Battery Going Flat In New Auris

[RunningInPleasePass]

I am an owner of the new shape Auris Hybrid, I've had it since September last year.

I've had the problem with the 12 volt Battery going flat twice, Toyota had the car in the dealers for a total of about four weeks, they have identified the problem, and any cars in production now have been modified to eliminate this problem.

I have been given a 'short term fix' to perform every time I leave the car to ensure it will start when I return to it.

I have posted over on the Hybrid section to ask how many owners are effected with this problem and it looks like there are only a few hundred of us

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/155262-how-many-auris-hybrids-have-the-12-volt-flat-battery-problem/

I was wondering if any diesel or petrol car owners have had any problems with the 12 volt Battery going flat when the car is left?

[cfc]

Mine is a 1.6 Petrol and I do mainly short journeys and sometimes the car is not used for several days.

Never had a problem with a flat Battery. (yet!)

[Miseryguts]

You've just given yourself the kiss of DEATH !!!

[bruce e]

Mine is a 1.6 Petrol and I do mainly short journeys and sometimes the car is not used for several days.

Never had a problem with a flat battery. (yet!)

+1 & that goes for four previous T's

[FROSTYBALLS]

I would imagine that if there had been problems with the batteries of petrol and diesel Auris, the issue(s) would already have been raised on TOC.

[Mike169]

Hi, this topic has been covered on more than one occasion, it seems the Hybrids have a flat Battery problem and apparently the Battery is quite small.

It is generally thought there is a design fault but it's still in the early stages of Mr T accepting it.

I am sure what you have is a good car but all of the flat Battery problems i have read about various Hybrid models has completely put me off buying one.

Sorry if this isn't what you wanted to read.

Regards Mike169

[RunningInPleasePass]

Thanks for your reply's, it's very much what I expected to hear.

The last time I spoke to Toyota Customer Support they had found the reason for the fault, the CPU not closing down correctly, producing a 0.6 amp drain, this effects the hybrid car because of the very small Battery, petrol and diesel less so because of the far larger batteries fitted.

What I was wondering was if any petrol or diesel car owners had this fault, it would raise it's priority with Toyota because of the far larger sales of these models and the far larger number of possible complaints.

It will be interesting, to me at least, to see if Toyota modify all Auris models to eliminate the problem or just hybrid owners who have complained of it.

[Truthseeker]

No Battery issues so far on my 1.6 petrol.

[Mike169]

As far as i am aware the Battery problems are connected with the hybrid versions only and because of it's what i personally considers it's undersized Battery.....i believe it's all down to weight saving so Mr T can eek out every bit of fuel efficiency they can so they can advertise marginally better fuel economy figures.

Out of interest Kevin does your small Battery fill the complete battery tray or is there space for a larger one to be fitted, i.e. a diesel one which i imagine has a far greater reserve capacity?

Mike.

[balli hi]

I have owned my car since new, 1.6 petrol, just coming up to six years now, in that time its happened to me 3 times, twice during cold spells, the first time after about 6 months, i had not used the car for about a week, had to jump start it with my other car, the second time after about 2 years, same scenario, and more recently last Autumn, again had to jump start it.

There could be a few reasons for this problem, possibly short journeys, each time after it was jump started i noticed a lot of steam/moisture coming from the exhaust, took the car out for a decent run after each time, always runs fine afterwards.

[RunningInPleasePass]

As far as i am aware the battery problems are connected with the hybrid versions only and because of it's what i personally considers it's undersized battery.....i believe it's all down to weight saving so Mr T can eek out every bit of fuel efficiency they can so they can advertise marginally better fuel economy figures.

Out of interest Kevin does your small battery fill the complete battery tray or is there space for a larger one to be fitted, i.e. a diesel one which i imagine has a far greater reserve capacity?

Mike.

I'm sorry I thought that the flat Battery problem effected all new Auris models, I thought it was the same software on them all, it's just that a 0.6 amp drain on a 35Ah Battery, that is fitted to an hybrid car, will go flat much quicker then a 60Ah or so fitted on a diesel.

The Battery bay is very small, no chance of fitting a bigger battery.

[RunningInPleasePass]

I have owned my car since new, 1.6 petrol, just coming up to six years now, in that time its happened to me 3 times, twice during cold spells, the first time after about 6 months, i had not used the car for about a week, had to jump start it with my other car, the second time after about 2 years, same scenario, and more recently last Autumn, again had to jump start it.

