I apologize for my ignorance in advance...I have had a 2006 RX400H since last March. Recently, however, it hasn't been starting in the mornings. (The car is housed in the garage). Once while sitting at work for 8 hours, it wouldn't start on leaving. It's now becoming a daily ritual to jump start the car every morning. The battery doesn't show that it is bad (via the color coding). The lights come on and everything starts up, but the engine doesn't start or engage. Can anyone tell me what might be the issue I'm having?

(I thought it was from leaving my Sirius radio on all night, but sometimes the "no start" happens even if the sirius is turned off and everything else is off as well).

I'm about to get rid of it and buy a car that is only gas run and not a hybrid again. As a mom I need reliability and can't worry that my car isn't going to start when I need it most.

 

you are not willing to go to the dealer?

 

I guess, I just thought someone on this forum might have a clue what I'm doing wrong.

 

regarding the "color coding," are you talking about the battery charge status on the navi screen? that refers to the hybrid batteries, I am pretty sure there's a normal car battery in the engine bay too. perhaps you need a new normal battery. someone correct me if i'm wrong.

 

You're right. It sounds like the regular car battery you keep having to jump is in need of being replaced

If the car was made in 2005 and still has the original battery, it's probably weak. The battery in my 2004 RX-330 (non hybrid) died last year, with similar results.

Fortunately, batteries are much cheaper than getting rid of the whole car. It's a normal wear item that you can get almost anywhere.

Mike

 

The color coding shows green/red/white on the actual battery inside the hood. It's supposed to turn colors when it needs to be replaced. It's not showing a color. But maybe we do need to change the battery.

Thank you.

 

Do you have a lot of stuff installed on your 400h that requires memory ? things that need to have constant power all the time to hold its settings like alarm, stereo system, suspension control module, Scan Gauge, etc.

If not you can always take your battery into sears or some other place have them test it to see if it's good or bad then you can start pin pointing the cause of your problem.

 

Hey guys, I have a similar situation. I found this out on my own and took it to the dealership to get it fixed under warranty. Your normal car battery is fine since you already test. Now it's your car that won't start. This is due to the malfunctioning of your traction battery. If you take it to the dealer and had it diagnosed they will later tell you it's most likely the traction battery. You just have to get it replaced. I had the same situation, the odometer lights turn on but the car just won't start. I hope this helps you, and hopefully you still got warranty left. Because replacing the traction battery cost you a lot more than the normal battery.

Best of luck,
LEXveryG8

 

My mother down in Florida had her Lexus car battery go bad in about 3 years. I think it has to do with the heat, because up North, car batteries last much longer. The dealer replaced it for free! (I wasn't expecting that).

 

I believe US Gov mandates the Traction Battery have 7 years or 100,000 miles, don't quote me on it, I've read this somewhere on the owner's manual. Refer to the onwer's manual for exact information, so it should be under warranty.

 

"I'm about to get rid of it "


You bought an expensive car and you aren't willing to let the dealer fix what is probably a simple problem.

Who would be foolish enough to jumpstart a car more than once and not take it in to be fixed????

 

If it's under warranty, then take it in to the dealer to let them check it out, does NM have lemon law like CA ? which basically tell the dealer they sold you a lemon RX

 

I think your right about the warranty.

Has the problem been solved yet? I hope your not still dwelling on what happened, it's best to get it checked out for safety issues.

 

It's best if you take your RX in for dealer to fix the problem, it's should be under warranty
not to mention you should still have FREE road side assistance which means free towing
and the dealer have to give you a loaner LEXUS for your to drive while your RX is in the shop, what have you got to loose ??

 

Its actually 8 years or 100,000 miles for the Hybrid system