Highlander Hybrid, Newbie With A Question Options

[HD_RIDER]

Hello,

I've had a 2006 Highlander Hybrid for about seven months now, and have a recurring starting failure, and wondered if any other hybrid owners have experienced this. What seems to be happening is the small 12v battery in the engine compartment loses charge, then the computer won't allow the engine to start.

The first time this occurred, I pulled the battery out and took it to a local auto-parts store to be tested. Since there is no CCA rating printed on the battery, they took a guess and tested it for similar sized utility batteries. It failed the test. They had nothing like it for replacement, so I took it home and put it on my floor charger for about two hours, then drove the twenty-something miles to the dealership to have the charging system & battery tested. After an hour or so, they came to the conclusion that there was nothing wrong, and we must have left an interior light on. They said the battery tested fine, as did the charging system.

Three times since, this has happened again, and no lights were left on. The dash indicator had always shown the battery to be nearly fully charged when parked. I thought that indicator monitored the drive batteries, the technician disagreed. He insisted that it monitors the 12v system also, although I haven't found documentation to that effect.

When this occurs, all indications are that of a dead battery; dim dash lights, multiple system warnings at first, eventually fading to only the "check engine" light. Hooking up a set of jumper cable instantly takes care of it; the engine springs to life, and all systems are then normal. It seems that very little power is drawn from the jumper battery to start it. When it is then shut down, it re-starts with no trouble.

Regardless of what the tech has told me, I think I'll replace the 12v battery as soon as I can locate one, but felt that I should research the topic before arguing with him.
Thanks....

[kkhybrid06]

HYBRID 2006, Toyota Limited. Dead Battery AGAIN!

first post here.

Bought last February w/ 25k miles on it, at LaCresenta Bob Smith Toyota and going to call tomorrow. The battery has died 3 times since I bought it.
First I thought I may have left an interior light on. Second time, I know i did not leave interior light on and this third time..tonight, was out of town for 4 days, 100% no interior lights were left on....again it won't start. All times, AAA came to jump it and it started right up.
4 days is the max amount of time it has been left off.
Ridiculous. I'm concerned to see so many people here experiencing the same thing.
Huge inconvenience when managing a schedule.
I'll post again to let you all know what my dealership says tomorrow. Also will gather any helpful info already posted here.