Battery Flat?

[fred88]

Been keeping an eye on the Battery Flat threads here thinking that I don't seem to have the problem .... until this morning. Car won't start, loads of messages, ie parking brake unavailable, hybrid system unavailable, an acronym I didn't understand. Tried to start the car and nothing. Now the screen is completely blank. Green Flag on their way, told them it's a suspected flat Battery. Do I just jump start and go for a run? How far etc?

Any advice appreciated.

[Red_Corolla]

Sorry to hear.

I think it just needs to be in 'ready mode' (ignition on) to do the charging itself, doesn't necessarily have to be driven, although the engine will keep starting so that the traction Battery doesn't also deplete.

A small Battery charger is best if your car is parked somewhere where it's practical to use one. Every time this happens, it becomes more likely to reoccur (unless you fit a new battery), so some sort of strategy change is required. The subject has been covered extensively, as you are aware.

[fred88]

I can't get to Ready mode!

[TonyHSD]

1 hour ago, fred88 said:

I can't get to Ready mode!

Do you have a Battery charger? 
Check local shop like Aldi , Lidl if not then Halfords, Tesco , Asda , . Most supermarket has car chargers on sale. First two offer the best ones at best price. Or amazing and buy something more expensive like ctek, noco. 
You can jump start with charger and drive as usual but keep in ready mode for at least one hour. After your journeys you can connect to the charger and leave it for 6-10 hours so charger can rejuvenate your Battery. If lucky you will be ok afterwards, if not lucky then a new Battery will be needed. 
 

[fred88]

Thanks both for your help.  It of an update FYI....

Guy from Green Flag tested the 12v Battery, showed 7.8 volts and "Bad Cell". He said the Battery needs replacing and asked why I hadn't called Toyota Assist as it still under warranty so he couldn't do it without their ok. I hadn't realised that I had Toyota Assist, but checking the docs it seems that its renewed every year up to 10, along with the warranty when I get it serviced. *see PPS below

Anyway he used his Gizmo to jump start the car which was interesting in that I had a brain fade and forgot the ICE doesn't actually start as such. Anyway, cut a long story short, he got me going but said that I need a new Battery and that he can't say what the rate of discharge is, so don't leave it too long!

I'm going to ring Toyota Assist and see what they say.

Some q's if I may.

When leaving the car in Ready mode ...

1) do you leave it in Park?

2) does the key have to be present?

3) can I lock the car?

Thanks for any help.

PS - Neighbours lent me a battery charger!

PPS - misunderstanding! We have Toyota Assist but not Roadside Assistance!

[TonyHSD]

17 minutes ago, fred88 said:

Thanks both for your help.  It of an update FYI....

Guy from Green Flag tested the 12v battery, showed 7.8 volts and "Bad Cell". He said the battery needs replacing and asked why I hadn't called Toyota Assist as it still under warranty so he couldn't do it without their ok. I hadn't realised that I had Toyota Assist, but checking the docs it seems that its renewed every year up to 10, along with the warranty when I get it serviced. *see PPS below

Anyway he used his Gizmo to jump start the car which was interesting in that I had a brain fade and forgot the ICE doesn't actually start as such. Anyway, cut a long story short, he got me going but said that I need a new battery and that he can't say what the rate of discharge is, so don't leave it too long!

I'm going to ring Toyota Assist and see what they say.

Some q's if I may.

When leaving the car in Ready mode ...

1) do you leave it in Park?

2) does the key have to be present?

3) can I lock the car?

Thanks for any help.

PS - Neighbours lent me a battery charger!

PPS - misunderstanding! We have Toyota Assist but not Roadside Assistance!

Yes you can leave the car in ready mode and no need the key to be in. Actually you can lock the car with your physical key built into the key fob and leave it in ready mode for an hour on your driveway but keep an eye on. 
P and parking brake on when in ready mode.
Never in N as this will drain your hybrid Battery and the car will shut down.  
When I had my 12v Battery died not long ago I jump started the car with Aldi charger, then I drove to a local Toyota dealer, parked and looked the doors with the key , car remained in ready mode , bought a new Battery and went home to replace it. 
You and anyone in similar situation can do the same . 

[Graham47]

Yes

Yes

No….at least not with the fob as it needs to remain in the car.  You can, though, lock it manually using the physical key located in the fob.

 

 

apologies @TonyHSD beat me to it 😀

[TonyHSD]

1 minute ago, Graham47 said:

Yes

Yes

No….at least not with the fob as it needs to remain in the car.  You can, though, lock it manually using the physical key located in the fob.

 

 

apologies @TonyHSD beat me to it 😀

Just my time of the day that I am lurking around the forum 😅👌

Does corrosion require to leave the key fob inside? 
My Auris and all Priuses before you can leave in ready mode and take the key fob with you the car will remain in ready mode. 

[Graham47]

Pretty sure I’ve had a warning when I’ve tried to walk away with key in pocket.  Also, I know when I picked up my car at dealer it was in ready mode, locked with physical key as he’d left it installing an update.  

[TonyHSD]

5 minutes ago, Graham47 said:

Pretty sure I’ve had a warning when I’ve tried to walk away with key in pocket.  Also, I know when I picked up my car at dealer it was in ready mode, locked with physical key as he’d left it installing an update.  

Warning its ok, just ignored it. 
I think they are all the same. You can actually drive away without the key in the car and be ok as long as you don’t turned it off as if you do so that’s it no key no start 😅

[fred88]

So do I actually need a Battery charger then?

