robroy

Hi Everyone... HELP please anyone.. My RX300 (2003model) has developed a nasty water leak from the tailgate...Tried almost everything but still cannot find it. After a fairly heavy fall of rain a really nice 'puddle' always appears on the nearside rear right on top of the luggage cover. Tried some sealant along the top edge rubber seal running along the edge on the inside ... Driving me nuts.. Could it be from under the 'roof box rails' ? Any ideas icluding the correct sealants etc would be gratefully appreciated. Fingers crossed... Roy

Hi Malcolm If you read through all the postings on this problem, you will fall asleep In a few words. Check your starter battery capacity on the battery label ? Is it 40ah or 70ah ? Mine was a 40 ah and I got it changed to a new 70ah as a warranty.foc. Also check your sun visors .. On the RX300 if the mirror is not closed securely, the light stays on. The car requires a deep cycling/starter battery around 90 ah ... I have discovered that a Elecsol 70 will fit the tight space with a little bit of persuasion. This is a deep cycling/starter battery (albeit 70 ah) I have ordered one and I'll post back on here how I get on (If it arrives soon through the snow.) In a nutshell all the poxy batteries fitted by Lexus are to small in the ampere hour capacity department to handle all the toys on these excellent cars if the car is stored for longer than a couple of weeks. Regards Roy

Thanks Linehill, I am on the search... Will keep up with postings as more info is received . We will crack this problem.Roy

You could also look at one of these - I have one and can thoroughly recommend them. They actually take the battery through 7 levels of charge automatically whilst constantly monitoring the internal resistance of the battery and adjusts the charge current accordingly. The charge stages are: 1. Desulphation 2. Soft start 3. Bulk 4. Absorbtion 5. Test 6. Recondition 7. Float Cheers The Ed Hi, Ed, Billy and Linehill. Thanks to this excellent web site and the exchange of ideas, We will crack this Problem. Ed. The AGM batteries you mentioned are first class Varta products and the 90 ah product is JUST WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR... Unfortunately it will not fit the existing tray on the RX300/350 . It is to long. I also believe the terminal posts are wrong handed for the older RX300's.. I have fired E Mails off asking more info on the layout.... Obviously, I will make postings as more info comes in... For interest, Varta are now part of Johnson Controls. The same Company that owns Optima... From what I can make out the product line up of these SUPERB batteries is very similar...Also we are getting prices around the £175 each level.. Probably get a better price if we can find what fits ? Billy and Linehill.... PLEASE can you forward me details of the 'Jump Start' gadget you have both purchased ... ie Where from ? How much? Do you fit a smaller starter battery in the boot ? etc... I know I am going on about this problem... My wife has just returned from Hospital following a replacement Hip operation. The Lexus RX is a superb vehicle for an older person getting in and out of with the hospital supplied metal supports.. The 3 series BMW we have is definitely not advised.. Far to low down like a sports car..... The beast would not start today (without a jump start in these very low temperatures). If I cannot crack this problem, I have no alternative to get rid of it for a more reliable car (starting issues only) .Dont want to do this as like Linehill I think it is a superb vehicle.... with a) to low a Battery Capacity on ther Ampere Hour side ie low drain and B) To high a quiescent drain from all the live relays supporting all the toys (mainly the alarm system), sun visor lights etc. etc etc. Like Billy I agree that a first class deep cycling battery around 90 ampere hour would crack this problem. Alternatively Lexus should fit 2 batteries like the Mercedes E and S series ... One battery for starting and one completely independent to sop up all the drainage from the toys... regards Roy

Hi Linehill!# Yes, that is exactly what I have done! It has got me out of trouble many times :) I don't know about the 450. Perhaps someone else does? Happy New Decade Everyone. Billy

