*RARE* I thought Lexus are Reliable?
11-22-14, 06:50 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
[Wont Start/Stall] ANY help will be appreciated
One week ago I replaced the battery, bought at Canadian Tire for $120 called motomaster exterminator which puts out 850 cold cranks. It was because the car's OEM battery would not hold up charge if I do multiple short trips.
3 Days ago, I drove to school, and after 3 hours when I got back to the car. It would not start, battery light was on, and there was no power steering? I had to jump it which took quite a while for some reason. After it was successful jumped it drove fine. (That day was really cold)
Today, the car drove fine during noon. However, in the evening I was on my way to meet a friend. In the middle of this 25km trip, the Navigation unit restarted itself when the car was moving which was odd. And when I found parking at the place, the car suddenly lost its power steering, and the battery light was on. So I parked, and shut it down. As expected, it would not start after the shut off (Radio and everything else was working though)
IMPORTANT PART
** When I got back from the meeting, I had to jump the car again. Which this time took only one try. The car was fine, but the battery light came on after about 5 min of driving, a minute later the power steering stopped working. Then in about 2 minutes, all the lights illuminated on the dash (such as Airbag, SRS, traction, VMDI, battery, etc..). And then the dash board as well as the speedometer lights also starting to go out. The car also started to hold revs, and shift oddly. Finally, it died after stopping at a red light.**
What do you guys think its wrong. I know it was stupid of me to keep on driving with all the electronic going off, but I was only a mile away from the dealer when the car finally died.
3 Days ago, I drove to school, and after 3 hours when I got back to the car. It would not start, battery light was on, and there was no power steering? I had to jump it which took quite a while for some reason. After it was successful jumped it drove fine. (That day was really cold)
Today, the car drove fine during noon. However, in the evening I was on my way to meet a friend. In the middle of this 25km trip, the Navigation unit restarted itself when the car was moving which was odd. And when I found parking at the place, the car suddenly lost its power steering, and the battery light was on. So I parked, and shut it down. As expected, it would not start after the shut off (Radio and everything else was working though)
IMPORTANT PART
** When I got back from the meeting, I had to jump the car again. Which this time took only one try. The car was fine, but the battery light came on after about 5 min of driving, a minute later the power steering stopped working. Then in about 2 minutes, all the lights illuminated on the dash (such as Airbag, SRS, traction, VMDI, battery, etc..). And then the dash board as well as the speedometer lights also starting to go out. The car also started to hold revs, and shift oddly. Finally, it died after stopping at a red light.**
What do you guys think its wrong. I know it was stupid of me to keep on driving with all the electronic going off, but I was only a mile away from the dealer when the car finally died.
Last edited by jst17; 11-30-14 at 11:13 PM. Reason: Bad title.
11-22-14, 07:16 PM
#2
One week ago I replaced the battery, bought at Canadian Tire for $120 called motomaster exterminator which puts out 850 cold cranks. It was because the car's 8 year old OEM battery would not hold up charge if I do multiple short trips.
3 Days ago, I drove to work, and after 3 hours when I got back to the car. It would not start, battery light was on, and there was no power steering? I had to jump it which took quite a while for some reason. After it was successful jumped it drove fine. (That day was really cold)
Today, the car drove fine during noon. However, in the evening I was on my way to meet a friend. In the middle of this 25km trip, the Navigation unit restarted itself when the car was moving which was odd. And when I found parking at the place, the car suddenly lost its power steering, and the battery light was on. So I parked, and shut it down. As expected, it would not start (Radio and everything else was working though)
IMPORTANT PART
** When I got back from the meeting, I had to jump the car again. Which this time took only one try. The car was fine, but the battery came on after about 5 min of driving, a minute later the power steering stopped working. Then in about 2 minutes, all the lights illuminated on the dash (such as Airbag, SRS, traction, VMDI, battery, etc..). And then the dash board as well as the speedometer lights also starting to go out. The car also started to hold revs, and shift oddly. Finally, it died after stopping at a red light.**
What do you guys think its wrong, it has 61k miles. I know it was stupid of me to keep on driving with all the electronic going off:$ Please input anything you can guys, I am really scared at this moment.
3 Days ago, I drove to work, and after 3 hours when I got back to the car. It would not start, battery light was on, and there was no power steering? I had to jump it which took quite a while for some reason. After it was successful jumped it drove fine. (That day was really cold)
Today, the car drove fine during noon. However, in the evening I was on my way to meet a friend. In the middle of this 25km trip, the Navigation unit restarted itself when the car was moving which was odd. And when I found parking at the place, the car suddenly lost its power steering, and the battery light was on. So I parked, and shut it down. As expected, it would not start (Radio and everything else was working though)
IMPORTANT PART
** When I got back from the meeting, I had to jump the car again. Which this time took only one try. The car was fine, but the battery came on after about 5 min of driving, a minute later the power steering stopped working. Then in about 2 minutes, all the lights illuminated on the dash (such as Airbag, SRS, traction, VMDI, battery, etc..). And then the dash board as well as the speedometer lights also starting to go out. The car also started to hold revs, and shift oddly. Finally, it died after stopping at a red light.**
What do you guys think its wrong, it has 61k miles. I know it was stupid of me to keep on driving with all the electronic going off:$ Please input anything you can guys, I am really scared at this moment.
