Rush48

Hey kino1161, Sorry dude, I was out of town on vacation for about 2 1/2 weeks....I came home and I see you were in need of some starter help. SORRY I wasn't able to get back to you. Regarding the starter....sounds like you got it figured out with the excellent help of TurboGS300. There are only two bolts holding it in, and by looking at them it is pretty clear that those two hold the starting in place. Ragarding the contact replacement....I went to a Toyota Dealer in my area and picked up the parts....one part # for one side at a cost of $12 and another part # for the other side at a cost of $6. Consider replacing the plunger if it looks really worn down....if you choose not to replace it, make sure you at least sand it down so it is shinny copper looking (like a new penny) when you are done. Best of luck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before you start, look for my post about fixing the starter motor itself for about $18.00. In most cases, you do not have to pay for a rebuilt stater because only the contacts inside are faulty (and easy to replace). Good luck.

I have been told that all Toyota/Lexus starter motors are the same or very similar. The repair would be the same for all. Also, the parts for a ES300 are the SAME as a Camry, RAV4, 4Runner, you get the idea....they are all alike. GROSSEN, your starter is the same. I suggest you follow the POS lead from the battery (there are usually 2) to the starter motor if you do not know where it would be located. One thick lead must attach to the starter, and it is usually not that long of a lead. (MAKE SURE YOU DISCONNECT THE BATTERY BEFORE YOU DO THIS). As far as part numbers go...go to your local TOYOTA dealer and get part 28226-72010. This should cost about $12. THIS IS ONLY ONE SIDE. YOU NEED BOTH, HOWEVER THE OTHER TERMAL SIDE HAS A DIFFERENT PART NUMBER. MAKE SURE YOU GET BOTH. THE OTHER SIDE IS ABOUT $6. I AM SORRY BUT I DON'T HAVE THAT SECOND NUMBER AT THIS TIME). As you can see from the pics, you only have to remove three small screws to gain access to the copper contacts. Replace and reinstall and you are on you way! Make sure you use some sandpaper on sand down the seat side of the plunger inside. The plunger makes contact with the copper contacts. You will see once you have it apart. DO NOT BE AFRAID....THIS IS A VERY EASY JOB!!!!!! I would post more pics if I could figure out how....sorry! Be advised, most dealers do not stock both of these, so order ahead.

There is no specific color code for the cladding. Your only option is the paint on your car (metal). If you have a light color (say white) the dark lexus gray works good.

My 97 ES300 would start great most of the time, but a few times there would be a "click". The problem is these cases is usually the STARTER MOTOR. The dealer in my area wanted almost $500 to fix. A private shop wanted almost $350. I did a little research and found out that the copper contacts inside the starter motor just need to be replaced. So.....I took out the starter motor (very easy if you can walk and chew gum at the same time) purchased the replacement parts ($12 and $6 for a total of $18) and carefully replaced them inside the starter. I carefully put the starter back into the car and THE CAR RUNS GREAT! TOTAL TIME: LESS THAN 1 1/2 HOURS!!!!! If anyone wants info, pics, or what the part numbers are, contact me.

B) My 97 ES300 would start great most of the time, but a few times there would be a "click". The problem is these cases is usually the STARTER MOTOR. The dealer in my area wanted almost $500 to fix. A private shop wanted almost $350. I did a little research and found out that the copper contacts inside the starter motor just need to be replaced. So.....I took out the starter motor (very easy if you can walk and chew gum at the same time) purchased the replacement parts ($12 and $6 for a total of $18) and carefully replaced them inside the starter. I carefully put the starter back into the car and THE CAR RUNS GREAT! TOTAL TIME: LESS THAN 1 1/2 HOURS!!!!! If anyone wants info, pics, or what the part numbers are, contact me.

I believe that you have to take it to the dealer (or someone else with the $5000 OBD-II unit and complete software). They can tell the computer to not move the wheel for ya. ;)

I purchased mine on e-bay as well. If you are trying to match your existing wood, make sure you get at least two pictures of the knob you intend to buy so you can compare with your color! Don't rely on them saying "fits 2002 GS300". Fact is, most of the knobs fit many models. Also, don't over tighten your new one! Good luck.

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

Happy Holidays

It is normal, nothing to worry about. It is a "charging" for lack of a better term of the ABS modulator in the engine compartment. NO BIGGIE.

I never had this problem on my current cars (GS's), but I did on an Acura. This is what I did, and I hope it helps you too. Move the power seat all the way forward, then all the way rear a few times. With the seat in the rear position, go under the seat and spray the Lexus recommended lubricant on the rails/teeth. I have used white lithium spray in the past with success. After spraying the rails/teeth, get in and move the seat to max forward and back several times. If this doesn't work, move the seat to the rear and look closely at the rails/teeth in the position your seat would normally be in. My guess is that you will see actual degradation of the teeth in the area the seat would be in. You can figure out the next step. Let me know if this helps you, I am curious. Take care.

