Lexus RX Alternator or Battery
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, Texas
Isn't checking the charging system pretty much standard when you buy a new battery these days? Unless it's a parking lot adventure or side of the road type thing I think most places know to do that.
If I had just purchased a 4 year old car and had a dead battery experience I would not hesitate to replace the battery regardless of the health of the charging system. It may need a new alternator, it may not but I wouldn't ever try to get more use out of a battery in that situation. Why on earth would anyone put their family at risk over a 100 dollar part?
If I had just purchased a 4 year old car and had a dead battery experience I would not hesitate to replace the battery regardless of the health of the charging system. It may need a new alternator, it may not but I wouldn't ever try to get more use out of a battery in that situation. Why on earth would anyone put their family at risk over a 100 dollar part?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: AR
So i went to advanced auto parts to get battery looked at. They told me that the battery was fine. And they couldnt get a read on the alternator. I went to a local shop today and they told me the rx has two alternators. Which would be either 550 or 600 bucks to replace. That seemed a little high for just an alternator.
Lead Lap
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,999
Likes: 37
From: FL
So i went to advanced auto parts to get battery looked at. They told me that the battery was fine. And they couldnt get a read on the alternator. I went to a local shop today and they told me the rx has two alternators. Which would be either 550 or 600 bucks to replace. That seemed a little high for just an alternator.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 14
From: California
You have had this vehicle only 6 days. It seems to me that the eBay Motors seller (Texas-Direct) knowingly sold you a vehicle with a defective alternator. He also listed this vehicle as a CPO, which is deceptive. Only a Lexus dealer can provide a CPO warranty. Also, CPO warranties are not transferable. Did you receive or buy any other warranty on this vehicle?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 2
From: AR
You have had this vehicle only 6 days. It seems to me that the eBay Motors seller (Texas-Direct) knowingly sold you a vehicle with a defective alternator. He also listed this vehicle as a CPO, which is deceptive. Only a Lexus dealer can provide a CPO warranty. Also, CPO warranties are not transferable. Did you receive or buy any other warranty on this vehicle?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Crete
2010 rx 350
Hey guys,
So i have an issue and need help.
I started my car this morning, I have the 2010 RX 350, and it didn't start. I thought it was the battery.
A co-worker came over to help me out, and jumped started it. Well It ddin't work.
The lights are on, even music plays.
On the dashboard, the lights for Check engine light , and battery came out. No warning at all.
You guys think it's the alternator?
The battery just got chaged, 5 months ago, and the power works.
Oh yeah, i forgot to mention. I'm stationed in Greece, the island of Crete.
Any ideas, or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
So i have an issue and need help.
I started my car this morning, I have the 2010 RX 350, and it didn't start. I thought it was the battery.
A co-worker came over to help me out, and jumped started it. Well It ddin't work.
The lights are on, even music plays.
On the dashboard, the lights for Check engine light , and battery came out. No warning at all.
You guys think it's the alternator?
The battery just got chaged, 5 months ago, and the power works.
Oh yeah, i forgot to mention. I'm stationed in Greece, the island of Crete.
Any ideas, or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Pit Crew
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 249
Likes: 9
From: CA
Hey guys,
So i have an issue and need help.
I started my car this morning, I have the 2010 RX 350, and it didn't start. I thought it was the battery.
A co-worker came over to help me out, and jumped started it. Well It ddin't work.
The lights are on, even music plays.
On the dashboard, the lights for Check engine light , and battery came out. No warning at all.
You guys think it's the alternator?
The battery just got chaged, 5 months ago, and the power works.
Oh yeah, i forgot to mention. I'm stationed in Greece, the island of Crete.
Any ideas, or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
So i have an issue and need help.
I started my car this morning, I have the 2010 RX 350, and it didn't start. I thought it was the battery.
A co-worker came over to help me out, and jumped started it. Well It ddin't work.
The lights are on, even music plays.
On the dashboard, the lights for Check engine light , and battery came out. No warning at all.
You guys think it's the alternator?
The battery just got chaged, 5 months ago, and the power works.
Oh yeah, i forgot to mention. I'm stationed in Greece, the island of Crete.
Any ideas, or assistance would be greatly appreciated.
If the engine didn't rotate when you tried to start it then sounds like the starter.
If the engine rotated but didn't start could be a lot of things, the most common one is the fuel pump.
Moderator
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 3,283
Likes: 63
From: FL
Our vehicles use the battery quite a bit and the average life of a battery seems to be about 6 years. So as a first step, replacing the battery is not a bad move. A good preventative investment, IMHO.
As mentioned, after replacement, I'd get the charging system tested. The alternator should be pushing out 13.8 volts and the battery around 12 volts.
Once you replace the battery you will need to reinitialize a few settings. The moon-roof, the windows, the rear hatch to name a few. The tech at the Lexus dealer hooked up a small 12 volt battery to the car prior to removing my car battery and replacing it so as not to lose these settings. The folks at Walmart or an auto parts store likely will not do this.
If you need to find the instructions for re-initializing these items, search our forum or ask here after the replacement if you find something is not working as it should.
PS: Welcome to the forum guys.
As mentioned, after replacement, I'd get the charging system tested. The alternator should be pushing out 13.8 volts and the battery around 12 volts.
Once you replace the battery you will need to reinitialize a few settings. The moon-roof, the windows, the rear hatch to name a few. The tech at the Lexus dealer hooked up a small 12 volt battery to the car prior to removing my car battery and replacing it so as not to lose these settings. The folks at Walmart or an auto parts store likely will not do this.
If you need to find the instructions for re-initializing these items, search our forum or ask here after the replacement if you find something is not working as it should.
PS: Welcome to the forum guys.
Last edited by jfelbab; Jan 9, 2015 at 06:20 AM.
2nd gear
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: KY
I recently purchased a Lexus RX have owned it for 6 days. The lexus has 69xxx miles on it currently. I know on my old vehicle it would notify me before the alternator started to go out. This morning on my way to church my rx wouldnt start so i jumped it figuring i left something on the vehicle on. When i got outta church the vehicle was dead again. I ran it down to O'reilys and had a teenager hook up a machine to the vehicle he told me that it was probably the alternator because it was pushing out 11amps and the typical vehicle pushes out 14 amps. I asked him if my battery was bad and he said that I should start with the alternator. Should i go get a second opinion? Secondly is there any thing i should look for on the dash that lets me know if the alternator is going out like my previous vehicle did.
How are yall doing and sorry for the rant
How are yall doing and sorry for the rant
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