Buzzing noise and dead battery
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Driver School Candidate
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Buzzing noise and dead battery
I have owned my 2011 RX350 since 2014 (a little over 3 years). It has made this humming sound off/on but has broken down on me 3 times in 3 years. The first time they said both the electrical system and battery were fine and sent me home. The second time they said it was the battery and replaced it, last year. Now, the 3rd time, it's sitting dead in my driveway...any suggestions?
Lexus Champion
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From: AB
I have owned my 2011 RX350 since 2014 (a little over 3 years). It has made this humming sound off/on but has broken down on me 3 times in 3 years. The first time they said both the electrical system and battery were fine and sent me home. The second time they said it was the battery and replaced it, last year. Now, the 3rd time, it's sitting dead in my driveway...any suggestions?
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Driver School Candidate
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From: California
Electrical problem
yes, the entire electrical system has been checked several times, with the same conclusion that “everything checks out.” It keeps having the same problem...I’m no mechanic, but it doesn’t seem like everything’s fine to me? I do not enjoy breaking down.
Lexus Champion
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From: AB
Is the battery dead then? Does it even click when trying to crank? Radio works? Sounds buzzy or normal? If you have intermittent problem it is shard to catch it. Touble shooting is logical process of elimination And do you use multi meter?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
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From: California
Battery is only 2 years old, lights work but dim, I don’t know what “Multi meter” is?
CL Community Team
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Any battery can fail at any time, although you may have a small parasitic electrical drain, but they are hard to find. How often do you drive it? My father has this issue with his 2010 ES350, mostly because he is retired and does not drive often. He now uses a battery tender.
I think you should put in a new battery and move on with enjoying your vehicle.
I think you should put in a new battery and move on with enjoying your vehicle.
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Driver School Candidate
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From: California
I drive it every day on the freeway.
[QUOTE=Clutchless;10070402]Any battery can fail at any time, although you may have a small parasitic electrical drain, but they are hard to find. How often do you drive it? My father has this issue with his 2010 ES350, mostly because he is retired and does not drive often. He now uses a battery tender.Trending Topics
CL Community Team
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From: VA
How far do you drive and are you at a speed over 25 mph or are you mostly crawling on the 405? It may just be bad luck with batteries. Have you already replaced it? Has any further testing been done on this incident?
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I drive the speed limit (65 mph) and go about 8 miles. Yes, they are replacing the battery. Service writer is baffled and feels bad because it’s an intermittent draw on the battery that’s hard to diagnose. Battery is 2 years old so they are prorating it.
CL Community Team
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From: VA
I think the distance 8 miles may not be long enough to maintain the system. A battery tender hooked up overnight (easier if you have a garage) may help prolong your next battery life. Here is a link and they have a dozen more models
Does it have Navigation? There is a TSB for the computer gateway module to replace it for that parasitic loss. Although true daily drivers may not get stung by this but it does cut the battery life in half. i.e. good new batteries live about two years vs 4 to 5 in modern machine.
Where it does show up is sitting a week and the battery is dead but others talk of dim lights, slow cranky, multiple battery and alternator replacements.
I suggest you take it to a shop where they;
Fully charge your battery and load test it.
Test your alternator.
Test current drain when everything is OFF! Insert a current meter between the battery and the +12v lead AND MEASURE THE STEADY STATE CURRENT DRAIN (load drawn from the battery).
If current draw from the battery is excessive, you have a problem that needs addressed.
Often times one can remove a fuse from the suspect circuit thought to be drain on the battery. If the current goes to near zero you have found the problem.
The issue is there is no obvious published specification.
Where it does show up is sitting a week and the battery is dead but others talk of dim lights, slow cranky, multiple battery and alternator replacements.
I suggest you take it to a shop where they;
Fully charge your battery and load test it.
Test your alternator.
Test current drain when everything is OFF! Insert a current meter between the battery and the +12v lead AND MEASURE THE STEADY STATE CURRENT DRAIN (load drawn from the battery).
If current draw from the battery is excessive, you have a problem that needs addressed.
Often times one can remove a fuse from the suspect circuit thought to be drain on the battery. If the current goes to near zero you have found the problem.
The issue is there is no obvious published specification.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Dec 2017
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From: California
Thank you. I will send this to our service writer to help guide him. Good info, thanks.
QUOTE=2013FSport;10074494]Does it have Navigation? There is a TSB for the computer gateway module to replace it for that parasitic loss. Although true daily drivers may not get stung by this but it does cut the battery life in half. i.e. good new batteries live about two years vs 4 to 5 in modern machine.
Where it does show up is sitting a week and the battery is dead but others talk of dim lights, slow cranky, multiple battery and alternator replacements.
I suggest you take it to a shop where they;
Fully charge your battery and load test it.
Test your alternator.
Test current drain when everything is OFF! Insert a current meter between the battery and the +12v lead AND MEASURE THE STEADY STATE CURRENT DRAIN (load drawn from the battery).
If current draw from the battery is excessive, you have a problem that needs addressed.
Often times one can remove a fuse from the suspect circuit thought to be drain on the battery. If the current goes to near zero you have found the problem.
The issue is there is no obvious published specification.[/QUOTE]
Where it does show up is sitting a week and the battery is dead but others talk of dim lights, slow cranky, multiple battery and alternator replacements.
I suggest you take it to a shop where they;
Fully charge your battery and load test it.
Test your alternator.
Test current drain when everything is OFF! Insert a current meter between the battery and the +12v lead AND MEASURE THE STEADY STATE CURRENT DRAIN (load drawn from the battery).
If current draw from the battery is excessive, you have a problem that needs addressed.
Often times one can remove a fuse from the suspect circuit thought to be drain on the battery. If the current goes to near zero you have found the problem.
The issue is there is no obvious published specification.[/QUOTE]
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