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GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

My car battery keeps randomly dying. (Again)

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Old Jun 20, 2019 | 08:49 AM
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Default My car battery keeps randomly dying. (Again)

This has been an ongoing issue for I don't know how long. I've taken it to several mechanics, with only 1 happening to find some issues.

One symptom I can bring up is that the radiator fan continues to run even with the car off being off for awhile. I didn't check to see if the fan was still running this morning, but prior events the fan was definitely running. I did notice my coolant was low when the engine is cold and I don't know how long it's been low, no overheating issues though. Also I've been getting weird clicking noises from the glove compartment, so not sure if that's part of the culprit

I took my car to the mechanic twice within a month. The first time, I told him about the fan and he said the motor was burned out, so he replaced the fan motor. 2 and a half weeks later, the battery is dead again. The 2nd time I take it to the same mechanic and told him that the fan was also running again. He said the alternator had a bad diode, so the alternator was replaced. Also the relays were replaced for the fan and I want to say the alternator was replaced the 1st time.

1 week later today, the car is dead again. I don't know where to go from here besides dropping the car off for a few days.

Anything I should really look into?

Last edited by JMan23; Jun 20, 2019 at 08:54 AM.
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Old Jun 20, 2019 | 11:50 AM
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From my own experience when I ran low on coolant air was trapped in the system. Depending on engine RPMs it sounded like someone was throwing lil rocks at the firewall. You need to add coolant and bleed the system. With air in the system the fans don’t turn on/off when they should and you can overheat
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Old Jun 20, 2019 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by lexo98
From my own experience when I ran low on coolant air was trapped in the system. Depending on engine RPMs it sounded like someone was throwing lil rocks at the firewall. You need to add coolant and bleed the system. With air in the system the fans don’t turn on/off when they should and you can overheat
Can low coolant really cause this though? My car hasn't been anywhere near overheating, the needle is always in the same spot, slightly above the middle line.

My coolant is low to be honest, like quite low. I'll ask around.
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Old Jun 22, 2019 | 01:37 AM
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Originally Posted by JMan23
Anything I should really look into?
Find a new mechanic, at least one that listens to the customer...
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Old Jan 21, 2025 | 04:06 PM
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The radiator fan issue has been solved.

One of the wires to the coolant temp sensor was damaged. Fixed now. I still have the lower voltage issue however. I am going to order the gaskets and take the throttle body off the car and give it a thorough cleaning. The Car Care Nut on Youtube did a good video on it.
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