2x to start
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Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 677
Likes: 1
From: CA
2x to start
I haven't been driving my car often, and about a month ago the battery died....not completely dead, but dead enough that it will not start.
I was able to jump start the car, and then I drove for a few hour trip so presumably there was enough charging from the alternator to get the battery back up to normal charge levels.
Periodically the car will not start on the first attempt since this happened (I'd say 1 out of 7 starts from cold). then if I immediately push the start button again, it starts up like a champ.
So ya, the first thing I should do is get a new battery to see if that resolves it...but I'm curious because if the battery were truly hosed, then I would think the 2nd start attempt wouldn't turn it over so quickly (or at all for that matter).
Has anyone else had a similar issue? FWIW, the battery is only a year old....so I wouldn't think one discharge would tank it..but who knows these days.
I was able to jump start the car, and then I drove for a few hour trip so presumably there was enough charging from the alternator to get the battery back up to normal charge levels.
Periodically the car will not start on the first attempt since this happened (I'd say 1 out of 7 starts from cold). then if I immediately push the start button again, it starts up like a champ.
So ya, the first thing I should do is get a new battery to see if that resolves it...but I'm curious because if the battery were truly hosed, then I would think the 2nd start attempt wouldn't turn it over so quickly (or at all for that matter).
Has anyone else had a similar issue? FWIW, the battery is only a year old....so I wouldn't think one discharge would tank it..but who knows these days.
That has happened to me before not on my IS but on my wifes car. Keep in mind the IS has a lot of electronic devices that depend on the battery.
Anyway we were on vacation for 3 weeks completely dead battery when we came back and when I had it jumped and started having the same issues we found out one of the cells were defective.
Its possible that even if its a year old that one of those cells are bad. Although 1 week is not much but maybe the battery didn't cycle well? Have it tested at any local shop that would help narrow it down whether its the battery, the alternator or the electrical system /start stop button (its a stretch).
Anyway we were on vacation for 3 weeks completely dead battery when we came back and when I had it jumped and started having the same issues we found out one of the cells were defective.
Its possible that even if its a year old that one of those cells are bad. Although 1 week is not much but maybe the battery didn't cycle well? Have it tested at any local shop that would help narrow it down whether its the battery, the alternator or the electrical system /start stop button (its a stretch).
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 427
Likes: 1
From: Florida
When I went to reset the ECU by pulling the negative cable from the terminal of the battery, it always took two presses to start it up. That scared me the first time, but a search of the forums found that is common when the car isn't hooked up to the battery or when you reset the ECU.
Some batteries can be manufactured incorrectly, which leads to a premature failure that can be the issue. Also, do the tests for the alternator and possibly the starter too like azfsprt suggested.
Some batteries can be manufactured incorrectly, which leads to a premature failure that can be the issue. Also, do the tests for the alternator and possibly the starter too like azfsprt suggested.
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 677
Likes: 1
From: CA
Ya, I'm not too suprised if the battery is bad...but it just didn't seem like that would cause this issue where sometimes I need to start it twice.....it would seem if the battery can't crank the car over the first time, then the second time wouldn't be much better....but hey, what do I know, I'm just a simple mechanical engineer 
When I went to reset the ECU by pulling the negative cable from the terminal of the battery, it always took two presses to start it up. That scared me the first time, but a search of the forums found that is common when the car isn't hooked up to the battery or when you reset the ECU.
Some batteries can be manufactured incorrectly, which leads to a premature failure that can be the issue. Also, do the tests for the alternator and possibly the starter too like azfsprt suggested.
Some batteries can be manufactured incorrectly, which leads to a premature failure that can be the issue. Also, do the tests for the alternator and possibly the starter too like azfsprt suggested.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 5
From: Orange County
my car has been doing this too. I've gone in a few times about it but they can't pinpoint the problem. They computer scanner gave a reading that the car has been going through unnaturally high and low voltages, but yet they tested the battery and it is completely fine. It concerns me but hey, if it's nothing major than I can deal with it...
my car has been doing this too. I've gone in a few times about it but they can't pinpoint the problem. They cOmputer scanner gave a reading that the car has been going through unnaturally high and low voltages, but yet they tested the battery and it is completely fine. It concerns me but hey, if it's nothing major than I can deal with it...
Could it be loose wiring, bad ground or something else with the electrical? well ur a simple M.E do u have a volt meter to test with? Im sure u do...
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ChrisG1000
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