Dead battery(s) iForceMAX

[Tsturbo]

2024 Limited iForceMAX, 4,000 miles. Went camping over the 4th of July for 5 nights. Did not drive truck during that time. Started 1 time, doors open and shut during the day, same for auto tailgate and power running boards. Go to leave this morning and completely dead, tailgate and power running boards wouldn’t work, no lights on dash. Had to jump it, fired right up and we drove home no problems.

Calling the dealer tomorrow, but doesn’t it seem weird that the truck would not start from the hybrid nor the 12V. Could 5 days or opening doors left power running boards active so they come out when door opened and power tailgate open/close a few different times per day. Could this have killed both batteries or……??
Thanks

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[TacoFreak]

My truck is sitting in my garage with a battery charge of 12.08v right now, so it would not take much to run in down from there. I'm not sure how low the battery can go and still power up the electronics, but that is all you need since it starts off of the traction battery. I hope Toyota has some answer for this, because lots of people are having this same problem.

Let us know what your dealer says/does. I have not had the free time to get mine to the dealer yet and until then I started carrying a jump pack to make it easy to get it going if it dies. Good luck.

 

[SkatefulDead]

I had a similar problem just after I got my truck. had to be jumped 3 times before 5k mile tune. Dealer ran tests and was faulty battery. they replaced and hasn't happened since.

 

[goin2drt]

I have a non iforce and left it parked in the garage for 12 days while on vacation. Same thing. Started it and drove around for a few hours. Each morning when cold it clicks a few times before it struggles and fires up.

Took it to the dealer and they said it was fine just needed a charge from a Toyota tech and they would need the truck for an entire day, maybe 2.

Good luck with yours.

 

[djevans]

My truck is sitting in my garage with a battery charge of 12.08v right now, so it would not take much to run in down from there. I'm not sure how low the battery can go and still power up the electronics, but that is all you need since it starts off of the traction battery. I hope Toyota has some answer for this, because lots of people are having this same problem.

Let us know what your dealer says/does. I have not had the free time to get mine to the dealer yet and until then I started carrying a jump pack to make it easy to get it going if it dies. Good luck.

Unless your truck has been sitting for an extended interval, that's unusually low for a Tacoma, even with Hybrid power system. You mentioned you weren't sure how low it can go to power your electronics. That battery voltage is something like 50 % charged or less. (depending on the chart used) Lead acid batteries really shouldn't be run down lower than 50% at most. At 12.08v (FWIW) you might consider topping your battery off... If your battery is the kind specifically made for "start/stop" operation and not a standard AGM, (an EFB battery) I'd still bring it up, again, "For What It's Worth."

 

[Tom Sellick]

So can you put a charger/maintainer on the hybrids by connecting to the jump post in the engine bay? Can you install a permanent trickle charger connected the same way? I asked the dealer and the answer I got was….we don’t know. We will have to find out. I’m still waiting to hear from them.

 

[TacoFreak]

Unless your truck has been sitting for an extended interval, that's unusually low for a Tacoma, even with Hybrid power system. You mentioned you weren't sure how low it can go to power your electronics. That battery voltage is something like 50 % charged or less. (depending on the chart used) Lead acid batteries really shouldn't be run down lower than 50% at most. At 12.08v (FWIW) you might consider topping your battery off... If your battery is the kind specifically made for "start/stop" operation and not a standard AGM, (an EFB battery) I'd still bring it up, again, "For What It's Worth."

Update: When the voltage read 12.08V it had been sitting for four days. Sitting overnight it went back up to 12.25V, which is where it usually settles, and enough to power the electronics and it started fine. As soon as it is running it shows in the middle of the voltmeter range, which I am guessing is about 14V. I can charge it up, but after a few drives it will just be back there again. I'm hoping that my dealer decides the battery needs replaced and that is the end of it. I will report back later.

 

[TacoFreak]

So can you put a charger/maintainer on the hybrids by connecting to the jump post in the engine bay? Can you install a permanent trickle charger connected the same way? I asked the dealer and the answer I got was….we don’t know. We will have to find out. I’m still waiting to hear from them.

That is how I connected my maintainer the one time I charged up the 12V battery. The manual shows that location as the place to jump it, so I don't see why you can't charge it from there with a temporary or a permanent connection.

It is kind of strange that Toyota makes a big deal about having a window open in the truck when you charge it, but it must charge the battery when you are driving, and I often don't have a window open unless the weather is nice outside. It is all new to me, since I never had a 12V in the cab or had a vehicle that needed charged unless I parked it for a month or more.

 

[Tom Sellick]

That is how I connected my maintainer the one time I charged up the 12V battery. The manual shows that location as the place to jump it, so I don't see why you can't charge it from there with a temporary or a permanent connection.

It is kind of strange that Toyota makes a big deal about having a window open in the truck when you charge it, but it must charge the battery when you are driving, and I often don't have a window open unless the weather is nice outside. It is all new to me, since I never had a 12V in the cab or had a vehicle that needed charged unless I parked it for a month or more.

Agree. I think the manual also suggests disconnecting the negative terminal as well….but maybe that’s only if you connect straight to the battery?

 

[TacoFreak]

Agree. I think the manual also suggests disconnecting the negative terminal as well….but maybe that’s only if you connect straight to the battery?

I think it does say that, but if you disconnect the neg terminal you couldn't jump it, so maybe only to charge it? If Toyota can't make hybrids that keep their batteries charged they need to provide better information about how we are supposed to keep them running.

 

[Tom Sellick]

I think it does say that, but if you disconnect the neg terminal you couldn't jump it, so maybe only to charge it? If Toyota can't make hybrids that keep their batteries charged they need to provide better information about how we are supposed to keep them running.

Yeah, it does say when charging.

 

[TacoFreak]

Yeah, it does say when charging.

That's what I thought, although I have never seen that required in any other vehicle I have owned.

 

[TacoFreak]

Yeah, it does say when charging.

That is probably why your dealer doesn't want to commit about installing a charger/maintainer. Even if it was permanently wired, to follow Toyota's recommendation you would still have to disconnect the neg terminal. That probably also means that every time you do that you would lose all or most of your settings and have to wander through menus setting it all back up again. Ugh!

 

[gpburdell]

I have a non iforce and left it parked in the garage for 12 days while on vacation. Same thing. Started it and drove around for a few hours. Each morning when cold it clicks a few times before it struggles and fires up.

Took it to the dealer and they said it was fine just needed a charge from a Toyota tech and they would need the truck for an entire day, maybe 2.

Good luck with yours.

My reply to that would be: What's defective in the charging system that the truck isn't maintaining a full battery charge?

Sorry, but that dealers response BS. A properly operating vehicle, under normal usage conditions, should keep the battery at or close to full charge.

 

[Tom Sellick]

My reply to that would be: What's defective in the charging system that the truck isn't maintaining a full battery charge?

I hear you. I got very let’s say firm with them to say the least. Didn’t change the result as they claim they can’t do anything (about the battery) unless it fails the test after charging. Toyota warranty rules….

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