There could be a few reasons for this problem, possibly short journeys, each time after it was jump started i noticed a lot of steam/moisture coming from the exhaust, took the car out for a decent run after each time, always runs fine afterwards.

I think this particular fault only effects the new shape Auris, like you say it's probably more to do with the short journeys you do.

[Mike169]

I'd invest in one of these if i owned a hybrid, lol.

http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_storeId_10001_catalogId_10151_categoryId_255206_productId_862345_langId_-1?cm_mmc=Google+PLA-_-Garage+Equipment-_-Portable+Power+Packs-_-305091&istCompanyId=b8708c57-7a02-4cf6-b2c0-dc36b54a327e&istItemId=xtiwwilrx&istBid=tzwr&_$$ja=cgid:8475776884|tsid:35522|cid:166296844|lid:47425539488|nw:g|crid:33910835764|rnd:15104389651469742756|dvc:c|adp:1o3|bku:1&gclid=CL694ImMwL0CFerpwgod7iMAMQ

[IM35461]

My Auris Excel non hybrid had this problem today.

Charged the Battery and took it to my dealer who could find no fault and told me to wait for it to happen again and call the AA to get a report.

However, at http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries

It says you should turn hazard lights on and then off to make sure the electronic system is in the correct mode.

Why did my dealer not know about this?

EDIT:

See also thread http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/topic/155609-is-this-why-my-auris-hybrid-battery-is-going-flat/

EDIT: 1st Link Fixed

[RunningInPleasePass]

Welcome to TOC and the flat Battery club.

Toyota have known about this problem for several months now, it effects all new shape Auris, but the hybrid is more prone because of it's small Battery.

Toyota have said they are working on a fix this problem, but have not confirmed that even new cars produced now are free from this problem, see:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries

I can't say why your dealer did not know, but as this fault only effects a small percentage of Auris owners, you were probably the first owner they have seen with a flat Battery.

They should ideally have informed Toyota so they know that this problem is still effecting owners.

[Devon Aygo]

Welcome to TOC and the flat battery club.

Toyota have known about this problem for several months now, it effects all new shape Auris, but the hybrid is more prone because of it's small battery.

Toyota have said they are working on a fix this problem, but have not confirmed that even new cars produced now are free from this problem, see:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries

I can't say why your dealer did not know, but as this fault only effects a small percentage of Auris owners, you were probably the first owner they have seen with a flat battery.

They should ideally have informed Toyota so they know that this problem is still effecting owners.

The issue acknowledged by Toyota only affects ZWE186 Auris Hybrid and is not recognised on any other model of NG Auris and as such the instruction of pressing hazards on/off before switching off only applies to Hybrid.

[IM35461]

Welcome to TOC and the flat battery club.

Toyota have known about this problem for several months now, it effects all new shape Auris, but the hybrid is more prone because of it's small battery.

Toyota have said they are working on a fix this problem, but have not confirmed that even new cars produced now are free from this problem, see:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries

I can't say why your dealer did not know, but as this fault only effects a small percentage of Auris owners, you were probably the first owner they have seen with a flat battery.

They should ideally have informed Toyota so they know that this problem is still effecting owners.

The issue acknowledged by Toyota only affects ZWE186 Auris Hybrid and is not recognised on any other model of NG Auris and as such the instruction of pressing hazards on/off before switching off only applies to Hybrid.

On the post made by Toyota at http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries they say

We should also clarify that the following details only apply to the latest generation Toyota Auris (including hybrid) from December 2012 onwards. No other models are involved.

I would imagine they all have the same hazard light switch?

[Devon Aygo]

Welcome to TOC and the flat battery club.

Toyota have known about this problem for several months now, it effects all new shape Auris, but the hybrid is more prone because of it's small battery.

Toyota have said they are working on a fix this problem, but have not confirmed that even new cars produced now are free from this problem, see:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries

I can't say why your dealer did not know, but as this fault only effects a small percentage of Auris owners, you were probably the first owner they have seen with a flat battery.

They should ideally have informed Toyota so they know that this problem is still effecting owners.

The issue acknowledged by Toyota only affects ZWE186 Auris Hybrid and is not recognised on any other model of NG Auris and as such the instruction of pressing hazards on/off before switching off only applies to Hybrid.

On the post made by Toyota at http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries they say

We should also clarify that the following details only apply to the latest generation Toyota Auris (including hybrid) from December 2012 onwards. No other models are involved.

I would imagine they all have the same hazard light switch?

