Hard time starting 100 series. Need help diagnosing starter, relay, or other.

[The Mac Attack]

Unfortunately the time has come that I need to sell my 99 100 series LX470. My wife and I are having a baby this fall, and we decided we didn’t need four cars, so it was between my E46 M3 or the 100 series, I’ll probably get some hate for my choice!

Anyway it’s like my truck knew it was coming because the day I got my new car it wasn’t starting. I get a click, and hear some humming, but nothing more. If I keep trying eventually I can get it to start.

Here’s what I’ve done and tested:

• Installed new battery
• Cleaned all terminals, grounds, etc
• Replaced EFI fuse
• Checked all other fuses
• Pulled starter relay and tried ‘paper clip’ method - this causes the starting sound, but not really sure what I’m looking/listening for with that

I’ve recorded a video that goes through the clicking, the sound of it trying to start, and eventual start.

I’m hoping it’s the starter relay because I can get one easily, but if it’s the starter I want to get it in and replaced before selling.

Background

• Truck has ~180k miles
• Very well maintained and documented (kept shop reports)
• Oil/fluids changed twice a year given age of truck
• It’s been an absolute dream since buying during covid in Northern California and bringing it east when we couldn’t travel.
• Can provide other details

 

[excessive]

sorry to say this, but it's likely the starter itself going bad

 

[The Mac Attack]

sorry to say this, but it's likely the starter itself going bad

Thank you - funny I saw a post about using Chat GPT. Put my post in there and included the video for it to analyze. Got to the same answer.

Well next owner will have all new things under that manifold!

 

[DuckLN]

Is your battery fully charged?

 

[The Mac Attack]

Is your battery fully charged?

yes - both the old one was (2 year old), and I had the store warranty it and brand new one fully charged as well.

 

[DuckLN]

Good - My starter turned the motor over but grinded on startup for a month or two before I replaced it.

Replacing the starter is a sum buck of a job to right. You’ll break several plugs during the process that can easily be repinned if you get the correct replacement.

 

[DuckLN]

How do your battery cables look?

 

[The Mac Attack]

How do your battery cables look?

How do your battery cables look?

They look good - I cleaned them up, and the ground points. Couldn’t get to down under manifold to starter to see down there though.

Keeps pointing to Starter. Having my shop quote me on replacing with a bunch of other nice to haves while in there. Then work on the sale.

 

[xirforever]

Please post updates on any useful information your shop is able to come up with about the solution

 

[JOMZSHAKES]

use a jumper wire across the female ports "i think corner to corner" for the relay,
if your starter starts spinning then its not your starter and likely your relay. sometimes you can shake them and smack em and put them back in and theyll work again

 

[G-Cat]

EFI Relay Bypass Kit (Immobilizer Fix) for UZJ100/LX470

PM replied. PM replied. Hello metro, I wish to purchase your "immobilizer fix kits". Do not see the PM tab. Thank you, Mike L.

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[Stevelugzit]

Little late to this post, but I had an identical issue and thought it was the relay. Bought the relay and kept it in my glove box until the old one "fully went bad". Well all of the sudden, click, click, click with each key turn. Pulled relay and put new one in and car wouldnt even start anymore. Ended up being a bad starter. I put the old relay back in and I guess the less resistance let the car start again. Ended up doing the starter in a barn that weekend, but sadly I agree with a starter being the issue for anyone else reading this having the same issue.

 

[Stevelugzit]

Oh and a note to anyone doing this job, buy intake manifold gaskets. Dont reuse them. Also ensure you tighten the manifold in a cross order overlapping 3 TIMES. I went over mine twice. Car ran good, sitting at a light and the engine light came on for the cruiser
running lean. Thought it was something fuel related because it was running lean. After about 2 hours of digging I just tightened the manifold bolts more. They felt tight after pass 2 but the third pass after some driving made it clear they needed more. Light never came back