This is NOT why I bought a LX

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

That is really unacceptable. I hope your wife doesn't loose confidence in the 100, that would certainly test my patience. I would be pissed if I had a 03 (only 36K miles) crapped out on my family.

I agree with bulldog-yota, it's hard to imagine a bad battery being the cause of a shutdown while driving.
Although they will prob. not fess up, I hope the dealer fixes the issue.

It's a great vehicle, I hope the issue is something simple.

possibly a bad alternator?

Let's look at the possible upside. Maybe she will lose confidence in the 100 and you will have to drive it all the time :)
 
Alternator... ?

Hi

My LC100 V8 had a bad alternator - it actually discharged the battery and when that happens, nothing works anymore... Refitted a new battery just to get the vehicle home (5 mi), and it nearly did not make it!:crybaby:

Had run nearly 130K mi when that happended, though.. And I second that the battery itself is unlikely to be the reason, once the vehicle is actually started...

Regards.... let's know what it was...
 
Thanks again for all the input guys. No word yet - it looks like the Satuday hours are only for routine items.

I expect a call today as I do trust (at the moment), Scott, my service advisor is on top of things.

How long do OE batteries generally last in these cars?

Again, I am really hopeing they find something other than the battery...
 
The batteries on these rigs have a reputation of going strong for a long time. My 98 with 105k still has the original and tested out fine this year. Make sure they test it and don't throw it out as a routine (profit generating) procedure. Any replacement will likely not be of as high a quality. My guess is a loose connection related to the service.
 
Going dead in the middle of the road sounds like the alternator or voltage regulator failed and caused the battery to drain. I assume you were able to jump start it the first time and it ran well until it died.

My battery lasted 5 years. That seems about right for the Panasonic, though some get more years. 4 years is a bit early, but when I first noticed "weakness" issues with the battery (episodes of slow turn overs at times, and the first recharge needed). If your vehicle sat very long on a dealer's lot without their attention to maintaining the charge in the battery (Toyota has a TSB on it), it may be weaker than normal.

The 03 is a great model year. Hope it turns out to be a relatively simple fix. If the dealer made a mistake, they should stand by their work. Lexus is usually excellent on taking care of customers. I expect they gave you a loaner while it is in the shop.
 
Just heard back from Lexus.

My advisor told me that they needed to loosen a fuse box to perform the upgrade. The tech while moving the fuse box also unknowingly stressed the electrical connection to the box.

The tech appologized and my advisor offered the next service (45K) free of charge. He mentioned that it usually costs $350. He then said that they will drop off the LX and pick up the loaner this afternoon.

Overall, I am pleased with the outcome.

However... am I being told a bunch of BS about the fuse box?
 
That is great service! Good ol' Lexus.

maybe he just didn't "snap" some plug connectors all the way. It sounds reasonable.
 
All mechanics make mistakes. Even Lexus. they do some of the service on my LC because I DD an ES 300 and it is closer to the office than Toyota. But they have done amazingly stupid things like: forget to change the stem when they replaced a blown tire. Left tools on the engine, Broke things while trying to fix others. Certified cars that had been in accidents and "didn't know it"(clean carfax) with touch up paint on the bumper. "never, ever take delivery at night"!!!!!!!
Now in thier defense, they have given me a loaner car every time, and fixed everything at no cost to me. When My explorer broke they laughed and told me to call rent a car it would be a few weeks. I am sorry to hear this happened to your family. Also from my experiances with Lexus"roadside ..." it is just a contracted triple AAA and they get paid per call, not based on service. I was in a suit on my way to a meeting and blew a tire. I had changed it myself and left before the guy showed up. I was washing my hands at the gas station when he called to ask where I was.???

heads up on the LC Battery, Mine lasted from 00 to november 06 no problems. I could have gotten it recharged for free and made it another year or so, but I just replaced it.
 
Great news. The fuse box makes sense - going dead all of a sudden. They are doing well for you - that is a nice free service you got. I expect it will be a trouble free car for you for many years.

Some have recommended something like the Battery Minder to extend the life of the battery. Yours is young enough it ought to give you many more years. The Panasonic is a good battery - not available aftermarket in the USA.
 
AT least they fessed up to making a mistake, so I would think that they would give you the best diagnoses they have. The scenario sounds feasible, so I think it would work out fine.

Also you got a service out of it, which is pretty nice. This sounds more like the Lexus we know.
 
And I was ready with more great "stealership" material and a bunch of "DIY or go broke" comments.

Sounds like they owned up and made right.
 
SWUtah, I wonder what the "usual" includes. Maybe balancing the tires also. With the CPO, I expect all the fluids were changed with the 30K service. What you listed would tend to be about $200, unless they spend a lot of time checking and tightening.
 
SWUtah, I wonder what the "usual" includes. Maybe balancing the tires also. With the CPO, I expect all the fluids were changed with the 30K service. What you listed would tend to be about $200, unless they spend a lot of time checking and tightening.

A 5K mile service at my dealership cost $50. Add $25 for rotation and $75? for the airconditioning filter and I get at the most $150 and they better have a nice waiting room with snacks, coffee, cokes, etc.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top Bottom