Ls 400 - Its Getting Worse - Some Wisdom Needed Help !

[Malc]

hahahahahahaha .............. I remember in the olden days when all you needed with a flat Battery was to get the starting handle out of the boot and a couple of yanks on that got the engine whirring again ...... oh, and the boot lock was just that, an old fashioned key in the handle !!!

Malc

[harrylime]

Off topic sorry, but I did enjoy this sentence..

"However, I have a 12 year old battery on my V8 Morris Minor which still holds it charge."

I bet that is most amusing.

I have car batteries for other projects, over 8 years old, and no problems.

The Morris Minor ignores it's Battery when not left at night. This was the reason in the good old days, my dad used to run a cable out of the house to a parking light he hooked up to the window of the car. If had used his car Battery, he would have had the same issue that we Lexus owners now have with the security systems working 24/7.

Maybe a doberman would be a better bet, leave it in the LS overnight, disable all the electronics and see if anyone dares steal anything!!!

I remember my Dad having a little white and red parking light hooked on his window. I'm pretty sure that ran off his Battery. He also used to put a blanket over the engine overnight. One car was a Triumph Herald, and the other a Hillman Minx. I can still remember the registration number of his previously owned Ford Prefect VDV 539 and his Ford Zephyr Zodiac GPR 963. This is almost 50 years ago. I often can't remember where I left my car keys or what I had for dinner yesterday. Strange. I have also been fancying a Morris Minor lately for pottering about, but a standard one. getting hard to find a decent one without paying silly money. I had a Traveller once, full of character and loved the raspberry sound the engine made when changing gear.

[plastic orange]

Well, I spoke too soon. Car started first time with new Battery, but wouldn't today. It's on charge just now, so hopefully will start. I'll have to investigate the Battery drain today. I'd absolutely no warning of impending problems.

Pete

[Colin M]

It may be worth getting the alternator checked out to see whether it is charging all the time or only intermittently.

I had a similar problem on my Mk 3 LS400 recently. The Battery ran flat and the car ground to a halt. I put a spare fully charged Battery on to get it home, recharged the original Battery, started the car and put a voltmeter across the Battery. It read 14.8 volts so I assumed the alternator was charging OK and the Battery was at fault. I bought a new Battery but this ran flat when I was out in the car shortly afterwards.

A sixth sense told me that was not going to be an easy fix so I decided to book it into Lexus to get them to check out the alternator and wiring connections. This turned out to be a good move as the alternator had to be removed and refitted twice to discover that it charged Ok when the engine was cold but only sometimes when it was hot. The intermittent charging was due to an internal fault. A replacement alternator has now solved the problem.

[Cotswold Pete]

Off topic sorry, but I did enjoy this sentence..

"However, I have a 12 year old battery on my V8 Morris Minor which still holds it charge."

I bet that is most amusing.

I have car batteries for other projects, over 8 years old, and no problems.

The Morris Minor ignores it's Battery when not left at night. This was the reason in the good old days, my dad used to run a cable out of the house to a parking light he hooked up to the window of the car. If had used his car Battery, he would have had the same issue that we Lexus owners now have with the security systems working 24/7.

Maybe a doberman would be a better bet, leave it in the LS overnight, disable all the electronics and see if anyone dares steal anything!!!

I remember my Dad having a little white and red parking light hooked on his window. I'm pretty sure that ran off his Battery. He also used to put a blanket over the engine overnight. One car was a Triumph Herald, and the other a Hillman Minx. I can still remember the registration number of his previously owned Ford Prefect VDV 539 and his Ford Zephyr Zodiac GPR 963. This is almost 50 years ago. I often can't remember where I left my car keys or what I had for dinner yesterday. Strange. I have also been fancying a Morris Minor lately for pottering about, but a standard one. getting hard to find a decent one without paying silly money. I had a Traveller once, full of character and loved the raspberry sound the engine made when changing gear.

Hugh,

Actually I think mains powered thingy was shortlived, and probably some heath robinson lash up my Grandad passed on.

I do recall, that later on it was replaced by this Battery powered device (which must have eaten batteries) which become defunct when street lighting began to get better.

Those were the days, though I have no desire for things like Morris Minors or other classics.

[harrylime]

I also spoke too soon. Went out yesterday for another run of 20 miles or so. Would not start this morning. Just a click and then a whirring sound (solenoid?)I'm trying to avoid lexus labour rates. I've dropped off the Battery at the lexus dealer and they have given me a new one, as it was under warranty. This is conditional on their testing the Battery overnight. If it turns out to be OK, I have to return the new one. Quite trusting of them, I thought. If the Battery is OK, I will ask a local auto electrician to check out the alternator. If that checks out, I'll get the starter contacts replaced. I've had a quote from a local Porsche specialist to do the starter at £160 labour instead of the £360 plus labour quoted by the main dealer. Bit more reasonable, I think. I thought about this garage because I assume that working on Porsches demands some care, attention to detail and cleanliness.

