escapingwinter Report post Posted December 28, 2010 I have had my hybrid since February and it has about 8500 miles on it. Today I went out to go for a drive and for the second time in a month, the car would not start. Had to get a boost. I will try and get it into the shop later in the week to see if there is a problem with something draining the battery but in the meantime just wondering if anyone has experienced similar problems with their vehicle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lolder Report post Posted December 29, 2010 Go to a service station or auto parts store who will usually test your battery for free. Don't test it with the car "on" because it doesn't have a conventional alternator. Because these batteries never have high engine starting loads they can deteriorate significantly before it's noticed. In what manner did the car not start? What were the displays? Did you turn the key far enough to get the "green car"? The FFH has a battery system that prevents accessories from draining the battery. There is a small residual drain from some electronics that should not drain the battery in less than a month of idleness. That being said, there has been reported a number of premature battery failures. I think it's probably under warranty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
escapingwinter Report post Posted December 29, 2010 Go to a service station or auto parts store who will usually test your battery for free. Don't test it with the car "on" because it doesn't have a conventional alternator. Because these batteries never have high engine starting loads they can deteriorate significantly before it's noticed. In what manner did the car not start? What were the displays? Did you turn the key far enough to get the "green car"? The FFH has a battery system that prevents accessories from draining the battery. There is a small residual drain from some electronics that should not drain the battery in less than a month of idleness. That being said, there has been reported a number of premature battery failures. I think it's probably under warranty. Thanks, I will do that tomorrow. I had absolutely no display on both occassions when this happened and the car was only idle over night, not for an extended period of time. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fuze-ion Report post Posted December 29, 2010 I have had to jump start my car twice. The eye on the battery has been "Red", since I received the car. I haven't had any other issues, so I have not taken the car into the dealer. The first time it happened, the car had set for (15) days, without being started. The second time, it was only (2 or 3) days, but since the car has started fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
escapingwinter Report post Posted December 30, 2010 Thanks, I will do that tomorrow. I had absolutely no display on both occassions when this happened and the car was only idle over night, not for an extended period of time. Just an update to my original post. Battery is being replaced as it was "faulty". Heres hoping the replacement battery lasts a lot longer than this one did ^_^ Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lolder Report post Posted December 30, 2010 Just an update to my original post. Battery is being replaced as it was "faulty". Heres hoping the replacement battery lasts a lot longer than this one did ^_^There appears to have been an unusual number of early 12 vdc battery failures. Many vehicles were delivered with "red" eyes. Most recovered with use. The dealers have said "drive it". Mine turned to green in about a week. The most this battery puts out is tens of amps, not hundreds as is the case with non-hybrids that use it for the starting motor. I don't know if they get sulfated sitting in Mexico or on lots. If your vehicle has been in use several weeks and the eye is not "green", I would request it be replaced under warranty. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buster1 Report post Posted January 2, 2011 Yes I know it's probably in the manual, but do you jump start the car with jumper cables like a normal car battery? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FFHdriver Report post Posted January 2, 2011 Yes I know it's probably in the manual, but do you jump start the car with jumper cables like a normal car battery?Instructions are on pages 250-254 of your OM. You jump start it the same as any car except for one item I've never seen before. You are to turn on the heater fan in both cars to prevent electrical surges.. If the battery is disconnected there is acomputer relearning procedure that is needed after reconnecting the battery. I've never had mine jumped but did have the battery replaced. . Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
escapingwinter Report post Posted January 3, 2011 The tow truck driver who boosted me the first time just hooked up the booster cables to my car while it was turned off and told me not to even try to start the car for one minute. Probably 20 seconds later, the daytime running lights had already come on and then I started the ignition. He told me that if I tried to start the car right after he hooked up the cables, it would fry the computer. I have no idea if its true or not but the second time I needed a boost, waited before turning the key. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pemiller22 Report post Posted January 4, 2011 Our Gov Vehicle sits for about a week without being driven; when we go to start it the battery is completely dead every time. Nothing is left on and the battery was replaced a few months ago. When the car was taken into the shop they said it was fine. They replaced the battery to see if that would help. NO HELP! Even odder yet is the fact that after it is jumped the battery says it has 3/4th power. We drive it for a few miles turn it off and once again need a jump. