Hey folks. Before I start to explain my problem with my IS300 (2009, GCC), I must admit that I have no clue about cars. I just want an opinion about what is wrong so I don't get ripped off when I take my car to the garage.

Here's the full series of events before my car broke down:
- Yesterday, I parked my car on the side of the road to take a call and the car flashed the steering wheel icon and the battery icon and refused to move. The car was on but 'locked'. I turned off the car and tried to start again and it wouldn't.
- Called recovery, they boosted the battery and the car sprung to life. Thinking it was the battery that died, I went replaced it with a new one.
- At the garage, even after replacing the battery, the steering wheel icon still showed and the steering was locked. My friend, who was present at the time, said the car needs to be 'restarted', so he turned off the car and started it again and everything went normal.
- We drove the car normally to my boss' home for some work, and turned off the car. When we tried to start the car again, it wouldn't turn on. It powers on and cranks but doesn't come to life. Here's a video of what's happening when I try to start it:

I would like to know what the problem is? The battery is brand new, so what could go wrong? I am sure that if I boost the battery again, it will work but that shouldn't be required. Please help me out, I will highly appreciate it!

 

Sounds like your alternator is bad. I'd have it load tested (and if necessary replaced) before you kill the new battery.

 

Yeah, one of my car enthusiast friend also told me the same, and after searching about it, all symptoms point to an alternator going bust. Before the car broke down, I could smell burning tyre/burning oil from the car and it was quiet intense. Took it to a garage and they couldn't find any leaks but they never thought to check the alternator. I guess it has gone bust and I will get a new one from the spare parts shop here.

 

Buy a Lexus factory alternator if you can afford to. In my experience most of the alternators you get from parts store are junk.

 

the rubber smell is likely the accessory/serpentine belt burning as the alternator bearing seized to spin! likely the belt will need replacement as well.

 

You could also have:

Poor connections on the battery terminals
Weak/corroded cables and connections to body ground, engine ground and the positive terminal on the starter.

After a couple of failed starts check the voltage across the terminals.

Good luck!