Lexus RX 400h: Problems & Solutions - READ ONLY

202 messages, Last post on Oct 25, 2006 at 6:35 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Hybrid Cars, SUV

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#159 of 202 Re: RX400 slight noise problem [roycrawf] by mkkid Mar 22, 2006 (11:04 am)
Replying to: roycrawf (Mar 20, 2006 11:37 am) It took my more flexible son contorted in the luggage area of my 400h to find this same rattle. It's exactly what you found and repositioning the latches stopped a noise that drove me nuts for an entire 4 mo vacation trip!! Told my dealer, but they seemed amazed like no one else had ever complained about it. Replies to this message: lexrexblue (Mar 22, 2006 6:08 pm)
#160 of 202 Re: RX400 slight noise problem [mkkid] by lexrexblue Mar 22, 2006 (6:08 pm)
Replying to: mkkid (Mar 22, 2006 11:04 am) The dealer installed some little adhesive sound insulators on my latches. It seems to be working. They heard the sound, too.
#161 of 202 Re: RX400 slight noise problem [hilandr05] by andyski Mar 24, 2006 (9:18 am)
Replying to: hilandr05 (Mar 15, 2006 5:51 pm) Just got my RX back from the dealer yesterday. I brought it in for (among other things) the same issue. Mine turned out to be an exhaust system heat shield under the vehicle, which I suspected originally. That's why you hear it from the battery vents: the soundproofing probably isn't as thick there. They "made an adjustment" and now the sound is gone! Replies to this message: colomark (Mar 27, 2006 6:46 am) andyski (Mar 27, 2006 9:10 am) colomark (Mar 29, 2006 3:37 pm) and 1 more... hilandr05 (Mar 28, 2006 4:11 am)
#164 of 202 Re: RX400 slight noise problem [andyski] by colomark Mar 27, 2006 (6:46 am)
Replying to: andyski (Mar 24, 2006 9:18 am) Is there any chance you can provide contact information for the dealer that fixed this? My RX400 does exactly the same thing and beyond adding some insulation on the battery vent sheet metal they have not been able to identify the problem. Maybe I can get them to call your dealer. The battery did ratle, but the main noise changes with the wind so I knew it wasn't the only problem. Replies to this message: andyski (Mar 27, 2006 9:10 am) colomark (Mar 29, 2006 3:37 pm) colomark (Apr 03, 2006 3:52 am)
#165 of 202 Re: RX400 slight noise problem [colomark] by andyski Mar 27, 2006 (9:10 am)
Replying to: colomark (Mar 27, 2006 6:46 am) No problem. It's Hoffman Lexus in East Hartford CT. Their web site is http://nitra.lexusdealer.com/hoffman/en_US/. While I was there I asked them to do the ISC learing procedure, since my mileage was only averaging about 21.5 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. They did the procedure and my mileage increased by approx. 2 mpg. I noticed that the electric motors run a lot more now, especially once the engine heats up. Good luck with your issue! Replies to this message: colomark (Mar 29, 2006 3:37 pm) colomark (Apr 03, 2006 3:52 am)
#166 of 202 It seems to me.... by wwest Mar 27, 2006 (9:39 am)
that if the need for the catalyst being kept up to temperature is the reason the ICE needs to be run more often/longer than otherwise why not provide a good insulation jacket for the catalyst such that it does not cool so rapidly. The only shortcoming I can see would be the possiblity of overheating the catalyst when the ICE is REQUIRED to run continuously. Seemingly that problem could be easily overcome via the activation of a blower system to reduce the overheating probability. More weight and complexity but that would be more than overcome by the improvement in FE. Replies to this message: stevedebi (Mar 28, 2006 9:48 am)
#167 of 202 Re: RX400 slight noise problem [andyski] by hilandr05 Mar 28, 2006 (4:11 am)
Replying to: andyski (Mar 24, 2006 9:18 am) Thanks for the great info Andy! I went to the dealer to pick up my registration paperwork (things are a little different in Florida) and I was going to have them look at the noise. On the way there, I could not hear the noise, so I didn't take it to service dept. Of course on the way back on the turnpike, there was the noise. So I followed your information and sure enough, the heat shield. It is just thin metal and is secure on the outboard side. On the inboard side it flexes and is close enough to the underside of the car that certain wind conditions cause it to flutter and make the noise. I bent it down slightly and no more noise. When I take it in for first service I will see if they have something to make it more secure. If they don't have it, sounds like (OK, pun intended) they need a service bulletin on the problem. jc
#168 of 202 Re: It seems to me.... [wwest] by stevedebi Mar 28, 2006 (9:48 am)
Replying to: wwest (Mar 27, 2006 9:39 am) You are suggesting adding insulation to the converter and then going to extra lengths to cool it down. That is a lot of complexity. However, this still would not help the short trips, since the converter still has to warm up for the first time...