Dead Hybrid Batteries

[John Stephen Moore]

Hi,

I had to call out the RAC about 10 days ago when I could not start the car, the starter motor refused to turn the engine over.

I called out the RAC who after about an hour diagnosed  failed Hybrid batteries.                                                                                                                                                    The RAC man then explained to me that the hybrid batteries which are under the rear seat turn the engine on. There is a small Battery in the boot that just livens up the dash and the interior lights and the car alarm. So has anybody had this problem that can show some light on any good garages in the Shropshire area as we live between Ludlow and Knighton in Powy,s. He then showed me on the car,s screen where it shows the four wheels and the engine and the hybrid system that the box for the hybrid batteries was just white. The Battery as I thought in the passenger side engine bay is an inverter. There are hybrid Battery specialists in Birmingham that can re-invigorate my dead cells or replace those that are dead. So has anybody in the club had to undertake this process and enlighten me as to a good garage to go to.

It will more than likley mean many new cells that need replacement. 

I await any news from our members.

                      

[AJ450H]

You are sure it's not the 12v Battery? A few months ago mine was dead when I got to it, turns out I had by not taking notice, managed to leave the ignition on for a few hours. The recovery guy flash charged the Battery and I was up and running again. He then did a Battery test and said it was OK, no trouble since. Battery is in the boot.

[Herbie]

2 hours ago, John Stephen Moore said:

Hi,

I had to call out the RAC about 10 days ago when I could not start the car, the starter motor refused to turn the engine over.

I called out the RAC who after about an hour diagnosed  failed Hybrid batteries.                                                                                                                                                    The RAC man then explained to me that the hybrid batteries which are under the rear seat turn the engine on. There is a small battery in the boot that just livens up the dash and the interior lights and the car alarm. So has anybody had this problem that can show some light on any good garages in the Shropshire area as we live between Ludlow and Knighton in Powy,s. He then showed me on the car,s screen where it shows the four wheels and the engine and the hybrid system that the box for the hybrid batteries was just white. The battery as I thought in the passenger side engine bay is an inverter. There are hybrid battery specialists in Birmingham that can re-invigorate my dead cells or replace those that are dead. So has anybody in the club had to undertake this process and enlighten me as to a good garage to go to.

It will more than likley mean many new cells that need replacement. 

I await any news from our members.

                      

How long is it since you used the car? It's very unusual for the traction Battery to just 'fail' without warning and even if the car has been stood and not used for about three months (or even longer) there should be enough charge in it.

When you press the Power On or Start button, one of the very first things to happen is that the 12V Battery operates two 12V relays that are configured as a safety interlock, which acts as a sort of 'gatekeeper' to the hybrid system. When the interlock operates, it then gives access to the hybrid system but if the Battery hasn't got enough power to operate the relays, the hybrid system will not power up.

If things are working correctly then the sequence is something like this:

12V Battery boots the computers, does a couple of other things and also operates the interlock, which brings the hybrid system online, as shown by the green READY indicator. At this point, given sufficient charge in the traction Battery, the car can be driven off on Battery alone. When the hybrid system needs the petrol engine, it uses MG1 (Motor/Generator No.1) to spin the engine up to 1,000rpm before supplying petrol to the injectors and applying the sparks to ignite it.

As a first move I'd be very much inclined to have the 12V Battery load tested (drop tested).

[KayCee]

yes sounds very much like the 12v Battery as the car would not have started if the hybrid Battery was flat.

Herbie is spot on