Bad battery or something worse?

[Catch 23]

For the past 7-10 days, my 1999 LS400 has had a bit of a problem
starting. When I turn the key, the lights (instrument panel and
headlights) come on, but nothing happens. If I turn the key off and
back on, it will usually start within 1-3 tries.

At first, I thought it might be an electrical or electronic problem,
but I am starting to think that it might be the battery. I noticed
that the problem is worse the first time I start it each day. After
driving it even a little distance (few miles), it usually starts on
the first try. Yesterday and today, I 2-3 times without success. I
then turned the headlights off (they are usually left in the auto
setting), and it started right up.

And the problem seems to be getting worse the past day or so.

All this seems to indicate a weak battery. Is that reasonable?

About 6 months ago, a door was left ajar, which laft an interior light
on for 12-15 hours, maybe more. When I tried to start it, it was
completely dead. AAA jumped it. I asked them to test the battery. They
said it was not 100%, but difficult to test until fully recharged.

When I took it in for regular service about 2 months ago, I asked them
to test the battery. They said it was OK.

Before I take it in for service, I would like to know what you all
think the problem might be and, more importantly, what it cannot be.

Thanks

[Gary L. Burnore]

Post by Catch 23
For the past 7-10 days, my 1999 LS400 has had a bit of a problem
starting. When I turn the key, the lights (instrument panel and
headlights) come on, but nothing happens. If I turn the key off and
back on, it will usually start within 1-3 tries.
At first, I thought it might be an electrical or electronic problem,
but I am starting to think that it might be the battery. I noticed
that the problem is worse the first time I start it each day. After
driving it even a little distance (few miles), it usually starts on
the first try. Yesterday and today, I 2-3 times without success. I
then turned the headlights off (they are usually left in the auto
setting), and it started right up.
And the problem seems to be getting worse the past day or so.
All this seems to indicate a weak battery. Is that reasonable?
About 6 months ago, a door was left ajar, which laft an interior light
on for 12-15 hours, maybe more. When I tried to start it, it was
completely dead. AAA jumped it. I asked them to test the battery. They
said it was not 100%, but difficult to test until fully recharged.
When I took it in for regular service about 2 months ago, I asked them
to test the battery. They said it was OK.
Before I take it in for service, I would like to know what you all
think the problem might be and, more importantly, what it cannot be.

If your battery is close to or more than two years old, REPLACE IT.
--
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[z***@tink.net]

Post by Gary L. Burnore

Post by Catch 23
For the past 7-10 days, my 1999 LS400 has had a bit of a problem
starting. When I turn the key, the lights (instrument panel and
headlights) come on, but nothing happens. If I turn the key off and
back on, it will usually start within 1-3 tries.
At first, I thought it might be an electrical or electronic problem,
but I am starting to think that it might be the battery. I noticed
that the problem is worse the first time I start it each day. After
driving it even a little distance (few miles), it usually starts on
the first try. Yesterday and today, I 2-3 times without success. I
then turned the headlights off (they are usually left in the auto
setting), and it started right up.
And the problem seems to be getting worse the past day or so.
All this seems to indicate a weak battery. Is that reasonable?
About 6 months ago, a door was left ajar, which laft an interior light
on for 12-15 hours, maybe more. When I tried to start it, it was
completely dead. AAA jumped it. I asked them to test the battery. They
said it was not 100%, but difficult to test until fully recharged.
When I took it in for regular service about 2 months ago, I asked them
to test the battery. They said it was OK.
Before I take it in for service, I would like to know what you all
think the problem might be and, more importantly, what it cannot be.

If your battery is close to or more than two years old, REPLACE IT.
--
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How you look depends on where you go.
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Gary L. Burnore | ÝÛ³ºÝ³Þ³ºÝ³³Ýۺݳ޳ºÝ³Ý³Þ³ºÝ³ÝÝÛ³
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Agreed. One other thing to check is the battery cable connections - at both
ends. Make sure there is no corrosion & they are securely fastened at both
the battery & the chassis/solenoid sides. A "fragile" connection could
reproduce the problems you are experiencing.

I am new to this group as I just inherited a '93 GS300 with 85,000 miles.

Rich

[p***@gmail.com]

Post by Gary L. Burnore

Post by Catch 23
For the past 7-10 days, my 1999 LS400 has had a bit of a problem
starting. When I turn the key, the lights (instrument panel and
headlights) come on, but nothing happens. If I turn the key off and
back on, it will usually start within 1-3 tries.
At first, I thought it might be an electrical or electronic problem,
but I am starting to think that it might be the battery. I noticed
that the problem is worse the first time I start it each day. After
driving it even a little distance (few miles), it usually starts on
the first try. Yesterday and today, I 2-3 times without success. I
then turned the headlights off (they are usually left in the auto
setting), and it started right up.
And the problem seems to be getting worse the past day or so.
All this seems to indicate a weak battery. Is that reasonable?
About 6 months ago, a door was left ajar, which laft an interior light
on for 12-15 hours, maybe more. When I tried to start it, it was
completely dead. AAA jumped it. I asked them to test the battery. They
said it was not 100%, but difficult to test until fully recharged.
When I took it in for regular service about 2 months ago, I asked them
to test the battery. They said it was OK.
Before I take it in for service, I would like to know what you all
think the problem might be and, more importantly, what it cannot be.

If your battery is close to or more than two years old, REPLACE IT.
--
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Agreed.  One other thing to check is the battery cable connections - at both
ends.  Make sure there is no corrosion & they are securely fastened at both
the battery & the chassis/solenoid sides.  A "fragile" connection could
reproduce the problems you are experiencing.
I am new to this group as I just inherited a '93 GS300 with 85,000 miles.
Rich

I Agree with Rich. I've seen several strange electrical problems due
to bad grounding connections.
After a few years (or several years) corrosion starts to build up on
the ground connections.
Make sure all your ground connections are clean. Take them off and
clean them with sand paper or wire brush.

I'd also suggest changing the battery wires if the car is about 10
years old. these parts aren't expensive.

Good luck,

Oskar

[m***@aol.com]

Why should you have to change a battery every two years? That is maybe
valid for junk batteries. What kind of battery do you put in your
LS430 or 460 so it gets normal life of 6 to 10 years? And why would
you ever need to replace battery cables? The normaly are made of metal
and large enough that they offer minimal resistance even if the outer
shell gets rusted.

[Gary L. Burnore]

Post by m***@aol.com
Why should you have to change a battery every two years?

With as little as they cost compared to what happens when they croak in the
middle of nowhere, it's worth it.

Post by m***@aol.com
That is maybe valid for junk batteries. What kind of battery do you put in your
LS430 or 460 so it gets normal life of 6 to 10 years?

10 years? Bull.

With premium sound systems, sat navigation, and other goodies, batteries take
a beating when the car ISN'T running. A few cold winters wear them down too.
It's just not worth the trouble of having one die.

Post by m***@aol.com
And why would you ever need to replace battery cables?

Good question. Ends, I could see. Perhaps he refers to the connections on
the block or starter end.

Post by m***@aol.com
The normaly are made of metal
and large enough that they offer minimal resistance even if the outer
shell gets rusted.

Corroded. Not rusted.
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