Hybird system failure Warning and dead TCH!

[JM2007TCH]

I bought my 2007 Camry Hybrid in early April of 2009, thus this is the first true winter I have experienced with it, so I don't know if this is "common" or not. I am not an expert in cars, but I have frequently worked on my own vehicles. However, this hybrid stuff is new beans to me. So here was the situation: due to the holidays and bad weather my TCH has sat for the last two weeks(outside as my classic car sits in the garage) during cold weather and snow partially because we drove our JEEP during this time. This is both the first single digit temps and long duration of no use it has seen since we purchased it. My wife went out to start it this morning for me (very nice while I was getting ready) it evidently started fine for her. I went out a few minutes later and it fired over then died right away with the Check Hybrid System warning light coming on. The remainder of the electrical system appeared to still work and the dash display for the hybrid system was essentially blank. by black the basic backdrop for the mpg graph and the diagram of the hybrid system backdrop was there, but no colored arrows or showing of what was working etc. I originally was thinking the battery was dead as that can happen in cold weather (except my 61' Ford sits all winter and fires right up in the spring). Ironic if you ask me.

Anyway, after some waiting and trying it multiple times it eventually started and stayed running. The Check Hybrid System light was still on though. It is currently sitting at the park and ride (since I ride share) thus I haven't driven it more than ten minutes this morning and I haven't checked to see if the light went back off.

Has anyone had this happen before? Is it normal? I'm planning on getting it in to the Toyota dealership either tonight or tomorow morning, I just want to know if this is a common occurance. We are still well under the factory warranty for the Hybrid system but if this is something that could continue to happen under the right (or wrong) circumstances, it could get old fast.

I appreciate any insight any other 2007 TCH owners out there have that live in cold climates or allow their TCH to sit for a while.

I don't think this has been posted before, if it has, please point me to the post.

Thanks!

[JM2007TCH]

So I just talked to someone at my toyota dealership and he said it is normal for this to happen and that anytime you leave a car sit for two weeks this will always happen.

First off I think this is BS. Secondly, I have a 61 Ford that can go months before the charge gets low enough to not turn over. Thirdly, I have a 2003 Jeep liberty that also can be in cold weather and sit for a substantial period of time before it would be dead and in the 5 1/2 years that we've owned it, it has never needed a charge or jump.

Lastly, this seems to be a design flaw, I don't care how much juice something is drawing when it is not on, it should last longer than two weeks. That's more consistent with a cell phone than a car battery....

I guess I had one more comment: He said you need to drive it at least 20 minutes on the freeway a day when the weather is cold to make sure it keeps its charge. Really, doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of a hybrid, arent' they designed to excel in city driving where you might never be on the freeway at high speeds charging the battery (especially if you don't need to go on the freeway to get where you are going).

I understand the electrical side of this, but logically, this doesn't make sense. Can't they better design the battery when they can obviously design the whole hybrid system?

Seriously frustrated....

[regal1945]

Originally Posted by JM2007TCH

So I just talked to someone at my toyota dealership and he said it is normal for this to happen and that anytime you leave a car sit for two weeks this will always happen.

First off I think this is BS. Secondly, I have a 61 Ford that can go months before the charge gets low enough to not turn over. Thirdly, I have a 2003 Jeep liberty that also can be in cold weather and sit for a substantial period of time before it would be dead and in the 5 1/2 years that we've owned it, it has never needed a charge or jump.

Lastly, this seems to be a design flaw, I don't care how much juice something is drawing when it is not on, it should last longer than two weeks. That's more consistent with a cell phone than a car battery....

I guess I had one more comment: He said you need to drive it at least 20 minutes on the freeway a day when the weather is cold to make sure it keeps its charge. Really, doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose of a hybrid, arent' they designed to excel in city driving where you might never be on the freeway at high speeds charging the battery (especially if you don't need to go on the freeway to get where you are going).

I understand the electrical side of this, but logically, this doesn't make sense. Can't they better design the battery when they can obviously design the whole hybrid system?

Seriously frustrated....

Total BS! dealer is a no good scammer. mine has sat for 4 months when i am out of the country and fires rite up when i return.

[cdn_tch]

the manual does talk about 'if the car is to sit for 3-4 weeks' that the 12V might not have the power to fire up the ECUs to start the car. 2 weeks should not be a problem at all. The 20 mins on the freeway is either pure BS or the person just doesn't have a clue about the hybrid system.


You had warning lights come on. That says something is wrong! Go to another dealer and get it fixed.

My TCH sits outside every day at work. Our winter temps reach -40, and average -20 to -25 for 4 months of the year. The car does not have a problem starting when it is cold.

[JM2007TCH]

Update:
Yesterday afternoon I called another dealership to get a second opinion and he said essentially the same thing cdn tch. He also noted that the course of events to get there did seem odd.

Additionally I got dropped off at my car at the park and ride last evening and got in, turned it on and no warning light any further. I drove it about 15 minutes on my way to somewhere else and still no warning light. There may be some truth to what the original dealer said about driving it for awhile. However, I still think there was something else wrong and will be taking it in to the dealership to get checked out. Although now that the light isn't on anymore, not sure if they will be able to diagnose anything.

I appreciate everyone's personal experiences, it helps to slog through the BS.

[cdn_tch]

Just because the warnings are not on does not mean the TCH has forgotten about them. The ECU seems to have a good memory :-) and the dealer will be able to pull the codes.

[Pipemajor]

Haven't had a problem with the hybrid components in our nearly as cold Minnesota winter (-15ºF on Sunday) but...

We are having issues with both of our remote entry keys. On no less than 4 ocassions, my wife's key could not be recognized. I had to come down with my key to get it started (she was unaware of the emergency procedure where you touch the key logo directly against the start button). All four times the car has been taken to the same general area (within a few blocks) so I think that may be related to some EMI interference with some nearby TV transmission towers.

Lately, we've been in the car with it running then will get a "Key not detected" warning on the multi information display. Hers has also been getting a "low battery". We've owned the car for not quite 3 years.

Last scheduled maintenance I was told the water pump has a leak and to schedule a new appt for a warranty repair. The dealer's hybrid tech wasn't available that day. A relative who works at a Toyota dealership says the water pump issue is common on the hybrids.