Tighe's LX570 - general thread

[tbisaacs]

More issues, looking for some guidance before I have the truck towed to my local shop.

A few months back when the fuel sender unit was replaced the battery was also replaced with a new AC Delco unit. I haven’t driven the truck much between then and now, probably once every other week. Yesterday I went to start it up, and no go. Just a click, then nothing. Lights and radio on, but no crank. I put a booster pack on it and was able to get it started up. Drove around the block a few times, put it in my driveway and put a trickle charger on it. Battery trickle charger said the battery was sulfated, and it went into de-sulfate mode, which would take minimum 10 hours.

This morning the battery appeared to be ok. Trickle charger said it was charged, but the truck did not start. Even with a booster pack. Lots of warning lights- check engine, 4lo, CEL, Check VSC, etc. One click then nothing. I then tried jumping it with my Volvo but same thing, one click and it wouldn’t even turn over.

This evening I swapped batteries with my Volvo as a test. The LX battery started up the Volvo without any hesitation. The Volvo battery did not start the LX. Same thing, one click then nothing. Put back on the trickle charger and it looked good, no sulfate warning and the battery appears to be charged.

I get 12.7V between terminals, and I think the same between the battery and the starter, but to be honest I’m not sure I have located the starter correctly.

I read perhaps it’s the immobilizer and have tried a generic Lexus sequence of locking/unlocking with the metal key, but no go.

At this point I’m not sure what else to test. I hoped to get it started with the Volvo battery just to drive it to my local shop, but I can’t even get it started. I hate to call AAA but that’s the next step. Camping trip planned next weekend, assuming I can get this sorted!

Anything I missed? Any other thoughts? Thanks!

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are you sure it’s not a bad starter solenoid?

 

[TeCKis300]

Like @tbisaacs, sounds like the starter to me if you've never replaced that.

These maybe inter-related issues, all somewhat catalyzed by a low battery. Problem with batteries in low states of charge is that they really sag in voltage from significant draws. Motor and other inductive devices will still try to pull the power they want and makeup for the low voltage with more current. Current destroys contacts when these draws are upward of 30% more amps, and the starter solenoid is one of those vulnerable in higher mileage.

I believe you'll want to replace the new battery too as any lead acid is permanently damaged when drawn low. Still begs the question why the battery is getting depleted more easily?

 

[Tighe]

Thanks all! Will continue to investigate this afternoon. Appreciate the tips as always!

 

[04UZJ100]

Just joined the club. 2014 with 170k on it. Got it for 28k. Needs a paint correction bad, part of the trim onthe roof rail is peeling up, otherwise shes mint.

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Interesting post processing and framing.

 

[Tighe]

Just joined the club. 2014 with 170k

Very nice looking truck. I’m envious as I prefer the refreshed front and rear of your truck compared to my 2008. Anyway welcome to the club! You may want to make a new thread in the general 200 Series forum, but you’re welcome in this thread too!

 

[LX Cruiser]

Thanks all! Will continue to investigate this afternoon. Appreciate the tips as always!

Did you get your issue sorted out yet?

 

[Tighe]

Did you get your issue sorted out yet?

Thanks for asking. Spoke to my shop, they said to bring it in and they’ll get the battery replaced under warranty and will investigate further. Flat bed scheduled for tomorrow evening. While I love this truck I may be better suited to older, simpler to work on versions of the LC platform…

 

[LX Cruiser]

Very nice looking truck. I’m envious as I prefer the refreshed front and rear of your truck compared to my 2008. Anyway welcome to the club! You may want to make a new thread in the general 200 Series forum, but you’re welcome in this thread too!

Seems like he thought this was a general thread for people who just got a 570. I did too when I first read the title!

 

[Tighe]

Seems like he thought this was a general thread for people who just got a 570. I did too when I first read the title!

Yeah I think you're right! I'll see if I can edit the title, as that hadn't occurred to me until now.

 

[dingoboyexplore]

Very nice looking truck. I’m envious as I prefer the refreshed front and rear of your truck compared to my 2008. Anyway welcome to the club! You may want to make a new thread in the general 200 Series forum, but you’re welcome in this thread too!

i def clicked and posted in the wrong thread. lmfao. Thought I was posting in the general lx570 thread. my bad man!

free bump, lol

 

[Tighe]

Did you get your issue sorted out yet?

Looks like it's the starter. Mechanic (SD Trux) suggested that perhaps its life was shortened due to the fuel pump sending units failure, causing a lot of repeated failed start attempts. It's getting replaced as we speak.

 

[a200]

Did you say how many miles are on your truck? this seems like another good data point on this disappointing aspect of the 200.

Is there a list out there of other items that are easily replaceable while doing the starter?

 

[Tighe]

Did you say how many miles are on your truck? this seems like another good data point on this disappointing aspect of the 200.

Is there a list out there of other items that are easily replaceable while doing the starter?

