GS450H Hybrid System Fail

ESMFGS450H · July 1, 2021

Hello all

Such a great forum, have read through numerous threads over the last few years to get hints and tips on things but like some my first post is reporting an issue and asking for guidance.

I have owned a GS450H (57 plate) for the last 4 years and love the car. I keep it serviced regularly, unlike the previous owner, and only had one large expense which was to replace a rear shock. Even did my own brake caliper strip down and cleaning based on what was in your forum.

Today I was on a duel carriageway coming up to a roundabout and the car died. I managed to coast to a safe location and the dahsboard was reporting a hybrid system failure together with ECB and VSC check errors. Turned car off and on again and car would started but had very low revs. Waited a minute or so and turned on again and car started okay and revs were fine so I decided to drive the mile or so to my house.

I will check the car again in the morning but on reading some of the forum posts this evening it seems a few people have had the same issues. From the looks of it the main Hybrid Battery pack is probably faulty and the local Lexus dealer is saying if a diagnostic proves this then it could be £3500 to fix it.

From what I have read it looks like there are Hybrid Battery specialist out there that could offer the same or better service for a lot cheaper.

Could you offer any advise on best course of action here..

Should I get a full diagnostic check from Lexus first just in case it is not the Hybrid Battery at fault ?

If Lexus confirm Hybrid Battery at fault could anyone advise the best company to go to for a replacement Battery pack or cells ?

Thanks alot for your time.

Regards.

Andy

The-Acre · July 2, 2021

Hybrid Battery solutions in Northampton are the ones most talked about on the forum. I checked a few months ago regarding the cost of replacing the cells in an RX450h and it was £800 in total. Give them a call and speak to Richard, I believe he's also a forum member.

200h · July 2, 2021

here is the link for you for hybrid batteries that phil has mentioned

a member on the IS forum has used them to replace his own hybrid Battery

https://www.hybridbatterysolutions.co.uk/

200h · July 2, 2021

here is the video link for the changing of a hybrid Battery on an Is300h

jason completed the work himself

ESMFGS450H · July 2, 2021

Thanks for all the advise guys.

I have been in touch with Richard and just waiting for him to answer an email I sent with the detail on the issue.

When I checked the car earlier it had the original Panasonic Battery that was fitted in 2007 so that will need replacing.

Richard did mention a Yuasa 005 but there are quite a few Yuasa 005's for sale so does anyone know the exact Yuasa model please, I dont mind paying out if there is a better Battery make or spec.

Also one possible red herring on the previous info I advised, "Turned car off and on again and car would started but had very low revs", pretty sure this was because the car was in Park. Tried it earlier today when the car was in Park and very low revs, put the car into Drive and car revs fine and drove okay a few yards.

I want to replace the Battery and will get Richard out to do a diags check rather than pay Lexus to do it.

I will keep you updated with progress.

Regards

serbarry · July 2, 2021

As far as I remember reading here on the forum the batteries compatible are:

- Yuasa YBX3030 12V 72Ah 630A SMF size in mm 260x174x225

- Bosch S4 026 70Ah 630A size 261x175x220

- Varta Blue Dynamic E23 570412063 70Ah 630A size 261x175x220

ESMFGS450H · July 2, 2021

Thanks for the Battery info serbarry.

Steven Lockey · July 2, 2021

Check the error codes with an OBD reader, the codes should tell if you if its the hybrid Battery.

Not sure what you mean about the Panasonic.... unless you are referring to the 12V Battery
but the OBD codes should confirm if that is bad. The 12V batteries can last a long time so it may be fine.
I've still got the original in mine and its at nominal voltages.

ESMFGS450H · July 2, 2021

Steven

I will have to rely on Richard to diagnose any issues as I do not have an OBD reader.

When I said Panasonic it was in reference to the original 12v Battery.

Reading up on a couple of other threads on Battery issues and I have been getting weird issues over the last few months which may be 12v Battery related. I will know more when Richard has had a chance to look at it.

Thanks.

Steven Lockey · July 2, 2021

A reader cos £10 or so and is well worth every penny 😉

If you've got a volt-meter its pretty easy to check the 12V Battery yourself.

Richard is really good and I'm sure he can help you whatever the problem is.

Herbie · July 2, 2021

27 minutes ago, Steven Lockey said:

A reader cos £10 or so and is well worth every penny

I'm not sure a generic code reader will handle Toyota/Lexus specific codes for their hybrids, will it?

Steven Lockey · July 2, 2021

1 hour ago, Herbie said:

I'm not sure a generic code reader will handle Toyota/Lexus specific codes for their hybrids, will it?

It will give you the number, but not the explanation..... but we have the internet for that 😉

ZXSpectrum · July 2, 2021

Hi Andy,

I had a very similar issue a little while ago. Replaced the main 12v Battery (With a Yuasa) as there was a lot of green oxidisation round the negative terminal and it did not sort the issue. Ended up taking it down to Richard at Hybrid Battery Solutions and he sorted the Hybrid Battery for me. It was £850 all in but that may vary depending on how well the cells can be refreshed and how many need replacing.

He really knows his stuff and provides an invaluable service for these cars.

