fhoang

Hi there, am new to this forum. I own an 2006 GX470 with 56k miles my enginer immobilzer light does not go off, I tried following the instructions in the manual with the flat key but engine still does not start. What is the typical battery life on an 2006 GX470? (About 3 weeks ago it did this once, my husband just charged the battery and it was fine for 2 weeks, I just got back from vacation and its doing the same thing again, am I doing something wrong? This is the first problem I have had on this car):

None of my keys will start the engine. I have not tried to charge battery again this time around. Is there something else I can do to fix the problem once and for all? I do not want this same problem from recurring.

The Lexus dealer is closed to the am.

Any answers will be much appreciated.

cssnms

Does your engine make any sound when you try starting it? Clicking? Do your interior lights and radio work? Sure could be a bad battery, although your battery should last longer than that, but there is always an exception.

Try what worked before and charge your battery and drive it up to Lexus or the closest Toyota dealership or any local "reputable" shop for that matter and they can test your battery.

The G Man

Sounds like your immobilizer reciever in the car is not working.

fhoang

When my husband tried jumping my car this morning, it would not start at all. The lights in the car, AC and radio does work. (does the radio and ac still work if the battery is bad?)

It does try to make some sort of clicking sound. What is the immobilzer receiver and how much is the estimated repair cost? Is the Lexus dealer the best place for this type of repair?

( A little background infor, my car was hit my hail damage back in May in Austin, TX, it was in the body shop for PDR and other body repairs for 1 month. Since I have gotten the car back from the body shop in June, the car would not start, this is the 3rd time. The first 2x my husband jumped the battery and it worked again. Could the car sitting in the body shop for 1 month have anything to do with this problem?)

I tried the flat key instructions in the manual and still does not work today.

Thanks so much!

cssnms

A battery on its' last leg sitting unused at the body shop for 1 month might be enough to put the preverbial nail in its coffin, but it's really hard to diagnose over the computer as it could be several different problems e.g. an issue w/immobilzer as G pointed out, battery or other ignition problem. Also double check to make sure the car is in "Park." Try putting it in gear then back to "Park" and then starting it.

If jumping the car worked the first time that does not sound like an immobilizer problem so much as it does a battery problem, but it's hard to tell from here. If you have a car battery charger, connecting it to your battery should tell you what kind of volts your battery is putting out.

Short of towing it to Lexus, you could go pick up a new battery and see if that works. If it doesn't, then you successfully ruled out the battery and you can take it back along with having your car towed to the dealer. And in that case it's more than likely a problem with the immobilzer or the ignition.

gsobol

Sounds more like a battery problem. Immobilizer only affects the ECU (the engine will not fire), but the starter will turn the engine over (and over, and over, ..... well you get the point). If the only noise you get is the clicking sound, that means that the starter is not getting enough amps to turn the engine over. There may be enough current in the battery to power the radio and the interior lights, but it takes a lot more to rotate the big V8. Also, if the battery is on it's last leg, it will not be enough to jump start it, you do have to charge it somewhat first, otherwise all the power coming across the jump is being sucked by the battery. My advise, charge the battery first and see what happens.

fhoang

Thanks for all the advice, my husband is purchasing a new battery and will be home shortly, I am hoping that is all it is. Am a little surprised that I have had this problem on my 2006GX. We also own an 1994 LS400 and have only 1 battery replacement in over 9 years. But our 2006GX gets most of our mileage, case in point 56K to date in almost 4 years. Our 1994 LS400 only has 156K.

Thanks again and will keep you updated.

fhoang

Gsobol- have you had any battery or immoblizer light problems on your 2006GX?

fhoang

Husband just replaced the battery and car seems to be working fine now. Thanks for all the replies

cssnms

glad to hear it was ONLY the battery! I am still on my original battery '05 with 47k.

gsobol

Nope, original equipment on my '06