12v battery maintenance, issues, etc.

[Heidfirst]

18 hours ago, DjGrace said:

Can anyone help? My Toyota Yaris 2013 starts intermittently. Sometimes it starts straight away but sometimes absolutely nothing. AA said the 12v battery was low so charged it up it then worked ok for a bit but now nothing again. Strangely replacing the battery in the electric key seemed to improve things for a day but now gone again. Do I need a new battery or could it be something else? 

Hi & welcome,

How old is the 12V Battery in the car? It may well need replacing (especially if the original!).

[ChrisJohn]

We have had the same problems as everyone else with our Yaris Cross.  However, this week, after complaining yet again to our main dealer, a new upgraded Battery has been fitted under warranty. Apparently Toyota has only recently made these available.  Time will tell if this will solve the issue.  Our dealer said that Toyota is allowing the dealers to be flexible in offering these new batteries.

[PeteChat]

On 11/9/2024 at 9:16 AM, ChrisJohn said:

We have had the same problems as everyone else with our Yaris Cross.  However, this week, after complaining yet again to our main dealer, a new upgraded battery has been fitted under warranty. Apparently Toyota has only recently made these available.  Time will tell if this will solve the issue.  Our dealer said that Toyota is allowing the dealers to be flexible in offering these new batteries.

At last!

It is about time that Toyota did the right thing and replaced these cheap batteries, but it remains to be seen if this restores their reputation 🤔

[Stopeter44]

6 hours ago, PeteChat said:

At last!

It is about time that Toyota did the right thing and replaced these cheap batteries, but it remains to be seen if this restores their reputation 🤔

I believe here's more to it than changing the 35aH for a 45aH Battery. There's a DCIM update, too. Toyota replaced the Battery in my Yaris, and did the DCM update.

Apparently, the DCIM module was leaking current in some way, the gist of it being that when the car is stopped, i.e. the ignition turned off, the DCIM was staying active for too long, and depleting the 12v Battery.

I don't recall the exact wording of the update to the DCM, but that update plus the battery, carried out under warranty, have been successful. I recently left the car at least 3 weeks without starting it once. It started after this standing time with absolutely no problems.

Edited November 10 by Stopeter44
DCIM changed to DCM

[hind]

I think they fixed the dcm module issue around year 22-23. So newer builds do not need the update. Also if they replaced the original Battery with the 45Ah then it's just the good will of the dealership, because the official one is still 35Ah 

[152bobby]

It would be nice to get this DCIM done, but I bet if I mentioned this to my dealer service dept, the simply wouldn't have a clue !!

[Stopeter44]

As I remember it the DCM update was part of a recall, at least for France, so the dealer should be able to find it.  OTOH, is it possible they did it during a regular service without telling you ?

[Graham47]

The DCM update was done OTA.

Mine was earlier this year AFAIR

[ChrisJohn]

On 11/10/2024 at 10:44 AM, hind said:

I think they fixed the dcm module issue around year 22-23. So newer builds do not need the update. Also if they replaced the original battery with the 45Ah then it's just the good will of the dealership, because the official one is still 35Ah 

The Toyota dealer service manager indicated that previously the Battery had to show as faulty on their official diagnostic test before a warranty replacement was allowed but now more flexibility is being shown. If you are having problems and have complained then I would advise asking again for the replacement. You might be surprised. I didn't even have to wait for the new one to be ordered.  They had several in stock.  

[Dala]

charging while driving - 14.4V
maintenance while driving (smart charging) - 13V
charging in "P" position - 13.8V
same voltage at temperature difference
When using the CTEK charger, the charging voltage and floating voltage vary according to the ambient temperature

also for this reason the car batteries are not charged correctly

[ray75]

I had similar trouble with my Yaris. I bought an Intelligent Pulse Repair Charger and put the Battery on the repair cycle. I have not had trouble since. I dont know if this will work for everyone but if the Battery is not b eing charged enough then maybe some damage is caused to the Battery. Charging overnight also worked but it was only when I tried the repair mode that the problem has seemed to have disappeared. It has been a good few months running the car in no different way to what i did before. got it on Amazon for £19.99.

