My Lexus 300 starts most times but at other times makes a clicking sound and does not start. Starter prob?

Question

When the key is turned all the lights come on including the front ones but then only clicks by turning further.

Answer 1

Starter or battery (not enough juice.) Take to AutoZone and they can test it for free.

Answer 2

First let me explain the clicking sound and then I will suggest possible remedies.

Your starter motor has a central shaft in it with a small gear on the end. The gear is retractable. When extended, it engages a much larger gear bolted to the back of your engine on the flywheel or, driveplate.

Now when you turn on the car, there is a solenoid, or electo-magnetic switch that thrusts the little gear forward so that it can engage this larger gear and then the starter motor can begin to turn the engine over until the ignition catches. At this point, the solenoid withdraws the little gear to get it out of the way of the larger drive gear as it is no longer needed, and indeed, to protect the starter motor, which could not keep up with the engine's rpms once the engine actually begins firing.

Now when you try to start your car, the solenoid is thrusting the little gear forward, but the starter motor is not receiving enough current to turn the engine over, so it withdraw, and is immediately thrust forward again, and withdraws again, very rapidly making this clicking noise as the solenoid keeps popping the mechanism forward and back.

Now there are several possible reasons for this. A marignal car battery is a very common cause. Dirty or loose connections on the starter motor or the battery terminals are another. Sometimes it can also be a failing ignition switch. But for the most part it is usually either poor connections on the battery or the starter or a weak battery.

Now, if it is a weak battery, you need to ask yourself if the battery is simply old and on its last legs or is it weak because you have a short somewhere or a bad component in the charging system. If it is the latter, usually one looks to either the alternator or the voltage regulator, both of which are easy and inexpensive to test.

Answer 3

You're not getting enough electrical power for the starter motor to turn over. The clicking sound is the solenoid being triggered (so you know the starter is fine) - there just isn't enough juice to turn over the motor.

You could have an alternator problem, or your battery may just not be holding enough charge to consistently start. Replace the battery first, then have the alternator looked at if that doesn't solve the problem.

Best wishes and God bless.

Answer 4

Could be the starter or selinoid. Replace the starter and it will come with a selinoid on it. Good luck. First though...check all wires to make sure they are tight. I'm guessing they are as you haven't mentioned anything about any work being done.

Answer 5

Sounds like a battery or starter.
I would have the battery checked first, autozone or advance auto parts will check it for free.
They can even check the starter at some locations.

Answer 6

no you just need a battery. go to autozone they will test it for you for free. if you live where it gets really cold dont buy a cheap battery.

Answer 7

battery or starter problem. if the headlights are bright it's probably the starter .

Answer 8

starting is giving you a hint that it is getting ready to go out but also check your spark plugs too

Answer 9

selionoid is bad on your starter.

Answer 10

yah you need a battery