Automotive Forums

I Have a 98 sc400, bought in NC, a year ago and has never seen snow or icy, roads with sodium cloride to melt ice.  Only this winter has the car been driven a few days in the snow and ice in blistering cold weather, and driven over the roads that are covered with sodium cloride problems etc.  Now i have looked up recalls on anything on the sc400, and wouldn't you know it I found recalls of nearly 49,000 1997 and a few earlier models, with design flaws regarding the starters, and having a great deal to do with icy liquids, ie: sodium cloride etc.
    Now the recall was sent I believe in June or January of 1997, and I believe my car fits into this catagory to a " T " whether it is a 98 or 97. Now I found this on my own, and Lexus wants to charge me over $1,100.00 to replace a starter labor and parts. No thanks!! can anybody give me some information on this problem, should I phone Lexus North America, I'm dissapointed with this no help from the dealer attitude.
    Thanx for your time.
Jerry farwtrade@aol.com  

I am currently a Toyota Tech and previously was with Lexus for 5 yrs.
This vehicle was part of a "campaign" in Canada and I assume the US also. Recalls are for safety issues only and are mandated by the Gov't. Campaigns are voluntary by the manufacturer so can be discontinued at anytime etc ...... If memeory serves me correct your vehicle would NOT hav eapplied to the campaign. I beleive it was 93-95 LS400 and Sc400 but I could be wrong.
The issue was no start condition due to a sticky starter solenoid if I recall and the resolution was replacing the solenoid. I can look it up if you need.
Due to the location of the starter on the V8 below the intake manifold in the V of the engine block with the bolts coming from the transmission side <<<< this is what makes it a bit of a PIA (4, 4.3, 4.7 etc...) it is not a quick job.
Replacement of the starter solenoid contacts is the repair we recommend at the dealership I work for. For most models of Toyota it would be 1.5 hrs labour. For a Lexus V8 I would charge approx 4.5 hrs along with contacts you would need (recommend) intake, intake plenum, throttle body and egr pipe gaskets along with coolant.
Hope that helps.