rufels

Thanks Neil, In my previous RX400h disconnecting and reconnecting the battery terminals did not affect it. But this model seems different. Ruth

I have had a Lexus 400h for 7 years, and 2 years ago changed to a 2008 model. In the old car I had problems with the small battery going flat when the car stood for more than 10 days (all discussed on the Forum). All efforts including solar trickle charger and re-starting via the cigarette lighter did not work. Eventually I decided the only way to deal with my frequent trips away was it disconnect the battery. This is very easily done (even for an old lady), but when I reconnect it on my return many things have to be reset - e.g. the automatic windows, roof window, etc etc. Now I have one additional problem which I cannot fix - and need help: WHEN DRIVING WITHOUT SEAT BELT CONNECTED (DRIVER AND /OR PASSENGER), THE RED LIGHT APPEARS ON THE DASHBOARD, BUT THE BLEEP DOES NOT COME ON AS A REMINDER. Can anyone tell me how to re-instate the bleeping??

My 400h steering system was seen to already today. They collected and delivered my car this afternoon - AND they did a full safety check and put in 20 pounds of petrol in the tank all at no cost!!!

Dear Great Dane, I took this up with Lexus. My Lexus agency thought it a good idea. I asked them to take it up with Lexus UK Technical Department on my behalf. They in turn also thought it a good idea, thought it should work, but before sanctioning its use, they will be testing it out in their workshop. Hopefully we are getting somewhere. I presume once it is shown to work via the cigarette lighter, all RX400h cars should be provided with one. Thanks for the Booster suggestion!! Ruth Much time has passed since my last communication re the frequent flat battery on my 400h- after leaving the car standing for 3-4weeks at a time. To recap: Having changed the battery twice, we then investigated various methods of charging the small battery. The Black and Decker starter via the cigarette lighter socket did not work. Lexus said it would not work on an ABSOLUTELY flat battery. On my subsequent overseas trip, they tried the solar trickle charger via the cigarette lighter socket (after hot-wiring the socket to be connected with the ignition off) - this did not work either. There was just enough power to unlock the door, but that was it. So for my most recent trip, I was instructed how to disconnect the terminal of the battery. This was much easier to do than I expected. The main problem on reconnecting however were minor electronic problems e.g. can't open all the windows from the drivers seat; the side mirrors no longer dip on reversing; of course I have lost all my saved satnav addresses, and such nuisances. These will all have to be re-set now. But that's the end of my long unsuccessful saga with Lexus and my battery problem. So - thanks chaps for all your attempts to help. Ruth This is a follow-up report: My local Lexus bought and tried the Black and Decker charger suggested by "Great Dane". They were quite excited, but unfortunately it did not work on a COMPLETELY flat battery. Apparently is says so on the instruction leaflet. They will now test another charger - the trickle charger - while I will be away next month for four weeks. To do this they have to re-wire the cigarette lighter to be in the active position while the ignition is OFF. I hope this works. It will be better than nothing - but will mean leaving the car outside whenever I go away. Will report back after my return. Ruth

Dear Great Dane, I took this up with Lexus. My Lexus agency thought it a good idea. I asked them to take it up with Lexus UK Technical Department on my behalf. They in turn also thought it a good idea, thought it should work, but before sanctioning its use, they will be testing it out in their workshop. Hopefully we are getting somewhere. I presume once it is shown to work via the cigarette lighter, all RX400h cars should be provided with one. Thanks for the Booster suggestion!! Ruth This is a follow-up report: My local Lexus bought and tried the Black and Decker charger suggested by "Great Dane". They were quite excited, but unfortunately it did not work on a COMPLETELY flat battery. Apparently is says so on the instruction leaflet. They will now test another charger - the trickle charger - while I will be away next month for four weeks. To do this they have to re-wire the cigarette lighter to be in the active position while the ignition is OFF. I hope this works. It will be better than nothing - but will mean leaving the car outside whenever I go away. Will report back after my return. Ruth

I have a two-year old 400h Lexus in perfect condition - only 17.000 miles. I will be living abroad for some years and am looking for someone with a left-hand drive 400h in similar good condition, who will be coming to the UK and would like to exchange cars. Any takers out there???

I heard back from Lexus today. The Lexus quality engineers tested the Black and Decker mentioned before, and their verdict is that it is NOT APPROPRIATE as its output is too high. They haev no further suggestions at the moment, but the case is still open and they "are working on it". I am off on a three week trip tomorrow - maybe it'll start on my return - fingers crossed. Ruth. thanks to make me aware of the Black&Decker BDV040! i tested it and it worked great. it fits perfectly in front of the middle console and is fixed by moving the middle console to the most forward position. If necessary the unit can be charged while driving by pressing the charge button. The led's show the charging condition. If the RX400h's 12V battery is having less then 10V the power up sequence (starting) is not longer possible. In this case you bring the ignition key to the radio position (in this position all 12V plugs are connected to the 12V system), make sure that all 12V devices are switched off, B&D BDV040 is connected to the 12V plug, switch the B&D on and press the vehicle boost button. The voltage comes up to about 11,9V. Wait for 2-4 minutes and then turn the ignition key to the starting position and READY comes up.

