System Loading - Don't Turn off the Power

Glover · August 3, 2018

Hi all. I took my RX in for its 6 year service in May at my dealership (it had done approx. 45,000 miles). I can't remember how quickly after this (but within days) I was parked up, having a cuppa, listening to the radio with the car in EV mode when suddenly the System Loading ……… message appeared on the screen. Everything went dead apart from the screen displaying a loading bar. After a couple of seconds the Lexus logo appeared and I pressed the start button and switched the radio back on. All of the trip info e.g. average mpg, mpg since refuelling, average mph etc had zeroed. I thought it was just a one off so didn't pay much attention. It's happened at least twice since so I checked on the internet and apparently it could be a software issue.

It doesn't seem to be triggered by any particular event; I've had it on first start up, parked up in EV mode after a short journey and stopping after a longish journey. It always restarts after the message has gone. I phoned the dealership today and they said they'd need to run a diagnostic £110 per hour but pro-rata if it takes less than an hour. If it's occurring as a result of the service they'll refund any charges for the diagnostic work and repairs.

So three questions:

Has anybody else had this happen?

If so what was the outcome?

How do I know if the dealership is being honest with me if they say it's nothing to do with the service?

I found someone on the US site with the same issue see https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ls-3rd-gen-2001-2006/666704-system-loading-message.html.

Strange mine should happen after a service!

Thanks in anticipation.

Zotto · August 4, 2018

Give a look to 12V Battery and if it's properly connected, if so may be it's time to change it, after all it is 6 years old.

But having this happened after a service it could only need to tighten the Battery terminals.

Glover · August 5, 2018

Thanks Luigi. I suppose because my Yaris Battery lasted 15 years and that is the first Japanese car that I've ever had to replace the Battery in I've got used to Japanese batteries lasting for ever! I've got a Battery tester so I'll try that but just strange that it happened after a service.

Herbie · August 6, 2018

8 hours ago, Glover said:

I've got a battery tester so I'll try that but just strange that it happened after a service.

Depends what sort of tester you've got Geoff. If it's a multimeter, that's not really good enough to test a Battery properly; you really need a deep discharge tester to get an idea of the Battery capacity.

I think someone on here recently mentioned that a good Battery should be able to deliver about 300A for about 30 seconds without dipping below 10V. This figure may not be appropriate for our hybrid cars because all the Battery does is to control the entry/exit systems and the computers to get the car into the READY state rather than supplying a starter motor, but there will be a figure for it somewhere.

Glover · August 6, 2018

Thanks Herbs that's very useful. It is a Battery tester but not deep discharge. But it might be an idea for me to ask Lexus to check the Battery before doing the diagnosis.

Glover · August 16, 2018

Result! Lexus Nottingham did the diagnosis, identified a loose negative terminal connection and tightened it. The video health check explained that because it was loose it would intermittently lose contact hence the randomness of the fault. Not sure why it came loose but it may be that they disconnect the Battery when carrying out some of the 6 year service items and haven't nipped the bolt up enough. Anyway courtesy car, cleaned and vacuumed and nil charge:-) Really can't fault them for that; the service side has been excellent so far.

There was one slight problem though but not related to the fault. My courtesy car was a CT200. They apologised that they didn't have anything bigger but as I was only travelling 5 miles it wasn't a problem; or so I thought. I don't know what spec it was but I've sat on more comfortable park benches! I had to phone them and ask if they could deliver my car back to me, which they did. The rest of the car was fine; it was nippy enough, suspension and steering seemed fine and apart from trying to get used to a completely different screen interface and switch locations there were no problems. But those seats definitely made me appreciate my big comfy RX armchairs!