Notices
Hybrid Technology Unique topics related to the 2004 -2009 RX400H model hybrid drivetrain and other features/options found only on the RX400H. Please use the main forum for discussion about shared components with other second generation RX models.

HELP! - won't start

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 30, 2012 | 07:40 PM
  #1  
flynhi's Avatar
flynhi
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default HELP! - won't start

New to the Forum and would greatly appreciate any help.
vehicle is 1 2007 RC 400h with about 65k miles.
returned from a two day trip driving 200+ miles with no problem.
pulled into the drive and while unloading accidentally set off panic alarm by leaning on fob in my pocket. cleared honking horn by pressing door unlock button.
Tried to start car to pull into the garage and get check engine light
Tried again and get all main dash lights blinking
Tried again and get message to place transmission in P when starting (which I always do).

I cannot find anything in the owner's manual about this.

Any idea as to what can be causing this and how to clear it?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2012 | 08:22 PM
  #2  
herbvdh's Avatar
herbvdh
Instructor
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 810
Likes: 0
From: USA
Default

Originally Posted by flynhi
New to the Forum and would greatly appreciate any help.
vehicle is 1 2007 RC 400h with about 65k miles.
returned from a two day trip driving 200+ miles with no problem.
pulled into the drive and while unloading accidentally set off panic alarm by leaning on fob in my pocket. cleared honking horn by pressing door unlock button.
Tried to start car to pull into the garage and get check engine light
Tried again and get all main dash lights blinking
Tried again and get message to place transmission in P when starting (which I always do).

I cannot find anything in the owner's manual about this.

Any idea as to what can be causing this and how to clear it?

Thanks in advance for any help.
Your last words told me your problem "place transmission in P when starting" I got the same thing, got it jump started and bought the Optima Yellow Top battery locally and put it in no more problem. After putting in the battery you have to reset the power windows, sunroof and rear lift gate.
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #3  
flynhi's Avatar
flynhi
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by herbvdh
Your last words told me your problem "place transmission in P when starting" I got the same thing, got it jump started and bought the Optima Yellow Top battery locally and put it in no more problem. After putting in the battery you have to reset the power windows, sunroof and rear lift gate.
Thanks.
My current battery is about three years old so that may be the problem. I'll try to yellow Optima.
W
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2012 | 08:37 PM
  #4  
flynhi's Avatar
flynhi
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by herbvdh
Your last words told me your problem "place transmission in P when starting" I got the same thing, got it jump started and bought the Optima Yellow Top battery locally and put it in no more problem. After putting in the battery you have to reset the power windows, sunroof and rear lift gate.
Is the reset procedure in the Owner's Manual?
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2012 | 08:45 PM
  #5  
RX330inFL's Avatar
RX330inFL
Lead Lap
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
Default

Yes, Has also been discussed on a number of previous occasions here in the forums. So, you can always search for the notes from others as well. Here is part of what is in the Owner's Manual.

http://drivers.lexus.com/t3Portal/do.../sec_01-05.pdf
Reply
Old Jun 30, 2012 | 10:48 PM
  #6  
glassmanj's Avatar
glassmanj
Driver
 
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 93
Likes: 2
From: ky
Default

and with hybrids you are only going to get 3 years out of your battery compared to six o a normal car. reason is hybrid relies on 12v battery to run all functions until engine starts,which can take a momeent depending on how your drive. normal combustion engine immediately starts recharging battery via alternator once engine starts. as recommended above buy the optima deep charge battery. try advanced auto parts and do online search for coupon. my hybrid dies last month and i found 20% off coupon online, got $180 battery for $140. buy online then you simply drive to local store, pick up with receipt, and they install. otherwise, expect less life from battery with hybrid.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 06:09 AM
  #7  
flynhi's Avatar
flynhi
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by glassmanj
and with hybrids you are only going to get 3 years out of your battery compared to six o a normal car. reason is hybrid relies on 12v battery to run all functions until engine starts,which can take a momeent depending on how your drive. normal combustion engine immediately starts recharging battery via alternator once engine starts. as recommended above buy the optima deep charge battery. try advanced auto parts and do online search for coupon. my hybrid dies last month and i found 20% off coupon online, got $180 battery for $140. buy online then you simply drive to local store, pick up with receipt, and they install. otherwise, expect less life from battery with hybrid.

