Battery Problems
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 389
From: PA
could it be the other way around....that the fob is left in the car....
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classi...13-column.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/classi...13-column.html
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 389
From: PA
That's poor design....maybe this is 2000 technology....shouldn't be called SmartKey, maybe DumbKey......maybe an analogy in networking terms, is a broadcast message--in order to reach something, you tell 7,000 devices on a network about it, instead of only the 1 device you want...
edit: So if you plan on not driving until Sunday 4/16/17, you should disable the system, and use the fob on Sunday, because the smartkey is disabled, or face a dead battery lol And then, insert they key as well--that's what the manual says
edit: So if you plan on not driving until Sunday 4/16/17, you should disable the system, and use the fob on Sunday, because the smartkey is disabled, or face a dead battery lol And then, insert they key as well--that's what the manual says
Last edited by Johnhav430; Apr 13, 2017 at 11:04 AM.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 14
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From: Colorado
Here is what I found in the 05 owners manual.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
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From: PA
It definitely states to disable it as you mentioned. so that means OPs car cannot sit for 5 days, unless the smart key system is disabled, if this is the cause. So when he goes to drive the car on day 5 or 6, or what have you, he'll have to either use the key, or press the fob, as opposed to the door handles. Then, either put the key into the ignition, or, press the button again. That isn't good design imho. Not just because of the extra effort, but if you don't do all this, your car battery is dead? And I doubt this is necessary on a 2017 car. It's not on my 2007.
My car has been sitting since Tuesday, and it may not be driven until work on Monday AM. That would be 6 days--let's see if it will start. I've gone in and out of the car and removed CDs. stuff from the trunk, so this should make things even worse for the battery. I expect it to start, but we'll see....
My car has been sitting since Tuesday, and it may not be driven until work on Monday AM. That would be 6 days--let's see if it will start. I've gone in and out of the car and removed CDs. stuff from the trunk, so this should make things even worse for the battery. I expect it to start, but we'll see....
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,498
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From: Milwaukee, Wi
My 2005 sometimes sits in the garage for a week without being touched and I've had no problems. Interesting discussion, but I don't agree with John where he states that the design is flawed. I equate that with saying that a vinyl LP is flawed in that you have to flip it over to hear the rest of the songs....
That was the technology available at the time, and the same goes for the Smartkey system in the LS. However, I do feel the button placement could have been thought out a little more.. It's not the easiest thing to reach if one needs to turn on/off the Smartkey system or reset the TPMS.
That was the technology available at the time, and the same goes for the Smartkey system in the LS. However, I do feel the button placement could have been thought out a little more.. It's not the easiest thing to reach if one needs to turn on/off the Smartkey system or reset the TPMS.
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
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From: PA
My 2005 sometimes sits in the garage for a week without being touched and I've had no problems. Interesting discussion, but I don't agree with John where he states that the design is flawed. I equate that with saying that a vinyl LP is flawed in that you have to flip it over to hear the rest of the songs....
That was the technology available at the time, and the same goes for the Smartkey system in the LS. However, I do feel the button placement could have been thought out a little more.. It's not the easiest thing to reach if one needs to turn on/off the Smartkey system or reset the TPMS.
That was the technology available at the time, and the same goes for the Smartkey system in the LS. However, I do feel the button placement could have been thought out a little more.. It's not the easiest thing to reach if one needs to turn on/off the Smartkey system or reset the TPMS.
I don't get what vinyl records has to do with anything. They're very imperfect, and some folks prefer the sound and feel to them, it's subjective. It's like saying I'd rather play my iPad, why bother to pick up a guitar, it hurts my fingers whereas the iPad does not.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Milwaukee, Wi
The LP as a design is what I was referring to, John. Comparing available technology in a given time to what someone may perceive as being flawed, but I'm getting too far off topic here.
Last edited by 2KHarrier; Apr 14, 2017 at 06:26 AM.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
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From: PA
John, when this system was designed it was as technologically advanced as it could be. No flaws, just designing a system within the confines of the available technology.
The LP as a design is what I was referring to, John. Comparing available technology in a given time to what someone may perceive as being flawed.
The LP as a design is what I was referring to, John. Comparing available technology in a given time to what someone may perceive as being flawed.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,489
Likes: 107
From: AZ
I don't agree that there is a design flaw in the LS430 with smart key. The only start problem I've ever experienced is a dead battery. That happens suddenly and without any advance warning. In my opinion, this car is the most perfectly designed car ever at it's time. When Ford hired the Boeing CEO as their president he was quoted as saying the LS430 was the best car in the world.
There is no LS430 design problem that causes the problem in this thread. Look elsewhere, in my opinion.
There is no LS430 design problem that causes the problem in this thread. Look elsewhere, in my opinion.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
Likes: 389
From: PA
Car sat 6-8 hrs. short of 6 days, didn't have any problems starting this morning, did not disable the smart key, went in and out of the car and loaded cds etc. during the week. Why the manual states to disable the system would have to be explained by the persons who designed it. Likely something else causing a car to not start after a few days imho...I will say that back in Dec., I left the key in the ON position carelessly, and the car could not start half an hour later. Obviously because this is really a key based system where a physical switch is turned, it doesn't have anything that takes it out of ON after a timeout like modern cars today. So anything happening that would simulate that condition, could drain the battery, and it did not take long from my experience last Dec...
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 8,564
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From: PA
by the way, this is the device I am suggesting if you need to power your car safely, you need to get some sort of cables in addition, but this is so your car can draw 55 amps cleanly, never use a $80 job from Walmart, could damage it permanently with a voltage spike....
http://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-9855-55-amp/
Such a device is $120-$135 amazon, ebay, etc....if you have 20 amp receptacles in your house/garage, you can go up to a 70 amp device
http://wfcoelectronics.com/product/wf-9855-55-amp/
Such a device is $120-$135 amazon, ebay, etc....if you have 20 amp receptacles in your house/garage, you can go up to a 70 amp device
