For a couple weeks ive had a problem where i go to start the car, and i
get nothing, no clicks or anything. I attempt a few times, and it
eventually turns over. The other day i went to start the car, and
nothing. I tried again, and it sounded like it had trouble turning
over, and then after a second or so, it completely turned over and was
running. When i got to my destination, i turned the car off and removed
the key, but the starter was making the sounds like it was still trying
to start the car. I turned it back on (without going all the way, and
it fired right up). I did this a couple times and could not get the car
to stop. Eventually there was smoke coming from under the hood, and the
battery was getting week as the cycles were getting slower and
eventually stopped. I think this killed the battery in the process, but
will get that checked after i replaced the starter/celenoid. I located
the spot on the engine block where the smoke was coming from. I dont
have a working digital camera so i couldnt take a picture, however i
found a pic online, and circled the part that was smoking. Its
cylindrical in shape, and is on the right hand side, near the battery.

Below is a link to a image i attached at a forum, i circled the part
that was smoking.
(
http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=5170
)