You are going to think I am crazy, but since the 60K service (look at your manual) is such an inportant maintenace interval, I would spend one day and drive to the Lexus dealership and have the 60K service done. It won't be cheap, but it will pay off in the end. Very good preventive maint. I have done all the 30K, 60K, 90K, 120K, and so on, services on both of my Honda's, my Acura, and both of my Lexus'. The reason I think it works is because my one Honda has 213,000 miles and runs like new, and my other Honda has 188,000 miles and runs like new, and my Acura has 93,000 and runs like new too! :D

I have 17 inch Lexus wheels and I have not had that problem. I use Continental Extreme Contact P235/45R17. If you hear noise without any bad tire wear (indicating a alignment problem) then there is one thing you might want to try. Loosen the lugnuts and retighten to the correct torque by hand. The dealer or tire shops over tighten with the impact wrenches. Sounds weird, but it worked for me on an Acura, because it allows some give and take that limits the road noise/vibration. The other thing to realize is 17 inch wheels/tires have a very small sidewall, so you will hear more road noise (which you know I think). Go to tirerack.com and look at your tires vs. other brands...maybe your tires are known to be loud? Also, go to 1010tires.com and look at the tire calculator, it will tell you if you can change tire sizes. I would not do that if I were you, plus I don't think you could make it fit either. Best of luck!! B)

First time I have seen SC wheels on a GS. Did the car come that way, or did you do it yourself? B)

I have same wheels as you (17 inch factory). I use, and love, Continental Extreme Contact tires. They are excellent in all weather, have great ratings, and are very inexpensive. Go to tirerack.com and look at the wet/dry/snow ratings versus other brands....then look at the price!!! Good luck!

I WAS ABLE TO SEE MY TIRES BEING BALANCED (I HAVE THE SAME TIRES YOU DO) AND I NOTICED THAT ONE OF MINE WAS OUT OF ROUND. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR FREE (WARRANTY). SO IF YOU DIDN'T SEE YOURS BEING BALANCED, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CHECK FOR AN O.O.R. PROBLEM (UNLESS YOU ALREADY KNOW YOU NEED THE RINGS...) HOPE THIS HELPS, BECAUSE FIXING ONE TIRE IS ALOT EASIER AND CHEAPER THAN HUB-RINGS. YOUR CAR LOOKS GREAT! PS: LOOK FOR ALOT OF STICK ON WEIGHTS ON ONE OF YOUR WHEELS...THAT WILL BE A GOOD INDICATION. IN MY CASE, MY O.O.R. WHEEL TOOK 2 1/2 OZ. OF WEIGHTS!!!! AFTER IT WAS FIXED, IT TOOK ONLY 3/4 OZ. ;)

The back seat in my car is just over 195 inches wide and approximately 74 inches tall and a little over 83 inches deep. :snoooorrrtttt:

Definately stick with OEM Toyota oil filters! They ARE different. If you want to see, feel the weight of a FRAM vs. the TOYOTA. The TOYOTA is much heavier, meaning more filtering! If you start using MOBIL 1, you can never go back (I think MOBIL 1 even says that on their bottles). So if you are willing to pay the $27.00 for 6 bottles, go for it. It really is one of the best things you can do. ;)

I have heard that there could be a short in the wiring or light sensor unit itself (the black dome on the front dash under the windshield). Hope that helps. B)

Where is that button? I was told there is a code. If there is a button, I am going to yell at the dealer! I had heard that on the newer GS's they got rid of the button! Thanks!

My car is stock except for the chrome GS400 17 inch wheels and LED spoiler. What would you guys/girls recomend I do to make it stand out from the crowd??? I don't want to experiment on my own... Thanks!! B)

It is a issue that Lexus knows about. How much it will cost you depends on where/when you bought the car. It requires lubricating the drive mechanism. It costs about 30 minutes labor I am told. Not too bad, the noise is much worse! You could also have the dealer disable the wheel movement if you want. They have the codes to do that. If you try to do it yourself, DON'T use WD-40...find out what lubrication Lexus factory recomends! Good luck! ;)

I don't personally own an IS300, but if your car is within two years old I would not worry. My friend has one, and because it is a 5 speed high performance car, the gear ratios will be much closer together, which translates into fast times at the track. It isn't a grocery getter vehicle that has you driving first gear from 0 to 20 and second from 20 to 35 with fourth gear for the expressway. But if you noticed a CHANGE in performance, I would look into it. Sorry I couldn't help more. B)