I dont believe you can read a hybrid Battery fault using a standard OBD reader, i think you need a Mini-VCI cable with Techstream. This can be bought for about £25 on amazon but for it to work you need a old laptop running a 32Bit OS (Windows 7 or 10) the software will install on 64Bit OS but you need a firmware/emulator for the Mini-VCI Cable that does come with it but does not work in a 64Bit environment.

Steven Lockey · July 2, 2021

2 hours ago, ZXSpectrum said:

Hi Andy,

I had a very similar issue a little while ago. Replaced the main 12v battery (With a Yuasa) as there was a lot of green oxidisation round the negative terminal and it did not sort the issue. Ended up taking it down to Richard at Hybrid Battery Solutions and he sorted the Hybrid battery for me. It was £850 all in but that may vary depending on how well the cells can be refreshed and how many need replacing.

He really knows his stuff and provides an invaluable service for these cars.

I dont believe you can read a hybrid battery fault using a standard OBD reader, i think you need a Mini-VCI cable with Techstream. This can be bought for about £25 on Amazon but for it to work you need a old laptop running a 32Bit OS (Windows 7 or 10) the software will install on 64Bit OS but you need a firmware/emulator for the Mini-VCI Cable that does come with it but does not work in a 64Bit environment.

Yeah you can 🙂 I did it, comes up with code and mini message which you can look up telling you which bank has faulty cells in.
I had a few cells go bad in the Battery and they came up on it. Richard swapped my hybrid Battery out and I've had no (related) issues
since. I mean the exhaust fell off, but that's a bit different 😉

ESMFGS450H · July 2, 2021

3 hours ago, ZXSpectrum said:

Hi Andy,

I had a very similar issue a little while ago. Replaced the main 12v battery (With a Yuasa) as there was a lot of green oxidisation round the negative terminal and it did not sort the issue. Ended up taking it down to Richard at Hybrid Battery Solutions and he sorted the Hybrid battery for me. It was £850 all in but that may vary depending on how well the cells can be refreshed and how many need replacing.

He really knows his stuff and provides an invaluable service for these cars.

Thanks ZX, I did read through your post.

Just waiting for Richard to send me the pricing details based on the issues I am having.

I think Richard mentioned pricing was based on whether I wanted to got with new or refurbished batteries, what did you go for ?

Thanks.

ZXSpectrum · July 2, 2021

I can’t remember. The pack was in very good condition apart from 1 cell that was dead and 3 that were not able to be refreshed to 5000ma like the rest of them so he replaced 1 foc and I paid for the other 3 to get the pack up to optimal.

ESMFGS450H · July 21, 2021

Update.

Car all sorted out now thanks to Richard at Hybrid Battery Solutions.

I cannot recommend this guy enough for the work he performed which included Repair and reconditioning of the hybrid Battery pack, supply and fitting a brand new 12v Battery, supply and installation of a brand new OE Aux Trans Oil Pump plus fluid (which I knew there was a slight leak on a couple of years back but didnt know it was knackered to the extent it was) and also sorting out a couple of niggly faults that kept popping up errors on the display.

Oh and he even got the car cleaned for me as well.

All the above for a massive reduction (less than half) on what Lexus would have charged me.

Thanks Richard and thanks forum members for the help and advise.

Regards.

oraman · July 24, 2021

That sounds like a useful guy!
I was considering a 2012 RX450h and am always concerned about two things. One is where I would go for a replacement Battery and second about where to get a replacement OEM exhaust without having to go to Lexus for either

ESMFGS450H · July 24, 2021

Oraman

Richard is definetly the guy to speak to about any Hybrid Battery pack issues or concerns. He seemed very knowlegable abouy Lexus's as a whole so wouldn't be surprised if he has a contact that could sort out any exhaust issues.

Good luck.

ZXSpectrum · July 26, 2021

On 7/24/2021 at 2:17 PM, oraman said:

That sounds like a useful guy!
I was considering a 2012 RX450h and am always concerned about two things. One is where I would go for a replacement battery and second about where to get a replacement OEM exhaust without having to go to Lexus for either

I had mine repaired locally and they replaced 2 sections with stainless.. Its been fine since.. Cost me £300.

If you are anywhere near Derby its ETS in Normanton Area.

hybridbatterysolutions · July 26, 2021

On 7/24/2021 at 2:17 PM, oraman said:

That sounds like a useful guy!
I was considering a 2012 RX450h and am always concerned about two things. One is where I would go for a replacement battery and second about where to get a replacement OEM exhaust without having to go to Lexus for either

OE Exhaust you could try partsouq or amayama but remember to add shipping Duty & VAT, Lexus Parts Direct on the net may be worth a look too, very often the exhausts can be patched or welded so worth getting the most out of them IMHO

Herbie · July 26, 2021

On 7/24/2021 at 2:17 PM, oraman said:

to get a replacement OEM exhaust without having to go to Lexus

Why would you go to Lexus for an exhaust?

Simply go to one of the custom places and get a stainless steel one made up and I'll guarantee it'll be half the price.

I had a Nissan Maxima QX SE+ and none of the usual suspects such as KwikFit, ATS or wherever could get hold of one. I rang Nissan and was told about £800 to £1,000 if I remember right (it was a long time ago).

After a fit of laughter I picked myself up off the floor and went to a place where they dropped the old one, measured and copied every bend, radius and length etc., and created a bespoke system that was guaranteed for the life of the car (even transferrable to a new owner if I sold the car) and all for just £470.