Electrical / Start problem
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2
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From: RI
Electrical / Start problem
Hello,
I have a 2007 LS460L that sometimes won't start. It first started a couple weeks ago. After stopping at a gas station the car wouldn't start and nothing happened when I pressed the button. Then after doing nothing it started after a few minutes. Then during the last week the radio would interrupt intermittently and one evening the power steering light flickered a couple times and a momentary electrical system warning light came on. Then two days ago it would start again. I tried to jump it but was unsuccessful. Yesterday, I replace the battery and got it started but then when I got it home it wouldn't start again nor was there any electrical power to the car. I disconnected and reconnected the battery and I could hear something maybe resetting. Power came back to the car with many of the caution lights on. The car then started. This morning same thing, no power to the car again. I disconnected and reconnected the battery and it started again. I just started it several times and it's seems ok now, but obviously somethings going on. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
Bryan
I have a 2007 LS460L that sometimes won't start. It first started a couple weeks ago. After stopping at a gas station the car wouldn't start and nothing happened when I pressed the button. Then after doing nothing it started after a few minutes. Then during the last week the radio would interrupt intermittently and one evening the power steering light flickered a couple times and a momentary electrical system warning light came on. Then two days ago it would start again. I tried to jump it but was unsuccessful. Yesterday, I replace the battery and got it started but then when I got it home it wouldn't start again nor was there any electrical power to the car. I disconnected and reconnected the battery and I could hear something maybe resetting. Power came back to the car with many of the caution lights on. The car then started. This morning same thing, no power to the car again. I disconnected and reconnected the battery and it started again. I just started it several times and it's seems ok now, but obviously somethings going on. Any ideas? Thanks for your help.
Bryan
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Joined: Apr 2008
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From: TX
Hello Bryan,
We're glad to have you as a new member.
I think replacing the battery was a good move.
Sounds like you may have a poor connection. Poor connections are very common where the car's battery cables attach to the battery because of corrosion and improper clamping. You can clean off the corrosion by applying baking soda dissolved in water with an old tooth brush. You can use fine sand paper to wipe the battery terminals and cable clamps. But the most important thing is getting the terminal clamps on properly. You need to loosen the bolt that goes through the clamps and you may need to spread the clamps to allow them to go over the battery terminals properly before tightening the clamp bolt. Be sure that the battery post extend through the clamps before you tighten the bolt. It might take some effort to get the clamp down on the post. The posts are tapered. The key is to spread the clamp a little. Do not hammer the clamps onto the battery post as you may damage the battery. Sometimes the clamps have to be replaced because they have been damaged by over tightening or corrision.
We're glad to have you as a new member.
I think replacing the battery was a good move.
Sounds like you may have a poor connection. Poor connections are very common where the car's battery cables attach to the battery because of corrosion and improper clamping. You can clean off the corrosion by applying baking soda dissolved in water with an old tooth brush. You can use fine sand paper to wipe the battery terminals and cable clamps. But the most important thing is getting the terminal clamps on properly. You need to loosen the bolt that goes through the clamps and you may need to spread the clamps to allow them to go over the battery terminals properly before tightening the clamp bolt. Be sure that the battery post extend through the clamps before you tighten the bolt. It might take some effort to get the clamp down on the post. The posts are tapered. The key is to spread the clamp a little. Do not hammer the clamps onto the battery post as you may damage the battery. Sometimes the clamps have to be replaced because they have been damaged by over tightening or corrision.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: RI
Thanks for the suggestions, I tried improving the connections but still had the problem. I brought the car to the dealer and it was a loose / corroded ground connection. The fixed it for free along with a regular service. So nice to have a car that consistently starts!
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