Sc430 Battery Drain

NEILJ · November 23, 2014

Back to the forum again after quite a few months.

In just over twelve months of ownership of my SC I have found on four occasions now that after not having had time to drive the car for a couple or three weeks I go to it in the garage to find the Battery completely dead. It was a new Battery fitted when I bought the car and always trickle charges without a problem and starts first time.

I know there are a few other posts about this and one chap has found a gadget that disconnects the Battery when you leave it for a while but this means having to reset the seat memory etc every time, which isn't too much of a problem. I just wondered if anyone had found any other way of prolonging the Battery charge whilst standing.

Does locking the car whilst standing help for example. It is the only annoying feature of the car as the the rest of the car is really superb the best quality and refinement I have ever experienced compared to many other over rated cars that I have owned over the years. So if anyone has any tips or suggestions that would again be much appreciated.

Regards

Neilj

ColinBarber · November 23, 2014

seems to be a common issue with the SC. Ideally you need to identify the source of the high drain, the stereo amp and a third party tracker are possibilities.

NEILJ · November 23, 2014

Colin.

A tracker ? now that is a possibility, I will explain.

Some one caught the back bumper in a car park somewhere and therefore to touch up the paint I had to remove the bumper. Strange thing is there was what appeared to be a wire antenna routed through the rear vent and taped to the bumper beam. I did wonder what it was and now think that it is possibly part of a tracking device as you have suggested. Problem now I suppose it locating the device which means removing trim I suspect. Thanks for the suggestion though one to investigate.

Neilj

alphacat · November 24, 2014

I have the same problem with mine my car is on SORN at present and the Battery lasts just under 3 weeks. Then its down to 9v and wont start the car. I intend to keep it in the garage until spring and so have bought a Battery isolator from amazon. There are plenty for sale If you buy one get the black knob version its better quality and arrives quicker. The green one is cheaper but no so well made and delivery times are from China and can take ages apparently.

When I go on holiday and take the 430 I always book Valet parking then when I return its them who have to start the car !!

I have tried locking the car, unlocking the car etc. Nothing seems to work it just drains.

I am going to isolate the Battery and just put up with resetting the seats when I put it back on the road or sell it.

alphacat · November 24, 2014

That's interesting I had the same taped up wire under by rear bumper noticed it when it was taken of to be resprayed I think I may have the rest of the traker hidden somewhere taking current !!!!

Thanks for that...

ColinBarber · November 24, 2014

Colin.

A tracker ? now that is a possibility, I will explain.

Some one caught the back bumper in a car park somewhere and therefore to touch up the paint I had to remove the bumper. Strange thing is there was what appeared to be a wire antenna routed through the rear vent and taped to the bumper beam. I did wonder what it was and now think that it is possibly part of a tracking device as you have suggested. Problem now I suppose it locating the device which means removing trim I suspect. Thanks for the suggestion though one to investigate.

Neilj

that possibly is an electromagnetic (hidden) parking sensor.

alphacat · November 25, 2014

My car was fitted with parking sensors when new. But its not Lexus policy to tape them up. When factory fitted in place clips are used.

Trackers are sometimes fitted after market and taped to the same wiring. So I am becoming convinced a lot of the Battery drain reported is from trackers fitted but where the subscription is not now paid. The device will still use power. Even with the ignition off and the car in a garage. I know of one case where this has happened and it took some time for the tracker equipment to be located panelling removed etc .. The best thing is to find the fuse and hope its independent then remove it.

NEILJ · December 7, 2014

Well thanks all for your replies. I still haven't looked to see if there is a tracker fitted yet as a more pressing problem came up again.

I drove the car last weekend for a good 15 to 20 miles and everything OK got home and locked it in the garage until this weekend so only less than a week of no use.

