Battery, starter, or alternator?
2003 lexus is300
241k miles
auto
service history:
- starter never replaced (factory, 2003)
- alternator (2020, 150k miles, aftermarket)
- battery replaced 03/2024 and had corrosion, replaced again 04/2024 (Autozone brand)
- battery replaced 04/2026, terminals cleaned (Costco/Interstate battery) 216k miles
What could this sound be? I tried starting it a second time and it chugged/struggled to start. Tried a third time and it started like normal.
I let the car sit over the weekend and it fully died (lights were dim/wasn’t locking) and did a jump start and it started perfectly fine.
Took battery to auto parts store and did an at-home battery test and it failed both tests.
Costco refused to replace my battery because it “passed” their battery test, reading at 600/700 amps. I ended up getting a refund and I want to buy an OEM battery.
Since this issue has happened multiple times shortly after replacing the battery, am I just having bad luck with aftermarket batteries? Battery terminals look fine/no corrosion buildup or holes visible.
Or is this indicative of underlying electrical issues, bad aftermarket alternator or failing starter?