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be and how to fix it. I PLEASE Help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AptosDriver Report post Posted January 4, 2011 Our Gov Vehicle sits for about a week without being drivenWhat's a "GOV Vehicle"? Government-owned? In any case, your problem sure gives me some pause about the FFH, which I'm weighing against the Camry hybrid as our next sedan. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lolder Report post Posted January 4, 2011 Our Gov Vehicle sits for about a week without being driven; when we go to start it the battery is completely dead every time. Nothing is left on and the battery was replaced a few months ago. When the car was taken into the shop they said it was fine. They replaced the battery to see if that would help. NO HELP! Even odder yet is the fact that after it is jumped the battery says it has 3/4th power. We drive it for a few miles turn it off and once again need a jump. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be and how to fix it. I PLEASE HelpWhat kind of vehicle is this? What is "the shop"? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FFHdriver Report post Posted January 4, 2011 What's a "GOV Vehicle"? Government-owned? In any case, your problem sure gives me some pause about the FFH, which I'm weighing against the Camry hybrid as our next sedan.If you go to a Camry Hybrid forum you'll find discussions about their 12V batteries dying too. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AptosDriver Report post Posted January 4, 2011 If you go to a Camry Hybrid forum you'll find discussions about their 12V batteries dying too.It's a problem and a serious concern with both cars. My wife would be driving this car, or a TCH, and on occasion she'd be driving it down U.S. 101 from Santa Cruz to Simi Valley to see her daughter. I'd hate for her to get stuck on the road in the middle of "nowhere" because of a bum battery. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rpoffen Report post Posted January 5, 2011 Our Gov Vehicle sits for about a week without being driven; when we go to start it the battery is completely dead every time. Nothing is left on and the battery was replaced a few months ago. When the car was taken into the shop they said it was fine. They replaced the battery to see if that would help. NO HELP! Even odder yet is the fact that after it is jumped the battery says it has 3/4th power. We drive it for a few miles turn it off and once again need a jump. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be and how to fix it. I PLEASE Help Over the holidays (colder than usual for our area too), while I was off work on vacation, my FFH was idle for at least a week, and it started and ran fine. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lolder Report post Posted January 5, 2011 The O.P. has not responded to the question about type of vehicle and "shop" and has only one post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Buster1 Report post Posted January 6, 2011 I am in the military. GOV fo rus means Govt Owned Vehicle. We use them for official business and long trips, etc. His mention of "the shop" inclines me to think he is referring to the base auto shop or vehicle shop, which is a basic level maintenance set-up for the GOV fleet. Tires, brakes, oil, etc. If that is he case, I'd be willing to bet that the guys in the shop have little clue with regard to the workings of a Hybrid. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Oman Report post Posted January 11, 2011 When you open the door there are no lights and the dash is completely blank, right? When you say your battery has 3/4 power you mean the HVB display? That is a different battery. The 12v system must come on to power the computer in order to enable the high voltage system. Two things need to be done. First the 12v battery needs to be completely charged. It isn't like the 12v on a normal car as it is (or should be) a deep cycle battery and doesn't receive a heavy drain at start. It needs a long drive (several hours) or a charger put on it to charge it completely. Second the dealer needs to do a load test when the car is off. It is possible that there is a load draining the 12v. The most common is a phone charger. The 12v sockets stay live in the FFH (which I LOVE) but some chargers are crap and they have a pretty good draw even when nothing is connected to them. Jon Our Gov Vehicle sits for about a week without being driven; when we go to start it the battery is completely dead every time. Nothing is left on and the battery was replaced a few months ago. When the car was taken into the shop they said it was fine. They replaced the battery to see if that would help. NO HELP! Even odder yet is the fact that after it is jumped the battery says it has 3/4th power. We drive it for a few miles turn it off and once again need a jump. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be and how to fix it. I PLEASE Help Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lolder Report post Posted January 11, 2011 Our Gov Vehicle sits for about a week without being driven; when we go to start it the battery is completely dead every time. Nothing is left on and the battery was replaced a few months ago. When the car was taken into the shop they said it was fine. They replaced the battery to see if that would help. NO HELP! Even odder yet is the fact that after it is jumped the battery says it has 3/4th power. We drive it for a few miles turn it off and once again need a jump. Does anyone have any idea what the problem may be and how to fix it. I PLEASE HelpI think this O.P. went away. There was only this one post. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Byte Report post Posted March 8, 2012 Same thing just happened with my 2012 FFHTook it into dealer and they are replacing 12 v batteryOnly 300 miles on car Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
