2000 Lexus LS400 lexus LS400 2000 Engine / LEXUS 2000 LS400 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM50533U)

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
456

1Terminals 2Hold±down clamp
Check the battery for corroded or loose
connections, cracks, or loose hold±down clamps.
1. If the battery is corroded, wash it off with a solution of
warm water and baking soda. Coat the terminals with
grease to prevent further corrosion.
2. If the connections are loose, tighten the clamp bolts
± but do not overtighten.
3. Tighten the hold±down clamp only enough to keep
the battery firmly in place. Overtightening may damage
the battery case.NOTICE
Make sure the engine and all accessories are
turned off before performing maintenance.
When checking the battery, remove the ground
cable first and reinstall it last.
Be careful not to cause a short circuit with tools.
Take care no solution gets into the batterywhen washing it.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
457
Checking battery fluid
Checking by hydrometer
64L010
Check the battery condition by the hydrometer
color.
1BLUE ± Good condition.
2WHITE ± Charging necessary. Have the battery
checked by your Lexus dealer.
3RED ± Have the battery checked by your Lexus
dealer.
NOTICE
Do not refill the battery with water.
BATTERY RECHARGING
PRECAUTIONS
During recharging, the battery is producing
hydrogen gas.
Therefore, before recharging:
1. If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle,
be sure to disconnect the ground cable.
2. Make sure the power switch on the recharger is off
when connecting the charger cables to the battery and
when disconnecting them.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
458
CAUTION
Always charge the battery in an unconfined area. Do
not charge the battery in a garage or closed room
where there is not sufficient ventilation.
 Only do a slow charge (5 A or less). Charging at a
quicker rate is dangerous. The battery may explode
causing personal injuries.
NOTICE
Never recharge the battery while the engine is
running. Also, make sure all accessories areturned off.
CHECKING AND REPLACING THE BLADE TYPE FUSES

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
459
64L011-1

Driver's side instrument panel
64L012-2

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
460

Engine compartment 1Spare fuses
2Pull±out tool
1. Turn the ignition switch off and open the fuse box
lid.
Determine which f
use may be causing the problem. The
lid of the fuse box shows the name of the circuit for each
fuse.
64L013
2. Make sure the inoperative component is turned
off. Pull the suspected fuse straight out with the
pull±out tool and check it. If it has blown, push a new
fuse into the clips.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
461
64L064

Good
Blown
a. Look carefully at the fuse. If the thin wire is broken,
the fuse has blown. If you are not sure or if it is too dark
to see, try replacing the suspected fuse with one of the
same value that you know is good.
b. Only install a fuse with the amperage rating
designated on the fuse box lid.
If you do not have a spare fuse, in an emergency you can
pull out the ºRADIO NO.1º ºMIR±HTRº or ºOBDº fuse,
which may be dispensable for normal driving, and use it
if its amperage rating is the same.
If you cannot use one of the same amperage, use one
lower than, but as close as possible to, the amperage.
If the amperage is lower than that specified, the fuse
might blow out again but this does not indicate anything
wrong. Be sure to get the correct fuse as soon as
possible and return the substitute to its original clips. It is a good idea to purchase a set of spare fuses and
keep them in your vehicle for emergencies.
If the new fuse immediately blows out, there is a problem
with the electrical system. Have your Lexus dealer
correct it as soon as possible.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
462
CAUTION
Never use a fuse with a higher amperage rating, or any
other object, in place of a fuse. This may cause
extensive damage and possibly a fire.

ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
463
CHECKING THE CARTRIDGETYPE FUSES
64L016-3

1Good 2Melted
If the headlights or other electrical components do
not work and the blade type fuses are O.K., check
the cartridge type fuses. If any of the cartridge type
fuses are blown, they must be replaced.
If there is an overload in the circuits from the battery, the
fuses are designed to blow before the entire wiring
harness is damaged.