Hi Linehill in Worcestershie. Roy here in Warwickshire, next door... The flat batterryproblem on the RX series is as old as the hills... I have had mine just over 4 years and have been plagued with this problem from the start. If you check on the forums you will pick up many pointers from myself and other users. Alas we have not solved this problem... Maybe this will be helpful... My RX300 was purchased for summer use only. ie pulling our caravan throughout the UK and Europe.. Cannot fault it. It is a superb tow car and apart from the battey problem , has been trouble free. Shortly after buying it ( and storing it in a well heated garage over the winter,) I realised it would not start... In this case Lexus were very good. I bought the car from Lexus Oxford with the first initial equipment battery fitted ( a poxy 40 ampere hour Lucas). Lexus arranged for me to take the car to Lexus Coventry as we live in Stratford... Lexus Coventry changed the battery to a NEW LEXUS 70amp hour battery which was the largest and only battery one could fit in the RX frame... Problem solved (nearly) now the car is able to stand for between 3 and 4 weeks .. After that no start on the button is possible..... As I was employed in a tech position with Chloride for around 26 years, I think I know a little bit about batteries..... This is not really a battery quality problem. In a nut shell the 70 amp battery on an RX 300 or 400 series is just not up to the job of coping with the very high ' Hotel Loads' which discharge the battery when it is stood... There is virtually no problem with starting in the summer months when the car is used every couple of days or so.. I have today ordered the latest state of the art ACCUMATE charger/conditioner.. Google Accumate Charger and Conditioner and let us all know what you think ! I will put some postings upon the site if I can find any improvements. Money won't solve this one if you find a 90 ampere hour battery like ambulances fit ( and our 3 series BMW) you still will not be able to shoe horn it into the tight battery tray.... If anyoner out there has found any improvements with this problem I would love to know how to improve this dreadful design problem Hi, As mentioned in several previous threads, I also have been plagued by flat batteries in my RX400h But my problem is that I sometimes leave the key in the ignition switch for too long, maybe 3 hours, and when I go back the battery is flat. The reason I think is that the solenoid which tilts the steering wheel is drawing power all the time. My solution is twofold: 1. I always carry a small jumpstart box in the boot which is on permanent charge through the "lighter" socket. This has saved my bacon numerous times!!! ( I am starting to remember to remove the key!!) 2. I have a small security battery connector, which disconnects the battery completely when I loosen or remove the nut on the top of it. I can use this if I am leaving the car for more than 2 weeks while on holiday etc. I believe that Lexus should fit Leisure batteries for Hybrids which don't need high current to start. but allow a longer slow drainage time, but nobody wants to listen to me!!! Cheers Billy I forgot to mention that the downside of disconnecting completely is that all windows and bootlock and radio have to be re-initialised again, but now that I know about it is no problem (but a bit annoying!!) Hi Billy, Happy New Year. Nice to hear from you again... Like me you have tried almost everything with the flat battery problem.... As we live (hopefully) in a secure area and we have another car parked behind the Lexus, not only do I never lock the car. I NEVER leave the key in ever.... RESULT still a flat battery after around 3 weeks parking... Over the last few weeks of freezing weather, this period has gone down to 2 weeks..... In a nutshell the RX does require a deep cycling leisure battery to increase the time frame down to discharge condition when the car is stood... There has never been an issue (unless someone pops up on here and tells us otherwise) with engine starting... when the battery is well up to charge my car always start at the first time. When I bought mine (2nd hand) it had a bluetooth car phone hands free phone system fitted... As the kit married up easily with my Nokia phone I have left it in... Testing the car the other day it appears as though the bluetooth is live all the time and not through the ignition... Dont want to remove it but I am considering it. If you get a minute can you briefly go through the procedure of resetting the radio, windows, locks , alarm etc when you shut off all the power with a cut off switch on the battery.... Cheers Roy Hi Roy And a Happy New Year to you :) To initialise the windows just go to each window and if you look carefully you will see the little led light flashing on the switch. So open an shut it by holding the switch up while it shuts and the light will stop flashing. Done! You may need to send it up and down a couple of times though. Then test them from the drivers door. repeat performance for moon roof. Re boot, just lock and unlock car doors by remote or by switch on drivers door. I am afraid you will have to retune the radio manually! I hope this helps. Billy Hi Billy. Thanks for the info.. Will certainly keep it in mind... Now then , if we keep chipping away at this problem, we all may get some where... fingers crossed. A couple of points if I am not boring everyone... namely. 1. The best 3 car batteries on plant earth at the moment are :- OPTIMA bcI 34 ... SONNENSCHEIN DEEP CYCLING 70AH LEISURE BATTEERY ELECSOL 70AH, 300a CCA. I have a Sonnenschein from the caravan and an Optima which I use for jump starting , blowing tyres up etc. I will have a go at fitting them to my RX to see if I can 'shoe horn' one of them in..... At present I have a damaged hand so this may take some time. I have also ordered (so I am told) the best Battery Charger/Conditioner availabe at present, the Accumate 6/12v Battery Conditioner/Charger.. This should arrive next week, now that the hols are almost over. Watch this space and I'll pass on as much info as I can get.... In the meantime , keep those sun visors closed, remove the key, disconnect any Bluetooth phone equipment ... also let us all know if anyone cracks this one.. I do not think however we will get much technical help from the main Lexus Dealers... If I cannot improve the problem before Easter, I feel it will be Good Bye Lexus and hello to a BMW 4x4. PS Google in the above products and let us know what you think?

