koaishi

HI All,

This morning I tried to start our 2009 RX350, there is a rapid clicking sound and the car does not start. The noise is continuous, a red oil light comes on and the car does not start. I just had the car checked less than 2 weeks ago (45k miles check up). Please advice. Thanks.

K

BDSL

Have you tried boosting the battery?

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

It's the Battery.

mitsuguy

iTrader: (2)

bad battery...

a battery can be good walking into the grocery store and bad when you come back out...

generally a proper test can predict its failure, if done correctly...

Chances are you can charge it and it will work for some time (a few days maybe), but it definitely will need replaced ASAP...

koaishi

Thank you all for your replies/suggestions. But I thought a battery could last many years (>5 yrs for sure for a half decent one), esp during the 45k miles check up, the battery terminals were cleaned.

RTIS250

iTrader: (9)

Possible that something couldve been left on, draining the battery... also possible that the battery is just plain bad, they are meant to last a long time, but like anything else, things can fail.

SC400slide

iTrader: (11)

Maybe you left a light on or something...

BDSL

Just like I said, before you replace anything else, give the battery a boost first.

trtrtr59

Likes others said, most likely needs a new battery. You car was probably manufactured in 2008 so battery is 4 years old which is about the minimum life span you can count on for a car battery. The fact it happened in September - an early fall day (a battery needs to work harder to start car in cool weather) - points even more to the battery. It will likely take a charge and work for a while, then fail again when you need it. Best to replace the battery now and not worry about it.

I have a truck I take in the woods frequently and have taken to changing the battery every fourth year, just so I can count on it cranking when I need it. I also started replacing the battery in my wife's car on a four year cycle so she is not caught out somewhere in town or at work dealing with a failed battery. Cheap insurance.