Hi Everyoone,
I have a 4th Gen 2013 GS 450h and hopefully someone can guide me where should I start,
This weekend, I thought it is best to cleanup my hybrid battery filter(s) and its fan which I think should be located in the trunk.
Not sure where exactly it is located and I have tried to search the forums and online but they are referencing the 3rd Generation.
Any pics or diagrams will be appreciated.
Thanks

 

@rahanna - Here you go, this may help you find where the HV traction battery duct filter is hiding!

 

Thanks @bclexus

I will try that tomorrow although I think the IS is different from the GS as I read in a couple of sites that the hybrid battery for the GS is liquid cooled but I am not sure where the fan is located on the right or left or on the top of the hybrid battery ?

 

This information is from my 2018 Lexus GS 450h Owners Manual (reference the air intake duct filter cooling component/part for the hybrid traction battery). The warning message is displayed for the maintenance interval applicable to the vehicle. I do not happen to know what the interval (assumed to be time, not mileage) is.

 

@rahanna - See the Battery Cooling Blower Assembly for the HV Traction Battery in the below image from the repair manual?

 

Thanks again @bclexus

The diagram you posted is great to locate the Battery Cooling Blower Assembly location whish looks like it is in the trunk on the left [Driver Side]

I wish there was another diagram that shows the duct path which I assume is pulling the air from that cabin from the vents on both sides of the back seats.

Do I need to pull all the trunck carpet out or it is just the back panel to reach this area ?

Most of the online videos are for he 3rd Gen GS 450h as I couldn't find one for my 4th Gen 2013 GS 450h but I will try to take pics if nothing is available

 

@rahanna - I'll be posting some images and information [HERE] that will be helpful in accessing the blower/fan filter in pre-2015 GS 450h vehicles. Stay tuned...

 

The following information should be both interesting and helpful in solving the mystery of the GS 450h traction battery cooling blower/fan filter.

From what I understand, beginning in 2015 Lexus started using a filter directly underneath both the driver and passenger side GS 450h air intake vents located at the rear seats next to the door jamb. This intake filter has a webbed porous initiatory surface area to trap larger debris with another secondary filter media that has more density beneath. The purpose of this filter is to prevent the traction battery cooling blower/fan - as well as the associated connected ductwork that feeds clean air to the cooling blower/fan - from accumulating debris that could cause the traction battery to overheat or to reduce performance efficiency.

The traction battery intake air filters can get clogged-up overtime with debris (e.g. airborne dust, dirt, clothing fabric fibers, hair, skin flakes, etc.). Without the protection of the intake air filters in high humidity climates, heavy moisture-laden dust and debris can layer the interior surface walls of the ductwork and create a coating on the cooling blower/fan’s blades, and blanket the traction battery. It can also be the source for mold and bad smell/odor.

Lexus has a warning message (image from owner manual below) that is displayed for the maintenance interval applicable to the vehicle to have the air intake duct filter cooling component/part for the hybrid traction battery serviced. I do not know what the interval (presumed to be time, not mileage) is. Also, I do not know exactly what is entailed with servicing these easily accessible air intake filters (i.e. cleaning/blowing-out the filter media or actually replacing the filters with new filters).

The 2012-2014 model year GS 450h did not have filters at the intake air vents located at the rear seats next to the door jamb. Instead, Lexus incorporated a filter at the supply end of the ductwork where it feeds air to the traction battery cooling blower/fan. So, to be clear there is indeed a filter - and a filter is indeed thought to be needed according to Lexus repair manuals and maintenance information.

It is my understanding that for pre-2015 GS 450h vehicles, accessing the cooling blower/fan filter located at the supply end of the ductwork can actually be made from inside the vehicle (not from the trunk). This is made possible by unlatching the rear seat and folding it forward toward the front of the car. Some minor unbolting is required and then some easy disassembly of the various non-metallic ductwork pieces that run from the intake vents located at the rear seats to the cooling blower/fan location is also required.

This explains the mystery of why 2015 and newer GS 450h vehicles have traction battery cooling blower/fan filters in the rear seat area intake vents but the 2012-2014 model year GS 450h vehicles do not.

This timeline of information likely applies to other Lexus hybrid vehicles as well.

I’ll post some images I came across in a future post soon [HERE] that will be helpful in understanding what is needed to access the traction battery cooling blower/fan filters for the pre-2015 model year (2012-2014) GS 450h.

Below you will see images of my 2018 GS450h traction battery intake air filters through the intake vents; one for the driver side and one for the passenger side.


2018 GS 450h Driver Side & Passenger Side Traction Battery Blower/Fan Air Intake Filter





I hope this information is helpful. I'll make a duplicate post of this in both the threads in this 4GS Hybrid forum with the filter subject title so others can be sure to learn about the topic.

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