97k miles. Dunno about other ‘while you’re in there’ items, as my goal was to get the truck back as quickly as possible so I can use it to camp this weekend.

 

[TeCKis300]

97k miles. Dunno about other ‘while you’re in there’ items, as my goal was to get the truck back as quickly as possible so I can use it to camp this weekend.

Good to hear they diagnosed it and will get you on your way in time for the trip.

It's a good thing it happened locally as it's a known achilles heal of the 200-seires. And Tundra/Sequaoia. Hopefully the new starter/solenoid lasts much longer

 

[Tighe]

Good to hear they diagnosed it and will get you on your way in time for the trip.

It's a good thing it happened locally as it's a known achilles heal of the 200-seires. And Tundra/Sequaoia. Hopefully the new starter/solenoid lasts much longer

Haha I believe this is the third Achille’s heel for this particular truck! That’s too many heels!

 

[Tighe]

Awesome trip to Sheep Canyon Campground in Anza Borrego this past weekend. The Rock Garden section was considerably more washed out than I remember. It was much more challenging than last year, and while I didn't have any mishaps or sustain any damage it definitely put sliders on my Christmas list!

As I was setting up camp a big crew of Land Rovers came through, so I quickly attached my ladder to the truck to better fit in. It was actually an awesome looking convoy, everything from old school Defender 90's to modified Range Rover Sports.

I think my son might have the off road bug.

The way back down was equally nerve wracking, but with 4LO engaged and the center diff locked it was fine. I did have to get out and move some rocks by hand though. It took a few attempts to get 4LO to engage, and I didn't use Crawl Control because basically I don't know what I'm doing...

 

[dingoboyexplore]

Awesome trip to Sheep Canyon Campground in Anza Borrego this past weekend. The Rock Garden section was considerably more washed out than I remember. It was much more challenging than last year, and while I didn't have any mishaps or sustain any damage it definitely put sliders on my Christmas list!

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As I was setting up camp a big crew of Land Rovers came through, so I quickly attached my ladder to the truck to better fit in. It was actually an awesome looking convoy, everything from old school Defender 90's to modified Range Rover Sports.

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I think my son might have the off road bug.

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The way back down was equally nerve racking, but with 4LO engaged and the center diff locked it was fine. I did have to get out and move some rocks by hand though. It took a few attempts to get 4LO to engage, and I didn't use Crawl Control because basically I don't know what I'm doing...

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Looks like a great time! How are you liking the gfc? I keep seeing them come up for sale...kinda alot. Keep wondering why tbh as their advertising makes them seem very nice.

 

[Tighe]

Looks like a great time! How are you liking the gfc? I keep seeing them come up for sale...kinda alot. Keep wondering why tbh as their advertising makes them seem very nice.

I love it. It fits my needs perfectly but I could see outgrowing it in a few years, as I typically bring 1 or 2 of my kids with me. It's perfect for two adults, with minimal gear.
I bought it used but it still shows very minimal signs of wear. I hit a cactus with it on this past trip and thought for sure there would be a mark, but it just wiped off. I have a few posts over on the GFC Forum, this one may be of interest if you're serious about buying one.

Incidentally GFC is now selling off their old stock of Superlites. They're out of production and they're now selling off the remaining tents as apparently a newer version is coming out. And they also have some brick and mortar stores opening up on the west coast. Customer service is pretty good too. I would definitely recommend them.

 

[Tighe]

I'm heading out to Anza Borrego this coming weekend with two of my kids, ages 2 and 4 years old. It's supposed to be pretty chilly at night, like high 30's, which I've camped in solo but never with kids. Any tips for desert camping in chilly weather with young kids? I think I've prepared sufficiently but I still have some trepidation.

We'll be in my GFC Superlite. I have proper sleeping bags for them from REI, rated down to 25°F. I also have heated sleeping bag liners which warm up through a USB port/battery bank. I've never used these...they're actually still in the mail so I can't vouch for them. I'll bring extra blankets, and probably add a layer of foam underneath the mattress to provide some additional insulation.

Any other major things to consider?

Thanks,
Tighe

 

[LTSR]

I took my 3 year old son to Anza Borrego a few weeks back while the evenings were in the 40s. He likes to sleep outside of the bag/blankets, so even though he would start the evening out in the bag, I'd find him out of the bag in the middle of the night. I would turn on the propane heater for a few minutes to warm up the tent and go back to sleep. Did that a few times, I was concerned about the CO2 so I don't want to go back that route again. For our next trip out, I purchased a 500w amazon basics 110v heater to use with my home brew battery bank to run for a few minutes at a time (Amazon product ASIN B074MXC3PN). I have to say it works better than my old 1500w heater. I measured the power intake on the unit and it really only uses 500w or less. I researched using candles for heat but there's also a concern for CO2 again; I took a close look at the UCO candles that last for 9+ hours. I wouldn't have to think about these solutions if the kid just stayed in his bag!