Can't Get Battery Hold Down To Work

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Gebo

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Sep 18, 2002
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Replacing battery on my '09 IS350. Got the 24 replacement and it is the exact size as my bad one. Didn't pay a lot of attention
when removing the old one as it was dark and just had knee surgery. Sort of in a hurry. I have done this many times in my Lexus's.

For the life of me, I cannot get that front hold down bracket to engage at the correct height. If I turn it one way it is too short. If I turn
it the other way it is too long. I have messed with this for over and hour and my leg and brain told me to ask you guys for help. Have
the drugs I am taking for pain given me a severe case of brain fog? I was just about to the cussing out loud stage so I am turning to you.

I don't even know which way to turn it as I can't get it to "hook" on anything down below under the cover.
 

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Gebo said:
Replacing battery on my '09 IS350. Got the 24 replacement and it is the exact size as my bad one. Didn't pay a lot of attention
when removing the old one as it was dark and just had knee surgery. Sort of in a hurry. I have done this many times in my Lexus's.

For the life of me, I cannot get that front hold down bracket to engage at the correct height. If I turn it one way it is too short. If I turn
it the other way it is too long. I have messed with this for over and hour and my leg and brain told me to ask you guys for help. Have
the drugs I am taking for pain given me a severe case of brain fog? I was just about to the cussing out loud stage so I am turning to you.

I don't even know which way to turn it as I can't get it to "hook" on anything down below under the cover.
Click to expand...
STOP. Take a nice break if you not in a hurry. Even let it go over night. I got a feeling after you take a physical rest
and go back to it.... you will likely see what you are missing. I have to laugh cause this happened to me with the
exact same type one day. I stopped / rested and went back in shop about 2 hours later and it went right back like
before. Good luck. That has actually happend to me doing a few jobs. Always best to back off for a bit.
 
Gebo said:
Replacing battery on my '09 IS350. Got the 24 replacement and it is the exact size as my bad one. Didn't pay a lot of attention
when removing the old one as it was dark and just had knee surgery. Sort of in a hurry. I have done this many times in my Lexus's.

For the life of me, I cannot get that front hold down bracket to engage at the correct height. If I turn it one way it is too short. If I turn
it the other way it is too long. I have messed with this for over and hour and my leg and brain told me to ask you guys for help. Have
the drugs I am taking for pain given me a severe case of brain fog? I was just about to the cussing out loud stage so I am turning to you.

I don't even know which way to turn it as I can't get it to "hook" on anything down below under the cover.
Click to expand...
If u still cant get it. Search on You Tube & they have several videos.
 
Last edited:
I can’t seem to find what the bottom of that clip hooks to. I’ll keep trying.

Thanks nukeman!!!!
 
It’s the rear that flumoxxed me - don’t break the white plastic clip on the firewall! It’s a royal pita without it!

Joking aside, getting it to hook on METAL and not just plastic on the front takes the right touch. It has to angle in just right. You might want to remove the battery to get the hang of it.
 
meep said:
It’s the rear that flumoxxed me - don’t break the white plastic clip on the firewall! It’s a royal pita without it!

Joking aside, getting it to hook on METAL and not just plastic on the front takes the right touch. It has to angle in just right. You might want to remove the battery to get the hang of it.It’s the
Click to expand...
It’s the metal rod towards the front of the car I still can’t get. I’ve removed battery. I’ll ready to pay someone $25 to do it.
 
Toyota has been using this hooked rod for at least the last 30 years.

It might help to pull out the Flat Tray, remove the fasteners that hold the Battery Tray to the body and see how the hooked rod fits into it's recess.

Refer to your image; turn the rod 180* so the hook faces the tray.
1661748070442.jpeg
 
Last edited:
paulo57509 said:
Toyota has been using this hooked rod for at least the last 30 years.

It might help to pull out the Flat Tray, remove the fasteners that hold the Battery Tray to the body and see how the hooked rod fits into it's recess.

Refer to your image; turn the rod 180* so the hook faces the tray.
View attachment 114633
Click to expand...
I tried to remove tray but it is way too involved on this car. I removed the 4 bolts but tray wouldn’t budge. There’s some sort of electrical component under the flat tray with weird connectors. I have spent hours trying to get that rod to latch in. No luck.

When I get the rod to “latch” it’s too short. None of my other “Toyotas” use this method for battery hold down. I have it turned properly. I just can’t seem to find the right hole for that curved end to fit in. I’ve tried sliding and twisting. I’d pay any of you $50 to fix it. I’d drive an hour one way and not bat an eye.
 
Last edited:
Nukeman7 said:
Did you view the video clip that is linked in Post #22 in the Club Lexus thread? He shows how to wiggle the hook into position on the bottom tray.
Click to expand...
Nukeman, yes. I have wiggled and wiggled and wiggled. I was sure your video would be the trick. I have lost all hope (in me). I’m trying to decide whom to take it to. I bought the battery from Walmart..,,,,
 
This is too funny. Sorry Gebo, not laughing at you. Laughing with you - at all of us. With all the challenges we encounter, especially the past two years, we are being defeated by a lowly battery hold down clip. Maybe something broke underneath the tray?

Maybe consider abandoning that system and purchase a universal one for about $10?

I feel your anquish. I had it last week when a wrench disappeared into the cavernous engine bay and took an hour to find and retrieve. I wish you the best.

1661774977770.png
 
doitmyself said:
This is too funny. Sorry Gebo, not laughing at you. Laughing with you - at all of us. With all the challenges we encounter, especially the past two years, we are being defeated by a lowly battery hold down clip. Maybe something broke underneath the tray?

Maybe consider abandoning that system and purchase a universal one for about $10?

I feel your anquish. I had it last week when a wrench disappeared into the cavernous engine bay and took an hour to find and retrieve. I wish you the best.

View attachment 114647
Click to expand...
I didn’t even know they made such a device. Thanks!
 
So, the U shaped keyhole area I outlined in yellow does not simply fit into the P shaped slot, with the 90% bend above the tray? There is wear on that P slot that indicates sheet metal rubbing. The clip height has to accomodate that plastic battery cover (taller than the battery_.
battery clip.jpg
 
Last edited:
The rod fits beneath the black tray. There is a hidden slot down there.

Lexus service mgr just called me and is gonna do a face time with me. He said my battery box is more complicated to remove (tell me about it) and he said once I see underneath it will make sense. There is the “power steering electrical box” attached to the battery holder that has to be removed to get the battery box out. He said on this set up, they always zip tie the rod because they are very difficult to get back in unless you remove the box.
 
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