DeanH

I have a 2004 GS 300 experiencing a starter issue. When I start the ignition, the starter rotates but fails to engage. It sounds as if it's spinning. There are no weird grinding sounds or any other signs that I can detect. The car ran perfectly previously and gave me no signs that the starter or any other mechanical function was failing. Any suggestions or thoughts from the community?

I've pretty much got things lined up for a starter replacement at this point (most of the teeth gnashing is over). They will do the starter rebuild and the removal/install, so the onus is on them if the part fails. It's a starter/alternator specialty shop that has a 40 year track record. They work on all makes/models of cars and didn't blink when I said it was an LS400. I can get it all done for just under $300, which is a great deal. Warranty is 1 year on labor and 4 years on the part. As I said, the car is starting up fine for now. I am not hearing any weird starter noises like I did the night AAA was out. Famous last words.

The remaining mystery is the battery. Remember, when this all started, the battery tested fine, which is why AAA said it's probably the starter (that and because tapping in the engine area caused it to start). Then three days later, the battery was dead, possibly for a combination of reasons: I had not driven the car much in weeks; the night weather had turned colder; and I had repeatedly tried to start the car over a period of days. AAA told me to go get a two hour slow charge the next morning. AutoZone instead gave me a fast charge and brought it up to 100%. Yesterday (four days later), when they retested it, it had lost 16% of its charge (in four days).

I plan to take the car in after another four days or so to a service station that I have been referred to. If the battery shows further discharge, they I will have them do the slow charge. Then another retest after a week or so to see whether it's holding the slow charge. If it isn't, then it's time to track down a short or electrical problem or some other reason the battery is being drained. If there is no obvious connection or electrical problem, then time to try a new battery.

This battery is only about 9 months old. This is my second AAA battery. The first one had to be replaced at about 2 years 9 months. My old battery (it may have been a Sears...not sure) lasted five years!

Could the mechanic also rebuild the starter or is he not familiar with them? The reason I ask this is because you are going to have a little logistic issue having him remove the existing starter and waiting for the rebuilding shop to complete the rebuild. If you have the mechanic do the rebuild (again, if qualified), you put the onus on him to do the complete job correctly. If, by chance, the whole job is done and the starter wont whirl, it is his responsibility and (hopefully) warranted by him. If the rebuild shop screws up, he charges you again for labor.

At the very least, the mechanic should perform a "sanity" test of the rebuilt starter before proceeding with the install. So, just some things to ponder...as if you needed more... (I know you are agonizing over this issue enough already).

How much is the independent mechanic going to charge for the starter removal and replacement if you supply the parts?

So looks like I'm in the correct range Jim, thanks again.

Jim, thanks for the thought. I'll take it to my local gas station, the owner who I know has a code reader.

On my 2004 GS300 while running the A/C and at idle speed, from time time, I get an engine warning light. The warning goes away after a day or so but reappears again under the same conditions. Is there some type of sensor that increases idol rpm's to account for A/C pull on engine while at idle? Thanks for reading and responding.

Dean

I have a 2004 GS300 with 175,000 miles and recently have recently noticed higher rpm's traveling at freeway speeds (60-70mph). The engine is performing around 2200 rpm at 60mph which seems to be high based upon my somewhat failing memory. Can anyone verify the accuracy of this level and maybe also point me in a direction of a resource that gives factory rpm's at various speeds? Thanks for taking the time to read and respond.

Dean