BC8

Hey All. I was installing my battery for my 2004 LS 430 without much lighting and accidently put the negative to positive.

The car starts but I CANNOT put the car into the drive...it's stuck on park. Also, the dash lights don't work along with wheel tilt, brake lights, navi...basically all off the dash doesn't light up.

Car DOES start but cannot shift out of park. The dome lights up front DO work though...

If you can provide some suggestions that would be great. I'm going to check all the fuses - so far I've checked the panel fuse which is ok and some some other fuses which were fine but since I can't move the car into my garage I can't see well to check the rest.

Thanks in advance for your input.

Jabberwock

Here are a few things to try -

1. First step is to disconnect the neg terminal on battery for 30 minutes. That will reset the ECU in case it is in a non functional state. Be aware you will lose radio station memory and some presets.

2. Then check every fuse you can find - check owners manual for multiple fuse box locations interior and in the engine bay. Battery short circuit often results in multiple blown fuses that causes the problem.

3. If that does not correct the problem you likely need to take it in and have a Lexus tech check the electrical system. Sometimes reversing battery polarity damages one or more relays in addition to fuses. The relays need to be checked and replaced if damaged.

4. The LS is pretty good at protecting its major components (like alternator, ECU, etc) from damage so hopefully it will be just fuses or relays that need replacement.

BC8

Thanks Jabberwock. I unpluged the battery for 30mins and it's still the same.

I will check fuses in the morning and hope that fixes it. Just hope that I didn't do some serious damage! I read that it can be a blown ECU - but as you mentioned that should be protected.

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

There is a fuse for this specific issue that RKW has mentioned. Can't remember what it's called. Should be a fuse issue. I think it is in the drivers side kick panel.

bmore430

Would say this is definitely a fuse issue. We have boxes in the trunk and cabin. Check each one. If nothing in there check for any relays or large amp fuses under hood.

Bob04

This happened to me when I replacement by battery in my old LS430. From my understanding, in most cars, the cables won't reach if you put the battery in backwards. The LS430 is one of the exceptions. The tech replacing it put it in backwards a blew a bunch of fuses in the passender's side kick panel, and I think there was one big fuse or relay under the hood that needed to be replaced. It think that big fuse/relay was also pretty expensive, like $150 or something, but I may be wrong on that.

BC8

So I found the blown fuse which is the big 50A fuse next to battery. I just connected the prongs back together and car is able to shift to drive and only my dash light works....BUT when I drive it does not want to move! I cannot accelerate it just rolls pretty much. Check engine light is on along with VSC light.

Do you guys think there are other blown fuses causing this issue or am I looking at a bigger issue?

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Did you check passenger and drivers side kick panels? There are some in the trunk too.

BradTank

I had a friend make this mistake (supposedly the battery company flipped the terminals on the same battery model he had previously) and it ended up blowing the relay to his fuel pump so the car wouldn't start.

I would go through EVERY fuse and relay.

rkw77080

You cannot shift out of "P" if your brake pedal is not engaged. If you are pressing down on the brake pedal and still cannot shift out of "P", then one of the 2 related fuses is blown. Refer to the posting below for details...
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-...t-of-park.html

BC8

Thanks everyone for your responses. Problem has been FIXED!

A few fuses were blown along with the main 140A relay fuse was replaced (which was a ***** to take out.) Car did not want to move because the fuel injector fuse was blown. My friend reset the check engine light due to this mistake and I'm glad I was able to avoid a costly mistake.

Thanks again everyone!

Lavrishevo

iTrader: (1)

Another reason why these cars are fantastic. Think about how many other cars would have lost the ECU instead of some fuses and relays.