Issues with 12V Batteries

[Darrellll]

Upon my recent return from a fortnight-long vacation, I made the disconcerting discovery that the 12V Battery of my BZ4X was fully depleted. The vehicle was left fully charged at the residence, however it was not connected to the wallbox for charging. Indeed, the 12V Battery was sufficiently down to the extent that my attempt to recharge it using a smart charger triggered the alarm system before to starting the charging process. Fortunately, a prompt request for assistance from Toyota Roadside Assistance, often known as The AA, promptly led to the successful starting of the vehicle.

Regrettably, the media screen then required the input of a number 'security code' in order to access my settings, despite my ability to operate the vehicle. The dealership in the vicinity exhibited a lack of knowledge about the matter at hand. However, a knowledgeable technician, before to connecting his computer, inquired as to whether any codes had been attempted. I had a numerical sequence, namely '1234', which was not readily apparent. Subsequently, a resurgence of vitality occurred.

Nevertheless, there is still a lingering fear over the potential for the 12V Battery to experience a complete discharge within a span of two weeks. Leaving the automobile at an airport car park on a vacation does not inspire a significant level of trust. There seems to be some ambiguity on the optimal course of action with regards to leaving the vehicle connected to a wallbox for extended durations. The technician in question believed that their actions were appropriate; nevertheless, according to page 83 of the handbook, it is advised to refrain from leaving the charging port lid open or keeping the charging wire attached to the car in order to avoid discharging the 12-volt battery.  

 

[carBlacken]

The inclusion of this function is prevalent among Toyota hybrid vehicles and is expected to become a typical feature for electric vehicles as well. In contemporary automobile designs, the reliance on a starting battery has been obviated, as the responsibility of powering the vehicle's electrical systems has been transferred to the traction battery. However, the presence of a 12-volt auxiliary battery remains essential to sustain the functionality of electronic systems during periods of vehicle inactivity, as well as to facilitate their subsequent reactivation. The battery often has a very limited capacity, rendering it susceptible to depletion when subjected to 12-volt systems when the vehicle is not in use.

The documentation for the bZ4X does not include information about the specific battery capacity used. However, one would reasonably anticipate that the battery capacity is enough to sustain the vehicle for a duration of two weeks when left unattended. If the automobile is left unattended for a duration of six weeks, it is reasonable to anticipate potential issues. A common practice among individuals is to carry a low capacity Li-Ion jump start pack as a means of addressing this concern, so avoiding the need to contact roadside assistance services such as the AA.

If the automobile had been used consistently before to the period of inactivity, it would be expected to last a two-week period of non-use. It is advisable to verify if any accessory was inadvertently left activated or whether it was not possible to have inadvertently left any item activated during that period. Additionally, it may be advisable to investigate if there are any outstanding updates for the DCM (Digital Control Module) in your vehicle. In the realm of RAV-land, it has been seen that faulty DCM software has the potential to rapidly deplete the 12-volt auxiliary battery.

 

[Howard_silver]

It is hypothesized that the automobile in question was left at home, yet there are certain conditions that preceded the decision to park the car.

Imagine you find yourself in a wait at a car park, specifically a cruise parking facility. In this scenario, your vehicle is turned off, but the radio remains on. You often power the car on and off, accompanied by the act of opening and closing the car doors.

[Darrellll]

I have had many plug-in hybrid vehicles of the Prius model, and although I did have some challenges with the 12V battery during the period of lockout, these difficulties were not excessively unforeseen or troublesome.

I am now being introduced to the realm of Jump Starters, a device that has become an essential need for vehicles with a value over £50,000. It is remarkable to see that cars of such advanced technological sophistication continue to depend on 12 V Battery technology, which was first developed seven decades ago. There have been further advancements since that time.

[jimmy47785]

This issue is well recognized and acknowledged. There is a prevailing belief among a significant number of individuals that the first iterations of the Bz4x and Solterra models are experiencing a particular concern due to an extended period of storage at the port.

I have perused many online forums were others have reported successfully obtaining warranty replacements for the aforementioned item.

[p00rmansp0rsche]

The RAV PHEV variant has consistently encountered this issue, particularly in colder climates, when the vehicle is left unattended for prolonged durations.  A significant number of individuals own a compact battery booster inside their vehicles for the purpose of manually unlocking the car and afterwards connecting the booster to provide a sufficient amount of power to the 12-volt system. This enables the vehicle to enter the READY state, allowing the traction battery to subsequently recharge the 12-volt battery.

Similar to others, I use a 12-volt charger throughout the winter season to replenish the battery while engaging in brief journeys or when the vehicle is idle. A brief adapter cable is used to establish a connection between the 12-volt battery and the charger, which is thereafter inserted until the battery attains complete charge.

According to Toyota's recommendations for the Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), it is advised to keep the vehicle in the READY mode for a duration of 20 minutes when it is not being frequently used.  There may be a potential correlation or connection to the bZ4X model.

[Howard_silver]

Toyota is faced with the need of finding a resolution to this particular situation.

 

[Darrellll]

This purchase, amounting to £76, is anticipated to provide a certain degree of tranquility. However, the video produced by 'Out of Spec' makes reference to a software upgrade exclusive to the European region. Has any individual residing in the United Kingdom had a recall of their automobile in relation to this matter?

[Howard_silver]

This is the significant upgrade that was previously discussed in the other discussion. An update has been made available for Europe, necessitating a visit to the dealer for its installation.

 

The topic of discussion pertains to software bugs, updates, and over-the-air (OTA) mechanisms in the context of Bz4X software.  

 

[Darrellll]

Yet another two-week vacation. The automobile had been used for several extended trips before to departure, and I neglected to unplug it from the charging station. Upon returning, the battery was once again found to be at a constant voltage of 12 volts. However, the effectiveness of the NOCO increase was notable.  Undoubtedly, the resolution of this matter has significant importance, necessitating Toyota's attention and action.

[Chrishazle]

In my perspective, the current state of affairs is deemed inadequate for its intended function.  How do manufacturers manage to evade accountability?

 

[EatSuru]

In the scenario when the vehicle is parked at home, it is recommended to establish two connections to the car: one for the high voltage battery and another for the 12-volt battery.

 

[keithmerc220]

Could there be a typographical error in the text? It is strongly advised against allowing any individual to handle or operate the leads connected to the high-voltage battery.

 

[EatSuru]

The process involves connecting a cable from a specialized charger to the designated charging port for the high voltage battery. In some instances, this port may be a standard 13 amp socket equipped with a customized plug specifically designed for the vehicle's high voltage system.

Interestingly, not all charging schemes are accommodated by a single domestic lead.

[Howard_silver]

I have not personally attempted this method, however there exists a minor technique for recharging a 12-volt battery. Activate the remote temperature control feature via the MyToyota application. It has been said that when temperature control is initiated, the 12 V Battery will be automatically powered by the lithium ion main batteries.

 

It is worthwhile to consider doing this endeavor. Please kindly provide confirmation of the efficacy of this method by leaving a remark in this section.