Dear Fellow LS Drivers

First things first... CHEERS to you all this Memorial Day Weekend!
I am new to this forum and was having trouble searching previous threads for my issue. I apologize, I am sure this topic has been covered in length somewhere.
My 2003 LS430 would not start this morning, making machine gun clacking noises.
The steering column did not scope and the side mirrors did not swing into position.
Any advice or knowledge would be greatly appreciated.
Meanwhile, I with try searching past threads again.
Thank you.

03Lexzues

 

Maybe your battery died?

 

Yup, sounds like a classic case of Battery Drainage. Perhaps a light was left on in the interior and ran the battery down? I've done that myself. Looking at something with the map light on, get out and leave the light on.

Another real possibility;

Check the battery connections. Make sure they're tight AND clean. No corrosion built up around the posts.

This is about as bad as I've ever seen... (From the Interwebs)



Yours shouldn't look that bad, but it may have a little bit of corrosion in the connector.


If there is corrosion on the posts, it will inhibit the current from flowing to/from the battery.

10mm nut on the battery terminal will loosen the terminal end and allow you to remove it to facilitate cleaning.

 

All batteries die. It's just a matter of time.

 

Thank you all VERY much! I will keep you updated when fixed. Drive safely and have a great weekend.

 

Yep, twas the ol ticker... Thanks again ClubLexus!

 

Good deal, seems like our cars never really have anything major go wrong....battery is so simple in our cars (no fancy vent tubes, brackets, sensors attached, etc.)...

 

Thank you Johnhav430. I did A LOT of reading/research before buying her. Fortunately, the batt was bought through AAA and still had 8 months of warranty. On an awesome note: the AAA mechanic's birthday was yesterday, my birthday is tomorrow, and I got a fresh batt at no cost... Have a Great weekend sir!

 

When I put my 430 in ACC mode (engine off, listening to the radio) for more than 7-10 minutes, the engine will not turn over. I have to get a jump start. After a jump the engine starts with no problem, as long as I don't pause in ACC. I've taken the vehicle to the Lexus dealer; the battery and starter checks out fine. I was told this "just happens" and that I should not use the ACC to listen to the radio (just keep the engine running). This makes no sense to me. I should be able to use my ACC, that's what it is for. Has anyone else experienced this?

 

Battery is weak. Go to Costco or Walmart and get a new battery. Both sell reasonable price battery with 36-42 month full replacement warranty.

Look at date code sticker on the battery when purchasing, and be sure to get the latest date code possible so you get a fresh battery and not a battery that has been sitting for 6 or more months.

 

 

I love Costco. Got one for my wife's SUV, and wouldn't you know it, the position for the vent tube is in the correct place, and the factory vent tube connects easily? The Bosch that the three stooges put it, they left it disconnected and told me we don't have any way of connecting it and you don't need it (I had to get my own fish tank tubing and adapters to extend).

Also when I tested the Costco is was like 965CCA, rated for 730 at 0F. Lexus has one too and yes it has diminished in 2 yrs, was like 660CCA but temp was 60F. It should be higher than that at 0F. Price is way fair, my wife's was $115 when the three stooges is like $170. (Getting the three stooges to replace under free warranty was a joke, truly. Couldn't find it in the computer yet I held the original invoice in my hand and lucky I photocopied it since they conveniently couldn't find it when we went to pick up the car and wanted $220 hahahahahahahaha) Not sure about Costco warranty but I would expect no issues.

As far as the shelf at Costco, when I bought the battery in Oct, all of them had 8/18 stickers. So they are potentially 2 mos. old. Not sure by what means they keep them charged, maybe at night they are put on a large tender. Since they never seem to punch out the dots anymore, I wonder if anyone has cheated and changed the sticker? On the Bosch it had a "package" stuck to the side with date code info, I suppose the store could say that was removed or tampered with, no warranty. But like I said even with legit warranty they couldn't even process...(three stooges)

 

Costco keeps all your transactions (purchases and returns) on their computer. Consequently, you don't have to have a receipt. They can retrieve it on their computer. They don't even bother to look at the battery, they just look it up on their computer. I don't think you can cheat Costco. I know they certainly won't try to cheat their customers.

 

Some days I am a genius. I was thinking, how do they know when you bought it, without a receipt....by membership number of course! doh!

 

Costco has a 42 month full refund warranty on car batteries. It does not get better than that especially for the price and quality of the batteries they stock and sell.