My i-Force Max has an.... Alternator???

[TacoFreak]

I wonder if the Toyota app in the truck is running down the battery using cellular? My truck seems to always send a message to my phone that I left it unlocked. I need to turn off that feature as it is annoying to stop and look at my phone just to find that. I know when it is unlocked.

I have not had any battery problems with my truck and it sits for a good while, but your idea reminded me of something else.

My wife has a Lexus EV and it has run its 12V down a couple of times. The dealer told us it was the app that was causing that and that Toyota does not yet have a solution. They told her that as long as she was logged into the app the car would send regular status updates over cellular and that was what was killing her battery. Since she quit using the app that has not happened again, so you could be right.

Sponsored

 

[Independence Overland]

So my guess is that the harness is largely the same between the hybrid and non hybrids. So there is probably a plug for an alternator if I were to guess.

Based off of what I am seeing, I bet a recall is going to be coming on this. They changed a pretty major component within a year of releasing the truck, so its to be expected. I already reported mine to Toyota HQ and I will be taking it to the dealer to get perhaps a new battery.

Something I failed to mention is a Toyota employee I know that does various events, said some of their prototypes had an issue with the battery dying. And he actually showed me that he had a jump pack hooked up under the rear seat on a Trailhunter a few years ago when I first got the chance to see these things up close.

Again, I suspect a recall is coming and these will be added on to existing trucks in the future.

 

[Independence Overland]

I have not had any battery problems with my truck and it sits for a good while, but your idea reminded me of something else.

My wife has a Lexus EV and it has run its 12V down a couple of times. The dealer told us it was the app that was causing that and that Toyota does not yet have a solution. They told her that as long as she was logged into the app the car would send regular status updates over cellular and that was what was killing her battery. Since she quit using the app that has not happened again, so you could be right.

This is good to know. If you turn that function off, can you still remote start it with your phone or do all of those features turn off?

 

[TacoFreak]

This is good to know. If you turn that function off, can you still remote start it with your phone or do all of those features turn off?

You lose all the functions as long as you are logged out, but once you log in again everything works. You just can't leave your phone logged into the Toyota app long term if you want the battery to survive. She now carries a jump pack in her car and knows how to open the driver's door when the battery is dead.

 

[Sagebrush]

the motors are just built the same as non hybrids to simplify builds. Meaning you got the alternator. At least this is a guess on my part.

My guess is that it has an alternator and a small 12-volt battery to run the 12-volt system.

 

[LincolnSixAlpha]

Watching that Toyota mechanic on YouTube, "car care nut". He was reviewing the '25 4Runner and while discussing the hybrid system he stated that all of these vehicles have alternators even the hybrids. He described a situation, perhaps in the future if the hybrid system ever fails, the truck would still continue as a non hybrid since it has the alternator. Not sure that's the intended purpose, but none the less a good point. He did describe why it has an alternator, but wasn't shocking to me, and that was a few weeks back when I watched the video anyhow. FWIW.

 

[TacoFreak]

The question is more about why some of the 2025 Tacoma hybrids have alternators, and why 2024 models and some 2025 models don't have them. Toyota should share why they made the change and how those of us without alternators are affected.

If it is meant to make them better able to be driven as non-hybrids why doesn't my truck have an alternator? It also makes little sense to me that you would drive a hybrid long term as a non-hybrid. And why would Toyota be concerned with battery failures when they are very rare in Toyota hybrids?

AFAIK Toyota has not addressed this and I suspect that the CCN just makes up stuff to fill his videos and get more clicks.

 

[Tom Sellick]

So my guess is that the harness is largely the same between the hybrid and non hybrids. So there is probably a plug for an alternator if I were to guess.

Based off of what I am seeing, I bet a recall is going to be coming on this. They changed a pretty major component within a year of releasing the truck, so its to be expected. I already reported mine to Toyota HQ and I will be taking it to the dealer to get perhaps a new battery.

Something I failed to mention is a Toyota employee I know that does various events, said some of their prototypes had an issue with the battery dying. And he actually showed me that he had a jump pack hooked up under the rear seat on a Trailhunter a few years ago when I first got the chance to see these things up close.

Again, I suspect a recall is coming and these will be added on to existing trucks in the future.

So here’s my cluster @#$&. Went away for two weeks. Tried to start the truck this morning. Dead as a door nail. Went to put my battery charger on it and it’s making some crazy clicking noise and flashing lights on me. Unplugged right away and called the dealer. They “think” it could be something with the engine immobilzer that I had installed- through them! Who knows though! He asked me to try to jump it instead. Now I have to push the truck out of the garage. Shifter locked….figured out how to override that and got it into neutral…..but of course the parking brake is electronic and engaged. Waiting for them to call me back. You can’t make this stuff up.

edit…decided to just call roadside assistance. Hopefully they can come with a jumper pack and get it going.

 

[Lennyz1]

Engine immobilizer is built into the VCU? Without your key fob, credit card thing or a paired and connected mobile device the truck will not start. Unless Canada does not allow the factory immobilizer?

 

[Tom Sellick]

Engine immobilizer is built into the VCU? Without your key fob, credit card thing or a paired and connected mobile device the truck will not start. Unless Canada does not allow the factory immobilizer?

It’s not factory. My dealer has a company they work with. Not sure about the VCU? I know how to drive them but don’t know a whole lot about how they work

 

[TacoFreak]

I think the only good way to jump a dead hybrid is with a jump pack. That gets you around the problems you mentioned and that @Lennyz1 pointed out. Hopefully roadside assistance brings one along.

 

[Tom Sellick]

I think the only good way to jump a dead hybrid is with a jump pack. That gets you around the problems you mentioned and that @Lennyz1 pointed out. Hopefully roadside assistance brings one along.

I guess I’ll have to buy one of those things….

 

[Lennyz1]

It’s not factory. My dealer has a company they work with. Not sure about the VCU? I know how to drive them but don’t know a whole lot about how they work

In a simple description, the Vehicle Control Unit: basically one of the computers that monitors the many items including the security and sends communication to enable the "ECU" Engine Control Unit once it see a secure signal from a key fob or other device. There are many computers/modules that run all different areas of the truck and all are connected through can-bus. Anyone of these go down and it can create a challenge.

Put a voltage meter (if you have one) on the jump start points under your hood and see what your battery voltage is. Should be in the left side of engine bay in the black fuse box. Inside is a hinged (I believe red) cover that you open and gives you direct access to the positive side of battery. Then anywhere on chassis for ground.

It is hard for me to believe your battery is dead, but crazier things have happened.

 

[Tom Sellick]

In a simple description, the Vehicle Control Unit: basically one of the computers that monitors the many items including the security and sends communication to enable the "ECU" Engine Control Unit once it see a secure signal from a key fob or other device. There are many computers/modules that run all different areas of the truck and all are connected through can-bus. Anyone of these go down and it can create a challenge.

Put a voltage meter (if you have one) on the jump start points under your hood and see what your battery voltage is.

If I did it correctly, it's reading 2.016

 

[Lennyz1]

Uhm, wow. That is really dead!!!! Your truck has an AGM battery and should be replaced and not charged. AGM batteries degrade rapidly below 12.3 VDC. Dealer should replace and something is really wrong to discharge like that in 2 weeks.

Please keep me informed on what is found.

Sponsored