It's always nice to have a park close by.
Builds 2008 LX Live Camera Car and Overlanding Build.
- Thread starter SharpeCat
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
- Thread starter
- #762
@grinchy there are about 4 ponds within a few minutes walk soooo... yeah things just keep looking even better! Home inspection is next Tuesday (thankfully parents took care of everything), and then it will be mine shortly after! I don’t expect anything serious to come up from inspection, as the house is relatively new (2015).
Went with the Deka battery (same one from @TeCKis300 thread). Should be here within a couple of days!
Went with the Deka battery (same one from @TeCKis300 thread). Should be here within a couple of days!
- Thread starter
- #763
Ordered a Deka and they delivered a Duracell, but it’s enough to get things going. Upon trying to start her i confirmed the issue that killed the nautilus battery: fuel pump will not stop priming and car will not start (1 click). Battery is good and there is plenty of gas. Pump will not stop priming until I either pull the EFI fuse or disconnect the battery, or until battery dies.
I have a few theories from briefly looking around the net.
1. She is still on original starter and alternator at over 200k miles, so this is always one of my guesses for no-start events. I will plan to swap both soon or at least buy a backup to carry with me, but figured I’d run the current ones to the ground first and make the most out of them.
2. Something in the ignition assembly needs cleaning, and ignition is stuck to “on”. This requires me take apart the push-start assembly (which I need to look into).
3. Relays (haven’t checked any as I haven’t looked up how).
Where should I start for diagnosis? Also house will be ready in a week so once she’s in the garage, I’m gutting and cleaning her to get ready for this years mods! Super excited, just gotta get her running again first. This is a very recent issue that only started happening when I started parking for weeks at a time rather than just hours or a night or two. Like I said I hibernated mostly through the winter and stayed warm.
Thanks again mud! Might start calling you guys dad xD. Thanks dad.
I have a few theories from briefly looking around the net.
1. She is still on original starter and alternator at over 200k miles, so this is always one of my guesses for no-start events. I will plan to swap both soon or at least buy a backup to carry with me, but figured I’d run the current ones to the ground first and make the most out of them.
2. Something in the ignition assembly needs cleaning, and ignition is stuck to “on”. This requires me take apart the push-start assembly (which I need to look into).
3. Relays (haven’t checked any as I haven’t looked up how).
Where should I start for diagnosis? Also house will be ready in a week so once she’s in the garage, I’m gutting and cleaning her to get ready for this years mods! Super excited, just gotta get her running again first. This is a very recent issue that only started happening when I started parking for weeks at a time rather than just hours or a night or two. Like I said I hibernated mostly through the winter and stayed warm.
Thanks again mud! Might start calling you guys dad xD. Thanks dad.
Last edited:
- Thread starter
- #764
Which one is my starter relay? Took a while to realize the diagram for the relays were on the lid and not in manual. Not sure how to test it but I can look that up once I figure out which one it is. Is there a relay for the EFI system as well? I was able to find the 2 EFI fuses but not the relay. Thanks!
- Thread starter
- #765
Plan for tomorrow is to see if there is a starter relay I can test just to get her going. Once she’s in the garage, then I have a few things on to do list:
1. Research starter and alternator options and order one of each.
Couldn’t find video on lx/lc starter replacement, so here’s a tundra one for reference:
2. Deep cleaning
3. Oil change - Mobil 1 extended again?
4. Recheck/redo e-brake adjustment from rear wheels as well as from under cup holders
5. Bed for Tiger, and work out a way to help him into the car especially after tires (he’s getting old and hind legs getting weak). Also, something to fill in the leg space so he can lay down in front? Relocate laptop to back? More fans.
6. Tires! 34s? Lots of research to do in this area.
7. Look into other baseline/preventive maintenance.
8. Remount monitor (away from airbags and something more firm for off road). Remove AC from window and figure out something more firm for off road. Pretty much want to get rid of anything that greatly limits capability. The window AC is pretty firm on there, but I admit I have been driving around like a grandma since it’s been mostly temporary mounting solutions (to get me by).
9. Drawers/storage system!
10. Decor/stickers (my friends and family sponsor stickers!). Time to give her some personality while showing my appreciation to everyone who made it possible.
11. Build my dream RC truck which will be a replica of the LX (and a few extra for mud of course!). Man it’s going to be great to have a garage/workshop! The garage and workshop will be fully loaded before I even get bedroom furniture lol.