Not happy with Lexus labour rates, which are just plain greedy. For 4 hours labour at Lexus I can get a skilled carpenter or electrician for over three days. Ridiculous

[The-Acre]

I also spoke too soon. Went out yesterday for another run of 20 miles or so. Would not start this morning. Just a click and then a whirring sound (solenoid?)I'm trying to avoid lexus labour rates. I've dropped off the battery at the lexus dealer and they have given me a new one, as it was under warranty. This is conditional on their testing the battery overnight. If it turns out to be OK, I have to return the new one. Quite trusting of them, I thought. If the battery is OK, I will ask a local auto electrician to check out the alternator. If that checks out, I'll get the starter contacts replaced. I've had a quote from a local Porsche specialist to do the starter at £160 labour instead of the £360 plus labour quoted by the main dealer. Bit more reasonable, I think. I thought about this garage because I assume that working on Porsches demands some care, attention to detail and cleanliness.

Not happy with Lexus labour rates, which are just plain greedy. For 4 hours labour at Lexus I can get a skilled carpenter or electrician for over three days. Ridiculous

I'm a carpenter, but you won't get me for three days for that money!! £160 is good for the labour. Have they done one before do you know? I've heard of garages quoting without knowing what's really involved.

[Titch LS]

Hugh, sorry to hear of your plight. I hope your Porche specialist chap knows what's involved when replacing the 'hidden' starter on an LS. If he does, hold him to that labour quote,- it's a bargain price.

[ROYT]

Have you checked all earth [ground[ connections are tight and corrosion free

[plastic orange]

Well, after yesterdays nonsense I charged the Battery all day then took a voltage reading - 12.53v. This morning it read 12.52v and car started first time and continued as normal all day. I ordered a solenoid repair kit from eBay just in case though. It may have been that the new Battery wasn't charged fully when I fitted it - we'll see tomorrow.

A friend of mine who is a mechanic with the ambulance service told me that Bosch batteries were always failing, so they buy the cheapest and replace as and when.

Pete

[harrylime]

I also spoke too soon. Went out yesterday for another run of 20 miles or so. Would not start this morning. Just a click and then a whirring sound (solenoid?)I'm trying to avoid lexus labour rates. I've dropped off the battery at the lexus dealer and they have given me a new one, as it was under warranty. This is conditional on their testing the battery overnight. If it turns out to be OK, I have to return the new one. Quite trusting of them, I thought. If the battery is OK, I will ask a local auto electrician to check out the alternator. If that checks out, I'll get the starter contacts replaced. I've had a quote from a local Porsche specialist to do the starter at £160 labour instead of the £360 plus labour quoted by the main dealer. Bit more reasonable, I think. I thought about this garage because I assume that working on Porsches demands some care, attention to detail and cleanliness.

Not happy with Lexus labour rates, which are just plain greedy. For 4 hours labour at Lexus I can get a skilled carpenter or electrician for over three days. Ridiculous

I'm a carpenter, but you won't get me for three days for that money!! £160 is good for the labour. Have they done one before do you know? I've heard of garages quoting without knowing what's really involved.

I also spoke too soon. Went out yesterday for another run of 20 miles or so. Would not start this morning. Just a click and then a whirring sound (solenoid?)I'm trying to avoid lexus labour rates. I've dropped off the battery at the lexus dealer and they have given me a new one, as it was under warranty. This is conditional on their testing the battery overnight. If it turns out to be OK, I have to return the new one. Quite trusting of them, I thought. If the battery is OK, I will ask a local auto electrician to check out the alternator. If that checks out, I'll get the starter contacts replaced. I've had a quote from a local Porsche specialist to do the starter at £160 labour instead of the £360 plus labour quoted by the main dealer. Bit more reasonable, I think. I thought about this garage because I assume that working on Porsches demands some care, attention to detail and cleanliness.

Not happy with Lexus labour rates, which are just plain greedy. For 4 hours labour at Lexus I can get a skilled carpenter or electrician for over three days. Ridiculous

I'm a carpenter, but you won't get me for three days for that money!! £160 is good for the labour. Have they done one before do you know? I've heard of garages quoting without knowing what's really involved.

I don't live in Sussex, but that's the going rate around here, and for good people

[harrylime]

Have you checked all earth [ground[ connections are tight and corrosion free

Roy

That's a good idea, if i can find them all

[The-Acre]

Hugh, sorry to hear of your plight. I hope your Porche specialist chap knows what's involved when replacing the 'hidden' starter on an LS. If he does, hold him to that labour quote,- it's a bargain price.

