Hello All,
So we purchased a pre-owned 2006 RX330 some time ago. Haven't driven it much at all other than the 400 miles from one city to another. So I've been away from home and my wife noticed noise coming from engine (underneath hood)... consistent thumping noise. She claims it was sitting parked without having been started in over 2 weeks. When she tried starting it up, it was dead. She ultimately used a jump cable to start the car and "recharge" the battery. Any one ever heard of engine thumping in a car that has been shut off? I'm worried something electrical is at fault which caused battery to drain while the car has sat idle for a couple weeks.
thanks for any input....

 

Could an animal have taken shelter under the hood? I have a hybrid and am used to an array of strange noises that occur after the car is off, but on a regular rx330 I'm not sure if anything should be making noise. Perhaps the low voltage was causing some weirdness with relays.

 

Was the engine hot when the video was taken? It's OK if you don't know, but it helps. The radiator fan could have been running and something is caught inside.

 

Thumping could be the engine backfiring.

 

 

 

 

Oops... missed the part about the engine being off. That supports other member suggestions about some sort of critter being under the hood.

 

BATTERY DIED FROM child leaving light on.... smh....
thanks everyone. some times the simplest of solutions is the right one.