12. Start on my DIY video projects for mud (starting with oil change, e-brake adjustment, starter replacement, alternator replacement). Going to be recruiting everyone’s help for these. Also, overland essentials projects where I share my thoughts/research/recommendations on mods I think are important for my trip (like fridges, power banks, cell boosters/MIMO setups and etc).
13. Start my online non-profit sales site, where I will be focused on helping good companies (like many of the small businesses on mud) sell/market their products, and my hopes is that if I do a good job, they can send me some free mods/parts! Much like IceCo and weBoost did for the group buys. I already have all the iceco fridges I want, but I want to continue helping mud get good deals and to continue helping IceCo. The website will be a long-term continuation of what I’ve done on mud, as well as a place for everyone to keep up with future deals. I plan on having a mud section separately so that you guys don’t have to browse through the PPE supplies (to help my parents business, they did buy me the LX and the house after all xD), to get to the “mud-relevant” deals.
I know it’s a lot of stuff, and I do appreciate all the help from mudders to make a lot of this possible. I’m excited to try and give back through some of these online projects for this year!
1. Research starter and alternator options and order one of each.
Couldn’t find video on lx/lc starter replacement, so here’s a tundra one for reference:
2. Deep cleaning
3. Oil change - Mobil 1 extended again?
4. Recheck/redo e-brake adjustment from rear wheels as well as from under cup holders
5. Bed for Tiger, and work out a way to help him into the car especially after tires (he’s getting old and hind legs getting weak). Also, something to fill in the leg space so he can lay down in front? Relocate laptop to back? More fans.
6. Tires! 34s? Lots of research to do in this area.
7. Look into other baseline/preventive maintenance.
8. Remount monitor (away from airbags and something more firm for off road). Remove AC from window and figure out something more firm for off road. Pretty much want to get rid of anything that greatly limits capability. The window AC is pretty firm on there, but I admit I have been driving around like a grandma since it’s been mostly temporary mounting solutions (to get me by).
9. Drawers/storage system!
10. Decor/stickers (my friends and family sponsor stickers!). Time to give her some personality while showing my appreciation to everyone who made it possible.
11. Build my dream RC truck which will be a replica of the LX (and a few extra for mud of course!). Man it’s going to be great to have a garage/workshop! The garage and workshop will be fully loaded before I even get bedroom furniture lol.
12. Start on my DIY video projects for mud (starting with oil change, e-brake adjustment, starter replacement, alternator replacement). Going to be recruiting everyone’s help for these. Also, overland essentials projects where I share my thoughts/research/recommendations on mods I think are important for my trip (like fridges, power banks, cell boosters/MIMO setups and etc).
13. Start my online non-profit sales site, where I will be focused on helping good companies (like many of the small businesses on mud) sell/market their products, and my hopes is that if I do a good job, they can send me some free mods/parts! Much like IceCo and weBoost did for the group buys. I already have all the iceco fridges I want, but I want to continue helping mud get good deals and to continue helping IceCo. The website will be a long-term continuation of what I’ve done on mud, as well as a place for everyone to keep up with future deals. I plan on having a mud section separately so that you guys don’t have to browse through the PPE supplies (to help my parents business, they did buy me the LX and the house after all xD), to get to the “mud-relevant” deals.
I know it’s a lot of stuff, and I do appreciate all the help from mudders to make a lot of this possible. I’m excited to try and give back through some of these online projects for this year!
It's stupid easy to test your starter. The solonoid has 2X copper studs with 1 wire to starter and the other is wire to positive battery terminal. You should have a small 12v wire from solonoid to ignition. +12V on the little wire will switch the solonoid on sending power from battery through solonoid to the starter motor. In the starter motor there is a spring retrieved gear that pushes out to engage the flywheel.
Turn the key to start: Does the solonoid click? If the solonoid clicks does the starter motor spin?
Starter motor spin and engine doesn't turn over?-hit/tap bendix with a hammer to try and free it up, or remove starter and clean lubricate reinstall bendix.
Click but starter doesn't spin? use a screwdriver or 2X screwdriver and short the 2 copper terminals on the solonoid together to see if it spins the engine over. Check to ensure you have good 12V+ from the battery. Good power, but engine won't turn. Starter is bad.
No click and starter doesn't spin? Check to ensure you have positive 12V to the small ignition wire on the solonoid(fuse burned?) Direct wire a piece of wire from the battery to see if you can activate the starter. If you have good 12V to activate the starter and good 12V to supply the starter but the solonoid won't activate then your solonoid is bad. Get a new solonoid for your vehicle, or (if too expensive) bypass it with a universal starter solonoid mounted somewhere else under the hood.
