2003 Lexus ES300 basic starter diagnosis for no crank won't start and walk though replacement

[@chuckmc5437]

Thanks Paul. Just replaced the starter on my sons 2002 ES300. Great to see in advance what needed to be removed. Car was in his work parking lock 30 minutes away so this saved me from taking a floor jack and such with me. Relay was clicking so I smacked the starter with a broom handle. Car fired right up. Auto parts store nearby so just went ahead and fixed it there. Took less than an hour. Thanks again.

[@ThomasSanchez-tq4mt]

Great tutorial. Good bless cool cats like you that take the time and effort to document and explain. You'll be rewarded 10x

[@stevelake908]

Hello Paul. You're missing a T-connector on the vacuum lines (and a short piece of vacuum line) which is why you have the one empty port on the air-box lid. Regarding the large black plastic cover that rests above the grill and covers the 3 bolts on the air-intake horn and the one bolt for the battery bracket: took my moto-dremel tool and cleanly cut and removed the small sections of raised black plastic that covers each of these 4 bolts. I removed what amounts to 1" squares. It looks (now) as though as it came that way from the factory ... which it should have. Made removal & installation much easier. I also elected to start my vehicle as soon as the starter was connected. No sense in completing an installation only to find that you've just installed a faulty starter or have "other" no-start issues. Doing so did not trigger any codes, but even if codes would have been triggered most good parts stores will erase your codes for free. Good job on the educational video; I can see why you're an instructor. I envy your garage floor by the way! Steve

[@paulkelley86]

Thanks for the tip on the vacuum tee, I have worked on a few of these and that's what thought it may have had, this one was that way when I got it. Thank you for the tips I think others will find them helpful.

[@greghack3134]

Thank you for this video on the time and effort to make this video You save my life I was stuck up in a hillside in Malibu California 45 miles up in the hills to an estate but because it is video I was able to determinate the connection to the starter came loose That's how come I found it thanks to you I really appreciate God bless you

[@fastlanecruiser]

Man oh man! Thank you for your tips, I used them all.

[@johnsonsworld7296]

Thank you, great video. Helped remind me that I can hit the starter lol 😂 some how forgot over the years

[@RajRaj-hv4yh]

Wow. Very Detailed Video. Removes the Fear and Unknowns! THANK YOU . I am an amateur.. in the DC area. wondering if I should fix my car(same model, unable to start and stuck in a parking lot) by myself.!

[@paulkelley86]

Thats really your call. Its not a particularly difficult job, just make sure you disconnect the battery before you get too far in so you dont accidentally short something to ground. My only further advice is to keep your parts organized so you know how they go, or worst case, if you cant get it all back toghether, when you tow it someplace they will have everything they need to finish the job for you. Just understand if you start it and dont finish it, you wont get a discount having someone finish it, personally I would rather NOT take over where a DIY'er left off... so you should really try to do the whole job but know that worst case you could have it towed to a shop.

[@RajRaj-hv4yh]

@@paulkelley86 Thank you so much for your kind words and advice. I have lots of tools and done small jobs. This will be big one for me . Already checked fuses and relays. They are fine. Ordered part on rockauto - denso brand.. I am going to do it.

[@RajRaj-hv4yh]

The One thing I would neither do nor encourage others to do is Work on any parking lot or use a jack/lift outside a professionally covered garage.. mine is a quiet private parking lot and this work is with out using a lift.. Thanks again.

[@RajRaj-hv4yh]

Finally did it. It took me 30 minutes to remove the starter , and about an hour to put back. My car works Great ! Thanks Again !

