Check Engine light after jump start?

[DeadSetMonkey]

I have a Tacoma hybrid. Was sitting in rig, listening to radio, in ACC mode, about 20minutes.

The power cut out. And truck would not start. I guess I drained the 12v battery?

So. I used a portable jump starter to start engine (using terminal in fuse box). Drove around a little. Seems to start up and operate fine now since.

But.

Since then dash with multiple error lights, check engine, system malfunction indicators, instructions to contact dealer. Video attached.

I’m kinda assuming the ECU needs reset? Something simple? Possible to do this with hassle and expense of dealer visit? Or other advice? Or do I really need dealer to check it out?

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[Sner]

Not sure why you need to worry about any expense, just take it to the dealer tell them wanings coming up on cluster. What more do they need to know ?

 

[Sagebrush]

If it were me, I'd disconnect the battery, wait half an hour, and see if that clears the code.

 

[lauren01]

IMHO your battery may be weak. Test the battery voltage if you have a tester, or ask an auto parts store to test it. If it’s weak then you could go to a Toyota dealer to see if they’ll replace under warranty if it needs it.

 

[Will721]

Theres been a few threads on various forums talking about weak and bad 12v batteries in hybrids as well as some discussion on the systems charging voltage.

That said, I would check battery voltage. A healthy battery fully charged should sit at about 12.6v. Then check charging voltage with the truck running, which should be 13.5v+. If the battery voltage is low with the truck off, disconnect the battery and put a charger on it. Let it come to full charge and test again. Alternatively, most auto parts stores have in store charging and testing for free. However they never calibrate them so if it shows bad I'd go to a different location for a second opinion before taking it up with the dealer. Obviously any low charging voltage should be brought up.

As for the warning lights, that's typical. Cars are not just an ecm anymore, but several onboad modules that are all in communication with eachother. None of them like it when voltage gets low while energized. It will throw several errors across all of them. Usually they can be reset with a battery disconnected for 30min or using a scanner.


A side note, some hybrids have a procedure for servicing the low voltage battery. The owners manual should list it under battery replacement. I've not heard of any Tacomas having issues but worth taking a quick look unless someone can confirm otherwise.

 

[Vidman]

I had put my trailhunter in the garage for the winter not being used. When I went to take it out about 3 weeks ago it wouldn’t start. I did check the voltage but I forgot what it was. Put a tender on it for a few days and the truck started right up. Absolutely no codes since then. Maybe there is difference between slow charging and the quick boost from the starter packs that people have used. I do carry a jump pack with me just in case but haven’t had to use it on my truck. My youngest son is a master tech at a dodge dealership and he says that most new vehicles will pop some sort of a code when the battery voltage drops to a point that electronics are not happy with.

 

[StreeTaco]

Just get a $20 code reader from Walmart and clear all fault codes. They will go away on the dash but still remain in the history. . No problemo

 

[DeadSetMonkey]

Thanks all!
Used Carista app to clear error codes.
Smooth sailing since.

ECU reading 13.7 V while driving.

Will see if 12V batteries dies again.

I think I simply drained it chilling in the truck listening to music (maybe parking lights and other less obvious draw going too). Must not have much capacity.

 

[exia]

I have a Tacoma hybrid. Was sitting in rig, listening to radio, in ACC mode, about 20minutes.

The power cut out. And truck would not start. I guess I drained the 12v battery?

So. I used a portable jump starter to start engine (using terminal in fuse box). Drove around a little. Seems to start up and operate fine now since.

But.

Since then dash with multiple error lights, check engine, system malfunction indicators, instructions to contact dealer. Video attached.

I’m kinda assuming the ECU needs reset? Something simple? Possible to do this with hassle and expense of dealer visit? Or other advice? Or do I really need dealer to check it out?

It happened to me. Took it to the dealer to get codes cleared is all. Seems to me that if we let our hybrid die we should invest in a scan tool.

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