Clicking On Startup

[Paul_G]

My SC has started just clicking when the key is turned. Eventually it will start, after a few goes, If this was an older car, I would suspect the starter motor. Any ideas anyone?

[Connoisseur]

New batteries in keyfob sorted eactly this for me.....

hth

Mike

[Paul_G]

Sadly this did not fix my problem (I replaced the Battery in the master key), but I do appreciate the thought. This problem also occurs with all keys. Any more ideas anybody?

[ColinBarber]

Clicking from where, inside or the engine bay? It sounds like a problem with the starter but worth checking the Battery first.

[Paul_G]

Engine bay, front right as you sit in the car (O/S/F to us oldies). Battery is fairly new, so I'm thinking starter motor, which I'm sure will be expensive :(

[ColinBarber]

That is probably the starter relay you can hear then, and that is the place to start as it is the easiest to get to. On the GS430 that lives in relay block 1 which is OSF but near the bulkhead rather than at the front - may be different on the SC.

The starter itself lives within the V of the engine, so right in the middle, again near the back. It is a pain to get to, the coolant has to be drained and the intake assembly and inlet manifolds all need to be removed.

[Paul_G]

Thanks, it's in for its MOT soon, so we'll get it fixed! A relay is better than a new starter.

[alphacat]

If by clicking you mean the solenoid engaging but the starter motor not turning that's what happens with a Battery not holding its charge... Or loose Battery terminals.

Less likely a dodgy starting motor but if it starts at all I don't think its the starter motor.

[Paul_G]

Battery is fairly new, and terminals are good and tight. Thanks for the help, I'll let the garage further diagnose.

[TigerFish]

Does sound like the solenoid on the starter to me, quite a common issue on older starters. I have a link in my signature block on overhauling the starter/solenoid (although the tutorial is for a gs300, they are all the same design). As Colin mentions, worth checking the relay 1st, and the starter is in the V. If you are handy with a socket set and spanners, it is actually quite an easy job getting the inlet manifold off, albeit a bit fiddly. I had to take mine off to replace one of the knock sensors recently. Coolant doesn't need a complete drain down, just pop the thermostat housing off and that is enough. The inlet manifold to block gaskets are not reusable, neither is the throttle body gasket, so you may want to tee those up before hand if you don't want to gamble on reusing them.

Sent from my Iphone using Lexus OC

[Paul_G]

OK I'll have a go, any recommendation on where to get the parts from?

[plastic orange]

Check out the LS section on the forum. this is well documented there. Most folk get a solenoid repair kit from eBay - around £15. It cost me £150 to get my mechanic to sort out my LS400 and it's been perfect since. I did go through all the easy options prior to 'surgery' - as you do.

Pete

[Paul_G]

Went into Motorline Tunbridge Well for MOT (success), they couldn't find a fault and it's been fine since....must be the warm weather!

[Paul_G]

And today it did it again....back to the drawing board....relay first then....anyone know the part no, and best place to get it from?

[plastic orange]

Just type in starter solenoid repair kit for Lexus in eBay. Super quick delivery and sorts the problem. Once the dreaded click starts, replacement is the only solution as you will get caught out.

Pete

[Connoisseur]

And today it did it again....back to the drawing board....relay first then....anyone know the part no, and best place to get it from?

n/s box next to suspension top. Purple in colour. pics below

I now have the same issue and will start by swapping out the relay.

Mike

[Paul_G]

Thanks Pete, ordered a kit today, although the guy wasn't sure it covered the SC, said it was for a 300 but should be OK. Any advice on getting the starter motor out, looks like a bit of work, reading the posts above?

[Paul_G]

Thank Mike ordered one off the bay, also a solenoid repair kit....will tell you how I get on but won't be quick!

[plastic orange]

There are plenty tutorials relating to replacement on an LS400, but can't see it being much different on the 430. The garage I use took £150 to do the job.

Pete