9 replies to this topic

[Welshrabbit]

Hoping for some help! We have a IS220D, 2006. It appears that our battery won't hold it's charge. We have bought a new one hoping that would solve the issue but it hasn't. We can use the car today then go to do the school run tomorrow and it's dead! Jump start it then it's fine for a few days then it happens again! We have ruled out the battery and believe that there is not a problem with the charging. People that we have spoken to with more knowledge than me, are possibly suggesting that we have something draining the battery overnight. Is anyone aware of what our problem could be or aware of a common issue that puts a drain on the battery when not in use as it does not matter how much we use the car, it rarely starts after being idle for two days, sometimes less. I am very grateful of your help.

[Crowy Tan]

i have same issue on my 1996 gs300 sport

[BenIS]

Sounds to me like there are two factors here. Either the altenator isnt charging the battery like it should ( I know you mentioned this already but best check anyway. Try and find someone with a multimeter) or like you said something is draining the battery overnight. Again find someone with a multimeter to see what happens when you lock the car as you would at night, see how much current is being drawn. Is the car standard or does it have an aftermarket alarm fitted for example?
Im not an auto electrician but i am an electrician and this is what i would check first.
Hope this helps.
sorry if not.

Ill carry on thinking

Somebody on here will know though

[Trav5149]

Hi,
Same problem on my LS - due to it only getting used 3 days a week, it doesn't get time to charge. I've been advised to try a solar trickle panel that connects into the cig lighter - £25 on ebay - I haven't tried it yet though..........

[autumnbabe]

Hello welshrabbit i had a similar problem on my 2006 220 IS in april this year, new battery fitted in October 2011, couldnt figure out problem then an auto mechanic had a look and low and behold it was a screw on the battery shorting the earth wire. Check this it might be this. I was shocked something as simple as a screw touching the batteries earth wire would completely deaden the battery.

[LQA]

Sorry to necro an old thread. I have a IS220d (2006) and I am also suffering the 'random' dead battery. The battery is less than a year old. The RAC came out and it appears both battery and alternator are functioning as should. He did measure the current being drawn when 'off' and it was pulling .8 amps, he ventured that it should be nearer .5 amps. However I am no nearer establishing the cause. The only 'after market' add-on is a towbar with single socket for a trailer. There is an inline fuse visble running behind the battery that RAC bloke says is non-standard, who am I to argue?

Will removing the fuse assist - if the problem exists there?

Any help appreciated - I'll check the screw issue above too.

Mick

[normski2]

Have heard of a couple of cases where the earth connection to the car body has worked loose. May be your problem...worth checking.

[ROYT]

Also look for something stuck on, like the boot light.......

[normski2]

Ooh good shout!!
Or the Glove box light?

[LQA]

I will check the earth connections. i have previously turned off boot lights. Glove box lights; not tried that. I would expect a flat battery every morning if it was a light permanently on though.

 

I have read, but not yet tried, inserting a bulb between battery and earth and pulling fuses one by one.