93 LS 400 - won't start intermittently

[RVHatcher]

My 1993 LS 400 with 150,000 miles has a peculiar problem. When it's cold it starts right up. But, then after driving for a few minutes if you turn it off it acts like the battery is dead, when I know it's not. Leaving it sit overnight it starts right up again.

Brought it to the dealer and they were no help. They recommended replacing the alternator, starter, battery and power steering pump. They said the power steering pump was leaking onto the alternator causing it to go bad and that the battery was not right for the car (weird and incorrect as the battery I have has 665 CCA when the car needs a minimum of 580 and it's fully charged.) They wanted $2800 for a car with virtually zero KBB value.

I brought it to NTB and they checked the alternator and battery and said they checked out fine.

Any thoughts? I'm going mad!

Bob

[ctrj]

Bob, take it to another shop. There's a ton of aftermarket parts available for the LS, so it can be repaired cheaper.

[FIGS]

it sounds like just a solenoid issue, basically not throwing out the pinion gear to enagage the flywheel. Do you hear a click when you turn the key? 150K is right in line with a starter replacment. Typically the alternator and starter go at the same time, but you can verify the alternator with a simple DMM on the battery when running. DIY FTW, aftermarket parts are the best way to go...or at least use toy parts an install yourself.

Fig

[molecule]

I'd check the battery cables first , B4 spending lots of money might just be a loose or dirty connection .