Dan0327

I've been away for 2 weeks and when I tried to start the car, it won't start. I had the same problem last december when I went away for a week. The sound it makes when I try starting the car is "tick a tick a tick"...sort of ;-). The message I get is: Check the AWD system. Somebody had this problem? Is it a battery problem or something else? In december, I plug my car for the night and the next day, the car started.
Thnaks for your help!

Marqevans

It's the battery.

salimshah

Hybrid or 350?

Salim

Dan0327

RX350.
If it's the battery, is it better to change it?
Thanks!

mandyfig

Battery evaluation is not hard, but will require confirmation of the voltage and the age of the battery.

Batteries should last 5 years easy as long as the alternator is pumping out the right voltage and current.

You will need a multi-meter.

vlad_a

Battery...

mandyfig

Your car is 5 years old and the battery likewise. If this car is not a daily driver, it will not last more than 5 years, which is probably the case in yours.

Replace the battery.

Clutchless

I am car sitting a 2003 Accord for the second winter while my wife's friend volunteers in South Africa (I think as a way to get away from her husband). Last year I had to replace the battery as I was only driving it once every week or 2, but it was a 3 or 4 year old battery. This year, I became more diligent about driving and charging the battery. I noted that after sitting for only 12 days it took 3 hours to recharge the battery and this was a week ago. During the winter it sat for over 2 weeks in cold weather and it took almost 5 hours to recharge it. Thus I feel that all the electronics really drain down a battery more quickly than you expect and that a battery maintainer, or regular charging is needed for stored vehicles or during a long absence to prolong battery life.

eautis

I have had the same problem. BUT, car was working and starting fine. Turned it off. Went to turn it on again different driver/different fob, and I got the same symptoms. Happened before so I did a battery load text , no problem. It is a Lexus 84-month battery and we are only 3 years into its 7-year warranty life. That was May of this year (2017). Now it's happened again. The car does mostly short trips around town (!). Last time it happened, I ran it for a while on the highway and it's been great until today. Have not yet tried boosting it. See actions below.

If it is NOT the battery, what else could it be???

I've disconnected the battery for now and cleaned all the terminals and cables. Ignoring it for a while and hoping it resets itself.

thanks for any ideas on alternative problems to explore other than 'change battery'.

Cocal

To all those that have battery problems, what I have done is move to an AGM one when it was due for replacement. This type of battery handles all the electronic load much better.
Also I bought a charger suitable for these batteries (CTEK 3300) as it does a much much better job than the old type when charging is due.