My LX470 has had a starter problem for awhile but after a few trys it starts so i just keep with it and never changed the starter. Normally i turn the key and if the car doesnt start i hear the loud click sound. A few nights ago i turn the key and no click. Almost no sound what so ever. Just a small hissing sound which i figured to be fuel related. At that point i assumed my starter was done so i had the car towed to a mechanic. The mechanic took off the the starter to get it rebuilt and he told me that it was not possible so he has to purchase a new one. Upon completion of the new starter we put in the key and turn it... still nothing. nothing but the same light hissing sound. NO cranking or clicking. What can it be? there has never been a problem with the car other then the starter clicking. any input or advise would surely help for i am stumped. thanks in advanced.
Help!! Wont Start After Changing Starter
- Thread starter HearMyLX
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Go to "Electrical" in the FAQ sections and check under Starter Contacts. I'd be questioning the mechanic who replaced the complete starter on the pretense that it was not rebuildable because parts are available to rebuild the starter (see following link): http://www.trademotion.com/partloca...=2000&graphicID=F816010&callout=2&catalogid=1
Jim_Chow
V8_Fan
Did you mechanic use a Toyota starter or a no-name brand?
Try a more qualified mechanic ?
Also, your electrical system may be a factor. (Noticed your sig line...2 batteries, caps, etc...that stuff can work OK but sometimes causes additional problems with electrical system...)
Also, your electrical system may be a factor. (Noticed your sig line...2 batteries, caps, etc...that stuff can work OK but sometimes causes additional problems with electrical system...)
Ask your machanic why the starter couldn't be rebuilt. Maybe it was easier for him to charge you for a new one than fix the old one. I'm suspecting the problem was electrical in origin( grounding?), but the frequent start and no start problem seems to indicate the starter.
The hiss (or possibly sound like a hum) could be the fuel pump pressurizing the system.
The hiss (or possibly sound like a hum) could be the fuel pump pressurizing the system.
It does sound like the old starter contact issue. Follow the search advice above to see the documented procedures/issues with the starter as it gets to be the age yours is. It seems they tend to crap out about now. My '99 gave some signs last year and I replaced the contacts myself and it hasn't clicked once since then. The hissing could be any number of things, F pump like archie said, or the ABS system, or the brake booster system It operates in the ON key position even if the engine is off as a safety feature.
I would give that mechanic a hard time if I were you, that definitely had all the classic symptoms of starter contacts gone bad.
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its very suspicious when they said i couldnt have my old starter rebuilt. putting that aside... i bypassed the starter relay and the car started right up. that strikes me odd. i order a new starter relay and will try it out asap. i will keep you posted on my attemps. thank you to all those who took the time to care.
I had a problem with one of my cars which looked like a starter problem but turned out to be the electrical ignition switch. Took the starter on and off the vehicle so many times to finally find the culprit.I didn't think it was the problem because on the ON (start) position it would power up the fuel pump. I guess it didn't supply enough power to the starter. Just something to look at also. Keep us updated on the solution.
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I hope you have a win here, and of course if it is the relay you can go and get your money back for the starter. I hope you have notified them it is still a problem though. The starter relay is controlled by the ignition switch and the Park/Neutral switch, so make sure you rattle the gear shift to make sure it's not causing probs, and also the ignition switch, which could also be bad in the START contact. The starter relay may have been U/S, or going bad due to the bad starter, so hopefully you will get a good fix here. When you pull the old relay, see if you can detect any heating problems on any of the pins, if there is evidence of excessive heat then the terminals that the relay plugs into may need squeezing closed to make a better contact or may need to be replaced if there has been too much heat and they have lost their temper. If you pull the relay and it is OK then the fault could be the ignition switch or Park/neutral switch. If you can get someone to stick their finger on top of the relay when you turn the ignition from on to start, they will be able to tell you if it is clicking or not. If it is then that makes your ignition and park/neutral switches good so you know you don't have a problem there.
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so i got the new relay in and the car has started fine the few times i went on a short run to the corner store. might have lucked out and just had a bad relay. so new starter, contacts, and relay. things are smooth now. hopefully stays that way. thank you to all who helped.
You will see the relay has a cover that locks on via 2 or 4 tabs, pop the cover and have a look inside and see if you can see excessively burnt contacts. Also don't forget to grab your old starter from the workshop, there is probably nothing wrong with it, although a new set of contacts would be wise before reinstalling it. It would be a good sparefor one day, or for someone else who is going to do theirs, for a backup. Hope it continues to start!
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thanks for the good advice. i'll do that and yes i too hope my baby continues to start. Looks like i will make it to Vegas for new years 5 years in a row!!!
Starter prob?
Hear my LX:
Did you spend $500-$600 to do the starter? As in a 2000LC it's a major PITA. I wouldn't let the mech test your problems with your money. You should at least be reimbursed for the labor & get your old starter back.
Hear my LX:
Did you spend $500-$600 to do the starter? As in a 2000LC it's a major PITA. I wouldn't let the mech test your problems with your money. You should at least be reimbursed for the labor & get your old starter back.