Hi Linehill in Worcestershie. Roy here in Warwickshire, next door... The flat batterryproblem on the RX series is as old as the hills... I have had mine just over 4 years and have been plagued with this problem from the start. If you check on the forums you will pick up many pointers from myself and other users. Alas we have not solved this problem... Maybe this will be helpful... My RX300 was purchased for summer use only. ie pulling our caravan throughout the UK and Europe.. Cannot fault it. It is a superb tow car and apart from the battey problem , has been trouble free. Shortly after buying it ( and storing it in a well heated garage over the winter,) I realised it would not start... In this case Lexus were very good. I bought the car from Lexus Oxford with the first initial equipment battery fitted ( a poxy 40 ampere hour Lucas). Lexus arranged for me to take the car to Lexus Coventry as we live in Stratford... Lexus Coventry changed the battery to a NEW LEXUS 70amp hour battery which was the largest and only battery one could fit in the RX frame... Problem solved (nearly) now the car is able to stand for between 3 and 4 weeks .. After that no start on the button is possible..... As I was employed in a tech position with Chloride for around 26 years, I think I know a little bit about batteries..... This is not really a battery quality problem. In a nut shell the 70 amp battery on an RX 300 or 400 series is just not up to the job of coping with the very high ' Hotel Loads' which discharge the battery when it is stood... There is virtually no problem with starting in the summer months when the car is used every couple of days or so.. I have today ordered the latest state of the art ACCUMATE charger/conditioner.. Google Accumate Charger and Conditioner and let us all know what you think ! I will put some postings upon the site if I can find any improvements. Money won't solve this one if you find a 90 ampere hour battery like ambulances fit ( and our 3 series BMW) you still will not be able to shoe horn it into the tight battery tray.... If anyoner out there has found any improvements with this problem I would love to know how to improve this dreadful design problem Hi, As mentioned in several previous threads, I also have been plagued by flat batteries in my RX400h But my problem is that I sometimes leave the key in the ignition switch for too long, maybe 3 hours, and when I go back the battery is flat. The reason I think is that the solenoid which tilts the steering wheel is drawing power all the time. My solution is twofold: 1. I always carry a small jumpstart box in the boot which is on permanent charge through the "lighter" socket. This has saved my bacon numerous times!!! ( I am starting to remember to remove the key!!) 2. I have a small security battery connector, which disconnects the battery completely when I loosen or remove the nut on the top of it. I can use this if I am leaving the car for more than 2 weeks while on holiday etc. I believe that Lexus should fit Leisure batteries for Hybrids which don't need high current to start. but allow a longer slow drainage time, but nobody wants to listen to me!!! Cheers Billy I forgot to mention that the downside of disconnecting completely is that all windows and bootlock and radio have to be re-initialised again, but now that I know about it is no problem (but a bit annoying!!) Hi Billy, Happy New Year. Nice to hear from you again... Like me you have tried almost everything with the flat battery problem.... As we live (hopefully) in a secure area and we have another car parked behind the Lexus, not only do I never lock the car. I NEVER leave the key in ever.... RESULT still a flat battery after around 3 weeks parking... Over the last few weeks of freezing weather, this period has gone down to 2 weeks..... In a nutshell the RX does require a deep cycling leisure battery to increase the time frame down to discharge condition when the car is stood... There has never been an issue (unless someone pops up on here and tells us otherwise) with engine starting... when the battery is well up to charge my car always start at the first time. When I bought mine (2nd hand) it had a bluetooth car phone hands free phone system fitted... As the kit married up easily with my Nokia phone I have left it in... Testing the car the other day it appears as though the bluetooth is live all the time and not through the ignition... Dont want to remove it but I am considering it. If you get a minute can you briefly go through the procedure of resetting the radio, windows, locks , alarm etc when you shut off all the power with a cut off switch on the battery.... Cheers Roy