 

 

Car Battery Charger 12V, 6A Battery Charger Automotive, Smart Battery Trickle Charger with Temperature Compensation for Most Types of Lead Acid Batteries, AC Connection Required

[CPN]

5 hours ago, ray75 said:

I had similar trouble with my Yaris. I bought an Intelligent Pulse Repair Charger and put the battery on the repair cycle. I have not had trouble since. I dont know if this will work for everyone but if the battery is not b eing charged enough then maybe some damage is caused to the battery. Charging overnight also worked but it was only when I tried the repair mode that the problem has seemed to have disappeared. It has been a good few months running the car in no different way to what i did before. got it on amazon for £19.99.

Car Battery Charger 12V, 6A Battery Charger Automotive, Smart Battery Trickle Charger with Temperature Compensation for Most Types of Lead Acid Batteries, AC Connection Required

Do you have the link for that?

[HarryW2024]

Interestingly the BYD Hybrid (Seal U DM-i) has a lithium 12v Battery. See below, why oh why won’t Toyota go over to this…

[johna12]

Can anyone recommend a Battery charger  for my 2023 Yaris Cross hybrid. I recently had to leave the car unused for several weeks and ended up with a flat Battery. The AA took the car to my local dealer who charged the Battery and said it was fine. If it happens again I would like to sort it myself using the terminal inside the fuse box under the bonnet. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[jthspace]

2 minutes ago, johna12 said:

Can anyone recommend a battery charger  for my 2023 Yaris Cross hybrid. I recently had to leave the car unused for several weeks and ended up with a flat battery. The AA took the car to my local dealer who charged the battery and said it was fine. If it happens again I would like to sort it myself using the terminal inside the fuse box under the bonnet. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

I use a cheap Aldi model and a CTEK depending on which car isn't using the other. Used both on my MX5's and Cross.  I also have a 12v booster to use in emergencies that will start the car if the 12v Battery goes flat.  Kept in the glove box.  I've had it over 4 years, it was a cheap and cheerful Amazon buy and has started a citroen petrol car when the Battery went flat.

 

[flamarro]

Hi you all

In the last month, i'm driving my car on short runs or even, some now and there, days I don't drive it at all. I have that voltage meter on the cigarette lighter, and what was reading 12.2, 12.3, in this last few days now has dropped and stayed at 11.9, 12V. Today, after leaving it for 3 days without driving, it measures 11,8V. Never had this value before. Let's see if I don't have to use my Noco booster for the first time ( 4 months with my baby).

If I have to start it once with the booster, I will see what the Portuguese dealer have to say about that....

[152bobby]

34 minutes ago, johna12 said:

Can anyone recommend a battery charger  for my 2023 Yaris Cross hybrid. I recently had to leave the car unused for several weeks and ended up with a flat battery. The AA took the car to my local dealer who charged the battery and said it was fine. If it happens again I would like to sort it myself using the terminal inside the fuse box under the bonnet. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Most people on here use Noco or NTek.  If you do a search on here, you'll find loads of info to help you.

[Heidfirst]

4 hours ago, HarryW2024 said:

Interestingly the BYD Hybrid (Seal U DM-i) has a lithium 12v battery. See below, why oh why won’t Toyota go over to this…

Current production Corollas & Prius use Lithium.

I suspect that in the next Yaris refresh so will they.

[ColinB]

Personally I'd stick to a smart charger to protect the Battery, I use an Optimate for my motorbike to keep the Battery conditioned - it kept the original Battery going for over 8 years. 

[Cyker]

1 hour ago, Heidfirst said:

Current production Corollas & Prius use Lithium.

I suspect that in the next Yaris refresh so will they.

Do they really??!  

I was about to reply very few manufacturers use them as they cost 4-5x as much as a normal lead acid Battery, and with cars that have a cost target they'd never do it.

Usually it only gets used by manufacturers who are desperate to save weight, so higher end performance cars and EVs mostly.

You can buy lithium 12v batteries that are drop in replacements but you'd be looking at £300-400 rather than the £70-80 for our one...!

 

[r44flyer]

1 hour ago, ColinB said:

Personally I'd stick to a smart charger to protect the battery, I use an Optimate for my motorbike to keep the battery conditioned - it kept the original battery going for over 8 years. 

