Witty38

I have a 1994 GS300 (189,000 miles) also with the same problem BUT with repeated turns of the key in the ignition, it ALWAYS turns over. Been doing this for about 8 months now. I have a new battery, new battery cables and the alternator and starter have been inspected and they pass all tests. The starter was replaced about 5 years ago. Something in the ignition system isn't working properly. I've taken it to numerous mechanics and they basically don't know what to do since it seems to always turn over when they try it. The last mechanic said: Just replace the starter/solenoid and be done with it! I find it hard to spend $400 to $500 to fix something that is only partly broken. I guess it depends on your needs...does the car run ok when it does start? Mine still runs great. If it does run ok, then by all means be done with it and get a new starter, This GS300 should go another 150,000 miles!

You post an interesting question. I basically have the same problem. I have a 1994 GS300 and that car has been very good to me! It has been in California since 1995, I have passed every smog test since then although the last one was a struggle since the engine light was on. I simply disconnected the battery, the light went off, took it down for a smog test and it BARELY passed. Good for 2 years until July, 2015. My car has some problems too. The power steering pump leaks and I had the high power hose replaced because they thought that was the problem. But power steering still leaks. It doesn't start on occasion although I have a new battery. I'm told it could be the starter switch, the actual starter or the solenoid. The hood and trunk won't stay up and the radio antenna motor is dead, It has 189,000 miles on it, I am told to use premium gas only. Now, the good things: Runs great, the engine purrs. Does not use oil at all and had my last oil change a year ago simply because I have only driven 3,000 miles in the last year. It has the premium audio system and a 12 CD changer. Sometimes I find my self sitting in the car just listening to the stereo to relax. The body is almost perfect with just 1-2 minor imperfections. The gold color is very classy and the rain still bubbles up like it was just waxed. The leather interior is basically new but there is some wear in the drivers set. The AC and heater work great. The power tilt wheel, power side mirror and power drivers seat work like new. So, what do I do? Do I spend $1500 to $3000 fix it up so I can continue to drive 3000 miles a year or just drive it until it dies? Do I donate it? Do I put it in the garage and wait for it to become a "classic?" Do I sell it to the highest bidder...Kelly Blue Book says it retails to a private party for $1800 and $2200. (I have a 2002 Toyota Sienna with no problems that I can drive also.) These are questions that an inquiring mind would like answered. Since you posted the above, what have you done? I know one thing: It's going to take a lot before this well made Lexus just dies. I talk to Lexus owners all the time and we all agree that Toyota broke the mold when they made this car!

That's a lot of miles! My 1994 GS300 has 170,000 miles on it. It has some leaks. Dealership said it would cost $7,000 to make it run like new. ( Yeah, right, it's only worth $2,500). In my mind, it's what kind of driving you plan to do? Around town only? Freeway? Are you in a cold climate area? Everything depends on you, really. The only thing I would ask the seller is when the last timing belt was changed. With that kind of mileage, it's just a matter of time before it breaks down. For a first car, I'd opt for a newer Lexus around $5,000. how much does it cost to change a timing belt? Replacing timing belts vary widely. The dealer may do it for $200-$500. An independent car repair place may do it for $150-$300. It's a good time to get the water pump and thermostat done at same time.

That's a lot of miles! My 1994 GS300 has 170,000 miles on it. It has some leaks. Dealership said it would cost $7,000 to make it run like new. ( Yeah, right, it's only worth $2,500). In my mind, it's what kind of driving you plan to do? Around town only? Freeway? Are you in a cold climate area? Everything depends on you, really. The only thing I would ask the seller is when the last timing belt was changed. With that kind of mileage, it's just a matter of time before it breaks down. For a first car, I'd opt for a newer Lexus around $5,000.

I have the Nakamichi sound system which has performed great since I bought the car. However, the other day, I turned on the radio to an AM station and there was no sound. The display did show the station I was supposed to hear. I started to push buttons. When I pushed the cassette eject button, the radio came on for 10 seconds and then faded to silence. Later that evening while driving in the dark, I turned the radio on and it worked. But, when I adjusted the dimmer switch for the dashboard, the sound gets louder when the light gets brighter. Same thing with the CD player, the music gets louder when I turn up the dimmer switch. Everything else electrical works fine. Do I have a little munchkin in the radio or do I have a classic electrical problem? Fuse about to go? It's been over 100 degrees everyday here for the past month and I wondering if the heat has melted something? Is there something I can do to fix this or is it off to the dealer?

My 1994 GS 300 is approaching 160,000 miles and I have very little if any problems with it. Runs great. I just had a California smog check and the technician said the engine is burning very clean. However, when he found out I was using synthetic oil and changing it every 10,000 miles, he warned me that this will cause the engine seals to start leaking because the earlier years of Lexus were not 'set up" to handle synthetic oil. I, of course, have had NO problems so far. Is this bunk or are those engine seals gonna start leaking sometime in the near future, sooner than if I used regular oil?

In my 1994 GS300, I use 89 octane and add a fuel reformulator called ETHOS. Been doing that for about a year. NO knocking. great performance. Just had a smog check in California today and the technician said the engine is so clean, I could do open surgery in it!

I had same problem on 94 GS300. It turned out the power steering fluid was low. Filled up tub..noise disappeared.

My 1994 GS300 has 151,000 miles on it and going strong. Usual maintenance issues. No major repairs. Use regular gas most of time with special liquid reformulator which cleans engine and burns clean. Also use MobilOne, 10-30, and change oil every 8,000 miles. Getting 23 mpg. I get junk mail from local Lexus dealer here in So Calif wanting me to buy newer model, but why buy a new one when this thing rides like a small boat, is safe, reliable and still looks new?