Went to the car and there was'nt enough in the Battery to start the car, steering column and lights worked but not enough power to start up. So back to the Battery charger again only this time when I reconnected and set everything the CD changer showed error 3 and 4. So switched ignition off and then on again to make the player sequence through the cd's, you can hear it doing this. It took about six attempts switching ignition off and then on and letting the cd sequence before it corrected itself but I was heart in mouth for a while then sigh of relief. I am considering seeing how much a proper Lexus main agent supplied Battery is as I have read the odd report of no more Battery woes once a proper lexus Battery was fitted. I really need to get this one sorted though as I don't want something else to become faulty because of the constant disconnecting and reconnecting of the Battery. I love everything about the car but this one is a pain, yes I appreciate there are worse problems with other so called prestige cars just need to sort this perhaps a Battery conditioner is another Idea too.

Neilj

mikeyv · December 7, 2014

I'm having similar problems with my campervan, and like you, it's annoying me something rotten.

I can't help feeling that they've fitted all manner of clever electrics to our vehicles, but haven't matched the Battery capability to cover normal use.

alphacat · December 8, 2014

If disused trackers are in place in the car they are on purpose hard to find so trying to find a fuse which covers it is a bit hit and miss. I have heard one fuse often used by those installing trackers is the fuse that also protects the cigar lighter / 12 volt socket...... Of course that means you cant just take the fuse out or you will lose the 12 v / cigar function too. But it may help to find some of the wiring causing the drain.

Even if Lexus/Toyota do have a naturally heavy Battery drain it certainly should be designed to last more than a few weeks.

it wouldn't be sensible to accept this as cars are left at airports for that even on an average holiday etc etc. So I am convinced Battery drain issues are down to something other than bad design.

NEILJ · December 8, 2014

Peter

Thank you for your reply it again has proven interesting as the cigar lighter hasn't worked since I purchased the car and it is something I haven't got around to fixing just yet.

It is looking like I am going to have to seek professional help in locating the problem. Also perhaps look for suggestions of where a tracker is most likely located in the car before starting to remove trim and follow the antenna route. The first easy job though will be to take to my trusted local garage to get the Battery checked. It was supposed to have been a new one fitted but the dealers I bought it from I wouldn't trust at all. They even changed the tyres on the car between me looking at it and agreeing to buy it and picking it up, I got home to find the front tyres were illegal and had to change them straight away. Another lesson to be learnt I suppose. Thanks again.

Neilj

Neil E · December 9, 2014

I think Colin has covered this very well already but if you think logically, the only circuits that are still live when you leave the car are those that provide a constant 12V supply. That's the place to look.

I can tell my RX Battery is beginning to fail. In warm weather it will start after being left for a week or more. In the cold it's sluggish, after 5 days. It will start but the cold cranking is noticeably weaker. When I buy the biggest new Battery I can fit in there, I'm sure it will be a lot better and I would expect it to retain 12V for 3 weeks or more. When I bought it, the dealer said it wouldn't start because it hadn't been used in 2 weeks and sure enough it didn't. He said it's common with Lexus, I agreed and explained it didn't bother me, I would buy a new one if it needed it but its been okay until recently.

It was a similar story with the SC, I've just replaced that one and it's much better but I can't say how long it would last as I try to keep using both cars. I'm satisfied that both cars do not have any electrical faults but I know the Battery will eventually discharge if left long enough. That's been my experience with LS430, GS430, Soarers and IS models to different degrees and none of them had any faults to cause a Battery drain. Some even started after I left the boot open or an interior light on for more than a day.

I agree it's right and reasonable to expect a car to be capable of being left for say a long holiday and start without issue. My experience suggests it does very much depend on the condition and capacity of the Battery.

alphacat · December 10, 2014

I think too many people instantly think of the Battery. I did. So I tested the Battery.. My Battery holds its charge under discharge and charges with a standard 6 amp charger over the required period. That's a good sign. if it tops up too quickly or doesn't fully charge at all its got a duff cell. You do not even need a hydrometer really (even if you could use one on a sealed unit).

I have done a load test on it and it holds up well. If a cell is low that wouldn't happen.