[@tchecholino]

Hey, Paul, please, i need your help! Your video already gave some insight but, making a long story short: i have a 2001 ES300, very similar starting system to the one on the video. Over 2 years ago I had a starting problem issue and it wasn't the starter. When it's mechanic stuff I like to do it myself, but when it's electrical or computer issue, I'm always scared to sort the issue out, so at that time i took it to the mechanic an he got it fixed. He said that when I had my motor/engine replaced by previous mechanic, he might had pinched my wires, but the mechanic who fixed the starting issue never explained which wire was it. Now the issue is back again. So, my symptoms are: battery is charged and good, i turn the key to start position and i only hear a muffled click, so, i went ahead and tried to jumpstart the Starter itself by hooking positive jump cable from positive terminal on my battery straight to my starter big wire(the one with the 12mm nut. When I do that, the starter spins really fast, but won't engage to the flywheel. Am I testing it correctly? It feels that I'm missing something, because if it spins super fast, it should engage, doesn't it? What wire should i check, because the click i hear when someone turns the key don't come from the starter, comes from some relay, but doesn't seem to be from the purple relay... I'm so bad diagnosing electrical issue! Please, someone help! I forgot to mention that before this issue start, all my lights in the car were kind lightly flickering(changing intensity) just like when an alternator is going bad... But the alternator isn't the case here. So, when I twist the key, I'm sending power to the purple relay and that relay send power to the negative cable of the starter or there is something between it?

[@paulkelley86]

The starter doesn't have a ground wire, it uses the metal to metal to the engine contact. The small wire activates the solenoids which will engage the starter to the flywheel. That's the reason it is just free spinning the motor and not engaging. You need voltage at the small wire. I recommend you check for voltage at the small wire to the starter solenoid. If no voltage, and the starter relay clicks and is good, most likely open wire between the relay and the solenoid.

[@tchecholino]

@@paulkelley86 oh it makes sense! I didn't know the solenoid were powered by separated wired, i thought if the starter was spinning it should automatically grip the flywheel. Tomorrow I'll give special attention to the small wire and to its connector... Rn it's freezing cold outside! Thank you, thank you so much!

[@tchecholino]

@@paulkelley86 i fixed! Thank you so much for your help and your video. It was a life saver! Now I can go back to do my deliveries! The issue was exactly the bottom connector on the starter. It came off completely.

[@paulkelley86]

@@tchecholino good job gravy man. If the tab is broken on the connector they sell repair kits that come with a little wire to cut off and crimp new one on.

[@tchecholino]

@@paulkelley86wow, i didn't know they had repair kit! I had a hard but fun time messing with soldering. the connector was broken right in the base, including the metal inside it. The male plug side was fine, so i reused the connector to solder a new wire to the lil pin that was still left on the bottom of the broken connector and cleaned the area around where the connector is attached to the starter case and solder the other end of the wire from the connector to the pin on the starter, making sure to isolate the whole thing to not be able to touch any metal part on the starter. It worked like a champ! Thank thank you so much again!

[@Marcus-q9c]

Ive got and 02 lexus es300, changed the starter, new battery, new alternator and car still starts sometimes and sometimes it dosent. It'll have to sit for a while before it starts again? And ideas what it may be

[@paulkelley86]

I wouldn't put any more guess parts in it. I would test individual components with a meter or at least a test light. That's what I explain in the video.

[@henrypresas5019]

GREAT video, Thank you

[@craigponzio236]

Okay so the same car I have is in a quick chek parking lot can I bang on that starter in the parking lot and try to get it home so I don't have to pay for a tow

[@paulkelley86]

That's what I would do

[@rainiewalker3370]

Hey there, my sons 2002 Lexus ES 300 is not starting and no clicking. Also we can’t take it out of park… any ideas?

[@paulkelley86]

You won't be able to take it out of park if the key is not turned all the way on (2 clicks) or if the battery is dead. So check those 2 things. If the battery is dead the windows and lights won't work either so that's a quick check. But "won't start" could mean a lot of things. I am assuming based on the no click, the engine won't crank. So this video is to help people troubleshoot starter issues, but a starter problem would not cause it not to come out of park, unless those things I listed, dead battery primarily are the case. Recheck and I'll help you if I can.

[@masonfalcon6933]

Mine is the same way right now as I type this, I'm no mechanic but I watch videos like these to try. I installed a new battery and still nothing.

