LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Replacing battery cables 91 LS400

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-08-11, 03:07 PM
  #1  
sisterpete
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
sisterpete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ks
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Replacing battery cables 91 LS400

HELP!!!

both cables on my battery look as if they're the original parts... they are FULL of corrosion and need to be replaced. problem is, they disappear into a black hole, cant see where they're going.

called lexus to see if they could tell me where the other end of the cable ends up... not much help... told me the cables go into the wiring harness and that cost 1100.00 dollars to replace. HAHAHAHA

does the negative cable come from the battery and just end up at the block? nothing else in between?

Does the positive cable go somewhere else besides the starter, which is located UNDER the intake manifold. had to have it replaced a few years back and never thought of having the cable replaced at the same time. i dont know if the solenoid is on the starter or located somewhere else.

ive searched and cannot find any tutorials on this. any help would be really appreciated

thanks
Old 08-08-11, 05:52 PM
  #2  
vaughn37
Pole Position
 
vaughn37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: fl
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

see if this helps any
Attached Thumbnails Replacing battery cables 91 LS400-capture.png  
Old 08-08-11, 06:00 PM
  #3  
vaughn37
Pole Position
 
vaughn37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: fl
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

the negative goes directly to the ground.

the positive has two wires. one goes directly to the starter and the other one goes to a fusible link box

this picture is for a 1995 shouldn't be too much difference
Attached Thumbnails Replacing battery cables 91 LS400-2009-09-14_012008_1.gif  

Last edited by vaughn37; 08-08-11 at 06:02 PM. Reason: add picture
Old 08-09-11, 07:38 AM
  #4  
BrittonJ85
Rookie
 
BrittonJ85's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Maryland
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by sisterpete
HELP!!!

both cables on my battery look as if they're the original parts... they are FULL of corrosion and need to be replaced. problem is, they disappear into a black hole, cant see where they're going.

called lexus to see if they could tell me where the other end of the cable ends up... not much help... told me the cables go into the wiring harness and that cost 1100.00 dollars to replace. HAHAHAHA

does the negative cable come from the battery and just end up at the block? nothing else in between?

Does the positive cable go somewhere else besides the starter, which is located UNDER the intake manifold. had to have it replaced a few years back and never thought of having the cable replaced at the same time. i dont know if the solenoid is on the starter or located somewhere else.

ive searched and cannot find any tutorials on this. any help would be really appreciated

thanks
I would say check out vaughn37 diagram and also stop by your local junk yard to find a Lexus LS just as your to see "physically" how the cable is ran. After taking notes then take those cables if they are in good condition and then replace the ones on your car. That way you will save money and you can also just take the cables and have a shop install them. Best of luck bro.
Old 08-09-11, 12:14 PM
  #5  
sisterpete
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
sisterpete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ks
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Thanks for the diagrams... this info should be very helpful.... the junkyard idea is a good thought also.. thanks

a new wiring harness is definately out of the question, way to much money, although i must do something as this is our only car. 300,000 miles and still runs like a top
Old 08-09-11, 01:05 PM
  #6  
LiCelsior
Retired

iTrader: (32)
 
LiCelsior's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 12,363
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

look up a BIG 3 upgrade and its easy. $40 mod and ur car will have better current flow.
Old 08-09-11, 01:38 PM
  #7  
sisterpete
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
sisterpete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ks
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by LiCelsior
look up a BIG 3 upgrade and its easy. $40 mod and ur car will have better current flow.
guessing this is what you're talking about....

"The Big Three" upgrade means improving the current capacity or upgrading three cables: 1) alternator positive to battery positive wire, 2) battery negative to chassis wire, and 3) engine ground to chassis wire.

after the post on this thread, i guess the biggest question is about the large + cable... looks as if this is the cable going to the starter.... so im wondering if i can cut it way at the battery end, as much as possible, and butt connect another cable to it? no way i am attempting to remove the intake manifold to get to the starter... what a dumb place to put a starter...
Old 08-10-11, 12:45 PM
  #8  
sisterpete
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
 
sisterpete's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: ks
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

When it wont start, it clicks only once, not multiple times like when the battery is having issues... blah... so this is a new problem... it must be the starter. we had it changed 3 or 4 years ago... cost 600.00 oh brother!!!!

one other thing i did notice, the other day when my wife was trying to start it, as i peeked in, i would see the instrument lights go out... like a battery would... or so i thought... yesterday when i was sitting in the car trying to start it, i noticed it was only the white speedometer and the tach that went out, then they came back on WITHOUT turning the key off and back on, the rest of the lights stayed lit.... starter....

thanks to all for your help and suggestions....
Old 08-10-11, 01:46 PM
  #9  
LiCelsior
Retired

iTrader: (32)
 
LiCelsior's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: NY
Posts: 12,363
Received 17 Likes on 15 Posts
Default

0yes thats basically the big 3 upgrade.

make sure the battery is good, alternator is good and the instrument cluster flicker is common. sometimes it comes on and off.
Old 08-10-11, 03:10 PM
  #10  
deanshark
Pole Position
 
deanshark's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: ct
Posts: 3,277
Received 313 Likes on 270 Posts
Default

Check the starter relay, with a meter. It sounds like it's on its way out. Hopefully for you it isn't the starter, especially only being 3 or 4 years old. But, as we all know, it doesn't matter how old they are. If they're gonna go then they're gonna go at the worst possible time. The lights flickering makes me think it might be a bad ground.
Old 02-11-19, 03:33 PM
  #11  
Sin1UZFE
Racer
 
Sin1UZFE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 1,383
Received 66 Likes on 59 Posts
Default

Where to get some for a 99?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
9000revs
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
7
04-26-17 12:23 AM
Kevin85
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
5
02-03-14 07:55 AM
n0bodi
LX - 1st and 2nd Gen (1996-2007)
9
10-17-10 12:01 PM
qewani1
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
5
01-11-09 11:20 AM



Quick Reply: Replacing battery cables 91 LS400



All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:29 PM.