Lexus ES 300 serious electrical problem!

[GeneralDisorder]

Hello fellow Toyota/Lexus enthusiasts!

I come to you with a pretty ugly electrical problem....

To make a long story short, I believe that a jump-pack or jumper cables were hooked up backwards with the car's battery completely flat. After that it would crank but not start.

A bit more investigation revealed that about 3 fuses were blown - two up front, and another in the cabin. Upon replacement the car will now start and run, but is only running on the battery charge. IE: the alternator is not charging. Additionally many accesories will not function (gauges, radio, power windows, etc), and the transmission selector will not unlock from park.

Could the alternator's regulator circuitry have fried and caused all these other devices to not function? Should I expect replacement of the alternator to fix everything else, or does this indicate something more sinister is in play?

Any direction or sugestions you guys have would be appreciated....

What say ye?

Thanks,
Rick

[dc_98_cam]

There was a similar thread not too long ago.
Search for 'jumpstart'.
Turned out to be some fuses .... also something about a defective ignition coil, though not sure if that will be relevant to your case.

[GeneralDisorder]

Originally Posted by dc_98_cam

There was a similar thread not too long ago.
Search for 'jumpstart'.
Turned out to be some fuses .... also something about a defective ignition coil, though not sure if that will be relevant to your case.

Thanks a LOT! I'm sure the ignition coil is ok, since it starts and runs fine.....

So in looking at some relevent posts it looks like it's almost a sure bet that the 100A or 120A alternator fuse is blown (not charging). Can anyone give a general description of this guy and where it would be located on a 97 ES 300? Would the owners manual detail all the fuse box locations and the purpose of each fuse?

Thanks,
Rick

[camryvibe]

I agree that the first things to look for are additional blown fuses. The accessories mentioned (gauges, radio, windows) should all operate with the key in the 'On' position but without the engine running, so it's hard to see how fixing the alternator would bring them back to life by itself. There should be a switch to unlock the transmission. It's usually under a little plastic cover near the shift lever - check your owner's manual.

[GeneralDisorder]

Originally Posted by camryvibe

I agree that the first things to look for are additional blown fuses. The accessories mentioned (gauges, radio, windows) should all operate with the key in the 'On' position but without the engine running, so it's hard to see how fixing the alternator would bring them back to life by itself. There should be a switch to unlock the transmission. It's usually under a little plastic cover near the shift lever - check your owner's manual.

I agree - I suspect the problem to be the alternator fuse. Which would explain a lot of the accesories as they probably run through this as well. Hopefully the alternator itself is not damaged, but from the sounds of other posts with similar issues it has just been fuse related.

Rick

[dc_98_cam]

Originally Posted by GeneralDisorder

So in looking at some relevent posts it looks like it's almost a sure bet that the 100A or 120A alternator fuse is blown (not charging). Can anyone give a general description of this guy and where it would be located on a 97 ES 300? Would the owners manual detail all the fuse box locations and the purpose of each fuse?

Thanks,
Rick

On the Camry 1MZ-FE, there is a 100A high current fusible link block ... which may be what you're actually looking for .... It is located in the vicinity of the fuse box in the engine compartment, next to the air intake box, to your right as you open the hood. .... Not sure about Lexus though.