Just reporting back: Lexus thought the Black & Decker was a good idea, but have not reported on their tests. If they DO finally advise it, I think we should all get a free one. As mentioned previously, they eventually replaced my 12V battery a couple of months ago. I returned yesterday after 21 days abroad, and the car which had been standing outside, started with no problem. Perhaps I had had a dud battery all the time. I am still worried about leaving the car for a longer period - will have another chance to test it on my next longer vacation. When I hear from Lexus about the Black & Decker I will share this information. Ruth

Dear Great Dane, I took this up with Lexus. My Lexus agency thought it a good idea. I asked them to take it up with Lexus UK Technical Department on my behalf. They in turn also thought it a good idea, thought it should work, but before sanctioning its use, they will be testing it out in their workshop. Hopefully we are getting somewhere. I presume once it is shown to work via the cigarette lighter, all RX400h cars should be provided with one. Thanks for the Booster suggestion!! Ruth

Mr Livingstone is very clever. It is not actually an EXEMPTION. It is a discount - at present 100%. So - it seems it can easily be changed to less in the future.

I can suggest this. A previous writer sent it to me: http://www.lexus.com/pdf/models/rxh_drivin...mance_guide.pdf

Hi there, My new battery is meanwhile performing but I have not been on holiday since. I am thinking of buying this battery booster which works via the cigarette lighter plug. Being rather scared to try this, I wrote to Lexus UK to get their permission first. I don't want to blow it all up! They have so far not replied - will let everyone know their response - if it comes.

Hi Rob, The battery I was given yesterday has the part number 28800-YZZ, so I presume this is what you recommend. They tell me that my previous 'bad" battery was the same!!! Will now have to wait for my next holiday abroad in December. Ruth (Rufels)

Hi Robroy, I'm sorry I didn't read your comments before collecting my 400h today. I have written on this Forum many times in the past few months about my battery problem. My car has been at Lexus for the past 4 weeks "being checked-out" while I was abroad for a month, because of my problems prior to leaving with a repeated flat 12V battery. They told me this morning that during the month they checked it after 2 weeks and it started; almost didn't start after 3 weeks, and was flat 2 days later. They charged it up, and they said that it had held its charge. They were due to deliver it to me this morning as being "perfectly fine", but when they tried to drive it here it was again flat and their "testing showed a battery fault"!!! ??What testing?? They replaced the battery. I think they are just trying to fob me off, being an old lady. But I will need to check the battery details as you describe. I have found your comments the most useful so far. I will challenge Lexus tomorrow with this information. Rufels

I would like to share with you the problem of restarting the car when the battery is flat. The RAC started the car with their jump leads. and advised me that I had to keep the engine ticking over. This is easier said than done. If the engine is not ticking over, the car once again "dies". The RAC instruction was to keep the engine ticking over by keeping the accelerator fully depressed for 20 minutes before releasing the accelerator. Releasing the accelerator earlier resulted in the engine cutting out, and the hybrid needing re-jumping. Of course I was nervous going for a ride to charge the battery in case it cut out at the traffic lights or in heavy traffic!!

Just to keep everyone interested up to date: Lexus eventually contacted me. Even though the battery had been checked already, they want to re-test it ober a prolonged period. So - on my next holiday coming up soon, I will leave the car with them for testing. At least I won't have to call the RAC to start me up on return, but will have to take a cab home. Thanks very much, fluff! Ruth What I don't understand if all this is true, why is it not a problem while the cars are some weeks on the high seas from Japan and then in storage for a few more days... I can't imagine them going round starting up all the cars on the ship :) i asked lexus the same question and was told that for transport and storage the 12V battery gets disconnected.

Thanks very much, fluff! Ruth

This is for Fluff: I searched and have now been searching again on the lexus.com site but can't find the reference to 30 days that the battery should stay viable. If you have a moment could you tell me where to find it. I need all the ammunition I can get hold of in my battle with Lexus. Ruth

I have written to Lexus UK as I wasn't happy with their verbal response. I particularly asked about using the battery isolator switch (told on the phone that it was dangerous), and the solar charger. I will let you all know when / if they deign to reply. Lets see their response, Ruth

Hi Fluff, I am an old lady so am not supposed to understand much about the inside of car engines, but was a scientist so do - a bit! They told me that becuase the two batterieds are connected and there is a flow of high voltage power between them even when the car is switched off, I should not even think of inserting the battery switch (mentioned by someone else on this page) as the main battery could explode. When I have a chance I will ask them for more details. They also said it would invalidate the guarantee of the main battery (which is for 5 years). I did notice that when the RAC man came to jump-start the car, he did not hesitate to disconnect the terminal, and nothing happened!!. I am not convinced by their story, but am too chicken to try that suggestion. Will just have to call the RAC every time, and not park it at the airport next holicay. I am thinking of investigating the solar trickle charger via the cigarette lighter socket.

Hi Rod, I posted a similar problem with my 400h. I too took this up with Lexus and got no joy. They say they are "working on a fix". What should we do meanwhile?? Have you thought about using a solar trickle charger (which sits on the dash-board in the sun) which is supposed to work via the cigarette lighter? One of the Lexus technicians suggested this. Should we try it?? Ruth

The battery on my RX400h was flat on my return from a 2-week holiday. Lexus tells me it is quite usual for the Hybrid to do this after standing for 10 days. I am devastated by this. Most of my holidays are longer than 10 days. The suggestion to use a battery isolator is rejected by Lexus as dangerous. They say the main battery can explode!! They have no really good suggestions other than asking someone to take the car for a ride every few days. One of the technicians suggested using a solar tricke charger to start the car by plugging in to the cigarette lighter, but this means the car could not be lept in a garrage. I don't know what the answer is - but Lexus Service Department are looking into it. I can't believe that they have not come up with an answer, nor did they warn one about this problem.