400h Start-up Question

[jbanfie]

All,

My 2 year old son left my interior light on all last night, and when I got in the 12 volt system was feeling a little sorry for itself - here we go I thought. But no, whilst the movement of the electric steering wheel was sluggish, the car cranked straight away - no worries.

This leaves me with a question, do the traction batteries turn the generator which turns the V6 to start, or is there some way that the 12V system does it with a starter motor?

It seems odd, but even with 18 years driving experience, changing clutches, head gaskets and the like, I don't understand how the 400h actually starts its engine. None of the blurb really tells you.

Knowledge sought.

Cheers

Jon

[williz]

there is definetly no 12V starter on the system.

as fare as i know, the combustion engine is startet from the front e-motor.

12V batterie is only userd for getting the car electronic up and running.

the V6 engine is only controled from drivetrain computer system.