Battery problem with Toyota Corolla tourer - Hybrid

[Gillian Buckley]

The car went in for its first service and came out with a FAIL on the Main Battery. When  I queried this I was told it is because I only do approx 4500 miles a year.

To solve this problem RRG AT ROCHDALE, LANCASHIRE have supplied me with a SOLAR PANEL which I have to plug in every day when the car is parked at night.

Surely a new car which I bought in April 2022 should not have a fault like this.

 

 

[simond64]

3 minutes ago, Gillian Buckley said:

The car went in for its first service and came out with a FAIL on the Main Battery. When  I queried this I was told it is because I only do approx 4500 miles a year.

To solve this problem RRG AT ROCHDALE, LANCASHIRE have supplied me with a SOLAR PANEL which I have to plug in every day when the car is parked at night.

Surely a new car which I bought in April 2022 should not have a fault like this.

 

 

I got a Corolla just before lock down and it did less than that in that year but had no issues

[Max_Headroom]

It's a well known problem there is a 62 page thread in the Yaris forums -

To save you time reading the whole thread you have some options -

Drive the car more than a couple of times a week.

Leave it in ready mode when  stood still with someone in the car the engine will kick in occasionally this will top up the 12v Battery.

Buy a charger if you are not going to drive often, only of any use if you can park where you can plug a charger in.

Use a solar panel to keep the Battery from dying, i believe they wont charge the Battery but will stop it getting any lower.

Change the car for a non hybrid if you don't intend to drive it often.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[FROSTYBALLS]

The 12v Battery in hybrids and some EVs (not just Toyotas) only power the ancilliary systems, rather than start the car. If doing a low mileage or with infrequent use, the 12v Battery doesn't get charged sufficiently, and can fail due to this.

Trickle or solar chargers can help maintain the 12v Battery.

You can also put the car in Ready mode for a short period of time to charge the 12v as outlined in the previously linked topic.

Even some petrol cars nowadays, including our i20, also have warnings appear if using the multimedia or sat nav systems without the engine running.

[Dala]

A common problem with a low mileage and new car 😞

[Max_Headroom]

41 minutes ago, Dala said:

A common problem with a low mileage and new car 😞

A common problem with a low mileage and new Hybrid car,

Its only the hybrid that has the tiny 12v Battery as Frosty says above it only powers  the ancillary 12v systems the car doesn't have a starter like an ICE so doesn't need a huge Battery.

[Corolla Mike.]

On 9/28/2023 at 5:33 PM, Gillian Buckley said:

 

To solve this problem RRG AT ROCHDALE, LANCASHIRE have supplied me with a SOLAR PANEL which I have to plug in every day when the car is parked at night.

Surely plugging a solar charger at night is a no no. Where does it plug in to, as the internal power socket is ignition feed so will not charge the Battery. Would have to go direct to Battery. 

[FROSTYBALLS]

Aside from the above, if plugged in at night surely it would need to be a lunar panel .....

[taxidriver50005]

It doesn't help that the corolla has conected services (think mobile phone permanent switched on) as well as security alarm. 

[Jiff]

I've had my 2019 Corolla TS nearly 4 years and have done about 15000 miles in that time.

The Battery failed me last Christmas when I washed the car with the key in my pocket. The doors kept locking and unlocking, but I thought nothing of it till I tried to start the car after packing it. Nothing happened except the dash lit up with all the lights on. The AA started it and told me to keep it running for a while.

It's been fine since though I carry one of the rechargeable starter batteries now, though have never used it.

The last service in February noted a drop in performance of the 12v Battery, so I guess that was the cause but it keeps working & I have the backup so I'm not worried. If it fails to start again for no reason I'll have it changed.

[AisinW]

These days, we should have jump starter in any cars. The electronics and mandatory emergency calls and too much background electronics can anytime went bananas. A good proven save small Battery pack should be enough. The car only need 60Amps to start the computer and hybrid system on. 

[Gillian Buckley]

On 9/28/2023 at 5:37 PM, simond64 said:

I got a Corolla just before lock down and it did less than that in that year but had no issues

 

On 9/28/2023 at 10:27 PM, Corolla Mike. said:

Surely plugging a solar charger at night is a no no. Where does it plug in to, as the internal power socket is ignition feed so will not charge the battery. Would have to go direct to battery. 

It is plugged into a socket underneath to the right of the steering wheel. There is white socket you have to bend quite low to see it, and the connection end of the Solar Panel is connected to it. Toyota told me that is where they do all there updates

[Don Mac]

1 hour ago, Gillian Buckley said:

 

It is plugged into a socket underneath to the right of the steering wheel. There is white socket you have to bend quite low to see it, and the connection end of the Solar Panel is connected to it. Toyota told me that is where they do all there updates

That sounds like the OBD port.

[Corolla Mike.]

16 hours ago, Gillian Buckley said:

 

It is plugged into a socket underneath to the right of the steering wheel. There is white socket you have to bend quite low to see it, and the connection end of the Solar Panel is connected to it. Toyota told me that is where they do all there updates

Thats sounds right as it is the OBD diagnostic port. Hope this has sorted the issue for you. 

[TonyHSD]

One important thing to all Toyota hybrids owners and the 12v Battery problems.
Better option is to have a smart charger or keep the car in ready mode and top up your Battery once a month or so and never let it run flat instead of having a jump start as emergency back up.
Once the Battery is totally dead likely never going to rejuvenate its full potential and you will need to replace it.
Keep your 12v batteries topped up and they will last for ages.