediately cycled the key again and it started just fine. This was the first this had happened. On all other previous occasions the starter does not engage.

80 degree
1745 hours
Last drove Sunday around 1800 hours
All door were unlocked
Lights were not in auto
Nothing else unusual.

 

[DaMan]

Just another option. To inspect the starter you can use a cheap borescope camera. Might give you some data before replacing the starter. Or investing time to just get to the starter.

The separate chip is only in my (spare) eBay key. The OEM key has everything in one unit (the remote).

 

[Stevelugzit]

You have been dealing with this for quite some time. Im impressed with your patience on the issue. I still think its your starter thats the root of the problem. A reman toyota one isnt too much and if you sell the core back to a dealer its only like $160. For me and for how long youve been dealing with this, I think its worth replacing it.

 

[anthonydiaz85]

Alright. The issue has presented itself more frequently. Starter, intake manifold gaskets, a couple of new connectors are being ordered. Got myself a top side creeper because I was quoted $900 to do this job. I'm doing it myself and might as well do it in comfort.

 

[AARONTLC]

Alright. The issue has presented itself more frequently. Starter, intake manifold gaskets, a couple of new connectors are being ordered. Got myself a top side creeper because I was quoted $900 to do this job. I'm doing it myself and might as well do it in comfort.

Good luck!