1996 Lexus LS 400 Electrical Short?

SCRAPDAWG13

MEMBER
1996 LEXUS LS 400
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
170,000 MILES

We have a interesting situation with my wife's Lexus.

Seems now that everytime we hit the brake pedal (apply pressure to the brakes when we stop) the electrical items turn off and back on.

My wife began noticing it a few weeks ago.

The battery is new. She kept telling me that the lights would dim and the radio would cut off and back on. At first I thought it was an alternator problem until I drove the car and noticed that nothing happened until I put on the brakes.

While in park with engine running, I kept hitting the brake pedals and the front lights would click with each touch of the brakes. Then I noticed that while driving and coming to a stop, same thing, plus the radio would cut off.

My biggest concern is having the car stall in traffic while my wife commutes home. Any ideas what the problem might be?

2 Replies

FLEXY5

MECHANIC
512 POSTS

Did the problems arise just after the battery was replaced? It sounds like a ground problem, or a faulty module.

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Friday, December 14th, 2007 AT 5:59 PM

SCRAPDAWG13

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Actually, it started a few times before we repaced the battery.

And it doesn't do it everytime, just with more consistency.

I noticed the other night as I was driving in a real dark area, that when I put on the high beams a few times, it did it more often.

Then it suddenly stopped doing it and everything was fine. But now lately, my wife says it happens often, mostly the radio going off when the brakes are applied and then coming back on.

It's the stock radio, so I think it's a ground problem. I'll check it out in the morning. Just don't know where to start