smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

I have a 08 IS350 with over 100k miles. Just yesterday my car completely would not start in the morning. I jump started it and left it running for 10 minutes and turned it off. When I tried to start it again it did not work again. I jump started it and drove around for a few minutes and noticed that the whole electrical system flickers on and off. The power steering, navigation, radio flickers on and off. VSC light, check engine light, and traction control light also flickers on and off briefly.

I read that this is probably an alternator problem but the engine runs fine once it has been jump started. Could this be a battery problem?

I attached a video to show what happens:

christ0efu

iTrader: (1)

I had that happen to me too. My problem was the bad fusable link in the fusebox located in the engine bay.

HankMoody

Alternator is gone.... which in turn killed your battery. You will need both now..

smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

Do you know where exactly the bad fuse link is? I'm having trouble finding it.

I was thinking that it was the alternator but my mechanic said he doesn't think so because the battery light doesn't turn on.

whitebeast

iTrader: (5)

+1 for alternator. I have those problem before. Why don't you test your alternator at local Auto parts store?

Deathrow23

iTrader: (8)

Use voltage meter on the battery when the engine is running. I believe the voltage should be about 13.5 or so. I sure when I measured mine, it was 13.8. That should give you an idea of the alternator

videopho

Alternator!
It just happened to me last weekend.
Check VSC light came on first then ABS, traction, Navigation, steering gets real sluggish then the car just died cold.
Had the car towed to a Toyota dealership which replaced it for $550.
Highly recommend to replace it before it dumps you on the road like what happened to me:-(

christ0efu

iTrader: (1)

I used some metal clip to have the link connected after it got burned.

Gatriel

You should loom that 4 AGU wire. Unloomed aftermarket wire under the hood just looks horrible. <br /><br />Also, whatever that was likely burned for a reason. Perhaps it might be worth taking that to the dealer/good indy to get their opinions on it before you turn your car into a CarBQ.

smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

Thanks everyone. It turns out I had a dead cell in the battery. I used a voltmeter and tested the battery and it was reading 8.20. Once I jump started it, it was between 13.5-13.8, which meant the alternator was charging the battery just fine.

Costco replaced the battery under warranty free of charge since I only had it for one year. So far it's been working fine since I replaced the battery.

Gville350

iTrader: (10)

Congrats! Cheap and easy fix! And who says new batteries cannot go bad!

smokyis350

iTrader: (21)

Thank god it wasn't the alternator