Starter Dying... Maybe But Not Sure

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timberwilde

timberwilde

10 Year
Joined
Sep 25, 2011
Threads
23
Messages
88
Location
Spruce Pine, NC
I have a 2000 LX470 that I love. I am the second owner (bought in'09 from a family friend) and I have 96K on the odometer. In June I began having what I thought were battery issues. Since it was the original battery I naturally replaced it and thought it was the end of that. Last week I tried to start it and nothing. Not the "click, click, click" I've read about here. Maybe one long click but no catch. After about 25 turns it would start. I took it to the local Autozone (where I bought the battery) and had them test the battery. Their clip-on computer said bad connection and he tightened it. Everything was fine. I asked the Autozone guy if he could test my starter and he said he could. I was surprised he could without pulling it and that was not an option in the parking lot. Nevertheless he hooked up his tester again to my battery and reported that the starter was fine. (I'm not convinced that was a valid test so please weigh in). Anyway I was off and everything was again fine until yesterday when it would not start again. This time the battery gauge was reading lower than normal, around halfway or 9. As before after a few attempts it started. I am thinking it fits the normal bad starter mold but I am having my doubts. Each time it has happened I've attempted to jump it and nothing. The battery albeit new is on my radar. Additionally I've been hearing an intermittent humming sound like a solenoid trying to fire or the sound your mirror motor makes when adjusting. I've been hearing it for a few months now. It is faint, hard to pinpoint, but distinct. I've noticed my AHC fluid is low so maybe it is the hydraulics trying to adjust but can't due to low fluid???
Anyway, and I apologize for rambling, does anyone have a similar experience? Might it be something other than the dreaded starter going out? I hate to spend the $600-$800 on replacing the starter if it could be something else just draining my battery. Also, can anyone recommend a good non-dealer repair shop in or near Houston, TX? Thanks..
 
This does not sound like the battery to me. I had almost the exact same symptoms when the starter in my old honda went out, with the exception that sometimes it would make a single loud *THUNK* when you turned the key. Other times it was just like yours, turn the key and nothing. As far as them testing the starter by hooking up to the battery, I'm not sure how reliable that would be.
 
Could be cable connections on either end, or even the middle of the cable. I had a Positive cable rot out at a low spot due to water creeping down and getting trapped inside the sheath. John
 
Start with inspecting the cables and terminations. Corrosion can cause you grief. If necessary, replace them....they're cheap. Starter is a pain in the ass and although it might be the culprit, I'd start with the easy things first (battery, cables, connections).
 
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