If a Battery wasn't going to deliver the required amps it wouldn't take 2 weeks find out.. discharge would happen quite quickly and charging wouldn't. I think many people have gone to a garage with a Battery drain problem and been advised and sold a Battery they do not need.

I have a Battery tester too but its not worth buying one really...I also use a voltmeter and in the cig lighter socket I can see the drain over time. If you put the lights on the car and shine them at the garage door or wall. Then start the car and rev it. If the lights brighten you probably have a Battery not holding a decent charge. At least that used to be a good test but I expect on the 430Sc you would need full beam as the HID lights may behave differently.

john leeds · January 24, 2015

Cars not been holding a charge, after 3days it's to flat to start. While having a look at the Battery I noticed a black wire with a fuse on it laying next to the positive nippel, I've reconnected it and now no problems, but this wire looks like after market the way it's just laying there, does anyone know what it is, and how it works, thanks.

ColinBarber · January 24, 2015

That does sound aftermarket. Are you able to trace where it is going?

john leeds · January 24, 2015

I shall have a look tomorrow, and post a pic of it.but whatever it is it stops the Battery going flat.

john leeds · February 10, 2015

Here is a pic of the cable it has a fuse in the little box,once I reconnected it my Battery holds it's charge now, does anyone know what it is please.

mikeyv · February 10, 2015

Simple logic would suggest it's carrying a charge to the Battery.

Only thing I can think of would be some kind of solar charger, is that possible?

ColinBarber · February 11, 2015

It is clearly aftermarket, and if it is truly reducing the discharge rate then I can only think it is either connected to a solar charger, or a second Battery which is connected in parallel and therefore effectively increasing the total Battery capacity.

If it is a second Battery then I'd want to know where it is just to check it is secure and safe so I'd try and trace the wiring.

john leeds · February 11, 2015

I can't see it being a solar panel as I would have definitely spotted it by now, I polish this car every fortnight, as for a second Battery it would have to be small in order to hide it.you can see I keep it clean.

ColinBarber · February 11, 2015

I agree that you would have spotted a solar panel, certainly if it is positioned anywhere where it is actually going to get some sun.

A small Battery, or a bunch or small batteries, or something bigger in the boot maybe? If it isn't a Battery then what else could it be - Something that is also indirectly connected to the Battery in such a way that if the direct connection is broken it actually draws a large amount of current therefore discharging the Battery?

What size fuse is connected to it?

mikeyv · February 11, 2015

Quite simple to check for solar John, though I agree it seems unlikely that you'd have missed it.

Just separate the plug from the Battery and test for power when daylight, then when dark.

john leeds · February 11, 2015

The boot is empty as I had it stripped when I altered the boot height,I'll have a look at the fuse size tomorrow, thanks for all your help as always.

alphacat · February 27, 2015

Is it the supply to a tracker? Most trackers and their supply are hidden. But some are not hidden well. in my view most Battery drain issues are not due to the Battery but the drain and Lexus do not make a car that would have a Battery drain likely to make starting impossible after only a few weeks. Most of these issues are due to after market fit and that is 99 times out of 100 due to a tracker. I know my car was fitted with one once I found the Ariel lead clipped to the rear parking sensor cable. But where it draws power from I am still not sure. Just been diving in Thailand for 12 days and left my car at the airport on return it started no problem. But I have a Battery meter and it showed less than 12 volts so it had drained. Its not the Battery itself as I have had the car SORN for a few months and disconnected the Battery while it was SORN on reconnection it had nearly 13 volts so had held its charge very well.

Battery drain issues are not the car they are down to aftermarket issues. As far as I am concerned.

Neil E · February 28, 2015

Well here's a new one for you to consider.

My RX has started to suffer with significant Battery drain. It doesn't have a tracker and is top of the range standard with no aftermarket gadgetry so it must be in the 1% category.

It didn't take long to trace the fault to the audio system amplifier not switching off when the car/head unit is switched off. It seems to be another weakness with the poor build quality of the 'Levinson' equipment. I'm really not a fan of Fujitsu10.