Isn't there a story of a team of mechanics that took a couple of hours or so just to work out where the starter is?

[harrylime]

Hugh, sorry to hear of your plight. I hope your Porche specialist chap knows what's involved when replacing the 'hidden' starter on an LS. If he does, hold him to that labour quote,- it's a bargain price.

Brian

I sent him a couple of links to tutorials etc,, not to tell him how to do it, but to allow him to get a feel for what is involved. I have a local garage I trust, but his workshop is, how can I put it delicately, a **** tip. My son in law has used the Porsche garage and it is a much cleaner environment. I figure they will have the attention to detail needed

[Malc]

My indy operates from a back street lock-up in a not very salubrious part of Kent .......... BUT he is brilliant at what he does, low overheads means low on-pricing to me and at £30 per hour with no vat coz his turnover is so low, keeps my Lexus and my other car in fine fettle. Which cars he has now been keeping well and happy for me for just 7 years now, ever since I found him ..................... he's MAGIK

Looks aren't everything, it's the quality of the output that counts.......... just about to pop that pack of beer in the car for his Xmas pressie

Malc

[plastic orange]

Car started as normal today so hopefully it's just been a glitch. Solenoid kit arrived today too, so if it happens again at least I've got the parts.

Pete

[harrylime]

well, Lexus kept my Battery overnight for testing and it seems it's fine. I may get the alternator tested but I plan to order the starter repair kit and take it from there.

[ROYT]

When you tested the alternator, did you test it under load?

Needs heated rear screen or headlights etc., on to confirm alternator

still puts out more than 12 volts.

You may have to raise the revs a little on this test

[Scribe]

This time last year the electrics on my car went haywire because of the Battery. The car hadn't been used for about 3 weeks, and although it started first time, various things didn't work (one headlamp, remote locking, the alarm went off, door opening warning light on). After disconnecting the Battery and putting it on charge everything went back to normal BUT once or twice soon afterwards the revs dropped right down and the car almost stalled. This must have been a glitch because it's been fine ever since.

[plastic orange]

I've not used the car for a few days so before starting it I decided to see what Battery voltage was - 12.2, so obviously it's draining down somehow. It did start however and voltage when running indicates alternator is charging - 14.3 at idle. I don't think I have a starter motor problem, but something has recently happened to cause a Battery drain. Of course, it could be the new Battery is faulty.

Pete

[ambermarine]

Pete

The Battery drain on the mark 4 is inevitable ,the security system drains the Battery even though it is a small amperage .I discovered this the couple of week after I bought the car two years ago.

It got me from Cheltenham (where I got the car) to Scotland but only just on a knackered Battery.

I then bought a brand new spec Battery and that went flat within ten days,the supplier replaced it and the replacement went flat within ten days.

I now use an intelligent 2amp output charger and that as done the job perfectly ever since.

I soon realised there is no point in trying to illminate this drain its more hassle than its worth.

If we use these cars occasionally which is not what they were designed for this phenomenom will raise its ugly head.

[plastic orange]

This going flat situation has only arisen very recently. I've left the car for up to a month whilst on hols and it fired up straight away, so I'm thinking something has happened to change things. It certainly doesn't inspire confidence if you can't leave the car for several days hoping it will start.

Pete

[harrylime]

I just dropped off my car with the garage. It's a German specialist as I can't find a Lexus specialist (1 reason for not owning a Lexus in my view). BMWs and Porsche Carrerras parked outside, so it felt a bit strange. I'm taking a bit of a punt but if they can resolve it, it may cost me around the £250 - £300 mark for a rebuilt starter and new solenoid contacts, instead of the near £700 mark wanted by the greedy main dealers. We will see and I wait with bated breath

[plastic orange]

Today is the first below freezing day for a while and guess what - failed to start with Battery reading 12.3 volts. Charged it up for 20 minutes and it started no bother. I think the new Battery may be faulty as car wasn't used for 2 days - job for next week.

It's just been MOT'd and new rear tyres and brake pads so it seems things as usual all happening at once.

Pete

[Chris Skelton]

A Battery shop can test the basic capacity of a Battery. I get mine from a place that makes them (I think) and they do this.

I used not to 'plip' my Ser 4 outside my house because -as A-Marine says, the security system seems to drain the power. Was thinking about fitting a solar trickle charger but I think the LS's Cig lighter isn't 'live' without ignition -so couldn't plug the Solar do-dad in there. (Earlier Audis had a solar system built in to their roof window. But not later! Is that progress?)

Can we source an extra Amperage Battery to fit in the space?