A good size city or town should have a shop that will rewind motors, alternators, starters etc.. that can rebuild yours reasonably if a replacemet starter is in excess of $75.
- Thread starter
- #767
Thanks for the advice, will be referencing this later if the replacement one gives me trouble/I break down away from home. @robmobile73 the starter is in a hard to get to spot, and I may as well take it out if I’m doing the work needed to access it. I don’t have a lift where I’m at, so the plan now is to tow her to the new house (ready on the 10th), then I’ll get her lifted up and do the starter replacement there.
More reference on starter replacement:
Seems starter will be about 300-400 bucks for the Toyota/Denso OEM, and seems maybe there is a updated version that is smaller? I’d have to call some shops to get a quote, but I’m thinking because of me having to Uber twice to drop off/pick up starter, that I might be better off just getting a new one. After she’s running off the new one, I will take the current one to get rebuilt for a good price and use it as a backup.
D21FJ60
#LiveLaughLove.
That's awesome you now have a place. Dry space to work on your truck, and a bedroom big enough so you can air out.
32cls6speedmt
SILVER Star
here is the part number for starter. It is the updated and smaller. Most of the online toyota dealers are discounted.
toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com
28100-0S050
Genuine Toyota Starter Motor part# 28100-0S050 for 2007-2022 Toyota | Ourisman Toyota Parts| Official Online Store
Save Time and Money get your Genuine Toyota Starter Motor (281000s050) For Your 2007-2022 Toyota When You Shop With Ourisman Toyota Parts!
toyotaparts.mcgeorgetoyota.com
Starters seemed to have went on sale a while ago and are still at the lower price ($170). Seems to be cheaper from Toyota sources, but looks like the Toyota part# is identical to the LX starter. Right at $200 shipped to my door.
Starter 28100-0S050
- Thread starter
- #771
Not just any place, this is like a dream house for me! Reminds me of my parents homes and way nicer than any rentals I’ve had over the years. I’m glad it took at least this long to get one for myself, because sooner and it might end up being a party house/ruined lol.
Like I keep and continue to say, I’m very blessed to have parents that don’t leave me at 18.
Speaking of said parents, they want my car running before I get the house so I can do the whole new house errands things! I called the most reliable shop I know in the area (TAO auto), which is owned by the family of some old friends. These guys are the Honda, Acura Toyota Lexus experts. I remember in high school my friends dad (the owner shop is named after) had an Acura legend that was about 500k miles and running strong. That thing was my dream car as a young teen, and later I was converted to a Honda S2000.
Anyways, I’m really glad they are still in business after all these years, even if they are down from 3 to 1 location. I hope this one lasts forever and continue to support them for many generations to come! Great people.
Speaking of great people, thank you guys for trying to help with the current electrical issues, but it looks like my parents will just take it from here. My conversation with TAO went something like:
Me: New battery, 1 click no start.
Phone operator: sounds like a starter, quotes $800-850, tells me they need car there to confirm
They want me focused on getting the house together, so I am now thinking about how much I like loud music and to be able to control everything remotely with my phone. That was one thing I miss from my party/school days where I used to host a lot of parties, is the sound systems I kept setting up in those rental houses! I got some ideas for the house and mini house (the LX) that I’m going to really enjoy working on! I used to be able to talk through the speakers all over the house, using my phones mic and use same phone to wirelessly control music for the same house. I’m thinking same idea for the LX and new house!
D21FJ60
#LiveLaughLove.
Awesome man, what you could do too is convince them that buying a pickup truck will help keep the burden off your cruiser and be peak utility for all the house work that is needed
I'm seeing some starters for less than $100 on Ebay. I've replaced a number of starters on a variety of vehicles. Never considered it complicated or even difficult. If that job is worth $800 then some engineers at Toyota that designed it so hard to work on need their heads blocked. Never spent more then 30 minutes replacing a starter. If you want to give it a try rebuild kits are available, should contain a new bendix, maybe brushes etc..: STARTER REPAIR KIT FITS TOYOTA 4Runner, Land Cruiser Squoia 4runner Tunra lexus | eBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/STARTER-REPAIR-KIT-FITS-TOYOTA-4Runner-Land-Cruiser-Squoia-4runner-Tunra-lexus/163029290783?fits=Year%3A2009%7CMake%3AToyota&hash=item25f54d8f1f:g:jZoAAOSw8nBa6gxl
The starter on this engine is located in an especially hard to reach place. Reported times to change range from 4 to 8 hours for the home mechanic.
