Car Completely Dead

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Feb 9, 2013 | 07:55 PM

LMoney4o8

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From: CA

Car Completely Dead

I went to go park my car but realized that It was too far away and as soon as I try and start the car everything is dead. None of the lights in the car work, I can't lock the car or anything. It shouldn't be the alternator right because i'll still have some kind of power if it was? My LS is a 99 if anyone can help me.

Feb 9, 2013 | 08:25 PM

Lavrishevo

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From: NJ

Get a jump start and go have the battery and alternator tested. They will do this for free at autozone or pep boys. It is probably a dead battery. No, you will have no power with a dead battery and a good alternator.

Feb 9, 2013 | 09:34 PM

PureDrifter

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From: California

make sure the terminals on the battery are tight then test teh battery to see if it's dead.

Feb 10, 2013 | 09:47 AM

sha4000

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From: N.Y.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lavrishevo

This is sound advice but like PURE said make sure your connections are tight first. Extreme hot or cold weather tend to expose weak batteries and cooling systems. Don't wait to get it checked and find yourself stranded on the road.

Feb 10, 2013 | 12:48 PM

Kansas

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From: Kansas

Quote:

Originally Posted by sha4000

I seem to have to re-learn every few years that battery terminals and the cable connectors must be kept spotlessly clean and free of corrosion. By last fall, my nine month old battery would barely start the engine of my 00 LS after it was parked for 12 or more hours even in a warm garage - and it was worse when my car sat outside all day even when the temperatures were well above freezing.

The terminal posts and cable ends didn't even look all that bad but cleaning them with a cheap tool from Autozone to make them bright and shiney did the trick. And yes, be sure to tighten the cable connections very tightly ... and then coat them and the battery terminals with something like Vasoline to inhibit corrosion.

That battery that I almost discarded has been working great all winter including days where the car has sat unused outside all day in 10 to 15 degree temperatures.

Feb 10, 2013 | 12:58 PM

RA40

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From: California

Good practice to remove the battery cables and clean them periodically to make sure the contact surfaces are clean. One time I'd parked the car then when returning a few hours later it wouldn't start. Removing the positive battery cable cover revealed lots of deposits on the terminal.

Feb 10, 2013 | 06:53 PM

LScowboyLS

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From: Birmingham, AL

every LS400 owner needs to be aware of that connection where the last two inches of the + battery cable (the terminal end itself - which is a separate part from Lexus) connects to the main cable by way of a bolted connection that can become riddled with hidden corrosion that can confound its owner, as the actual connection at the battery posts can be completely clean and yet you have no start even with a new battery and alternator!

I replaced mine which was 16 years old - p/n 90982-05037

Last edited by LScowboyLS; Feb 10, 2013 at 07:54 PM.