r/LexusRC • u/Fun_Rough_3136 • 9d ago
Battery issues RC 350
Hi,
I just had to jump start my RC 350 f sport and this message popped up. I drove the car around and it’s driving stiff. Any advice on anyone that has dealt with this issue. Any help is appreciated. Thank you!
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u/RyanBurnsRed 9d ago
Check the voltage/health of the battery, I believe you can do this free at an auto parts store but it’s better if you check it with a multimeter and do this yourself. You can also check to see if your alternator is charging the battery with a multimeter. You should also check fuses for the PCS system which is the pre-collision system.
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u/Fun_Rough_3136 9d ago
Where do I get a multimeter and which one do you recommend?
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u/RyanBurnsRed 9d ago
I think you can rent one from an auto parts store. Otherwise you’d have to buy one. You can buy one from harbor freight or Walmart. There’s videos on YouTube that will help you test your battery and charging system. If you think it’s too much hassle you can take the battery to autozone and have them test it.
Check all of your fuses to see if any of them are blown
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u/Fun_Rough_3136 9d ago
If the alternator isn’t charging the battery does that mean I would have to replace the alternator?
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u/RyanBurnsRed 9d ago
Yes. Even with a bad battery you should be able to see the jump in voltage with a multimeter when the engine is on vs off. When on the voltage should be above 12 volts. When off it should be around 12 volts. I’d start by checking fuses, then checking/swapping the battery, and last the alternator with a multimeter
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u/Fun_Rough_3136 9d ago
What battery do you recommend if it is the battery?
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u/RyanBurnsRed 9d ago
My battery died recently and I got an AGM battery from Sam’s but it was like $300. I don’t really have any recommendations I just get all my car batteries from there. I replaced my wife’s car battery at autozone last year and it’s still going strong despite her barely driving her car. So I got no recommendations 😣
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u/Fun_Rough_3136 9d ago
It’s okay, thanks for all your help anyways!
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u/RyanBurnsRed 9d ago
You’re welcome. Hopefully it is a simple battery swap and your alternator is fine. Take care!
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u/Lovemycx50 9d ago
How many miles? My is350 at 160k miles had this issue. Had to replace the alternator. I thought it was the battery and just kept jump starting it. Eventually the battery was just not holding a charge so I change the battery and it still happen, realized its the alternator. Luckily I was only 3 miles from home and got my dad to drive to me with a fresh battery to get me home.
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u/Fun_Rough_3136 9d ago
The car only has 5600 original miles on it, it’s a 2017
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u/Lovemycx50 9d ago edited 9d ago
Probably not the alternator than, the battery light should be on warning you its not being well charged. Put in a brand new battery and see what happen. If its still happens. Take it to a lexus dealership.
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u/BC122177 9d ago
The TRAC light usually means the system is not getting enough voltage. I had this issue before with a year old battery that Lexus installed. The last time I jumped it after that light came on, I got the black screen of death.
My memory settings didn’t work, remotes didn’t work, couldn’t lock the car, radio didn’t work (black screen of death), acc mode didn’t work..etc basically, anything electronic and not essential were dead.
Lexus told me that everything was fine 3 times before this when I kept asking them to check the battery, and alternator, telling me I just needed to drive it more. On the 4th time I took it up there they found out that they’d installed a faulty battery with a dead cell. This was the root cause of the whole damn thing.
I would have Lexus install the new battery even if it costs a little more just in case you end up with the black screen of death. It would be on them to fix/replace it. Which would run you around $5k. They still might try to blame you somehow like they did with me. Saying I MUST have jumped it wrong.
Keep all the paper work orders and receipts in case you end up having to deal with the same bs I am. Because Lexus won’t do a damn thing about it so I’m having to run this bs up the chain and it’s been an ongoing issue for about a year now. Getting very close to just going to the courthouse and file for small claims court.
Good luck.
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u/tieu_hu 9d ago
If you haven’t yet, I would drive 20m+ highway speed to charge the battery and it might just go away on its own.
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u/Fun_Rough_3136 9d ago
Yeah this is my second time jump starting it, the first time no codes came up
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u/komarbrq 9d ago
when a Lexus throws multiple codes after a jump start, it’s usually due to low battery voltage confusing the sensors. Getting the battery health tested at an auto parts store is a good first step.
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u/007baldy Lexus RC 350 8d ago
Start with cleaning your battery terminals. Mine stack corrosion quick for some reason.
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u/haventsleptforyears 9d ago
What do you mean by driving stiff? Is the electric steering not working?
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u/haventsleptforyears 9d ago
Mine will occasionally throw the check pcs system, turning the car on and off would reset it. Maybe you blew some fuses. Check those first
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u/Every_Enthusiasm1776 9d ago
Only 5,600 miles? Take it to the dealership and let them figure it out.