Yaris Hybrid electrics regularly die

[GeorgeLH]

Hi,

I'm looking for some advice.

My 2013 Yaris Hybrid has in recent weeks often had complete electrical cutouts when I turn the key off (I'm not keyless). This manifests itself by all electrics going off, including the central locking system, all dashboard lights etc. I can't then start the car. I can only usually restore the electrics and drive again by opening and then firmly closing the driver's door. When the electrics come back, every setting, including clock, drive mode, radio station, trip calculator reset. Only the odometer stays set. 

I have tried to work out if there are any actions that cause this to happen and it seems, though I'm not sure, like quickly turning off the key or doing do when the heater is on may make it happen more often. However, I don't seem to be able to consistently stop this happening and occasionally the cut out seems to happen when I'm away from the car and I can only unlock the car by physically inserting the key.

I keep meaning to deal with this issue but as you can imagine it is annoying, rather than a huge issue. I do fear that one day it won't turn back on!  I'm fully prepared that I may need to go to a garage to sort but wanted to know if there were either actions that I was taking that were causing this or perhaps a simple fix.

All advice gratefully received.

Many thanks,

George

[Mooly]

The symptoms suggest a total loss of voltage.

I'm not familiar with the ins and outs of Hybrid vehicles but I do understand they have a 12 volt Battery somewhere for auxiliary systems. My first check would be the physical security of the connections to that. In other words, are they loose.

I'm not sure where the 12V Battery is located on the hybrid... could be under a rear seat etc. Others familiar with the model will tell you more hopefully.

 

 

[Mick F]

Batteries, both traction and auxiliary 12v are under the rear seat.

You can get to the 12v Battery via the covers on the RH side, or you can bite the bullet and remove the seat.

You do this by getting in the back with both back doors open, then grasping the seat bottom and pulling VERY hard upwards. It comes out easily and cleanly, but it takes one heck of a tug.  With the seat off, you can get to the 12v Battery easily, and far easier than via the cover.

Good luck, Mick.

[martswain]

I had a similar but not identical issue with a Lexus CT200H.

It turned out to be a mis-located fuse holder in one of the underbonnet boxes.

The fuse was in the holder correctly, but the holder itself was mis-aligned where it plugged into the box and was making intermittent contact.

If the car is powering on without any dim interior lights etc, then the 12V Battery is probably OK, I would have a look for loose connectors first, including the 12V Battery.