LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000) Discussion topics related to the 1990 - 2000 Lexus LS400

Help! Battery problem!

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Old 12-14-11, 06:41 PM
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PPK321
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Default Help! Battery problem!

I recently changed my battery and my car starts up fine but dies after a few minutes with all the lights in the dash still lit. I've had this problem before when my alternator died but I recently replaced it so I don't think that's the problem. Could it be the battery terminals? All help is greatly appreciated.
Here's a picture of my the terminal that worries me.
Old 12-14-11, 06:59 PM
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SupraRz123
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I went through 3 Alternators before i got a good one. Check yours just incase.
Mine were not oem btw.
Old 12-14-11, 07:12 PM
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billydpowe
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to be serious, if it dies with all the lights still on, he needs to check the output of his alternator, the battery is used to start the car, but the alt, is what runs it...
cheers!!!!!

Last edited by billydpowe; 12-14-11 at 07:50 PM.
Old 12-14-11, 08:26 PM
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RA40
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Wow! Where is the rest of the clamp?

I'll post trukn1's charging thread for reference.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls4...g-problem.html
Old 12-14-11, 08:32 PM
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GS4_Fiend
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Time for new battery connectors. That's the culprit alright.
Old 12-14-11, 10:28 PM
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emarknot
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Not to mention the corrosion down the cable as viewable in the pic

The corrosion will result in a bit of a loss of charge, but you could just replace the cable end and be good for a while. If the cable is stiff past 4inches from the battery, you should replace the cable as well as the cable end.
Old 12-15-11, 12:29 AM
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PPK321
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First, thanks for all the helpful advice.
I ran a test and the alternator is fine. I guess its that terminal that needs replacing. Not too savvy with car stuff so I'll probably take it into the shop to get the entire set up replaced.
Thanks again!
Old 12-15-11, 09:00 AM
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Chilkoot
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With a fully charged battery and a totally dead alternator, my old '90 ran ~20 miles before dying. As far as I can tell, it will run with a dead alt, and a 24f battery holds ~20 miles worth of spark at full charge.

Check for codes if the batt cable doesnt fix it. my '93 is doing this now, had corrosion on cables, that wasnt the problem, throwing a code 14. I think its the main relay in my case, fwiw.

Last edited by Chilkoot; 12-15-11 at 09:03 AM.
Old 12-15-11, 09:55 AM
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vicious
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battery/terminals

just got a new battery and neg. terminal. my old battery would sometimes just turn on the int. lights and not even attempt to turn over the engine. replaced the 2 things and it starts perfectly
Old 12-15-11, 12:05 PM
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RA40
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This is a good reminder for all of us to check our battery cables-posts regularly to avoid easily avoided problems due to a poor contact.
Old 12-15-11, 11:38 PM
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PK_Celsior
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thats one intense battery terminal!!! never seen one break before
Old 12-16-11, 09:08 PM
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emarknot
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Originally Posted by PK_Celsior
thats one intense battery terminal!!! never seen one break before

Not broken. Its missing the bolt and square nut. Plus the initial charge of starting the car will cause an electrical surge, resulting in a surge that makes the terminal end losing contact, and the milisecond is all it takes for a ....cra...then nothing.

The "cra" is the crank that ends as soon as you try to start the car.

Replace the cable end, and keep on truckin for a couple more months....whenbit starts to fail in a couple of months, i will post a link to this thread, to my previous post.









Just sayin
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