2013GS

My car was special ordered because I wanted PCS. I took delivery in mid July.

Outrage

After I received my GS back from having the F Sport front bumper installed I was sitting in my garage adjusting some of the vehicle's settings with the power on but the engine off. My battery died after a period time. I jump started my vehicle using another one and left the my engine running so the alternator could charge my battery. I think the GS accessories put a fairly high load on the engine's electrical system, and thus, the battery.

Does anyone know the amperage output by the alternator? Perhaps Toyota specified a low-output alternator in order to reduce the accessory drag on the engine. Because of this, the battery may not be charging sufficiently during shorter drives.

Alternatively, the battery could be low-capacity and simply unable to sustain the high load imposed by the various accessory systems without the assistance of the alternator.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Not that is a big power draw but I've read leaving your headlights in 'Auto' position while the car is off pulls some battery power.
I found that interesting.

rjm

Where did you read that? Can you provide a link?

Since Lexus recommends leaving the lights on Auto, I would think that would be a bad design feature.

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Read it on a CR-V forum.CR-V batteries are small and die fast when using radio etc without engine on.
Service rep mentioned to someone that if you're not going to use the CR-V for 2-3 weeks,take off the 'Auto' headlight mode.
True,I don't know.

texasborn

Ordered mine in Feb and picked it up in April

rjm

Isn't the CR-V a Honda? What does that have to do with Lexus?

Joeb427

iTrader: (1)

Like many things,the technology can be the same.

Stinker

I purchased my GS 350 AWD in Feb of this year and the issue with the car going dead has happened to me twice in the past 3-4 months. The first time it happened, Lexus roadside came and jump started my car and I drove it to the dealer who ran all these checks and told me that the battery was "ok" but not at the level that it should be so they replaced it. Then it happened again about two weeks ago. I went out to my garage and pushed the start button and it made this awful clicking sound and it continued until I pushed the start button again. I waited a few minutes and tried it again and it did the same thing. So I called Lexus Roadside service, when they came out, and pushed the start button, it started up but was very hesitant. They put my car on a flat bed and took it to the my Lexus dealer who again ran all these tests only to tell me that they could find no issues with my vehicle and that it is operating as it should.

Even now, whenever I start it, it acts as if it doesn't want to start. I took it out of "economy" mode and that seems to help the starting process (not as sluggish) but not as sharp as it was for the first few months of driving the vehicle. My car currently has 9k on it. This appears to be an issue with this car and someone mentioned contacting Lexus to report this problem. Does anyone have the link to report issues such as this to Lexus?

If anyone discovers what is causing this problem, please inform us all. Thanks in advance.

Outrage

When my battery died, the navigation screen when blank and power was lost to all accessories. My interior illumination began to flash on an off and the warning lights were displayed on my instrument panel. The navigation screen remained blank, but the software controlling it was running. I could hear the various beeps and move through the menus using the remote touch controller, albeit with no working display. I attempted to start the engine by depressing the brake pedal and pressing the engine start button. I experienced the same loud constant clicking sound that you did. It stopped once I pushed the button a second time. I immediately realized this was the starter motor. Since the GS uses an engine start button the function of the starter motor is controlled by the electronics. This sound would be the equivalent of someone holding a conventional starting key motion to the engine start position. Historically, this was not recommended as it puts stress on the starter motor.

Typically, if the starter motor is unable to crank the engine it's due to a discharged battery. Sure enough, in my case, that was the cause.

Luckily/Unfortunately, I've owned a General Motors vehicle in the past, so I'm familiar with the various electronic issues when can occur and how they manifest.

Stinker

Thanks for the information regarding the clicking sound as I had no idea what it was. Now I'm nervous everytime I start my car.

sam430

iTrader: (10)

Damn it..hopes this gets resolved. I'm holding off on the purchase.

2013GS

Stinker - So far you are the only person that I've heard of who has been unlucky enough to have this occur twice. However, many of us have not had our vehicle as long as you have. I've only had my car since mid- July and have less than 3,500 miles on it. It really sucks that after purchasing a brand new luxury vehicle you have to be nervous as to whether or not the vehicle is going to start.

I'm going to have to start making sure I carry my cellphone whenever I use the car so i can call roadside assistance.

SW17LS

Sometimes you do get a battery with a bad cell in it, and it can cause an intermittent problem such as this. I got a replacement OEM battery for my old 03 ES one time from the Lexus dealer that was bad and had to be replaced under warranty. Same thing...worked one minute, didn't the next.

Sounds like they may have a bad batch of batteries. Batteries can sit for a long time before they're installed, be it at the dealer or at the factory, so vehicle build date may not be a reliable indicator.

2013GS

Personally, I think that is a wise move. The GS350 is a great car but this problem can be a major inconvenience when it happens and you never know when it will happen.