M & R Automotive, of Menlo Park, CA, services a wide range of Lexus vehicles including the RX 350, which can sometimes be prone to electrical problems. In many of these cases, things like dim headlights, a weak starting engine, and battery warning lights are warning signs the alternator needs to be repaired or replaced.
The battery warning light coming on is one of the most obvious signs of an alternator problem in a Lexus RX 350. This usually means the car’s computer has detected a significant charging variance between the alternator and the battery. Yet there are typically other electrical system warning signs which will appear before the battery warning light comes on.
A Lexus RX 350 with a failing alternator will also affect the power windows, the radio, heated seats, climate control and other electronic accessories. Windows might be slow to come up, the heated seats might not get as warm, and you might even notice the headlights seem a little dim.
When they occur together, these symptoms shouldn’t be ignored, as they are strong signs of a bad battery or failing alternator. If simply one system is struggling, but the others seem unaffected, it could be an isolated electrical issue or a bad fuse. So, it’s best to have any electrical system faults professionally inspected as soon as possible.
Dim interior lights and headlights are also a strong sign your alternator isn’t properly charging your battery. This is often a sign the battery itself is depleting from being chronically undercharged.
The added concern is how a lead-acid battery left under half charge for a prolonged period of time can start to degrade. So, what might have started out as a simple alternator problem could also add a new battery to the repair cost.
A strange rasping or whining sound could also be a sign of a failing alternator. This is often a bearing or another moving component wearing down. Left unchecked the heat from friction and excess wear could damage other sensitive alternator components.
However, noise by itself doesn’t necessarily mean the alternator has failed. It could be any one of the accessories powered by the serpentine belt, as well as one of the pulleys or bearings associated with it. So, it’s best to have the noise properly diagnosed before a simple belt problem damages multiple components.
The car being hard to start or frequently needing to be jump started for no obvious reason is another telltale sign of a failing alternator in a Lexus RX 350. This is a sign the battery is so badly depleted by undercharging it doesn’t even have the cold cranking amps needed to turn the engine over.
After a thorough inspection and alternator test our technicians will help you understand what needs to be done to address the problem. In many cases with a bad alternator in a Lexus RX 350, it’s more cost-effective in the long term to replace it rather than rebuild it. This ensures you have a completely new alternator without any excess wear from the past problem.
If you’ve noticed signs of an alternator problem with your Lexus RX 350 call M & R Automotive today to schedule an appointment. We’ll diagnose the problem and determine what needs to be repaired or replaced before it causes more costly issues.
