Start Button Problems

[MLW2233]

Washed the Gen 2 today and pushed the start button to lower windows for cleaning the tops. Must have done something wrong as 2 hours later car would not unlock. Big panic. Anyway opened the drivers door on the key and then jumpstarted via the Toyota book instructions on the fusebox and an earth nut, After two minutes tried to start it (and open the boot) and all was well. The interior light and the dash lights were dim. After the boost from my Battery pack all the lights went bright. Drove about a mile and locked it and unlocked it all OK. Anyway, I have taken the Battery out and put it on a 3 amp charge for 7-8 hours. Can't have this again, but I did something silly on the start bottun. Throughout the morning the doors open blipper was going and the open door symbol was alight. I suspect I've left the Battery on for 2 hours, hence the discharge. I must get this start button thing sorted out. The battery is about 4 years old so a new one may be near. Will charge it once and then review. By the way, the battery is not that small. It is original GS Nippon and about the size of an old slightly slimmer Vauxhall Viva/Escort type battery. Getting it out is a bit tricky as the big battery vent tube needs to come out. Simple, just two 10 mill nuts. The battery terminals are very small. Why not use a bigger battery. The weight saving is not worth it, even thought it is not a starting battery as such?

[timberwolf]

It sounds like you didn't shut a door or the rear hatch properly.

Edit: One tip to reduce current drain when a door or the hatch is open, is to switch the over-head and rear cargo lights to off with the little slide switches.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

The 12v Battery is the weak spot. They go after 4 to 5 years and/or 70,000/80,000 miles or both.

Get it changed, they're not that expensive through a main dealer or you'll end up with more problems that you can shake a stick at.

Once a 12v has gone dud it'll never be the same however many times you charge it up now.

[MLW2233]

Thanks for the comments. Two schools of thought, Me = give the Battery a chance of one charge and if there is a hint of trouble get it changed.

My wife = change it for a big fat Europarts Bosch at £55 = problems go away.

What surprised me is that two minutes on an external charge seemed to sort it all out; I think a slow 9 hour charge may work wonders but any trouble in the next 10 days and the Battery goes. It has done 37,000miles in 4 years.

[MLW2233]

UPDATE

A slow 9 hour charge at 3 amps and all seems well. Started and runs as as usual. It has 10 days to perform normally or a new Bosch Battery is on the cards.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

If you're using a non Toyota Battery make sure it fits, make sure it matches the specs and make sure the vent tube can be connected. You don't want a fizzing 12v venting into your car on a long run.

[MLW2233]

Good advice.

Car passed the MOT this week and I mentioned the Battery problem to the service manager at Toyotas Woodford.

He said they can last 10 years (bit surprised). He also said they have never replaced a big Battery.

Car now back to normal.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Good advice.

Car passed the MOT this week and I mentioned the battery problem to the service manager at Toyotas Woodford.

He said they can last 10 years (bit surprised). He also said they have never replaced a big battery.

Car now back to normal.

Bit alarming that he's talking complete sh**e then. The US forum is full of the 12v failing at 4-5 years. The forums have quite a few switched on engineers from Toyota and other manufacturers and even one or two Prius engineers from Japan who appear from time to time. They seem to know the issues and accept them but Barry or Dave from Woodford Toyota says they last 10 years so it must be true. :)

I wonder how many 12v batteries he's misdiagnosed?

[timberwolf]

The Gen 2 model was introduced in 2004 and the first of those models was likely registered in late 2003. If my maths is correct, that would make the oldest Gen 2 somewhere between 8 and 9 years old.

[johalareewi]

I mentioned the battery problem to the service manager at Toyotas Woodford.

He said they can last 10 years (bit surprised). He also said they have never replaced a big battery.

Sounds like he could be getting the big and little Battery mixed up.

Even in normal cars, 10 years is a long stretch for a 12v Battery.