Dead battery(s) iForceMAX

[TacoFreak]

@rkohlerbend Here is my theory, which might explain your truck, but it is only a theory.

I think most hybrids came with 12 volt batteries which were fine. My truck has not gone completely dead yet, but its resting state of charge (SOC) is always between 12.0-12.2 volts. Over time keeping a 12 volt that low will eventually kill it. Most people think the battery should be somewhere between 12.4-12.6 volts SOC to keep it healthy. The longer this goes on, the less time it takes the battery to discharge and then you find your truck completely dead.

As low as the voltage in my battery stays I assume it will die eventually and I hope Toyota replaces it. But if the hybrids can't keep the batteries charged they will just keep failing. Unless people check the voltage in the battery when the truck is off, they will never know this is happening until the battery fails. As soon as my truck starts the system voltage jumps right up to normal, so you would think it was fine if you never check the battery voltage.

Take it to your dealer and see what they say, although some dealers claim all of this is normal and it is your fault if you don't drive your truck often enough.

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[Jt2024]

Check if you Toyota APP was open. I had similar issue and narrowed it to the Toyota App. Have to sign out or it pings the truck.

 

[TacoFreak]

Check if you Toyota APP was open. I had similar issue and narrowed it to the Toyota App. Have to sign out or it pings the truck.

Yes - the app does run down the battery if you stay logged in. The same thing happened to my wife's SUV. Since she stopped using the app her battery has not run completely down again. But I think the root cause is that anything can run down the battery when it is kept at such a low state of charge.

It is interesting that this happens with my wife's Lexus battery electric. It has a similar way of charging the 12 volt from the traction battery, and it does not work well either. Lexus just said it is a known problem and that they do not have a fix.

 

[jackvz]

Curious if anyone has had any updates or more info regarding this issue?

 

[TacoFreak]

The problem is that Toyota does not see this as an issue. Virtually all dealers are telling their customers that everything is fine. My dealer told me to drive my truck more or buy a trickle charger, so I am not expecting any updates or fixes.

 

[rkohlerbend]

The problem is that Toyota does not see this as an issue. Virtually all dealers are telling their customers that everything is fine. My dealer told me to drive my truck more or buy a trickle charger, so I am not expecting any updates or fixes.

When I took my truck to the dealer they ran diagnostics and charged the battery and said everything was fine - just run the truck more or buy a trickle charger. So, this must be the Toyota line - put everything on the customer. Nothing to see here...

 

[jackvz]

When I took my truck to the dealer they ran diagnostics and charged the battery and said everything was fine - just run the truck more or buy a trickle charger. So, this must be the Toyota line - put everything on the customer. Nothing to see here...

I sometimes go weeks without driving my Tacoma as I have another daily driver. But when I need the truck I need it to start up. This has me concerned.

 

[rkohlerbend]

I sometimes go weeks without driving my Tacoma as I have another daily driver. But when I need the truck I need it to start up. This has me concerned.

I think a trickle charger is the answer at this stage.

 

[TacoFreak]

A trickle charger will definitely do the job. I find it easier to just carry a jump pack so I know the truck will always start. But if you don't charge the 12 volt in a hybrid or carry a jump pack it is just a matter of time until it leaves you stranded IMO.

 

[Ron]

"Drive more or get a trickle charger" is a ridiculous response from the dealer or Toyota.

My battery has always started the truck but if i was having this problem i would look into trickle charging the 12V battery from the Nimh while the truck is not running. Just remove it before going to dealer.

If i had the time i might even produce and sell them. Should be simple to make.

It's very disappointing this comes from a company that led the charge in hybrid technology.

 

[trailhunger]

"Drive more or get a trickle charger" is a ridiculous response from the dealer or Toyota.

My battery has always started the truck but if i was having this problem i would look into trickle charging the 12V battery from the Nimh while the truck is not running. Just remove it before going to dealer.

If i had the time i might even produce and sell them. Should be simple to make.

It's very disappointing this comes from a company that led the charge in hybrid technology.

I’d get a remote battery disconnect before fcking w/the NiMH. Why would I void my warranty dinking & dunking with a high voltage closed system. 288V boss, good luck making that step down converter to charge your 12v battery. There’s already one on the truck, takes up a 1/3rd of the engine compartment SMH. You drain the NiMH it’s a tow to the dealership, whereas if you drain the 12V you just need to jump it or trickle charge overnight.

Drive the truck or disconnect the battery. Also a security layer against CAN-BUS attacks. It’s what I do on the old ram, that battery is living its best life.

Every modern vehicle deals with parasitic draw in some form or another. Computers on wheels

 

[trailhunger]

You guys could always run generator mode every few days, charge your power stations, work batteries etc. I just idle my TH and make use of the high output inverter when I’m busy driving my work rig for the week/month. Tops of the 12V in the process & keeps the NiMH healthy, engine lubed. Gas is cheap af rn and it sips .20-.50 gal/hr of actual engine runtime

 

[gpburdell]

I think a trickle charger is the answer at this stage.

Thats a bullsht “answer” - any vehicle that can’t maintain a proper charge on the. 12V and can’t sit for 3-4 weeks is defective.

It might be what current owners need to do in response to Toyota abandoning owners with this issue, but it sure as heck is not a proper “solution”

 

[gpburdell]

Every modern vehicle deals with parasitic draw in some form or another. Computers on wheels

No excuse.

my 3rd gen with aftermarket LTE remote start from phone app is fine 2-3 weeks sitting despite the expected draw. My wife’s 2024 Ford with all the remote services also sits 2-3 weeks with no issues. Non-hybrid Tacomas seem to keep their batteries charged. Something’s fkd with a lot of the hybrids.

 

[trailhunger]

Thats a bullsht “answer” - any vehicle that can’t maintain a proper charge on the. 12V and can’t sit for 3-4 weeks is defective.

It might be what current owners need to do in response to Toyota abandoning owners with this issue, but it sure as heck is not a proper “solution”

And this is a bullshit attitude toward science and engineering. It’s not a plug in electric vehicle. My wife’s Infiniti needs a trickle charger because parasitic draw is reality: you don’t drive it for a couple weeks, need to do 1 of 2 things: disconnect the fucking battery or put a maintainer on it. Not rocket science.

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