SC430 Battery Drain
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 541
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
If you are having troubles with a car that sits, first thing is to have the battery load-tested. SC 430 is not very forgiving for a marginal battery. I suffered with a marginal batter for two years (couldn't sit for more than a week, didn't spin over all that fast). Finally discovered a bad cell. New battery spins fast and now the car can sit in a cold, unheated midwestern garage in winter for a month and still spin strong.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 66
From: Pa
If you are having troubles with a car that sits, first thing is to have the battery load-tested. SC 430 is not very forgiving for a marginal battery. I suffered with a marginal batter for two years (couldn't sit for more than a week, didn't spin over all that fast). Finally discovered a bad cell. New battery spins fast and now the car can sit in a cold, unheated midwestern garage in winter for a month and still spin strong.
Last edited by mrblister; Feb 11, 2015 at 10:57 AM.
Let me also state that I had lots of battery issues in the past on my 2002, especially after the car has been sitting for a time period (few days). On my third battery now (OEM, Walmart, Interstate currently) with only 42,000 miles. Furthermore, once I changed all my interior and exterior lights to LED's, I have not had a single problem. My car always starts up and no problems even after sitting for a week. I even use the LuxLink pretty often to remote start. No issues.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 66
From: Pa
Let me also state that I had lots of battery issues in the past on my 2002, especially after the car has been sitting for a time period (few days). On my third battery now (OEM, Walmart, Interstate currently) with only 42,000 miles. Furthermore, once I changed all my interior and exterior lights to LED's, I have not had a single problem. My car always starts up and no problems even after sitting for a week. I even use the LuxLink pretty often to remote start. No issues.
Well one particular situation that I noticed once I switch to LED"s: The door panel light is continually on even when the door is locked and security is active; very dim but on nonetheless. This being said, I've justified that LED's require less power to illuminate vs incandescent bulbs. Therefore the draw is still there but not enough to illuminate the OEM incandescent but enough to show an active draw on an LED. After a week, it's pretty much like leaving your trunk open right? Therefore, I believe this to be an explanation of one aspect of the parasitic draw. Now that I've have LED's all my battery problems have resolved. Just a connection I've realized. I've even added a 250 watt amp and capacitor and still no issues. As some one pointed out that turning off the auto-headlight feature is a fix. Since my exterior lights are all LEDs (except the HID) this could also help. Just saying.
Pole Position
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 66
From: Pa
Well one particular situation that I noticed once I switch to LED"s: The door panel light is continually on even when the door is locked and security is active; very dim but on nonetheless. This being said, I've justified that LED's require less power to illuminate vs incandescent bulbs. Therefore the draw is still there but not enough to illuminate the OEM incandescent but enough to show an active draw on an LED. After a week, it's pretty much like leaving your trunk open right? Therefore, I believe this to be an explanation of one aspect of the parasitic draw. Now that I've have LED's all my battery problems have resolved. Just a connection I've realized. I've even added a 250 watt amp and capacitor and still no issues. As some one pointed out that turning off the auto-headlight feature is a fix. Since my exterior lights are all LEDs (except the HID) this could also help. Just saying.
Since the receiver for key fob is active so you are able to lower the windows and open or lock the doors it just could be some stray voltage is in the courtesy light fixtures since they do illuminate and are in the circuit.
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: TX
All of my interior lights and the majority of the exterior lights are all LED. But my car will not last sitting a week like many others have mentioned. Actually, I just replaced an Optima Red top under warranty last week after it completely went dead after the car sat for a month.
I'm going to try the Walmart interstate next
I'm going to try the Walmart interstate next
reebb
I had this problem for years. if sits 5 days must be jumped. what I do is keep the battery Neg. cable a little lose and take off when sitting back on to go. no matter what battery use the same thing will happen.
I had this problem for years. if sits 5 days must be jumped. what I do is keep the battery Neg. cable a little lose and take off when sitting back on to go. no matter what battery use the same thing will happen.
Last edited by bacardi11; Feb 11, 2015 at 05:16 PM.
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Reellb, I actually had the OEM, then a Walmart brand, and now the Interstate which I bought at my mechanic shop. Not sure if Walmart sells Interstate or not, but in any case I'm so happy with it.
Rookie
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: TX
I'll give this a try and will report back
How many CCA on the interstate battery???
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: WI
NOsburn
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 11
From: MD
The Sc 300/400 have this same problem as well, but when U let them sit for long period as I have its sucking all the juice out of the battery. The computer chips are always running so if u do this frequently and have a garage disengage the car alarm and buy a battery floater, which I have and use... NO problems since I've purchased. This place/store has it for the cheapest price.
http://t.harborfreight.com/Automatic...A1In0%3D%0D%0A
http://t.harborfreight.com/Automatic...A1In0%3D%0D%0A
Pole Position
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,169
Likes: 11
From: MD
This problem of a drained battery was even mentioned in Sc300/400 manual, which said leaving the vechile sitting/not driven will effect the battery unabling, the Lexus' to start. I'll see if I can find the mentioning in the manual?
Last edited by Teal Sc400; Feb 16, 2015 at 03:07 PM.