Help! Could it be a weak battery
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
From: Tn
Help! Could it be a weak battery
Hey guys. Past couple days my car has acted strange.
Driving last night the check engine starts to flash. Car running smooth. I pull over and restart the car and all is fine.
This morning while driving on expressway the slip light flashed 3-4 times and quit. This was on dry surface they car was definitely not losing traction.
Also it'll randomly flash message low key fob which it may be low but it only says it randomly like maybe 1X a month.
I know this car is an electronic beast. Do you think my car battery is not supplying enough volts and causing these weird issues?
Driving last night the check engine starts to flash. Car running smooth. I pull over and restart the car and all is fine.
This morning while driving on expressway the slip light flashed 3-4 times and quit. This was on dry surface they car was definitely not losing traction.
Also it'll randomly flash message low key fob which it may be low but it only says it randomly like maybe 1X a month.
I know this car is an electronic beast. Do you think my car battery is not supplying enough volts and causing these weird issues?
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 254
Likes: 14
From: Louisiana
I just had to replace my starter. Car wouldn't start one day, it would just click but i would get power to everything else. Then my vsc, pcs, and check engine light came on. The lights went away but it became hard to start the car maybe 4-5 tries. Replaced starter and haven't had a problem since but its only been a day or two since i got the car back. I did notice when i went through the service records that the former owner of the vehicle brought it into the dealership multiple times for not starting and their solution was to replace the battery.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
In this case both the battery and the alternator needs to be load tested before all other possibilities can be entertained.
Last edited by Devh; Aug 18, 2015 at 01:45 PM.
Agree with Devh. Also clean and tighten the battery post connections. From reading on the CL forum, there may be a problem with Lexus batteries. So, it could be the battery. If so, get a different brand than Lexus.
Alternators can go bad, if yours is bad, many recommend a Denso (Lexus) brand rebuilt or new rather than other brands due to quality of construction.
Good luck and let us know what the outcome is.
Alternators can go bad, if yours is bad, many recommend a Denso (Lexus) brand rebuilt or new rather than other brands due to quality of construction.
Good luck and let us know what the outcome is.
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Ontario
That's not entirely correct with modern cars. Although the alternator does take most of the load the car also needs the reserve power of the battery in the circuit to stiffen the voltage quickly when demands exceed alternator supply. If you have a failing battery it can manifest it's self into electrical issues like this especially with Toyotas.
In this case both the battery and the alternator needs to be load tested before all other possibilities can be entertained.
In this case both the battery and the alternator needs to be load tested before all other possibilities can be entertained.
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Pole Position
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 377
Likes: 18
From: MN
Check for any stored codes.
A flashing engine light typically means your engine is misfiring, so I'd check for any pending codes to see if the misfire code is in there.
Do change your keyfob battery too just to be on the safe side. Mine would sporadically warn me about it and then one day my key didn't work. Then it would start sporadically working and then stop. Replaced the keyfob battery and that problem stopped.
For the other symptoms you're having, have a battery place (like batteries plus if you live by one) check your battery for you. It's free too, so nothing to lose.
A flashing engine light typically means your engine is misfiring, so I'd check for any pending codes to see if the misfire code is in there.
Do change your keyfob battery too just to be on the safe side. Mine would sporadically warn me about it and then one day my key didn't work. Then it would start sporadically working and then stop. Replaced the keyfob battery and that problem stopped.
For the other symptoms you're having, have a battery place (like batteries plus if you live by one) check your battery for you. It's free too, so nothing to lose.
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Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
In the past you could get away with running a car without a battery but once they introduced the complexity of electronics it requires a battery at all times.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 1,657
Likes: 45
From: Maryland
I guess you could say it is a parallel circuit however the battery behaves like a big inline capacitor and without it or if it's malfunctioning it will cause voltage fluctuations and spikes.
Pole Position
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 348
From: Tennessee
Take the car to an AutoZone. They can test your battery and see if there's an issue. Should the battery test out ok, they also may be able to help you check the alternator as well. If you're in Memphis and need a good Lexus shop let me know.
Thread Starter
Driver
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 117
Likes: 2
From: Tn
Pole Position
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 2,210
Likes: 348
From: Tennessee
I've yet to need one, but a good friend recommended Harris Quon Auto Service on Elmore Rd.
https://encrypted.google.com/search?...64bb4a4568b2,1
My son has a 99 ES and Lexus wanted to charge him a boatload of cash for a strut. Turns out Harris diagnosed the problem different, fixed it for about a third and the car runs great. I don't recall the exact diagnosis.
In any event, Harris was a Toyota master mechanic. His number is 901.385.7866. Address is 5290 Elmore Rd. I'd still head to AutoZone first.
https://encrypted.google.com/search?...64bb4a4568b2,1
My son has a 99 ES and Lexus wanted to charge him a boatload of cash for a strut. Turns out Harris diagnosed the problem different, fixed it for about a third and the car runs great. I don't recall the exact diagnosis.
In any event, Harris was a Toyota master mechanic. His number is 901.385.7866. Address is 5290 Elmore Rd. I'd still head to AutoZone first.
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