Hello All,

My 2004 RX 330 with 48,225 miles feels slugglish all of the sudden this week, it has no power and feels like it’s about to die. Foot to the floor on the gas gives poor results.

I’ve never changed the battery. 3 weeks ago I drained the battery by accident by keeping the cell phone charger on with key turned.
AAA came out and told me I needed a new battery. I told him to jump the car and it seemed to be fine so I saved $119.00 on The battery he was trying to sell me.

Now 3 weeks later, car putts up hills and feels like it’s about to die.

Called Lexus , but afraid to drive on the freeway 16 miles to get there and don’t want the towing expense. Said needs to look at car but could be a $1000.00 Throttle Body! (or not).

Called Midas and Precision Tune and both want about $120.00 to do a diagnostic test, they will give you the money back if you do the work with them, BUT, if it’s WARRANTY WORK, you lose the $120.00 and then have to take it to Lexus anyway. What shall I do? In this economy, I need an economical fix.

Taking it to Lexus is always a fortune. What can it be? Fuel Injection? Throttle Body? Oil Crude Build-up? Everyone is telling me if the car starts it’s NOT the Battery, but they suggest I get a new battery anyway given the age of the original battery.

Can a PEA fuel system cleaner fix the problem? I'm afraid to drive the car and have a client meeting int he morning.

HELP!

Thank you!

 

I would do a TB cleaning and MAF sensor cleaning first. With almost 50k there is probably a ton of buildup and your idle and acceleration will greatly improve. I just did this on my GS and a night and day difference. Also try some Cheveron fuel cleaner.. that stuff is great.



If that doesn't work than it maybe a whole new issue, bad gas, spark plugs,

 

Your vehicle is still covered under the powertrain 6yr/70k mile warranty... why wouldnt you take it directly to Lexus? If it needed the throttle body they are suggesting, it would be covered under warranty.

 

I hate to say it, but something is either broken, disconnected or out of range...

As others have mentioned, probably not the battery, but also probably not a bad idea either... Won't cause your problem...

As just mentioned, warranty, dealer, see where I'm going with this??? I do all my own work, but give me something someone else has to fix free and thats where it is going...

 

You would need to fix the battery issue first because the charging system affects everything. The battery must be fully charged and be able to handle any loads that the car gives. So have the battery tested. After that if it still does the same thing, try cleaning the MAF sensor with a cleaner that is safe for sensors. You can get that at your local auto stores. And I think the year 2004 Lexus, they use electronic controlled throttle. So I would advise you should not clean your throttle bottle with any cleaner but just using a clean rag by cleaning the outside edges only. If after all of those hard work didn't come out right. You would need to take it to a mechanic to check out why. Could be simple maintenance problem like plugs or plugged cats which I doubt it. But do the simple things first before jumping into conclusion. GL.

 

Thanks for the all replies. Lexus told me my warranty was 5 yrs. or 50K whichever comes first. I just paid off the car in March so that was my 5 year anniversary.

THE GOOD NEWS: Took it to Lexus. It was something with the computer not remembering a setting. However, I will take all the advice about battery and cleaning. When you don't have a husband or brother, it's good to put it out to an informed group for comment. Thanks again.

 

Having a husband, brother, or boyfriend might not help. Most guys like to think they know about cars but they really don't.

 

+1 BDSL, with today's technology 90% of all guys should never attempt to go under the hood of a car.