Hi Linehill in Worcestershie. Roy here in Warwickshire, next door... The flat batterryproblem on the RX series is as old as the hills... I have had mine just over 4 years and have been plagued with this problem from the start. If you check on the forums you will pick up many pointers from myself and other users. Alas we have not solved this problem... Maybe this will be helpful... My RX300 was purchased for summer use only. ie pulling our caravan throughout the UK and Europe.. Cannot fault it. It is a superb tow car and apart from the battey problem , has been trouble free. Shortly after buying it ( and storing it in a well heated garage over the winter,) I realised it would not start... In this case Lexus were very good. I bought the car from Lexus Oxford with the first initial equipment battery fitted ( a poxy 40 ampere hour Lucas). Lexus arranged for me to take the car to Lexus Coventry as we live in Stratford... Lexus Coventry changed the battery to a NEW LEXUS 70amp hour battery which was the largest and only battery one could fit in the RX frame... Problem solved (nearly) now the car is able to stand for between 3 and 4 weeks .. After that no start on the button is possible..... As I was employed in a tech position with Chloride for around 26 years, I think I know a little bit about batteries..... This is not really a battery quality problem. In a nut shell the 70 amp battery on an RX 300 or 400 series is just not up to the job of coping with the very high ' Hotel Loads' which discharge the battery when it is stood... There is virtually no problem with starting in the summer months when the car is used every couple of days or so.. I have today ordered the latest state of the art ACCUMATE charger/conditioner.. Google Accumate Charger and Conditioner and let us all know what you think ! I will put some postings upon the site if I can find any improvements. Money won't solve this one if you find a 90 ampere hour battery like ambulances fit ( and our 3 series BMW) you still will not be able to shoe horn it into the tight battery tray.... If anyoner out there has found any improvements with this problem I would love to know how to improve this dreadful design problem

Hi Roy Thanks for your comments on the flat battery posting. Like myself you seem to be 'electrically minded' and keen to help to solve or improve this very bad design situation with the RX. Re your comments. 1.Drain from the diode. All OK and noted. Have you any idea what the other high qiescent drains are from the rest of the alarm system ? my feeling still is that the security alarm system is probably the main culprit with this problem. 2. During this rather 'Heath Robinson' test, I never charged the battery from the alternator. When I checked the car for a start, I immediately switched off. 3. I agree around 100ma from other equipment is around the norm. This figure must be similar on other high quality cars who apparently do not have this problem . Is it back again that Lexus are fitting to small a Ah battery .... My BMW 3 series diesel has a 90 amp hour battery fitted (similar to the starter battery capacity on a standard ambulance.... Never had a starter problem in the 6 years I have had the car... 4. The only charger I use is a 5 amp constant voltage automatic charger. Never keep it connected all the time... Since suffering this problem and now learning of the complication of changing a front side light bulb... coupled with the punishment we are having to suffer with the future Road Tax we will be getting rid of the RX during the summer.... A shame really as the car is 'as new' with only 26k on the mileage. Regards Roy (same name)

A number of points:- 1. The flashing diode is not the cause of any significant battery drain. This is likely to average only a few millamps. So a minimum of 100 hours per AH battery capacity. 2. Did you recharge (By engine running?)after the 20th March start? The starting without adequate recharge would account for the subsequent voltage is very low. 3. There is about a 100mA steady drain from other equipment which is much more significant than the diode. 4. Yes, ideally keep charged from a constant voltage 13.6 supply. This will ensure no overcharge to cause premature battery degradation. 5. Such long periods of inactivity are also likely to cause air-con compressor seal failure. Regards, Roy

