Siddy

For the last week, it takes longer to start my car than usual. I push the start button and need to wait 5 min or so before the engine starts. If I've just driven it, that doesn't happen (yesterday 1 hr passed and it started right away). A mechanic (not lexus dealer) said that I should drive it everyday. This seems unnecessary. I've only driven 2K miles in the last year and many days go by where I don't drive it.

If I drive everyday just for the sake of driving, I will be putting a lot of extra miles on it (not to mention spending more money in gas). I wonder if there is an underlying issue that needs to be fixed.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks.

tomscot2

Are you saying that when you press the Start button it takes 5 minutes for the green Ready light to turn on and that you are unable to operate the car at all? Or are you saying it takes 5 minutes for the gas engine to turn on?

When I Start my ES300H the first time each day the Ready light comes on right away, but not the gas engine. Usually, I'll be able to put the car in gear move out of the garage and then gas engine turns on and stays on until the engine reaches it's operating temperature. At that point the gas engine resumes normal hybrid operations of turning off during low speed operation and while stopped.

If your car is not operating the way I described It sounds to me like you probably have a sensor problem. I would me taking my car to an experienced Lexus/Toyota hybrid mechanic (not necessarily a dealer). ASAP

brow105

Mine started acting up two or three weeks ago. I only start every week or so go pickup groceries.
Up until then it was fine.
I had a few idiot lights on... battery, engine warning, etc. Held the key fob to the starter button and it eventually started the engine after five minutes or so and it charged up the battery on the screen.
The engine stopped at a few stop signs & red stop lights like it normally does, but it started when I removed my foot from the break.
Same slow start last week.
Same hard start yesterday! But went for a long ride on the interstate.
Tried it again today with no issues.

I installed a new 12V Exide back in January because the original Panasonic was clearly fading away. It was five years old.

Looking for suggestions as well!
Cheers,
John.

tomscot2

Sounds like the 12 volt battery is not holding a charge. There may be a short somewhere.

I would take it to an experienced hybrid mechanic.

Siddy

Thanks for the response! When I pushed the pwr button, internal lights and indicators would go on but I couldn't put it into gear for about 5 min. I've had this car for 7 yrs and this is the 1st time this has happened.

However, this past wk, I had a medical issue that required that I drive to the Dr. 5X (I'm fine now thankfully!!). It was 40 mi roundtrip. This 1st day to the Dr. I had the start issue (Tues 9/28), then all 4 days after that that I drove, I had no start issues at all. I haven't driven in a couple of days, but I went out to start it and it's starting right away again.

I'd like to find a hybrid expert to get it checked and/or to go to in the future. What's the best way to find a hybrid expert?

Thanks for your help!

tomscot2

I found the hybrid expert I use by searching for "lexus hybrid mechanic" in google. Then I checked the yelp reviews for the ones that showed up. Of course you can always go to the dealership. Good luck.

703

What do you mean wait 5 minutes? It either goes into Ready mode or it doesn’t.

tomscot2

Siddy, did you get your issue resolved? If so, what was the problem.

Siddy

No, I've just been in a habit of waiting for the car the start before I go anywhere. Thanks for the input & follow-up. This was really helpful. I need to find a hybrid specialist & I prefer not going to the dealer.

Aegean

One possibility is that the car goes into EV mode somehow by itself. Do you see any EV light when you see the ready light? Is the EV button damaged by liquids?