As the LS400 ages (the newest are at least 17 years old as of writing this in 2017), more owners are experiencing an LS400 with an intermittent no start concern. Often the car will fail to start only a few time, emitting a lonely “click” noise with the dash fully lit up, later starting as normal without any indication anything was wrong.
When addressing a no start concern, the most basic mush be checked first – battery condition, alternator condition, and if the engine turns over by hand. If the charging and battery system is OK, and the vehicle intermittently fails to start with a single “click”, the issue is overwhelmingly a failing starter. This is not to be confused with a rapid “click”, as that is usually a battery concern.
The LS400’s starter is located under the intake manifold in the valley of the engine. Sometimes mice can take up residence in the valley like on this GX470, but that is not the case for this LS400. Here’s an LS400 with the intake removed, new starter already installed:
LS400 Starter
Noted the indication of the hidden fasteners that secure the starter. The procedure in the repair manual would have you remove and coolant crossover pipe on the back of the engine, but CARspec performs the repair by removing the starter fasteners out the back of the engine by going over the tranmission. The LS400’s 4.0 liter V8 has had many revision over it’s life, but all have this design of hidden fasteners that are very challenging to remove and reinstall. Because of the location of the starter make sure you get new intake manifold and throttle body gaskets and are exceptionally careful removing the intake manifold. The variable length intake runners inside the manifold are fragile and will break if dropped, introducing debris into the engine once they are reinstalled. Here’s the variable intake looking through the throttle port:
LS400 Intake Interior
As Minneapolis, Minnesota’s premier independent Toyota and Lexus specialist, CARspec is very familiar with the LS400 and it’s common failures. If you have an intermittent no start concern on your LS400, make an appointment to have it inspected by calling 952-426-4798 today!