I too can recommend an Optimate 5 charger. They are good, and can keep a Battery topped up. My charger diagnosed the 14 month old Multu Battery on our Mazda 2 Hybrid as faulty.
But It couldn't save my Mazda 3 Battery. After 18 months that too charged OK, was deemed OK by the Optimate 5 but the battery still never lasted more than a few days, That was May 2023.
The Mazda 3 was ultimately diagnosed as needing a control unit update to minimize the current draw when parked.
Now a similar scenario is being suggested with the Yaris needing a control unit update.

However today my Mazda 3 Bosch battery struggled to start the car today after been garaged for 3 weeks.
A 20 mile drive today but I'll connect the Optimate 5 tomorrow to make sure!

[r44flyer]

4 hours ago, 152bobby said:

Most people on here use Noco or NTek.  If you do a search on here, you'll find loads of info to help you.

I too have been tempted by a Noco but as an electronics engineer I have reservations...

1) Nocos are just a small lithium Battery connected to some clever electronics, but they have a mixed reputation for faults and for being useless when you need it.

2) I wouldn't like to store a fully charged Noco Lithium 24/7 in the car (I even keep my power tool batteries in a strong steel case in the garage at part charge).

3) Nocos are expensive - it's cheaper just to buy a better Yuasa 45Ah Battery or complain to the dealer in Yaris cases.

4) Incidentally I jump started our Mazda 2 Hybrid with a 12V 7Ah ex alarm panel Battery and they cost less than £20 new from Toolstation, great if you know how safely make up some fused leads.

[Cyker]

Yeah my mate jumpstarted his Auris with the 12v Battery from his son's RC car so the source of the 12v doesn't really matter  

A lot of the problem reports with the Nocos is because the owner didn't RTFM - Noco's have control logic to check if you've connected the jump leads the right way around and won't activate if you haven't.

However, if the Battery is practically dead, it can't tell if you have or not and you have to put it in Override mode to 'force' it to start sending the 12v.

I think storing it in the car would be fine as long as it's not in direct sunlight; I charge mine up every 6 months but otherwise it lives in the car now and has been there 2 years so far. (Still unused touch wood!)

That said there are lots of cheaper ones out there - Lidl and Aldi often have some in their Random Stuff aisle. The good thing about the hybrids is you don't need a high-powered jumpstarter so can get away with a cheap one as long as it's reliable. Also check out the Project Farm YouTube channel - The guy there often tests jump starters and he's quite thorough!

Ideally I'd like to find one that uses LFP (Iron Phosphate) instead of NMC (Nickle Manganese Cobolt) as it is a much safer lithium chemistry for storage in a hot car, but they seem weirdly rare for some reason.

 

[moggio53]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/AA-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-Batteries/dp/B00DW6RHN2/ref=sr_1_24?crid=3BWJJRP8JZ706&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.lCxQtl_ffEbAKWSrAuLdk60zTqGJaw3RnXlXudDrQcZecUdy0tiigJkrW6xQ33fMc-PQ4YyHcVHY5vVbtIt-k7zGdhs9lXTBgo7eEj_txmTvqb013ljrcpYvJQ5q7vjKwUay6pUswFJnsm712G6eoPV2W6qWJx4PeeMOl-Q1IrQvfEUt1AGqdI8fV0Ot8NHWKaEzGZxYBfDfigpy3kjgG_lawn5gBfNfOtzLGl3Bbbtuqeh5c4xQuexZGOzZEtBY47oxd5P1xqFro8KyaSWvtTtMANAsTNvw0SrGbipR36U.aBVSFHBop5gesEsZ6BCC1sf0kSXBGO79yi_LSP7b7D8&dib_tag=se&keywords=battery+conditioner+charger+12v&qid=1731532538&sprefix=battery+conditioner%2Caps%2C95&sr=8-24

I use one of these - is it any good? I just leave it connected when the car is in the drive - your opinion v welcome.

[PeteChat]

Having read all of these posts and bought the cheap Aldi jump start device I now don’t know where to store it 🤷🏻‍♂️

I did put it in the boot under the false floor but then read that if the Battery was flat I wouldn’t be able to get to it, so I have put it under the passenger seat. There is some sort of gubbins in a black plastic cover already fixed under there and am wondering what it is - and will the jump starter affect it or vice versa?

Now I read that my 2024 YC has had an update and I won’t need it anyway 🙄

Confused 🤪