[Tanglewood]

I took delivery of my IS-F in June. Today I was out driving around for work and about mid day I stopped then tried to restart but it balked a bit and I had to try to start 3 times before it took. I came back to the hotel and left it with the valet and departed on foot for another meeting. When I checked my vmail later I had a message saying the car did not start for them and they jumped it!. They eventually got it going by holding the fob next the start button. I'll see what happens in the morning.

Does this sound like a dead battery in the fob to you? If so, has anyone else had this problem and wouldn't you expect longer life?

I've got to say that, while I love the car, the vaunted Lexus service and quality has been sorely lacking in my experience.

Thanks for all the good discussion,

David

 

[Tanglewood]

Update on Electrical Issues

This only seems to get worse I'm afraid. First off, the hotel and valet are high end and I have been staying there each week for 3 years while working on a project. Under normal circumstances, I agree, no valet gets to drive the F!

After I dropped the car off with the valet I went to a meeting and came back to the hotel about 4 hours later. Apparently, they had great difficulty starting the car. This all happened in Vancouver. To compound the problem, the Prime Minister was also in town and staying at the same hotel. My car was stuck directly in front of the door and from what I heard, his security detail was giving the hotel staff very direct orders to move the car. Yikes! glad I wasn't there!

Anyway, the batteries (car and fobs) were not dead. I luckily had both key fobs as my wife was with me on the trip. Both fobs acted the same. The electrical system acted in a number of strange ways but until late today I could always start the car by holding the fob right next to the start button. That was until I was coming back home via a ferry. Of course, when I went to start the car to get off the ferry it wouldn't start. This was more than a little embarassing as I was second from the front and about 100 cars had to go around me. Fun!

I contacted the dealer and the tech advised to try to jump the car. When we took the covers off the battery the positive terminal sparked a lot, for whatever reason. Didn't look good though. The connection was loose and after it was secured the car started and I got off the boat which was great because the alternative was another 4 hours of riding the ferry.

After it started I still had a number of electrical type issues in addition to the standard reset ones. I drove it straight to the dealer and left it with them.

I am concerned there is a electrical/computer issue with the car. I mean who needs it right? Hopefully its a one off bad component and none of you will have to experience it. I will keep you posted on the outcome. Right now I've got to say my experience with Lexus dealer service and quality has been poor. I've bought about a dozen new cars and this is both the most expensive and poorest to date. Hopefully, things will get better soon.

Sorry for the long post and yes, there is more than a little humour in this now that I have a drink in my hand.

Later,

David

 

[Tanglewood]

Update on Electrical Issues #2

Thanks for all the moral support!

I picked the F up from the dealer yesterday. They think all my problems are related to a loose battery connection? I am not yet convinced as there were a number of electrical gremlins that don't seem to fit with that diagnosis. I will try it locally for a week and see what happens. Hopefully it will all be good now.

Interesting that the non-start description oarngemig described was exactly what I experienced as a first sign of trouble. I also thought nothing of it until the incident with the hotel and PM's security. Boy, that was quite a thrill!

The dealer was very good about the whole thing and is committed to trying to make this head in a better direction. They even chipped in with $300 in a service credit which I has asked for instead to be Lexus gear from the catalogue on the reasoning that the company pays for the car service and I'm the one who needs a smile on his face right?

If anything more happens with this I will post the gory details.

Thanks again,

David

 

[Tanglewood]

All good so far

Thanks Mike. They replaced the batteries in both fobs for good measure. Had a good little run today after golf and all is well so far.

BTW, my mileage now is about 12,000 km or about 7,500 miles.

Cheers,

David