I have a 2001 ES300, 144000 miles. I recently had to get a new alternator, and since my battery keeps dying. But also there are times like today, I go to get in my car after work and my clock and radio are on with no keys in the ignition. I can shake the gear shifter and move up and to the right and they go off, but there isn't enough juice there to start my car. I have taken my car to a mechanic with these issues, of course nothing is wrong when he looks at it, he has even taken the gear shifter apart and back together and did not see anything wrong. I don't want to trade my car in, but I never know when it will start or when it will be dead...stranded

 

Sounds like the replacement alternator could be defective. Has the battery been load tested?

 

I believe that is what the mechanic told me. I was out of town when my alternator went out, so unfortunately I can not go back to that shop. I have been using my local guy, and he said he tested the battery and the alternator and they were fine

 

You might have a parasitic drain on the battery.

Was the battery replaced with the alternator as well? Usually when alternators die they take the battery with it.

 

yes they replaced my battery also. So again this morning after I get to work, I turn my car off and take out the keys but the clock stays on. I have to wedge gear shift to the far right in park to make it go off

 

How long have you owned this car?

I agree the first thought on the description is alternator/battery. But you say you wiggle the gear shift and it rights itself.

This car has a known bad transmission; is it possible this is a replacement/rebuild? And if so, that a ground or wiring fault was introduced?

 

I have owned it for 5 years, but bought it from a friend who did regular maintenance and had no problems. I guess its time to take it to the dealership and see if they have ever come across this