Expert: CHARLES HALSTEAD - 1/22/2009

Question
My 1999 Lexus ES300 with about 150,000 miles has intermittent cold starting problems.  Car does not turn over. Battery is good. After two, three, four, etc. tries, the car starts.  Seems like turning ignition key to ACC position and leaving it for a few seconds does the trick sometimes.

Answer
ASSUMING THAT THE BATTERY IS INDEED IN GOOD CONDITION DURING COLD CONDITIONS, THERE IS A FEW MORE QUESTIONS THAT NEED TO BE ASKED. IS THE CONNECTIONS ON THE BATTERY IN GOOD SHAPE? WHEN ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE DOES THE STARTER JUST CLICK ONCE WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED TO THE START POSITION. IF SO, THE STARTER CONNECTS INSIDE THE STARTER ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. I WAY TO CONFIRM THIS IS, WHEN YOU TURN THE KEY TO THE START POSITION, AND THE STARTER CLICKS. JUST KEEP TURNING THE IGNITION SWITCH FROM OFF/START/OFF/START/START FEW TIMES. IF STARTER MOTOR ENGAGES,THE PROBLEM IS USUALLY THE CONTACTS. THESE CONTACTS CAN BE REPLACED. SOME SHOPS TEND TO REPLACE THE STARTER ASSY ITSELF.
GOOD LUCK