Lexus Won’t Start After Replacing | Disconnecting Battery

If your Lexus doesn’t turn on at all, meaning the lights don’t come on and the ignition doesn’t turn on, there is a good chance you connected the battery terminal backward or have a blown fuse. Your Lexus won’t start because of blown fuses.

This guide looks at common problems preventing a Lexus from starting after replacing or disconnecting the battery.

Symptoms

• Lexus won’t start after changing the battery.
• Lexus won’t start after disconnecting the battery.
• The security light comes on, but won’t turn off.
• The engine won’t turn over.
• The alarm goes off when connecting the battery.

Common Causes

This list of the most common causes will prevent your Lexus from starting after you disconnect or replace the battery. These problems may also affect Toyota vehicles.

1. Immobilizer Activated

The most likely reason your Lexus is not starting after you change the battery is that the security/immobilizer / anti-theft feature disabled the engine start.

Possible Solution

1. Get out of the vehicle.
2. Lock the car with the key fob or lock the driver’s door with the key.
3.  Leave the vehicle parked for at least 5 minutes.
4. Press unlock on the keyfob to unlock the car.  Don’t open any doors yet.
5. Remove the emergency key from the key fob and lock/unlock the driver’s door three times.
6. Now enter the vehicle and start the engine. If your car has Start/Stop button, press the button with your keyfob, not your finger.

This will, in most cases, reset the immobilizer. If this procedure doesn’t work, it may be time for you need to take your Lexus to the dealer or local auto repair garage.

The alarm may or may not go off as soon as you reconnect the battery. The security light on the dashboard stays on or may flash.

2. Key Not Recognized

Your Lexus may not start after changing the battery or disconnecting it has lost synchronization between the key and the vehicle.

Possible Solution

Instead of stating the vehicle by pressing the Start/Stop button, take the keyfob and press the Start button with the keyfob.

3. Loose Battery Terminal

The battery terminal may be loose. A loose battery terminal will allow the car lights, ignition, and instrument cluster to turn on, but a weak connection at the battery post won’t allow you to start the engine. You may hear a click or two, but that is it.

Possible Solution

To fix this problem, check the battery cables to ensure they are not loose. Use a 10mm wrench to faster the terminal nut. Ensure the battery terminal clamp is tight and does not rotate on the post. If needed, clean the battery terminals with a battery brush.

4. Battery Connected Backwards

Connecting the battery backward will also prevent you from starting the car. The red cable needs to be connected to the battery post with the + next to it. The black cable must be connected to the battery post with the (-) symbol next.

If you install the battery backward, the car will die completely, and the lights will not turn on.  Connecting the battery backward will blow one of the larger ampere fuses or the fusible link.

Possible Solution

To start your Lexus again, you will need to check all the fuses and replace fuses that have blown. Check all the fuses in all fuse panels. Typically most Lexuses have three fuse panels—two under the dashboard and one in the engine bay.

The larger fuses are not always located in the fuse panel, so check your Lexus wiring diagram to determine where the 30A, 40, 50A, and 120A fuses are located, depending on the model. Check all fuses, especially the main, starter, solenoid, and alternator fuses.

If all the fuses are good, there is a small chance the Engine Control Unit (ECU) may have been damaged when connecting the battery backward. See your Lexus dealer or a local auto repair shop near you.

5. Aftermarket Alarm

If your Lexus has an aftermarket alarm or remote start, it may be reset, disabling the engine to start your car. Check if you have an aftermarket alarm and if you do, find out who the manufacturer is and call them up.

Your Lexus may not start after you disconnect the battery for many reasons, as listed above. Also, make sure the battery is fully charged.  Other possible issues include a bad brake light switch, fuel pump, ignition switch, starter relay, etc. Unless you are familiar with troubleshooting car problems, it may be wise to tow your car to a mechanic or Lexus dealer to have them troubleshoot the problem further.

We hope you find the Lexus Won’t Start After Replacing | Disconnecting Battery guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your Lexus.