Hi Everyone. No wish to bore anyone with yet more threads on the 'flat' battery situation.. I do feel however that this may be of interest to members who have suffered the battery problem on the RX Following on from my previous postings, I would confirm. My car is a 2002 RX300. 26k miles .As new. The car was bought only for use as a caravan towcar during the summer months and like many members I ran into trouble very quickly with a flat battery. The battery fitted was a 40amp hour Lucas battery (I presume it was the OE fit)... A scream of a complaint about this to Lexus Oxford (where I bought the car) arranged for a 70 amp hour battery (AC Delc Toyota branded) under warranty. OK so far. I took the car off the road in November 2007 and I will be taxing it again rom 1st May. The car is stored in my garage adjacent to the house. The car is not locked. (the garage is) and the keys are removed. I then charged the battery correctly on my electronic automatic charger. The following are the results. SAT 8th March ..... Following charge. Voltage 12.75 volts. SAT 15th March Voltage 12.20 volts end of week 1 SAT 22nd March Voltage 12.01 volts end of week 2 SAT 29th March Voltage 11.80 volts end of week 3 (car still starting OK) TUE April 1st (No jokes please) Voltage 9.47 volts. No Start . Everything completely dead. Battery back on charge last night and has come back up OK this morning.... My RX is nothing special, it has all the electronic toys that are standard... I am however concerned that ALL THE TIME the car is standing the RED FLASHING DIODE on the panel is flashing. personally I do not agree with this. I feel the flashing red light should only be flashing when the car is locked and alarmed as per my BMW and my previous Mercedes. Not when ever the car is parked without the keys in. I wonder could this be part of the problem ? Obviously the 40 amp hour starter battery should be replaced with the 70 ah one... I will investigate the wiring of this diode to see if it can be re-routed... In the meantime guys, any ideas and comments on this would be welcome Roy From my stand now, the car will NEVER stand for more than 3 weeks without a freshening charge or a long drive.

I cannot believe these silly prices for fitting a towbar (and electrics, I presume). I have had my previous 2 towbars plus all electrics fitted by:- MOTA-BARS. 42 MORTON ST. LEAMINGTON SPA. CV325SY. TEL 01926 426382. www.motabars.co.uk. My last fitting (a couple of years ago) was on my 2002 RX300. The bar was a detachable BRINK (WITH KEY), full electrics with relay for fridge etc. Price incl VAT £434.75. Super job. Super price . Wouldn't even consider using a Lexus Distributor for work of this kind. For people outside this area, Leamington is a very pleasant place to spend half a day or so whilst the work is carried out... Regards Robroy in Stratford u Avon

Kev, Thanks for post yesterday. My voltge , car stored in locked garage with key in has hardly moved... I will keep it in this mode for a month or so to see what I come up with before I contact Lexus... The booster pack sounds great... My fear is that it could blow a fuse somewhere in the line... any ideas on this from anyone would be of great interest. Also a very good point re flat batteries on GS and LS models ! Can anyone out there tell us what the battery size (Ah) is on these cars ? Roy

I have no problem starting an IS with a 100% flat battery using a booster pack. think it supplies 900A for 5 secs - more than enough to start the car. Thanks for replies guys... As you've gathered I intend cracking this nut or creating one hell of a stink.. NOW THEN..So far GOOD news and BAD news. The good news. Following Kev and Jons replies, I have just come out of the garage where the car (2002 Lexus RX300 with 26k miles whas been stood for over 24 hours with the Ignition key in the lock and a battery OCV of 12.46v. The voltage still reads 12.46v.... NO NOTICEABLE current drain whatsoever. I am convinced here that the problem lies in the high current drain when the car is parked up and locked in the normal way with the keyfob which automatically sends in the deadlock and alarms the car as it should do... I also have a BMW 3 series diesel with a similar system... 3 weeks in Teneriife have been enjoyed with the car stored and secured near B'Ham Airpot .... Started first time. NOW THEN The BAD news , first the quiescent loads flattening the battery (40 ah ot 70ah) whilst the veicle is in storage ar FAR to HIGH. None of us can fix this... It requires a complete re-design of the security ignition system and a system introduced with a far lower storage discharge. This should also be coupled with a higher Ah battery. The smaller BMW 3 series diesel as a 90 ah battery (the same size as an ambulance battery. The comments from Jon have been noted... No, I have never used the automatic Headlight on and off thing. For my motoring this is a feature I can do without. I will continue to monitor Battery voltage and report back from time to time... From my end I think I have cracked quite wrongly, this problem by storing the car in the locked garage and leaving the dam key in the dashboard all the time the car is off the road.. ie all winter. WILLIZ over there in Vienna , where are you ? You are the man on these things and with your RX400 have suffered... There are many people over here would love to hear your views on the above.. kind regards Roy. Before I go... VERY INTERESTED in the 900 booster pack.... However are you happy that the cable with this kit can handle 900A? If I get the RX nicked the laughs on me !