1999 RX 300: Starter or Weak Battery?

[Yee Hah]

Hi,
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried to
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.

- I did notice that the control panel lights (speedometer, RPM, etc.)
flicker and appear weak when I initially put in the key position right
before trying to start.
- Also, lights in the information panel in the center of the dash don't
light at all (I never really noticed before at what point they light up, but
I thought I'd mention it here in case it means something).

Before taking it in for repairs, I thought I'd ask the following:

* Does this sound like maybe a weak battery and I just need a bigger vehicle
like a truck to try to jump start it?
* If it sounds like a starter problem, does replacing a starter on this
model require a professional or is it something I could do myself?

Thank you!

[Rick Brandt]

Post by Yee Hah
Hi,
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried to
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.
- I did notice that the control panel lights (speedometer, RPM, etc.)
flicker and appear weak when I initially put in the key position right
before trying to start.
- Also, lights in the information panel in the center of the dash don't
light at all (I never really noticed before at what point they light up, but
I thought I'd mention it here in case it means something).
* Does this sound like maybe a weak battery and I just need a bigger vehicle
like a truck to try to jump start it?
* If it sounds like a starter problem, does replacing a starter on this
model require a professional or is it something I could do myself?

Sounds like crappy jumper cables or ones that were not connected properly.

[St. John Smythe]

Post by Yee Hah
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried to
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.
- I did notice that the control panel lights (speedometer, RPM, etc.)
flicker and appear weak when I initially put in the key position right
before trying to start.
- Also, lights in the information panel in the center of the dash don't
light at all (I never really noticed before at what point they light up, but
I thought I'd mention it here in case it means something).
* Does this sound like maybe a weak battery

Yes, maybe, or maybe a corroded connection somewhere (battery, starter,
relay, frame). How old is the battery, and has it ever in its life been
run down?

My guess (remote, so take it with a grain of salt) is the starter is
just fine.

[Ray O]

Post by Yee Hah
Hi,
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried to
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.
- I did notice that the control panel lights (speedometer, RPM, etc.)
flicker and appear weak when I initially put in the key position right
before trying to start.
- Also, lights in the information panel in the center of the dash don't
light at all (I never really noticed before at what point they light up, but
I thought I'd mention it here in case it means something).
* Does this sound like maybe a weak battery and I just need a bigger vehicle
like a truck to try to jump start it?

Yes and yes (kind of). You do not necessarily need a bigger vehicle, you
just need one with enough alternator output or battery capacity to start
your car, especially if the battery in your car is weak or dead.

If the battery has been left in a discharged state for a long time, it will
lose its ability to hold a charge.

Also, if the battery is more than 5 years old, it is probably time for a
replacement.

Post by Yee Hah
* If it sounds like a starter problem, does replacing a starter on this
model require a professional or is it something I could do myself?
Thank you!

It does not sound like a starter problem, but if it is and you can see the
starter, you should be able to replace it yourself.

[CFL]

Post by Ray O

Post by Yee Hah
Hi,
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried to
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.
- I did notice that the control panel lights (speedometer, RPM, etc.)
flicker and appear weak when I initially put in the key position right
before trying to start.
- Also, lights in the information panel in the center of the dash don't
light at all (I never really noticed before at what point they light up, but
I thought I'd mention it here in case it means something).
* Does this sound like maybe a weak battery and I just need a bigger vehicle
like a truck to try to jump start it?

Yes and yes (kind of). You do not necessarily need a bigger vehicle, you
just need one with enough alternator output or battery capacity to start
your car, especially if the battery in your car is weak or dead.
If the battery has been left in a discharged state for a long time, it will
lose its ability to hold a charge.
Also, if the battery is more than 5 years old, it is probably time for a
replacement.

Post by Yee Hah
* If it sounds like a starter problem, does replacing a starter on this
model require a professional or is it something I could do myself?
Thank you!

It does not sound like a starter problem, but if it is and you can see the
starter, you should be able to replace it yourself.

By any chance did you leave the headlight switch in Auto while the car
sat? If you did that killed the battery and if it was weak to start you
could have a problem with a jump start.

[Nick C Topolos]

Post by Yee Hah
Hi,
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried to
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.

I recently changed the battery on mt 1999 RX 300. Fortunately it went
dead in my garage so I put a battery charger on MAX and let it recharge
the battery a couple of minutes before starting. Interesting, though,
the clock was wrong a couple of days before the dead battery. I think it
was trying to warn me!

[Yee Hah]

Thank you all who responded. I found some Internet instructions on jump
starting a car and found that in my earlier attempt I had not attached the
cables in the correct and holy order. I didn't think the order would make a
difference, but when I tried the instructions the car started right up!

Take care and best wishes.

Post by Yee Hah
Hi,
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried to
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.
- I did notice that the control panel lights (speedometer, RPM, etc.)
flicker and appear weak when I initially put in the key position right
before trying to start.
- Also, lights in the information panel in the center of the dash don't
light at all (I never really noticed before at what point they light up, but
I thought I'd mention it here in case it means something).
* Does this sound like maybe a weak battery and I just need a bigger vehicle
like a truck to try to jump start it?
* If it sounds like a starter problem, does replacing a starter on this
model require a professional or is it something I could do myself?
Thank you!

[Jay Somerset >]

Post by Yee Hah
Thank you all who responded. I found some Internet instructions on jump
starting a car and found that in my earlier attempt I had not attached the
cables in the correct and holy order. I didn't think the order would make a
difference, but when I tried the instructions the car started right up!

The order of connecting the cables is irrelevant, as long as you connect
positive to positive, and negative to negative. However, connecting them in
the recommended order can reduce the chance of a spark next to a battery
that may be venting hydrogen gas, which is explosive.

Your failed attempt had nothing to do with order, but everything to do with
connecting the cables improperly, or failing to get a good electrical
contact on at least one of the connections.
-Jay-

Post by Yee Hah
Take care and best wishes.

Post by Yee Hah
Hi,
We have a 1999 RX 300. After not starting it for several weeks, I tried

to

Post by Yee Hah
start it and just heard a rapid clicking sound. Today I tried to jump it
with a 1998 Camry but no luck.
- I did notice that the control panel lights (speedometer, RPM, etc.)
flicker and appear weak when I initially put in the key position right
before trying to start.
- Also, lights in the information panel in the center of the dash don't
light at all (I never really noticed before at what point they light up,

but

Post by Yee Hah
I thought I'd mention it here in case it means something).
* Does this sound like maybe a weak battery and I just need a bigger

vehicle

Post by Yee Hah
like a truck to try to jump start it?
* If it sounds like a starter problem, does replacing a starter on this
model require a professional or is it something I could do myself?
Thank you!