BrandonLee

I am a new member here and couldn't find the exact issue on the forum.

I just bought a 2001 RX300 with 142,000 miles. All maintenance was completed at dealership regularly and a new battery was put in upon purchase. The car was running fine up until last night.

I go to start my car (after previously driving it for about 20 minutes) and all the electronic components started acting crazy. The lights on the inside and headlights were flickering, the Nav system was shutting off and coming back on, the car had a hard time shifting gears, and it was idling a little lower than usual.

I got home and turned the car off. The first thing I notice is that the headlights didn't stay on like normal (I keep them on automatic). I go to restart the car right back and it worked fine. I started it this morning and it worked fine.

Also some info to note: the battery, although the dealer said it was new and it had a 10/12 sticker (guessing manufactured October 2012), it didn't look all that new and it was a brand I never heard of. Faulty battery leading to wacky electrical? I haven't done a voltage check on the alternator but I have had a faulty alt. before and it doesn't seem like the culprit.

I know the RX is also notorious for tranny problems. Although my car was having trouble changing gears during this weird electrical failure, could the tranny lead to something like this? I also doubt the tranny could but I'm not too familiar with these RX's so I'm not sure.

Also--some things you should know. Two adults got in my back seat that night for the first time. Nobody has ever ridden back there and I have also never had any significant weight in the back or trunk. Just a weird coincidence? Maybe their fat-asses sat on a wire? Haha, jk. Lastly, I just installed LED lights to replace some small vanity bulbs in the car that day.

Thanks, any thoughts appreciated.

thomas1

Hey I would start with removing the battery cables and making sure the terminals are clean....Then check alternator output while car is running. Should be 13.5 to 14.5 volts. Its possible the battery has debris floating around that shorted two cells together. Has the clock been maintaining correct time? THat is a tell tell sign on the RX for battery going bad. Dont ask why, it just is and well documented on this site.

salimshah

Welcome!

Strange electrical problem in RX is not a common problem, and I would bring it up with the selling dealership. Please discuss voiding the sale if needed.

Salim

carguy07

My dealer forgot to tighten the cables on mine once. It was not happy about it and was doing weird things (and having trouble starting of course). Assume nothing is done correctly even when done at a Lexus dealer. They are still human and sometimes lazy/stupid/careless.

BrandonLee

Thanks for all the responses guys.

I checked the battery and notice 2 things: some dirty/corroded terminals and a somewhat loose negative terminal.

I cleaned up the terminals and posts, used some battery grease, and tightened up the ground. It has been almost a week and I haven't had an electrical issue. So I am hoping that was the problem. I haven't checked the alternator output but if it happens again, I will.

NOW, I have way more severe problems. Here is my new thread if you guys care to help. Thanks again!

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post7597743