Turned out my problem was a 27 month old Toyota 84 month warranted battery that had not been serviced since new. My wife regularly gets Lexus service every 3,000 miles but they obviously had not checked the battery. The electrolyte was low in all six cells - very low in two. A fill up and overnight charge seems to have fixed us for now.

Thanks to all for input and recs on Optima. I'll get it when the time is right.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 07:48 AM
  #8  
RX330inFL's Avatar
RX330inFL
Lead Lap
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
Default

Originally Posted by flynhi
Turned out my problem was a 27 month old Toyota 84 month warranted battery that had not been serviced since new. My wife regularly gets Lexus service every 3,000 miles but they obviously had not checked the battery. The electrolyte was low in all six cells - very low in two. A fill up and overnight charge seems to have fixed us for now.

Thanks to all for input and recs on Optima. I'll get it when the time is right.
That will do it. Weird that your 400h battery is not a sealed unit like many of the others installed as OEM.

Would definitely be placing a call, if not done already, to the service manager to chide them a bit on their failure to maintain the battery. Assuming that was not a typo and that your RX is seeing the shop every 3K miles (as opposed to 5K which is standard) they are making a good dollar on your business.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 09:08 AM
  #9  
flynhi's Avatar
flynhi
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

[QUOTE=RX330inFL;7330821]That will do it. Weird that your 400h battery is not a sealed unit like many of the others installed as OEM.

Would definitely be placing a call, if not done already, to the service manager to chide them a bit on their failure to maintain the battery. Assuming that was not a typo and that your RX is seeing the shop every 3K miles (as opposed to 5K which is standard) they are making a good dollar on your business.[/QUOTE

I plan to turn my wife loose on the service rep........and ask for a refund of the last "service" fee.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 10:56 AM
  #10  
smassey321's Avatar
smassey321
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 463
Likes: 27
From: FL
Default

Because of you post I checked my 30 month old Lexus replacement battery. It was about 2 cups low. I will keep a better eye on it from now on.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 11:11 AM
  #11  
flynhi's Avatar
flynhi
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default

Originally Posted by smassey321
Because of you post I checked my 30 month old Lexus replacement battery. It was about 2 cups low. I will keep a better eye on it from now on.
2 cups is REALLY low. I was about a cup low and could not start.......
Reply
Old Jul 8, 2012 | 11:20 PM
  #12  
rcy's Avatar
rcy
Lead Lap
 
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 668
Likes: 11
From: Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by glassmanj
and with hybrids you are only going to get 3 years out of your battery compared to six o a normal car. reason is hybrid relies on 12v battery to run all functions until engine starts,which can take a momeent depending on how your drive. normal combustion engine immediately starts recharging battery via alternator once engine starts. as recommended above buy the optima deep charge battery. try advanced auto parts and do online search for coupon. my hybrid dies last month and i found 20% off coupon online, got $180 battery for $140. buy online then you simply drive to local store, pick up with receipt, and they install. otherwise, expect less life from battery with hybrid.
Wrong. The 12 volt battery is recharged via the traction battery. The engine does not have to be running to charge it. So it can start charging as soon as the system is on, engine running or not. The problem is it's a very small (power wise) battery - 450 CCA iirc and a small reserve capacity. This is the same battery used in 4 cylinder Honda Accords

Last edited by rcy; Jul 8, 2012 at 11:24 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 9, 2012 | 04:31 PM
  #13  
thomas1's Avatar
thomas1
Pole Position
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,054
Likes: 103
From: Sacramento, California
Default

And may I say the Optima battery is not cost effective, I would go to Costco, or Walmart and buy their best replacement battery. Because of the hybrid charging the battery I have hear the Optima is not a great deal.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Michifan12
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
16
Apr 8, 2019 02:43 PM
flynhi
RX - 2nd Gen (2004-2009)
2
Jun 30, 2012 07:27 PM
kglexus1
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
5
Jul 20, 2006 07:55 PM
shlounek
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
1
Jun 11, 2006 12:54 PM
pearl85
IS - 2nd Gen (2006-2013)
4
May 31, 2006 03:54 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 01:24 AM.