The FSM suggests removing the right side exhaust up to the manifold. Most try to avoid this and end up porting it thru very tight clearances at the right side front tire.
- Thread starter
- #775
I’ve been lurking here too long, as the only “pickup” I want comes with a 1HZ (70 series) and I’d have to compete against a forum of mud members for every single decent one that pops up xD.
Oh, you mean like a Tacoma? That won’t work, because diesel-powered Hiluxs are also in high demand here at mud lol.
All jokes aside, when looking long term, this LX will be my “beater/donor” vehicle. Over the next 5 years I will look for a rust-free example and that’s the one that will be be accompanied by a “Daily driver/errand truck” to keep the load off of her.
I plan on getting a trailer for hauling stuff around, just trying to think if I need a custom one with independent suspension and big tires, or if I just want a cheap trailer and figure something else out for off road/camping trips (like camper trailer). I’m thinking with a trailer I can more easily haul my generator, window ac and etc around to campsites (when not using for house errands), but it’d have to be a pretty capable trailer. I wish Lexus would design a trailer that will sync with the AHC system, or at least someone design a trailer that has adjustable height. Maybe someone on mud could
!@robmobile73 Yeah that’s the first thing I’ve discovered about this car that I didn’t like, is that the starter is in a really bad spot. This is almost as bad as my BMW (they tucked it about halfway down the engine bay, behind engine and above intake manifold so only way in is to remove intake manifold). At least here you have a way to access from bottom but shops are quoting 5-9 hours for a reason.
Last edited:
At least you know the repair shop is not trying to rip you off.I’ve been lurking here too long, as the only “pickup” I want comes with a 1HZ (70 series) and I’d have to compete against a forum of mud members for every single decent one that pops up xD.
Oh, you mean like a Tacoma? That won’t work, because diesel-powered Hiluxs are also in high demand here at mud lol.
All jokes aside, when looking long term, this LX will be my “beater/donor” vehicle. Over the next 5 years I will look for a rust-free example and that’s the one that will be be accompanied by a “Daily driver/errand truck” to keep the load off of her.
I plan on getting a trailer for hauling stuff around, just trying to think if I need a custom one with independent suspension and big tires, or if I just want a cheap trailer and figure something else out for off road/camping trips (like camper trailer). I’m thinking with a trailer I can more easily haul my generator, window ac and etc around to campsites (when not using for house errands), but it’d have to be a pretty capable trailer. I wish Lexus would design a trailer that will sync with the AHC system, or at least someone design a trailer that has adjustable height. Maybe someone on mud could
@robmobile73 Yeah that’s the first thing I’ve discovered about this car that I didn’t like, is that the starter is in a really bad spot. This is almost as bad as my BMW (they tucked it about halfway down the engine bay, behind engine and above intake manifold so only way in is to remove intake manifold). At least here you have a way to access from bottom but shops are quoting 5-9 hours for a reason.
- Thread starter
- #777
I forgot to leave the tool for opening the oil housing from Bjowett lol but they changed the oil anyways (without changing filter). Good thing I put in the 15k filter last time so I think I should be ok to wait til next oil change to change it.
Other than that she’s firing right back up, and we did confirm it was starter. The reason I didn’t notice til it died completely (couldn’t even jump it), was because I was running on an old old battery for a while, and using the Noco Booster was a part of my starting sequence. I was boosting it for the battery, not knowing I was also bypassing a failing starter. The signs would have been much more obvious if I wasn’t using my Noco so much.
Anyways, was weird seeing her on the back of the tow truck this morning but On my way to get her back now!
Other than that she’s firing right back up, and we did confirm it was starter. The reason I didn’t notice til it died completely (couldn’t even jump it), was because I was running on an old old battery for a while, and using the Noco Booster was a part of my starting sequence. I was boosting it for the battery, not knowing I was also bypassing a failing starter. The signs would have been much more obvious if I wasn’t using my Noco so much.
Anyways, was weird seeing her on the back of the tow truck this morning but On my way to get her back now!
you pick the size and model yet? are you moving to 17" or 18" rims?
32cls6speedmt
SILVER Star
The Lexus Lx back to living in the burbs in a garage. Congrats
