Reader Question: My 2002 Lexus IS300 car worked fine for a few weeks after purchased a new battery.

It now will not turn over at all if left turned off for a while. It will jump start immediately with the boost of another vehicle.

I am wondering if it is the starter or alternator but not sure which one exactly and I do not want to get scammed by a mechanic in my town. Ill do the work myself.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

Alec

Hey Alec,

If you can jump-start the engine from another car then I can only suspect YOUR battery is dead. You could have a bad alternator, which is not re-charging the battery when the engine is running or you could just have a bad “new” battery.

I would triple check your battery cable installation and make sure the cables are clean and tight. You should not be able to move the cables with your bare hands easily.

I would really like to see you get a complete electrical test, which should include the following:

1. Load test battery – is there an internal problem with the battery.

2. Check alternator output – is the alternator recharging the battery properly.

3. Check for a voltage drain – is something ON when the engine is OFF?

Blessings,
Austin Davis

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Filed under: Battery/Alternator Problems

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