I just got my 2006 IS 350 a little less then a month ago. The battery was put in by Bell Lexus (Phoenix, AZ) by the previous owner this past July. A couple of times since I've had the car I've had issues with the car trying to turn over, it cranks, and does not start. Eventually both times the car started. I searched the forums on here for similar problems, and the consensus was to check the car battery first. I went to a local AutoZone earlier tonight and the guy tested the battery said it had 100% charge, but said it showed that a cell is very likely bad. I'm going to take the car to Earnhardt Lexus (Scottsdale, AZ) where I bought the car and have them look at it. My question, is having a bad cell in a battery less than 4 months old just a bad battery, or a sign of something more -- EXPENSIVE. Background on the vehicle, it has roughly 125K on it, but was maintained like clockwork by the other owner-- only one previous owner, ALL scheduled maintenance was done at a Lexus Dealership (Bell Lexus, AZ) and the car is in mint condition. I realize that I need to take the car in to my Lexus dealer, but I want to sort of "prepare myself" for what I'm hoping is not $1000+ in electrical work. Note the car has started without a hitch, say 98% of the time, it has been those two or so occasions that I'm worried will become more frequent. And after having the battery tested and finding that there's a bad cell is hopefully just a defective battery, not a sign of something worse, and more expensive. Any feedback would be appreciated. Thanks

 

AZ heat is very tough on batteries (I live in Cave Creek), its probably just a bad cell, unlikely to be any expensive electrical problem.

Battery that old should be 100% covered by warranty. In the unlikely event you have to buy a new battery, Wally World has one with 3 year warranty & Costco has one with 2.5 year warranty, both around $85.00.

Machog

 

Sometimes a new battery can have a bad cell, take it in and see what they say. They won't always put in the best battery for a six year old used car so you may just have a low end battery to begin with. In AZ that is dicey. If they balk and don't diagnose a bad cell (it's not always easy to do) I'd just replace it myself. You can get a good one at Autozone for about $110 (24-DLG). Problem solved.

 

Thanks guys. I was just worried that this could be a symptom of a big $$$ electrical issue. As I said only had a couple of times that I had problems starting-- and it eventually started. I'll take to car to Lexus dealer tomorrow and have them replace the 4 month old Lexus battery.

 

I just went through the same dilemma. There's a DIY floating around ere that will help discern any concerns regarding battery drain.

I had a bad cell in my battery. Ended up ordering one from the dealer and replacing it.

 

Have the dealership check the charging system after the bad battery gets changed. Could also be an alternator on its way out.

GL!