Bemused By New Battery

[carlo]

:duh: Hi Guys,

Bought a new Toyota genuine part Battery for my 1990 LS400 last April. Ran the car fine for a trip to France, then down to Hastings ( from Darlington ) no problem. Then whilst in France in July quite out of the blue the car wouldn't start one morning. I couldn't believe it was a flat Battery a) because it had just done 500 miles, B) the indicator light was green. Long story short - it was flat. had to get jumped to a garage. Alternator checked & was charging ok. Lots of frustrating days later ended up buying another Battery in France. The Toyota one registered charged, would start the car once, then die. All the while, the green charged indicator remained on green. Toyota Lexus ( in Yarm ) took the Battery & checked it. Said their procedure showed no fault. I put it back on the car & within two days standing it was flat again - still with the indicator showing green. Toyota refused to change it or refund since their tests showed no fault. So, any suggestions? I feel inclined towards the small claims court just out of principle & because of the hassel I had in France. Any thoughts on how the Battery can be tested further?

Cheers all.

Carlo

[IanCornwall]

If you take the Battery to any competent vehicle electics garage or shop they will test the Battery with a load tester

basically this is a 2 ended tool that places a resistance load across the Battery, then they take a voltage and or a specific gravity test of the acid, and the Battery either passes or fails

Just because something is new it doesnt mean it works

On a quick point have you cleaned the terminals of the Battery ? many batteries have a clear protective film or coating on the terminals for storage and unless removed can give the symptons you experience

[Chris Skelton]

Agree with Ian! Load testing needed. I had the same problem.New Battery was faulty. Keep receipts too! They're guaranteed for 2/3/4 etc years!

Advise....finding a Battery specialist (in Bristol; 'Bristol Batteries') who deal in nothing BUT batteries. Cheaper but just as good!

[steve2006]

Hi,

I read somewhere a while ago that you shouldn't test certain types of new car batteries with the 2 spikes load method as it can damage them.

Cannot remember which types but be careful.

Steve

[MJM444]

Hi,

I read somewhere a while ago that you shouldn't test certain types of new car batteries with the 2 spikes load method as it can damage them.

Cannot remember which types but be careful.

Steve

I had the same problem - purchased an OLDHAM Battery failed after 18 months (6000 miles) but obtained a replacement no trouble at all on production of original receipt - incidentally cost of original Battery was £54.00 inc. This was from a local Tyre Battery agent - Mk IV LS400 1998

[carlo]

Hi,

I read somewhere a while ago that you shouldn't test certain types of new car batteries with the 2 spikes load method as it can damage them.

Cannot remember which types but be careful.

Steve

I had the same problem - purchased an OLDHAM Battery failed after 18 months (6000 miles) but obtained a replacement no trouble at all on production of original receipt - incidentally cost of original Battery was £54.00 inc. This was from a local Tyre Battery agent - Mk IV LS400 1998

Hi,

I read somewhere a while ago that you shouldn't test certain types of new car batteries with the 2 spikes load method as it can damage them.

Cannot remember which types but be careful.

Steve

I had the same problem - purchased an OLDHAM Battery failed after 18 months (6000 miles) but obtained a replacement no trouble at all on production of original receipt - incidentally cost of original Battery was £54.00 inc. This was from a local Tyre Battery agent - Mk IV LS400 1998

Hi Guys,

Thanks a lot for the replies. I'll look in Yellow Pages & get it to a local Battery specialist. This baby caost me £72-00 & that was with discount for having Gold at the time. I'll keep you posted when deed is done.

Carlo

[Avril]

Hello all - My first post here. I have an SC430 that has had a lot of problems with a Flat Battery. Just bought preused, had a flat Battery 6 times in one year. Lexus replaced Battery once, kept testing testing, said no unusual drain showed up on tests, I insisted on the last time thewy had it that they stand it still for 5 days, test voltage everyday and show me the results - in 3 days the Battery ran down to 3 volts. They started comparing voltage drains on various equipt / motors with a similar car. They found a huge drain when using the retractable hood motor (compared to other car). Note however we had not used the retractable hood. However they took out the motor, looked it over, put it back - and hey presto - on the next test the voltage drain was normal.

The maintenance mgr called to say they had fixed it, tested drain over 3 days with only minimal drain showing- he also said he was embarressed because they had no idea how they had fixed it, but somehow by removing the motor and replacint it - it giot fixed. The money is on a bad earth or short of some sort, bearing in mind the motor was draing power even when not being used.

I have stood the car in the garage for 5 days, measured voltage drop every day at same time and it shows average of 0.04 v drop per day from 12.25v start. I am assuming this is normal security system usage level unless anyone advises differenty.

Hope this is usfull to someone. Best Regards.

[carlo]

Hello all - My first post here. I have an SC430 that has had a lot of problems with a Flat Battery. Just bought preused, had a flat battery 6 times in one year. Lexus replaced battery once, kept testing testing, said no unusual drain showed up on tests, I insisted on the last time thewy had it that they stand it still for 5 days, test voltage everyday and show me the results - in 3 days the battery ran down to 3 volts. They started comparing voltage drains on various equipt / motors with a similar car. They found a huge drain when using the retractable hood motor (compared to other car). Note however we had not used the retractable hood. However they took out the motor, looked it over, put it back - and hey presto - on the next test the voltage drain was normal.

The maintenance mgr called to say they had fixed it, tested drain over 3 days with only minimal drain showing- he also said he was embarressed because they had no idea how they had fixed it, but somehow by removing the motor and replacint it - it giot fixed. The money is on a bad earth or short of some sort, bearing in mind the motor was draing power even when not being used.

I have stood the car in the garage for 5 days, measured voltage drop every day at same time and it shows average of 0.04 v drop per day from 12.25v start. I am assuming this is normal security system usage level unless anyone advises differenty.

Hope this is usfull to someone. Best Regards.

Hi Avril,

Glad you discovered the earth leakage. I ended up buying another Battery since I got fed up arguing with Teesside Lexus that their Battery was faulty. Their tests said otherwise so that was it. Took it to an auto elect. garage who said the tests showed OK but that with it being sealed they could not say conclusively that there was no fault. I don't think I have a drain since the replacement Battery hasn't lost charge even with the car not being run for several days. I'll not be buying a Battery from Lexus dealer again, that's for sure!

Cheers,

JM

[Russdx]

my dads pug 406 had this fault bit it was some thing shorting out in the radio causing the Battery to slowly be used and end up dead every week

[Alex JB]

I've had several instances lately of flat batter in the morning, I tracked the issue down to placing a 2 year old within reach of the reading light in the rear left interior/read light cluster...

light on daddy, light off daddy, light on daddy, get out of car lock the doors and hey presto 6.30 am and a flat Battery.

I decided not to call the dealer instead I repremanded said infant and removed the bulb from the reading light :winky: