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

[Bravada]

The batteries in the iForce MAX hybrids are not AGM batteries. They are made by Clarios, model # 380LN3-MF. It is an Enhanced Flooded Battery (EFB), designed for automotive use. It is a maintenance-free battery, meaning it does not require refilling with fluid after use. The "MF" in the product name stands for "Maintenance Free". This battery is a suitable replacement for various vehicle models, including the 2018 Toyota Camry. It has a 12VDC voltage and is identified by the BCI Group Size 48, EN Group Size LN3, and DIN Group Size H6.

Thank you for confirming my assumption, as AGM is not found anywhere on my battery.

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[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.

Hey there. Wondering if you have heard any more about this through the grapevine? Or anyone else hear anything?

 

[TacoFreak]

Judging by how Toyota has been dealing with other 4th gen issues I am not expecting much. I think @Independence Overland is basing that on how Toyota treated customers in the past. But I don't see that much these days and I expect that they will just keep ignoring this and hoping we go away.

I hope I'm wrong, but I bet I am right.

 

[Tom Sellick]

Judging by how Toyota has been dealing with other 4th gen issues I am not expecting much. I think @Independence Overland is basing that on how Toyota treated customers in the past. But I don't see that much these days and I expect that they will just keep ignoring this and hoping we go away.

I hope I'm wrong, but I bet I am right.

I’m sure you are probably correct.

 

[turnermier]

Has there been any more discoveries on this? I popped a lot of hoods at the dealership and never found an alternator

 

[BoboForShort]

Has there been any more discoveries on this? I popped a lot of hoods at the dealership and never found an alternator

Seems like the 2025+ Tacomas that have the option for 4 AUX switches have an alternator. I'd assume the same is true for the 4Runners.

As to why, there isn't a solid answer. My guess is that it's to cover the extra current draw for an additional 10A accessory switch. Seems odd for that to be the cutoff for the DC to DC converter, but that's what determines if it has an alternator or not.

The dead battery complaints seem to be unrelated and it's starting to sound like possible faulty batteries from the factory.

 

[gpburdell]

Seems like the 2025+ Tacomas that have the option for 4 AUX switches have an alternator. I'd assume the same is true for the 4Runners.

As to why, there isn't a solid answer. My guess is that it's to cover the extra current draw for an additional 10A accessory switch. Seems odd for that to be the cutoff for the DC to DC converter, but that's what determines if it has an alternator or not.

The dead battery complaints seem to be unrelated and it's starting to sound like possible faulty batteries from the factory.

A couple cases may be something to do with the individual DC-DC converter rather than faulty battery, but largely I'm sensing the issue is more isolated than widespread. Doesn't make it suck any less for those affected, particularly those whose dealers shrug it off as "normal" and they don't have multiple other dealers to visit.

 

[turnermier]

Seems like the 2025+ Tacomas that have the option for 4 AUX switches have an alternator. I'd assume the same is true for the 4Runners.

As to why, there isn't a solid answer. My guess is that it's to cover the extra current draw for an additional 10A accessory switch. Seems odd for that to be the cutoff for the DC to DC converter, but that's what determines if it has an alternator or not.

The dead battery complaints seem to be unrelated and it's starting to sound like possible faulty batteries from the factory.

Interesting.. I thought I got every option when I purchased my 2025 but I didn't find any way to get four switches

 

[gpburdell]

Interesting.. I thought I got every option when I purchased my 2025 but I didn't find any way to get four switches

I believe it is TH and Pro only, and not sure if it's a chosen option or just comes with current builds of those trims.

 

[djsos]

Hi all!
I'm new here.
My mechanic told me that the Tacoma starts the fuel engine with the hybrid motor when hotter than -21 C. Colder than that, the 12v starter takes over.
My hybrid TRD Off road premium did not start when it was -22 C couples of days ago. I did jump start it, took it to Toyota, they replaced my battery.
I looked under the hood, doesn't seem to have an alternator.
My new battery today at -16 C is at 12.00v. Pretty low i guess... But it did start no problen since it's the hybrid motor that started the engine.
Here's picture of the battery that Toyota put to replace my faulty battery.
The original battery tested 480 CCA. My Tacoma was build in march 2025.

 

[shackley]

Looks to me like an alternator on my Hybrid, tought they had an electric motor generator only?

Pics or it didn't happen.

Are yours the same?
'
Thanks
JC

My 26 TH has an alternator. Toyotas way to solve the poorly charging 12V in the hybrids I assume.

But could they retrofit an alternator if they wanted to?

I guess it depends on the wiring harnesses. Are the harnesses the same for both hybrid and non-hybrid models? Would a new secondary harness be needed to backfit the alternator into the 2024 models? And then you’d likely need new software updates as well.

I did a brief review of ALLDATA, and while it's updated with 2025 information, I didn’t see anything that mentions the differences between the model years.

I have a 26 TH with alternator and it’s always charging (~14.3 most of the time). So I assume the alternator is functioning as designed. I have the 26 manual and there is nothing about an alternator.

It's a step backwards to add the alternator. Hard to imagine what has the engineers baffled enough to go that route.

Maybe they wanted to tweak the hybrid system to keep more juice in the battery when parked but that would have reduced their mpg below govt standards.

Sloppy engineering and (over)regulation. They could not stop the real problem so they slapped in a quick fix from the previous century.

It might be a quick fix, but there is a bolt thread in the block for the alternator so there was some planning involved. I’ll post an image tomorrow.

Looks to me like an alternator on my Hybrid, tought they had an electric motor generator only?

Pics or it didn't happen.

Are yours the same?

Thanks
JC

My 26 TH has one (see image). Note that it is bolted to the block as if the threaded hole was there all the time, perhaps from other Tacomas or 4runners that have them. In any case it looks like the block was cast to accept an alternator regardless whether they installed them or not. O

 

[TacoFreak]

My 26 TH has an alternator. Toyotas way to solve the poorly charging 12V in the hybrids I assume.

That is what I assumed also, but some people have posted about hybrids with alternators that still do not keep their 12v batteries charged. That makes me think that even trucks with alternators still charge their 12v batteries with the same DC/DC voltage converter as trucks without one. A lot of people think the alternator is just to support the 4th AUX, although Toyota won't talk about any of this at all.

 

[gpburdell]

Trucks with 4 AUX switches (TH/Pro) seem to get the alternator, trucks with 3 do not.

Per the 2026 owners manual, fusing seems to be different as well, which may be related.

 

[shackley]

Trucks with 4 AUX switches (TH/Pro) seem to get the alternator, trucks with 3 do not.

Per the 2026 owners manual, fusing seems to be different as well, which may be related.

It looks like when I install a winch I’ll use AUX 1 since it’s 40A.

That is what I assumed also, but some people have posted about hybrids with alternators that still do not keep their 12v batteries charged. That makes me think that even trucks with alternators still charge their 12v batteries with the same DC/DC voltage converter as trucks without one. A lot of people think the alternator is just to support the 4th AUX, although Toyota won't talk about any of this at all.

Then they are only for supporting juice used through the 4th AUX? 1) it seems extreme just to support that; and 2) why isn't Toyota informing users?

 

[StreeTaco]

It looks like when I install a winch I’ll use AUX 1 since it’s 40A.

Then they are only for supporting juice used through the 4th AUX? 1) it seems extreme just to support that; and 2) why isn't Toyota informing users?

What winch function may you plan to connect to Aux 1 ?

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