The bulletin issued to dealers in light if the Blog post states only ZWE186 Auris Hybrid are affected and the fault does not lie with the switch itself, the fault is a digital network communication error where unintentional presses of the hazard switch can prevent the Hybrids from powering down power sapping systems when the car is switched off as it is supposed to do.

[IM35461]

Welcome to TOC and the flat battery club.

Toyota have known about this problem for several months now, it effects all new shape Auris, but the hybrid is more prone because of it's small battery.

Toyota have said they are working on a fix this problem, but have not confirmed that even new cars produced now are free from this problem, see:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries

I can't say why your dealer did not know, but as this fault only effects a small percentage of Auris owners, you were probably the first owner they have seen with a flat battery.

They should ideally have informed Toyota so they know that this problem is still effecting owners.

The issue acknowledged by Toyota only affects ZWE186 Auris Hybrid and is not recognised on any other model of NG Auris and as such the instruction of pressing hazards on/off before switching off only applies to Hybrid.

On the post made by Toyota at http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries they say

We should also clarify that the following details only apply to the latest generation Toyota Auris (including hybrid) from December 2012 onwards. No other models are involved.

I would imagine they all have the same hazard light switch?

The bulletin issued to dealers in light if the Blog post states only ZWE186 Auris Hybrid are affected and the fault does not lie with the switch itself, the fault is a digital network communication error where unintentional presses of the hazard switch can prevent the Hybrids from powering down power sapping systems when the car is switched off as it is supposed to do.

That being the case, I guess my car is likely to let me down again soon :(

I am not looking forward to that after spending so much cash on a car which I thought was going to be reliable...

[Devon Aygo]

Welcome to TOC and the flat battery club.

Toyota have known about this problem for several months now, it effects all new shape Auris, but the hybrid is more prone because of it's small battery.

Toyota have said they are working on a fix this problem, but have not confirmed that even new cars produced now are free from this problem, see:

http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries

I can't say why your dealer did not know, but as this fault only effects a small percentage of Auris owners, you were probably the first owner they have seen with a flat battery.

They should ideally have informed Toyota so they know that this problem is still effecting owners.

The issue acknowledged by Toyota only affects ZWE186 Auris Hybrid and is not recognised on any other model of NG Auris and as such the instruction of pressing hazards on/off before switching off only applies to Hybrid.

On the post made by Toyota at http://blog.toyota.co.uk/toyota-auris-owners-12-volt-flat-batteries they say

We should also clarify that the following details only apply to the latest generation Toyota Auris (including hybrid) from December 2012 onwards. No other models are involved.

I would imagine they all have the same hazard light switch?

The bulletin issued to dealers in light if the Blog post states only ZWE186 Auris Hybrid are affected and the fault does not lie with the switch itself, the fault is a digital network communication error where unintentional presses of the hazard switch can prevent the Hybrids from powering down power sapping systems when the car is switched off as it is supposed to do.

That being the case, I guess my car is likely to let me down again soon :(

I am not looking forward to that after spending so much cash on a car which I thought was going to be reliable...

Can I ask under what circumstances did your issue occur?

[IM35461]

Put my car in my Garage last Sunday night (all lights etc in Auto).

Touched handle to lock which retracted mirrors and car left in darkness.

Thursday morning, went into garage, touched handle and mirrors groaned themselves out.

Got in, pressed the start button and was greeted by displays all flashing away and clicking noises.

I don't think the engine even cranked, a lot of the noises came from the left end of the dashboard where I guess some pump gadget must live.

Moved some junk out of garage so I could open the bonnet and checked the Battery volts which were 8.6v

I thus put it on charge and called my dealer who said if I could get it to them within 30 mins they would check it out.

Anyway, after a 15min charge with my fancy charger it just about started and I headed for my dealer who could find no fault.

I have a video of the dashboard flashing away if anyone wants to see it...

I cant imagine this does the on board systems any good and was difficult to stop.

Reading the car manual again, holding the start/stop button down for more than 3 seconds may have stopped it...

[toiota]

Has anyone got a software update for this Battery problem?

[RunningInPleasePass]

Not yet, we are waiting for Toyota to get it's act together, hopefully very soon now.

[toiota]

Not yet, we are waiting for Toyota to get it's act together, hopefully very soon now.

I also hope so. Toyota have known about this problem for several months now.

[toiota]

Finally one reprogramming in Spain

http://priuschat.com/threads/toyota-auris-excel-hybrid-uk-with-a-flat-battery-again.136658/page-6#post-1987674