Disconnecting 12V Battery on iForceMAX = Fault Codes

[Benny]

Well this didn’t go well. Following recommendations of disconnecting the 12V battery before wiring lights, and after reconnecting everything the dash threw a fit. Towed to the stealership for a system reboot.

What’s your estimated bill on this?

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[TacoFreak]

Wow! I'm glad I never disconnect the negative terminal when I trickle charge my truck like Toyota recommends.

 

[GSPHerder]

Did you have to pay for tow and reset?

I wonder if putting trickle charge on the jump posts on top of the engine will keep juice in the system when you swap out a dead battery?

 

[lauren01]

I got those codes after disconnecting only the neg terminal to do a lighting upgrade. I waited for 45 minutes. After eating lunch and having a patience-increasing beer, everything went back to normal. I used my XTool to look at codes, erase, run a diagnostic, and whew! No more codes.

Shrug. Being an early adopter of these newfangled little beasts of trucks can be painful. Overall I love the truck, yet am always awaiting its next surprise.

 

[Bravada]

This sucks Benny.
I've disconnected my 12v battery a dozen times now, with no ill effect. I wonder why I've gotten away with disconnecting it, and the universe punishes you. I wonder if there is a specific order to it. I've always disconnected the negative terminal first. How long was it disconnected? I wonder if has anything to do with Hybrid versus non.

 

[tinkerer]

I literally had this happen today after installing the Lexland Grill and lights. I have the xmas tree lights on the dash now with no luck after disconnecting the negative battery terminal. I guess I'll see what the dealer says tomorrow.

 

[Benny]

Did you have to pay for tow and reset?

I wonder if putting trickle charge on the jump posts on top of the engine will keep juice in the system when you swap out a dead battery?

ToyotaCare covered the tow (unlimited miles), Diagnostic, new 12V battery = waiting for the bill and for the truck….

 

[TacoFreak]

@Benny Is your truck out of the 24 month warranty that covers the battery?

 

[Benny]

@Benny Is your truck out of the 24 month warranty that covers the battery?

I’m right at 18 months and 25K miles…

UPDATE: New battery installed and fault codes cleared by Toyota Techs. My Service Advisor made sure it was covered by ToyotaCare and provided a loaner. Did have to pay for a diagnostic.

The Toyota Technician said DEFINITELY DON’T DO THIS… (CaliRaised YouTube Video on wiring.)

He said the electrical systems on the new hybrid Tacomas are very sensitive to any power interruptions .

In my set-up I plan on using a rectangular two button switch to operate my Küat DEK.

I am not using the pre-wired AUX switches because I am reserving them for future lighting options, and I didn’t want to use two AUX switches for the DEK lights (main & back lighting).

So I in the end I don’t know. It seems like people have successfully installed their own lights on the Hybrids, but after having my Taco in the shop for 5 days I’m hesitant to muck around the electrical system again. All the research I did made everything look plug-n-play. The videos all glossed over actual wiring - and no one mentioned potential issues with the hybrid systems. If y’all have some advice I am all ears - thanks in advance!

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