[trashman1965]

57 minutes ago, Graham47 said:

Pretty sure I’ve had a warning when I’ve tried to walk away with key in pocket.  Also, I know when I picked up my car at dealer it was in ready mode, locked with physical key as he’d left it installing an update.  

It bleeps at you when you get out with the key in your pocket and when you get back in,open/close any door or hatch but it doesn't stop anything. This all assuming you have keyless entry and it's enabled.

[fred88]

27 minutes ago, trashman1965 said:

It bleeps at you when you get out with the key in your pocket and when you get back in,open/close any door or hatch but it doesn't stop anything. This all assuming you have keyless entry and it's enabled.

That explains what was happening to me this morning. I suddenly realised how little I actually know about how this car behaves 🙄

[Hybrid21]

56 minutes ago, fred88 said:

So do I actually need a battery charger then?

I would say no as you should get the Battery replaced under warranty as it has been diagnosed as having a bad cell.

 

[fred88]

11 minutes ago, Hybrid21 said:

I would say no as you should get the battery replaced under warranty as it has been diagnosed as having a bad cell.

 

Thanks, trouble is I've no proof of the bad cell diagnosis. I photographed his meter when the car was back up and running as attached. Don't know how to interpret readings 3 and 4. It does say Replace though which isn't great on a 2.5 year old car.

Incidentally I've just put a meter across the Battery without the car in Ready mode and the reading was 12.10 Volts. Is that indicative of anything?

[Hybrid21]

Hi Roger, if you tell the dealer the course of events including the diagnosis I'm sure they'll test the Battery themselves and should replace it under warranty.

Is this reading across the 12v Battery with the engine switched off ? 

[fred88]

4 minutes ago, Hybrid21 said:

Hi Roger, if you tell the dealer the course of events including the diagnosis I'm sure they'll test the battery themselves and should replace it under warranty.

Is this reading across the 12v battery with the engine switched off ? 

Yes, switched off. I've since read (Googled!) that 12.1 Volts is pretty low.

[Hybrid21]

The dealer should have the equipment and know how to quickly assess the system and Battery condition Roger.

Certainly as it is a 12v Battery it does sound like a reasonable output, but may not be under load ?

[Red_Corolla]

8 hours ago, trashman1965 said:

It bleeps at you when you get out with the key in your pocket and when you get back in,open/close any door or hatch but it doesn't stop anything. This all assuming you have keyless entry and it's enabled.

Yes, found that out this year when I moved it on the drive to get my motorbike out and go riding for the day. Car was still turned on when I got home in the evening. 🤭

[fred88]

Sorry to go on - a couple more questions and an update please.

Discovered last night that both rear seat cabin lights were on. My lovely grandchildren presumably. They must have been on for days and with the car not being used Friday and Saturday must have contributed to the flat Battery on Sunday. In case you're wondering I hadn't driven at night and can't see the lights in the rear view mirror or through the tinted side windows and just hadn't noticed them.

Given that the Green Flag guy's meter showed 7.8 volts and Bad Cell initially but that on here I've read that Toyota are likely to test the Battery and if no fault found charge me £100 for the pleasure, any views on my options.

I could get a 53Ah Yuasa HSB012 for £116 fitted from Halfords  Are there any configurations that Halfords won't do or warranty implications if I go down that route?

or I take my chances with a warranty claim with Toyota?

 

[Red_Corolla]

I have found that my interior lights time out after 20 minutes of leaving the doors open, but never checked what happens if they're turned on manually when the car is locked. Another test for me to do next time I plug in the charger. 😄

I would either let Toyota look at it or fit my own replacement rather than paying a Halfords premium. The Battery you've picked would be £66 delivered from Tayna, for example.

[Red_Corolla]

1 hour ago, fred88 said:

Sorry to go on - a couple more questions and an update please.

Discovered last night that both rear seat cabin lights were on. My lovely grandchildren presumably. They must have been on for days and with the car not being used Friday and Saturday must have contributed to the flat battery on Sunday. In case you're wondering I hadn't driven at night and can't see the lights in the rear view mirror or through the tinted side windows and just hadn't noticed them.

Given that the Green Flag guy's meter showed 7.8 volts and Bad Cell initially but that on here I've read that Toyota are likely to test the battery and if no fault found charge me £100 for the pleasure, any views on my options.

I could get a 53Ah Yuasa HSB012 for £116 fitted from Halfords  Are there any configurations that Halfords won't do or warranty implications if I go down that route?

or I take my chances with a warranty claim with Toyota?

 

[Mjolinor]

+1 for Tayna. I have used them exclusively for replacement batteries for years and never had a single problem.

I would not use Halfrauds for any reason. I would rather have a broken down car than employ their services.

If you do use Tayna then compare their site prices to their eBay prices. The price is usually the same but eBay is free next day delivery.

[fred88]

If I change it myself is there any configuration to do? Radio codes, change to a slightly higher Ah Battery etc.

[Red_Corolla]

28 minutes ago, fred88 said:

If I change it myself is there any configuration to do? Radio codes, change to a slightly higher Ah battery etc.

Mine has been disconnected before and I didn't have to do anything, although I did get a scary warning about a system requiring re-calibration (collision warning or something similar). In fact, all that was required was to drive the car down the road a few hundred yards and it cleared.

I've checked the interior light thing using my own Corolla and they do indeed turn themselves off 20 minutes after locking up, even the ones switched on by the passenger. So there's no way that was the sole cause of your dead Battery, in case it helps with your decision. My daughter does the same thing and I never had a flat, so I thought there must be a foolproof in place.