phonzie

First off thank you for taking the time to read my issue.

I just bought a 97 LS 400 yesterday. Mechanically and cosmetically is in top notch shape. Today though while I was getting on the freeway, the radio was skipping. Meaning no sound for like a second, this happen several times. Then all of a sudden I turned on the defroster and the radio skipped longer and then all lights including the cluster went out but the car was still running, for about a fraction of a second. After that, the battery light came on momentarily and then shut off.

The alternator was changed with a new one in december and the battery levels were checked and it was fine.

What could be the issue? Fuse maybe?


Thank you.

MattLS400

Welcome to the Club. You are now the owner of a very beastly car...Regarding your issue, you can have a look at this thread to start off..
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...capacitor.html

timmy0tool

iTrader: (7)

i would first check the easy stuff like the battery terminals. are they tight?

second could be the alternator again but i would lean towards the capacitors as indicated by mattLS400.

LScowboyLS

if you have a power steering leak, it will continue to kill alternators - any leaks in your driveway or garage?

phonzie

thank you very much for your responses gentlemen. I will look into the capacitators.

phonzie

I haven't checked because I've had it for less than 24 hours. I will definitely keep an eye out. I had read something regarding the power steering leak being right above it. Thanks LSCowboy.

LScowboyLS

ECU capacitors are not going to cause these power issues, your ECU capacitors may be going out, as this is a prime year model for that to happen, and it has the defective series, however that is not the cause of your radio skipping, cluster lights going out, battery light coming on, etc.

get us a voltage reading across the battery in these three scenarios:

● car off
● car on, headlights on, at idle, after being driven for a few minutes
● car on, headlights on, at 1600 rpm after being driven for a few minutes

It sounds as if your new alternator or else your battery is failing, or the associated connections

billydpowe

iTrader: (1)

follow cowboys advice and also make sure your battery cables are clean, the clamp and the post both will oxidize and look clean, scrape them (silver looking), and then tighten them.

LScowboyLS

also keep in mind that many people have found hidden corrosion under the bolt that connects the positive battery clamp to the cable - it is a good idea to replace this troublesome positive battery terminal with a new one from the dealership (not aftermarket) - it runs about $15 from Sewell or other online Lexus dealership or any local Toyota dealership will stock this part as well, they used it on everything!

jayntee

The same thing was happening to me even after i changed the alternator. Try cleaning the post where you bolt the power cable onto and make sure it is tight. Mine was a bit loose and moving around and caused it to spark and melt the terminal a bit. That caused it to have a bad connection. After cleaning it and making sure everything was tight, my car has been okay.