chryslr300

Hi, I have a 2003 Lexus RX300. Lately during the cold mornings, my car has been having trouble starting up. When I first start it up in the morning, it slowly cranks and is able to start up. If I turn off the engine and try to start again, the system won't crank at all. However, if I move the clamps on the battery terminals a little bit, the car slowly cranks again and is able to start. During the day, the car seems to start fine and doesn't have any issues.
I cleaned off any corrosion on the battery terminals and clamps. The battery is only two years old. I used a battery tester and made sure the alternator and the starter are working properly, which they were.
Any help would be appreciated.

fastnoypi

welcome. When was your last timing belt service? A skipped tooth can exhibit a slow crank and ignition catch.

chryslr300

The timing belt was last replaced February 2009 with 92,017 miles on the vehicle. The car now has 164,762 miles on it.
Clarification: When I do turn the key a second time in the morning, everything turns on (dashboard, cabin air system, radio), but when the key is turned to start, it won't crank.

maxSteel

I've had batteries go bad in under two years.
My last one went bad in 27 months, which is even worse because the warranty was two years.

I'd go to advance auto or similar to have it load tested.

chryslr300

Interesting you mention the warranty, because my battery has a warranty of 3 years!

maxSteel

Then definitely get it tested while it's under warranty. I should have, it seemed marginal but it worked so I ignored it until I got stuck.
It wouldn't start at a gas station 5 minutes after it started leaving the train station. Had to get jump started to get home.

chryslr300

Sounds like a wise thing to do, I'll consider getting that done.

6.0PSD

I'm on my 3rd new battery in the last 4 years... Mine is a 1999 and I can say it is definately a batteryaholic... A little advice, safely keep the new battery receipt in a place you will remember as I lost my first two so now my third battery I stuck the receipt into the car manual folder...

Drcoffee

Its likely a bad ground cable. It stops the battery from recharging which slowly kills the battery. Starting problems is typical symptom. You can test it by using a jumper cable from the battery ground to the engine block. This should allow ample current flow.

salimshah

Please look up the sticky, having problems start here.

Salim

chryslr300

Thank you everyone for your help! The battery had a bad cell and needed to be replaced.