System loading message.
02-22-21, 02:35 PM
#31
Instructor
Thread Starter
Even if your battery is 100% charged, it can still be weak. If the battery is weak and if you use the car in the ACC position to do things like setting your destination without starting the engine, that weak battery can drain quickly, which is what I'm guessing happened in the two most recent times that you got the system loading message.
The time I had it tested at AutoZone in October, they said it was 100% charged.
02-22-21, 02:54 PM
#32
Lead Lap
If that is happening, there is nothing you can do to "make it stronger". The only solution is to replace the battery.
02-22-21, 04:06 PM
#35
Lead Lap
02-22-21, 04:54 PM
#36
Instructor
Thread Starter
02-22-21, 04:55 PM
#37
As I posted last fall my '14 ES350 also reloads the Nav if it sets for 3-4 weeks without being driven in these covid times. I conducted a little test last time which leads me to believe the problem is in the navigation system not the car battery. After the car has sat for 3 weeks, I switched the ignition ON without starting the engine and let the Nav reload (1-2 minutes) after it finished I switched the ignition OFF without starting the car. I then switched it back ON and the Nav did not reload a second time. Obviously the car battery would have been discharged slightly more the second time, so this leads me to think the problem is in the Nav not with the car battery. I do not know what the Nav system uses to hold the settings in memory (button battery, capacitor or something else) but that seems to be the root cause.
FWIW the car always starts fine and has no other problems which makes me think the battery and charging system is fine.
FWIW the car always starts fine and has no other problems which makes me think the battery and charging system is fine.
02-22-21, 04:56 PM
#38
I'd suggest just spending $20-25 and buying a Battery Tender. They are engineered to detect whether the battery is fully charged, whether it needs just a top-off charge, or whether it needs more significant charging, and they turn turn off when charging is not needed. That way, you don't need to worry about whether the charger is damaging the battery by trying to add charge when that isn't needed.
He said he doesn't trust the circuitry on inexpensive battery tenders to not overcharge the battery.
So, with cars and mowers, and bikes in winter storage, he puts his battery tenders on timers, and only has them
charging for 2-4 hours a day, figuring that at 0.50 an amp or so, they literally can't overcharge the batteries.
FYI - Lowes & Target both sell a simple "appliance timer" for about $6. These are mechanical clock timers, so if your power were to go out, when it comes back on, no need to reset them. Just that they were charging from 2 -5 pm, now might be 4-7pm... Would you care? Sometimes high-tech is *not* what you want.
/
Last edited by Riick; 02-22-21 at 05:01 PM.
04-02-21, 10:40 PM
#39
Instructor
Thread Starter
I got the message again yesterday.
Radio was on but car engine was off. I then turned the engine on.
I have a service appointment in a few weeks, so I'll ask for a load test then.
Radio was on but car engine was off. I then turned the engine on.
I have a service appointment in a few weeks, so I'll ask for a load test then.
04-07-21, 12:47 PM
#40
Instructor
Thread Starter
On one hand, I can go to AutoZone, etc. and I think have it load tested for free. I did go in October but I don't remember if I asked for a "charge test" or "load test".
On the other hand, this has been an ongoing problem since October, and it would be nice to properly identify the problem and get a resolution to it.
04-16-21, 11:02 AM
#41
Instructor
Thread Starter
When I have my service appointment, if they charge for a battery test, should I have them do it?
On one hand, I can go to AutoZone, etc. and I think have it load tested for free. I did go in October but I don't remember if I asked for a "charge test" or "load test".
On the other hand, this has been an ongoing problem since October, and it would be nice to properly identify the problem and get a resolution to it.
On one hand, I can go to AutoZone, etc. and I think have it load tested for free. I did go in October but I don't remember if I asked for a "charge test" or "load test".
On the other hand, this has been an ongoing problem since October, and it would be nice to properly identify the problem and get a resolution to it.
04-23-21, 12:56 PM
#42
Instructor
Thread Starter
When I went to have my service done, they did a test on the battery, but couldn't find any issues.
They then wanted to do a diagnostic on the Navigation system, but said they can't do it on Saturdays, they're too busy.
They sad to come back M - F.
I don't think I'll come back just for this, so this issue will probably persist for another year, until my next appointment.
They then wanted to do a diagnostic on the Navigation system, but said they can't do it on Saturdays, they're too busy.
They sad to come back M - F.
I don't think I'll come back just for this, so this issue will probably persist for another year, until my next appointment.
05-10-21, 11:43 AM
#43
Instructor
Thread Starter
The System Loading message happened to me again yesterday.
Slight difference this time was that I had turned the car's 2nd level power on (push the start button twice).
Then I turned it off, then started the car.
In previous times, I had probably only turned the car's first level power on (push the start button once).
I think I am going to call Lexus and see if they can provide any assistance or suggestions.
I think also next time, after I turn the 1st or 2nd level power on, then off, I will try counting to 6, before turning the power back on.
Slight difference this time was that I had turned the car's 2nd level power on (push the start button twice).
Then I turned it off, then started the car.
In previous times, I had probably only turned the car's first level power on (push the start button once).
I think I am going to call Lexus and see if they can provide any assistance or suggestions.
I think also next time, after I turn the 1st or 2nd level power on, then off, I will try counting to 6, before turning the power back on.
10-24-21, 05:26 AM
#45
Just a follow up on my earlier posts on this navigation system reloading problem, I recently replaced my '14 ES 350 battery with a new one which has more CCA capacity than the OEM battery. The nav system still reloads if the car is not driven for 2-3 weeks so I still believe the problem is with the navigation unit not the car battery. For me its just a minor annoyance having to re-enter the speed parameters and other things that default on the reload. Since this is the only issue I have seen on this car for the past 7 years I'm still quite happy with it.