11-22-14, 07:30 PM
#4
Forum Administrator
iTrader: (2)
11-22-14, 07:34 PM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
I made sure it was correct, and the car was fine after the install. maybe when we jumped it today the other driver put his the other way, but it started just fine in the beginning? Its unlikely that the power steering go out twice in 3 days. How screwed am I...
Last edited by jst17; 11-22-14 at 07:43 PM.
11-22-14, 08:22 PM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
Trending Topics
11-22-14, 09:36 PM
#8
I think it's your alternator as well. I've had similar behavior. Took my car to Autozone and hooked it up on the diagnostic which result with a bad alternator. I replaced the alternator myself but didn't trickle charge my battery. Ran the car for 2 days and the same problem came back. Took the alternator back to get tested and was told the alternator was bad. I was told that if I didn't trickle charge the COMPLETELY dead battery, it will kill the new alternator. So I got a new alternator (under warranty) and a new battery. Installed both and the problem went away. I'd suggest you take it to one of the auto parts store and get both items tested and do the same as I did. Hope this help..
11-22-14, 09:39 PM
#9
JST17
Here is more information I found on line.-----
An alternator WILL NOT replace a full charge back to a completely discharged battery because if they did they would be called battery chargers.
The alternator runs the car and is supposed to replace the charge you used to start the car. It replaces this charge at a trickle charge rate, so you would need to drive at least 9-12 hours straight driving and that will put tremendous stress on the alternator.
You should get the battery on a charger using a trickle charge for at least 10 hours and after you get the car started drive straight to the auto parts store and ask them to check the battery and alternator and starter.
Here is more information I found on line.-----
An alternator WILL NOT replace a full charge back to a completely discharged battery because if they did they would be called battery chargers.
The alternator runs the car and is supposed to replace the charge you used to start the car. It replaces this charge at a trickle charge rate, so you would need to drive at least 9-12 hours straight driving and that will put tremendous stress on the alternator.
You should get the battery on a charger using a trickle charge for at least 10 hours and after you get the car started drive straight to the auto parts store and ask them to check the battery and alternator and starter.
11-22-14, 09:59 PM
#10
Driver
Thread Starter
I think it's your alternator as well. I've had similar behavior. Took my car to Autozone and hooked it up on the diagnostic which result with a bad alternator. I replaced the alternator myself but didn't trickle charge my battery. Ran the car for 2 days and the same problem came back. Took the alternator back to get tested and was told the alternator was bad. I was told that if I didn't trickle charge the COMPLETELY dead battery, it will kill the new alternator. So I got a new alternator (under warranty) and a new battery. Installed both and the problem went away. I'd suggest you take it to one of the auto parts store and get both items tested and do the same as I did. Hope this help..
I guess I'm looking at $530 for the alternator plus 2 hours of labour($300), I will tell them to trickle charge the battery since its practically new. Other wise, a new battery plus labor would be another $240. So a total of $800-$1100 for this?
Last edited by jst17; 11-22-14 at 10:13 PM.
11-22-14, 10:16 PM
#11
Not really. The dealer may charge you quite a bit if they need to replace the alternator. I'm not too sure on the labor since I do the work myself. If the dealer want to replace both the battery and the alternator, you MIGHT be able to save some money by exchanging the battery back with Canadian tires if the battery came with the 1 year warranty.
11-22-14, 10:16 PM
#12
Instructor
i am running Canadian Tire Battery on my Lexus IS350 too i have no problems at all... check your alternator, make sure your terminals is clean, and make sure your grounding cable is ground properly and connector connected tight to the battery... did canadian tire sold u a wrong battery?
sounds like you need to read up on basic car knowledge.
11-22-14, 10:26 PM
#14
Driver
Thread Starter
i am running Canadian Tire Battery on my Lexus IS350 too i have no problems at all... check your alternator, make sure your terminals is clean, and make sure your grounding cable is ground properly and connector connected tight to the battery... did canadian tire sold u a wrong battery?
Grounding cable; was I suppose to check that when I took the battery out?
Last edited by jst17; 11-22-14 at 10:30 PM.
11-22-14, 10:29 PM
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
Yes, it did came with a one year free-replacement warranty.