Clock loses time
11-10-07, 05:05 PM
#1
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Clock loses time
This used to happen every few months that my clock would lose time and would show 1:00. No big deal I would reset it, but now it happens every day. I'm wondering if it could be I need a new battery. Other than the clock and the dash loosing brightness everything else seems fine and the car starts with no trouble.
When I brought the car to the dealership for a checkup I mentioned it, but since it wasn't doing it at the time they said there was nothing they could do.
Has anyone else had this issue? Any ideas what it might be?
When I brought the car to the dealership for a checkup I mentioned it, but since it wasn't doing it at the time they said there was nothing they could do.
Has anyone else had this issue? Any ideas what it might be?
11-10-07, 05:20 PM
#2
OK, you have the symptoms of being around the corner from needing a new battery. So, what brand of battery do you have and how old is it? Is it the original battery? If it is over 5 years old, thank your Lexus for giving you plenty of warning and get a new battery. The Costco battery and the Toyota/Lexus replacement battery appear to be popular.
11-10-07, 08:43 PM
#3
Out of Warranty
Welcome to CL, Sukimo!
Funny things happening to the clock/radio stack are classic symptoms of incipient battery failure. Replace ASAP to avoid being stranded. Your RX is trying to tell you something!
Funny things happening to the clock/radio stack are classic symptoms of incipient battery failure. Replace ASAP to avoid being stranded. Your RX is trying to tell you something!
11-10-07, 10:02 PM
#4
Tirerack, a sponsor of the Club Lexus, is starting to sell Braille lightweight batteries.
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/.../batteries.jsp
Lexmex first told me these, but I did not have time to buy them before my battery went south.
Here is the bracket, weight 8 oz.
Battery, weight 6 lbs.
My Costco Battery weight close to 50 lbs
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/.../batteries.jsp
Lexmex first told me these, but I did not have time to buy them before my battery went south.
Here is the bracket, weight 8 oz.
Battery, weight 6 lbs.
My Costco Battery weight close to 50 lbs
11-11-07, 04:50 AM
#6
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Geez, glad I asked. We bought the car used off a lease in 2002 and it's a 1999 so I bet it's time for new battery. Thanks for all the replies! Guess I know what I'm doing today...
11-12-07, 11:14 PM
#7
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12-01-07, 09:56 AM
#9
Super Moderator
Not sure about that, the Costco by me in Mexico doesn't. However, when I got my Optima Red Top at Interstate Battery in San Antonio, Texas, they gave me a negligible credit for turning in the other battery, some disposal fee.
12-01-07, 11:48 AM
#10
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Although it sounds that the battery is about to go, just make sure your terminals are clean and secure [you should not be able to twist the terminal].
Many stores (including) dealership can test the battery under load for you.
Salim
Many stores (including) dealership can test the battery under load for you.
Salim
12-01-07, 01:32 PM
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my Clock loses time too!
This happens to me too, even though we have changed the battery. Is anyone else finding the same problem still exists after changing the battery? It just happened today, I had pulled out of the driveway in reverse, put it in Drive, and just as I began moving forward (while in Drive!) everything went dead (radio/dash/engine) then came back on again by itself. I didn't even have time to take my foot off the gas, or brake, or put it in neutral! Then it just carried on as if nothing had happened! (except the clock was re-set to 1:00am of course)
12-01-07, 02:12 PM
#12
Out of Warranty
Check to be sure your terminals, as Salim said, are clean and tight. You might also check the OTHER end of the battery cable too, just to be sure it hasn't worked loose. Somehow your electrical system is being disconnected (or shorted out). You might make up a connection to a cigarette lighter adapter to plug in a multimeter and watch your voltage as you drive. (Don't drive and watch the meter at the same time, have someone else take on one of the jobs!) If voltage drops to zero, you probably have a bad connection. If OK, then do the same test at the battery terminals. It is remotely possible you have a defective battery.
I wouldn't have thought of it, but the mechanic who put the alternator on my wife's van said he'd recently put three Autozone alternators on one car before he found one that would work. Maybe there is such a thing as paying too little?
It is possible that your alternator might have an intermittent problem. Have it tested under load by any of several franchise shops - Autozone and Firestone in my neighborhood offer this service for free.
I wouldn't have thought of it, but the mechanic who put the alternator on my wife's van said he'd recently put three Autozone alternators on one car before he found one that would work. Maybe there is such a thing as paying too little?
It is possible that your alternator might have an intermittent problem. Have it tested under load by any of several franchise shops - Autozone and Firestone in my neighborhood offer this service for free.
12-01-07, 02:28 PM
#13
As I recall, they charge you an extra $5 when you purchase the battery and you get the $5 back when you return the old (or any old) battery. If your battery is more than 5 years old, I'd replace it in addition to checking the tightness of battery cable connectors/clamps.
12-01-07, 05:14 PM
#14
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Original battery is a Panasonic, which I assume came from the factory. The RX300 SS is a 2001.
I replaced the battery okay from Costco (fitment code 3). However, since the battery is a little taller than the original I had to loosen the nut on the hinge of the bracket. When tightening the whole bracket to the car I did not tighten all the way because it was putting a lot of pressure on the battery. I didn't want to damage the battery or break the bracket. Is it a problem that I didn't tighten it all the way even thought the bracket is tight?
Thanks,
Vik
I replaced the battery okay from Costco (fitment code 3). However, since the battery is a little taller than the original I had to loosen the nut on the hinge of the bracket. When tightening the whole bracket to the car I did not tighten all the way because it was putting a lot of pressure on the battery. I didn't want to damage the battery or break the bracket. Is it a problem that I didn't tighten it all the way even thought the bracket is tight?
Thanks,
Vik
12-01-07, 06:37 PM
#15
Moderator
The battery needs to be held (secured) properly as it has a lot of weight (momentum) and if it is lose, it will break the hold-down or worse split.
Salim
Salim