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I have a 1999 Lexus ES 300 with two problems (or perhaps one problem with two symptoms??)1. For the 6+ years I owned the car it has had issues with an intermittent electrical leak. I will occasionally find the car battery dead after sitting overnight (brand new battery, no lights left on, doors/trunk shut and locked.) This problem is noticably worse in cold weather. Car starts fine after a jump and after short periods of sitting unused. Been to the lexus and toyota dealerships for diagnostics but no one can pinpoint the leak--perhaps it is never actively leaking when in the shop? We installed a "battery brain" to kill the circuit when a certain amount of voltage is drawn from the battery. I realize this does not truely fix the problem but it keeps my battery alive.2. More recently I have noticed that the car will occasionally not start. The battery is charged (lights, radio, etc come on.) When I turn the key the radio cuts out (as I think it is supposed to) but there are no sounds from the engine--no clicking or cranking. I also noticed that the headlights do not dim at all when I attempt to start the car. I assumed that something was wrong with the starter. I took the car in for a diagnostics at NTB and they said their test of the startup system showed nothing wrong.
Country: United StatesMake: LexusModel: ES300Year: 1999
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Yes, still waiting for an answer. Thanks.
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Hello and thank you for using just answer!Does the starting issue only happen in certain temperature ranges? Has the car ever had an issue with a leaking or exploded battery since new?
The electrical leak is worse when it's cold but I haven't noticed any link to temperature with the starting issue. The car has been through serveral batteries in the time I've owned it (maybe 4 or 5 in 6+ years.) but I do not know of any acid/chemical leaks or explosions.
Do you have ANYTHING aftermarket on this car that's an electrical item such as alarm, radio, lighting, etc...?
Nothing--except for the battery brain I mentioned earlier.
Ok. Does this have the base premium audio system or does it have the optional nakamichi audio? Alos please answer my earlier question of if this car has ever had a leaking battery or one that exploded in it. Thanks!
I do not know of any battery acid/chemical leaks or explosions. The audio is "Lexus premium" not nakamuchi.
Do you ever have issues with the key reminder chime staying on after you remove the key?
No.
Ok let's dig deeper. Does the car have a factory, aftermarket or factory replacement alternator in it?
To my knowledge the alternator is the factory original. Other than replacing the aforementioned batteries, the only engine components I've had replaced were a faulty VVT sensor and simple parts that are generally replaced at 90K miles (belts, etc.)
Sorry but I really don't have anything to go on here......I've had the most hands on experience with lexus of any of the experts here and this really isn't a common issue. The no start issue you experience sounds like a dead spot in the neutral safety switch and I have seen that before, I would carefully check that and the wiring around it first. As far as the dead battery issue it absolutely has to have a parasitic load test run and traced while the drain is taking place in order to solve it. The battery should hold charge for about 30 days and the only comon issues we run into on these is when something aftermarket is plugged into it.
Experience: Master Certified with lexus, 8 years experience with Lexus
Thanks for trying
You're welcome