this is about my parents' 2004 RX330...

a while back the side mirror had a slight problem and wouldn't adjust, so they took it to the dealership to get it looked at. it came back and was fine, and they've left it in the garage for about two weeks before driving it again. (its a weekend car, they drive a truck to work)

however we noticed today that every single time they wanted to start they car, they'd have to jump start. i do mean every - single - time. it goes off, it doesn't come back on.

and the windows are a bit funky as well. the driver controls don't respond when trying to roll down any window other than the driver window. also, the backseat window also rolls down but not up.

i went with my parents to the dealership to just ask if there was a simple solution to these problems, like the release for the back, but it seems like every time we go there they take a liking to ignoring us entirely. i don't know what that is, but whatever, i decided to come to you wise people!

so does anybody know what this problem might be?

 

First off, check the battery. Three years is good for a battery in cold-weather climates; CA is probably better than that, but it's still worth testing. Many strange electrical problems are fixed by putting in a new battery.

Second, know that there are many computers and things on the car that will drain power. The Owners Manual mentions a couple of "dont's" with respect to leaving the car sitting idle for a couple of weeks:
- Don't leave the key in the ignition, as the security system will keep checking the chip on the key. That will kill the battery.
- Don't leave the headlights set to "Auto", as that will also kill the battery within a couple of weeks, even with the key off. Turn the switch to "Off" instead.

The window problem could also be a result of the battery dying. The one-touch features of the windows and moonroof need to be re-initialized after the car loses power, as does the power back door. See this thread for instructions:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=112710

 

I'm not sure if the windows are a result from that, because the one touch works on and off for the driver window, which is usually the only one that has the one touch. the other windows aren't responding to the driver controls at all, and that one window I tried went down, just not up.

but thank you, I'll try replacing the battery

 

One touch is for all the windows. If the battery dies it needs to be reprogramed at each window. Once done the one touch feature will work at all positions as well as from the master drivers window switches. This all really does sound like a dead bad battery.

 

The battery may still be under free replacement warranty.

Give your local Lexus service a call and inquire.

Let them reprogram the windows and sunroof with the battery replacement.

 

Is this true? I've had my 04 RX330 for 26 months, and have always left the lights on Auto with no ill effects.

 

I think the difference is you may drive the car everyday, or more often than the OP's parents do who drives the car one weekends only or every couple of weeks. Driving the car more often gives the alternator a chance to charge the battery before its voltage drops too low.