12V battery problems 24 TrailHunter

[Will721]

If someone had a diagram of the charging circuit I can tell you if the alternator charges the battery. I would assume that it does because the battery is also the "equalizer" in a charging system. It absorbs voltage spikes and protects sensitive electronics.

It used to be a common test for the altenator to disconnect the battery while running to see if the alternator is bad. It has since been discouraged due to the addition of complex electrics.

Sponsored

 

[MustardTiger]

My truck had the original battery replaced before I bought it (new). Dealer never said anything about it during the sale. I assume it was low SOC during transport and froze.

Whenever I test the battery with a test monitor, it always says “Battery good, recharge”. SOH is about 91%. Voltage usually 12.1-12.2v. I installed one of these chargers, and will plug it in if the truck sits for more than a week. Just another rinky dink task that’s part of owning this truck I guess….to overcome Toyota’s recurring stupidity. Man, Toyota must have a boatload of DEI “engineers and designers” these days. Everything has turned to shit

Noco 2D

 

[TacoFreak]

I don't know if this is true, but charts I have seen say that a 12 volt is only 50% charged at 12.2 volts, which is what mine often is.

 

[MustardTiger]

Confirmed with Carista, while driving. Spends majority of the time at 12.8v...

In my experience, vehicles with a traditional alternator will keep the battery at 14v +...or 13.8v. Never 12.8v. That would indicate your charging system isn't working. So, having said that...this is an extremely weird charging system logic that toyota has programmed in these hybrid trucks. No wonder the batteries fail.

 

[TacoFreak]

Yes, strange charging system in the hybrids. My truck jumps from its resting SOC to the low 14V range when I first start it. Then it fairly quickly drops down 12.8V and mostly stays there, so it is not a surprise that hybrid 12V batteries have short lives. I guess as long as they last for the 24 month warranty Toyota doesn't care.

When I complained at my dealer, a lady with a good solid couple months of service advisor experience told me I don't drive it enough. I said even after driving it all day it is still not fully charged, which tells me the charging system is inadequate. She then told me I needed a trickle charger, and I have never gone back. I don't have to drive an hour to get lied to by some fat chick who has no clue about automotive electrical systems. Bottom line, neither the dealers nor Toyota give a crap and we are on our own.
.
I just gave up and I put a trickle charger on it every week or two and now its resting SOC is usually between 12.3V-12.5V, so maybe 70-80% charged. That is better than what it can do on its own, but it is never fully charged unless I leave it on my maintainer whenever I'm not driving it. It looks like it is working as designed to me, but it is just a crap design.

 

[shackley]

Yes, strange charging system in the hybrids. My truck jumps from its resting SOC to the low 14V range when I first start it. Then it fairly quickly drops down 12.8V and mostly stays there, so it is not a surprise that hybrid 12V batteries have short lives. I guess as long as they last for the 24 month warranty Toyota doesn't care.

When I complained at my dealer, a lady with a good solid couple months of service advisor experience told me I don't drive it enough. I said even after driving it all day it is still not fully charged, which tells me the charging system is inadequate. She then told me I needed a trickle charger, and I have never gone back. I don't have to drive an hour to get lied to by some fat chick who has no clue about automotive electrical systems. Bottom line, neither the dealers nor Toyota give a crap and we are on our own.
.
I just gave up and I put a trickle charger on it every week or two and now its resting SOC is usually between 12.3V-12.5V, so maybe 70-80% charged. That is better than what it can do on its own, but it is never fully charged unless I leave it on my maintainer whenever I'm not driving it. It looks like it is working as designed to me, but it is just a crap design.

I doubt that Toyota will do anything about this until it effects their bottom line, and given the sales numbers isn't likely to happen anytime soon. I have a 26 TH, and put a charger on the 12V at times when I'm not driving much (I'm retired).

 

[Kodachrome]

I wouldn't call it a quality hit, thats not exactly the issue. It all comes down to government over regulation that has caused all these issues. Junk CVTs are due to overwhelming fuel economy regulations. The domestics eating their valvetrain is due to emissions. Diesels are having issues with dpf and egr from emissions. Low tension ring issues are from fuel economy. We don't even get some of the best, and well designed engine options available due to emissions. These charging system issues are likely due to Toyota chasing economy numbers by reducing overall engine load. All of it comes down to three groups pushing and pulling manufacturers to get what they want.

The NHTSA wants safer cars. The best way to do that is to add more material for larger crumple zones. This makes cars bigger and heavier. Meanwhile the EPA wants fuel economy and emissions. Heavy cars aren't good for economy so manufacturers have to shave weight wherever they can which is why we see so much plastic where it doesn't belong. Not to mention overly complex vehicle controls, emissions equipment, low friction cylinde linings (that fail), transmissions with way mor gears, auto start stop, and smaller displacement with turbos.

Meanwhile the consumer doesn't care for most of that. They want a relatively safe car thats decent on gas but want as much horsepower as they can. Not to go fast, but to get that bloated heavy hunk of metal up to speed on the highway comfortably. But horsepower isn't good for fuel economy or emissions. But the nhtsa makes sure you need more of it year after year. To put it in perspective, a 4th gen Tacoma (Midsize truck) weighs more than this by 200lbs:

At the end of the day, this is an America problem. Manufacturers have run out of options. They are being pulled in every direction with no end in site. Its why every manufacturer was pushing so hard into EVs, they are easier to meet regulations. But the consumer didn't want them. They have too many drawbacks. Which is why so many are now doubling back.

Yeah, well...that is pretty dismissive of the reality we are in on a global scale.

My other car is our second leased Audi EV and with our solar, home battery packs, etc we are practically on a closed loop system of renewables, range is more than fine. So I would maybe *not* use blanket statements like "But the consumer didn't want them" because it sure as heck does not apply to everyone. Other countries are doing very well in this regard and yet are still going to suffer the consequences of other selfish countries bad habits and cult-like behavior.

But here is the deal, the near and far future ecology is done cashing the bad checks that the past and present seem hell bent on writing. Full stop. From this point forward, everything is going to continue to cost more out of pocket and the things that were had cheaply will cost us in other ways.

In just ten years, I went from advocating policy changes in carbon reduction using studies and think tanks to scrambling to what is now the area of greatest need and that is infrastructural innovation and adaptation strategies.

You can thank me later when it finally becomes crystal clear to you just how late we are in growing and showing up.

As for the topic, I will keep an eye out for battery level with my iDash gauge. I live near a ski area and the truck is outside full time, so it might get interesting if we get lucky enough to have what was once a normal Winter ever again...

 

[TacoFreak]

I doubt that Toyota will do anything about this until it effects their bottom line, and given the sales numbers isn't likely to happen anytime soon. I have a 26 TH, and put a charger on the 12V at times when I'm not driving much (I'm retired).

No, I don't expect Toyota to do anything, particularly since my wife's battery electric and a friend's plugin hybrid have the same issue. I love my truck and charge if when I have to, but this should be Toyota's problem and not ours.

Sponsored