jeterbug

Everytime I start my vehicle, it resets the clock back to 1:00. The dealership said it was a sign of a bad cranking battery but it checked out OK. Any suggestions? Bad cables? Does it have a backup battery?

Lexmex

This happened to me a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away (actually about 5 years ago here in Mexico), and it was the battery. I got Lexus to cover it under warranty.

zombie

iTrader: (1)

that happened to me also, but i bought my battery at sears and they replaced it for free.

bob2200

Jeterbug, I see you have a 1999 model. How old is the battery? If original (8 years), definitely replace the battery. If replacement, how old and what brand?

jeterbug

Bob, the battery "looks" 8 years old but there was no documentation to say whether it is any newer. We bought the vehicle used. It turns the engine just like a new one but may not be providing the amps needed to run everything like it should.

salimshah

What is happening is that when you are engaging the starter, the drain on the battery is enough to drop the voltage below the min for the clock electronics to work and thus your clock resets.

Believe us, it is time to change the battery. If you want to push it, carry jumper cables or auto-club card as you might be left stranded.

[there is a slight chance that you battery needs attention and can be revived by adding electrolyte and an overnight charge]

Salim

Carver

Batteries are cheap enough and important enough to not attempt saving one. You don't know the history of the battery so just bite the bullet and get a new one.

toy4two

yep same thign with me, after 6 years needed a battery. Get a Kirkland one from COSTCO they are exactly like Interstate (made by same OEM Johnson Controls) for much cheaper.

mikey00

Batteries are cheaper than any kind of troubleshooting, about $50 at Costco. There have been many instances where the clock was resetting and the battery checked out fine. The battery almost always fixes the problem.
If it's a Panasonic battery, you can be pretty sure it's the original. Not many Panasonic replacement batteries around.

bizzy928

Costco batteries are the way to go.

$50, built in stand (in some models), built in handle, meets/exceeds OE CCA's, 5+ years of trouble free(battery) driving, made by Johnson Controls...

Can you have it any better?

salimshah

Are costco batteries sealed like the OEM?

Salim

bob2200

I think both the OEM and Costco batteries are "maintenance-free" but not actually sealed. The intent is that they never need the addition of water.

HarrierAWD

For those who have replaced the Lexus batteries at Sears, CostCo, etc.: Does the stereo system require reset at the dealer? Any lost settings?

Thanks.

bob2200

Costco doesn't install the battery. I installed the Costco battery about a month ago. Nothing required dealer reset. I never use the seat position memory or radio station presets (I use XM with tape input), but I assume these probably need to be reset.

We had a thread on battery replacement recently (see https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...ob2200+battery ) . It's possible the 1999 year has a different style bracket than my 2002 model and that's why some people didn't need the washers I did in installing the Costco battery. Anyway, I recommend the Costco battery too.

mikey00

I used to add water to my original Panasonic battery, so I would not consider that sealed. Costco is the same.