[@kuteprecious7064]

I am having spark problems with my 2000 Lexus ES300 that has 119,000 miles on it. Cylinders #2 and #4 are not receiving any spark, which resulted in the catalytic converter for #2, #4, #6 completely burning and melting away with the melted chunks plugging up the aft-most catalytic converter. The only codes shown are P0300 (multiple misfire), P0301 (#1 misfire), P0302 (#2 misfire), P0304 (#4 misfire). I replaced all 3 catalytic converters, replaced all spark plug, all coils, both cam position sensors test in the middle of the allowed ohms. Have moved swapped coils between #2 and #6, and then #4 with #6; no matter what coil/cylinder position, rpm only drops when #6 coil disconnected, and no rpm difference when #2 and/or #4 disconnected. Definite rpm drop when #1 coil is disconnected. Unfortunately, the catalytic converter for #2, #4, #6 glows orange after only about 60 seconds of idling. Any ideas will be very appreciated. Thank you.

[@paulkelley86]

Those coils are fired by ecm. You have do determine if they are getting signal from ecm

[@angelabohot7435]

If the stater and battery is fairly new but it won't jump start what else could be

[@paulkelley86]

Battery cables and connections, starter, seized engine, starter relay or fuse, ignition switch, wiring to or from ignition switch... should I keep going? It needs to be diagnosed, which is the purpose of this video. To help people understand things to check. All of which takes tools and knowledge, hopefully the video helps some people but there is a reason a good technician or shop charges a diagnosis fee. Good luck.

[@angelabohot7435]

@@paulkelley86 nope they charge here. Small town

[@paulkelley86]

@@angelabohot7435 right, they charge for their time and knowledge. Sounds fair. Or you could take the path many do and guess part by part, often spending more that the diagnosis fee.

[@angelabohot7435]

Is there any reason the car would shake and dip to 0 and shake even worse after the new starter is put on.

[@paulkelley86]

Very common yes. Possible it could be a bad connection too. If it acts up again, hit the starter with something like a wood hammer handle, if that causes the starter to work, replace it (brush or similar internal failure) or if it doesn't, wiggle the wires if you can reach them, and if that makes it start I would inspect connections more closely.

[@angelabohot7435]

@@paulkelley86 I just plan on replacing it since I bought a new starter but still am going to try that out and the wire test

[@angelabohot7435]

@@paulkelley86 I actually own a 2003 lexus es 300 made in japan so this is a major help. So for a non mechanic how long you think this might take?

[@angelabohot7435]

It did

[@kennethfarringtonjr6887]

Ive an 03 es300 does on me, won't crank. When I turn the key I heard 1 click all the dash lights go off, no crank. I changed the starter, the relay, and the battery and I'm getting the same issue. Been stuck in another town for 2 days

[@paulkelley86]

After you hear the one click, does the clock reset? It sounds like possibly a bad connection. If clock resets it is likely at the battery terminals.

[@kennethfarringtonjr6887]

@@paulkelley86 it goes out and then back on, I cleaned the battery terminal connectors really good as well. I feel like it may be a bad connection further down maybe, between the battery and starter

[@kennethfarringtonjr6887]

@@paulkelley86 update: my timing belt broke and so now the engine is locked up

[@paulkelley86]

@@kennethfarringtonjr6887 bummer. Tried to turn the crankshaft and it is locked up solid?

[@kennethfarringtonjr6887]

@@paulkelley86 that's what the mechanic said yeah they tried turning it

[@adotjabbar]

I fixed my 03 es 300 with a bad starter thanks to you 😤🦾

[@AngleFan45]

I’m trying to figure out why mine won’t start, no clicks at all changed the battery, lights still come on but no clicks so is it the starter and fuse relays 🤔

[@paulkelley86]

Your next step would be to check voltage at the large (from battery) and small (from relay) terminals on the starter. The large should have good battery voltage at all times. The small should get voltage when the key is turned to the start position. If you have a way to check voltage whether multimeter or even test light I will walk you through diagnosis.

[@AngleFan45]

@@paulkelley86 thanks 🙏🏾 I’ll see if I have one of those

[@AngleFan45]

@@paulkelley86 so I just put a new starter in and charged the battery and it’s still nothing no clicks or anything idk what’s wrong 😩😭

[@paulkelley86]

@@AngleFan45 you can buy a multimeter for $20. Without the tools you can't troubleshoot, and it's almost always more expensive to guess and install parts rather than measuring and diagnosing. Can't help you until you get the tools.

[@mauricioh6716]

Blessings, John 3:16. Jesus loves you.