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Lexus ES Starting Problems

57 messages,  Last post on Feb 02, 2013 at 10:54 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Lexus ES 350, Fuel System, Electrical, Engine, Fuel System, Sedan

Messages Page 6 of 6

#48 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action - SOLVED [steveo24] by tobyjsilva

Jan 11, 2012 (7:26 pm)

Replying to: steveo24 (Nov 29, 2011 7:38 am)
steveo24 - Like many others on this thread including yourself, I just started experiencing the exact same issue with my '02 ES300 over the past couple of days. I absolutely LOVE my Lexus, but this is SOOOOO frustrating!!! No warning anything was going to happen so I could be prepared.
 
Since your post was only a couple months ago, I'm wondering if the new starter fixed the issue?
 
Thanks - Toby S.

#49 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action - SOLVED [tobyjsilva] by nvbanker

Jan 22, 2012 (11:56 am)

Replying to: tobyjsilva (Jan 11, 2012 7:26 pm)
Not sure what "warning" you were expecting with a starter failure. If they hit a bad spot on the armature, they don't turn. Sorry for the inconvenience - but machines don't last forever....

#50 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action [andiamo924] by jet15

May 23, 2012 (8:36 am)

Replying to: andiamo924 (Nov 28, 2011 10:29 pm)
Having the same problem with my 2007 ES 350. This has been going on since February. New starter relay, new ignition switch, new battery. Dealer hasn't been able to find the problem. Interested in the wiring harness, can that be diagnosed when the car is not exhibiting the problem? I have lost confidence in my car, I can't afford to be stranded in the summer (I live in Tucson).

#51 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action - SOLVED [tobyjsilva] by steveo24

May 23, 2012 (8:54 am)

Replying to: tobyjsilva (Jan 11, 2012 7:26 pm)
Toby S. -
 
Sorry that I'm just now responding to this, I suspect your reply in November may have got caught in my spam filter. I just received an unrelated reply and noticed your post.
 
In answer to your question - yes, I replaced the starter that day, in late November 2011, and as of this writing, which is about six months later, May 23, 2012, the car's been fine, no problems whatsoever.

#52 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action - SOLVED [nvbanker] by steveo24

May 23, 2012 (9:11 am)

Replying to: nvbanker (Jan 22, 2012 11:56 am)
nvbanker -
 
True, machines don't last forever, and they aren't perfect. The reason I understand the "no warning" concern is this: I've been driving since the mid-1970's, and older cars, prior to electronic-everything, often gave warnings of upcoming problems. When starting mechanisms were wearing out, they would struggle to start the car, but still get it started. The result: you knew in advance that you needed to address something.
 
I'm a tech geek and love features and electronics, but if I were given a choice, I would NOT take them in my engine. Engines used to be so much simpler to work on and cheaper to fix. Nowadays, most of the maintenance expense I've had with vehicles involve fancy electronic features I never asked for and never wanted. How many of us have to take our cars in the shop to get warning lights turned off, or electronic monitoring systems fixed? I'd just as soon skip all that nonsense and stick with a simple motor. I just got back from a classic car show and was chatting with lots of people who talk about getting older model cars NOT just for their collectible value, but more as a preferred alternative to the new, complex, expensive, electronics-laden error-prone monstrosities burdened with loads of trivial features that do nothing to help me get from Point A to Point B, they just add to the risk of malfunction and increase the maintenance expense.
 
Toyota is something of an exception in this regard, I've been very happy with Toyota or Lexus vehicles, in general. Were it not for that, I think I'd be shopping for an older model simple vehicle, free of all the electronics and their associated maintenance risks.

#53 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action [jet15] by kirstie_h HOST

May 23, 2012 (9:30 am)

Replying to: jet15 (May 23, 2012 8:36 am)
Could you give more specific details about the problem you're experiencing? Is your starting issue intermittent? And, when you try to start the vehicle, what exactly happens?
 
I can't diagnose your problem, but more details might help those with mechanical expertise.

#54 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action [kirstie_h] by jet15

May 23, 2012 (6:33 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (May 23, 2012 9:30 am)
Sorry, my problem with starting is intermittent. The green light in the ignition switch is on yet when you press it(foot is on the brake) everything lights up but the engine makes no attempt to start. NO sound what so ever. I have been stranded and had the car towed to the dealer and when they pressed the button it started. I must have pressed it 50 times in an hour with no response. It has not started around 30 times in the last 4 months. I am hoping that the person that said a new wiring harness solved his problem. What I want to know is can the dealer determine if there is a problem with the wiring harness if the car is starting. I'd appreciate any advice.

#55 of 57 Re: 2003 ES 330: Lights, radio - no action - SOLVED [steveo24] by nvbanker

May 25, 2012 (4:34 pm)

Replying to: steveo24 (May 23, 2012 9:11 am)
I appreciate what you are saying. I have two classic Fords, a Galaxie and a Mustang, both of which I restored. Everything on the engines is simple, especially on the 65 Galaxie. No smog, no electronics, nothing. Very easy to keep running. However.....
 
The trade off is they never run that good! They start hard sometimes, they run lousy sometimes, they diesel when you turn them off sometimes, and they stall out sometimes....none of which happens to a modern engine. That's just the way cars were back then, we were used to it, knew no better. But now, when I drive one of them, it brings back the horror of how badly cars could run when it was cloudy, or hot, or cold, or wet, or just about everything back then. They're fun to play with, but to drive everyday? I'll take my Lexus hands down!
 
Just sayin...... I fully appreciate your point!

#57 of 57 LS 350 Starting problem by dherr7

Feb 02, 2013 (10:54 am)

I'm having the same problem as jet15. The green light in the ignition switch is on yet when you press it(foot is on the brake) everything lights up but the engine makes no attempt to start. NO sound what so ever. This has been going on for over a years. I have taken it in for repairs 4 times and they have replaced the Relay Assy. Start twice and the Start Switch once. Still have the problem.

Messages Page 6 of 6

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