2016 Charging Problems

So last Friday round 5 PM I proudly drove my 2016 Tacoma Limited off the lot. Having just dropped C$46k on a truck, I was pretty excited.
Like any self respecting guy, my first trip on Saturday was to Home Depot. This was also the location of my first call to Toyota Road Side Assistance, must say they were very helpful, especially considering the fact that the VIN did not show in Toyota Canada's database at the time. Nevertheless an hour on the phone and, they opened a file and sent a tow truck. You see, the battery was completely dead. At this point I have put a amazing 15km on the truck. Saturday morning as I left home I did get a charge warning on the dash center console. But seeing that I was almost there I kept going as well it did not come up again. It was on for about 30 seconds in all.
BCAA showed up an hour later, boosted the truck and off I went to Toyota. They tested and promptly replaced the battery, good service all the way.
Drove home, went out that evening and after how 50km on the truck, Sunday morning greeted me with a bright red warning light, in the center dash console, check charging, or not charging or something like that.
So first thing this morning I went for a cup of coffee at my local Toyota dealer. They were very apologetic and got right onto it. An hour later I was told that they would need to keep the truck a couple days as they need to open a case file with Toyota. (being a new model and this never happened before I'm now part of a Toyota case study...feeling pretty important right now) They now need to investigate the issue.
Maybe its the alternator, but it could be the computer, which begs the question how this passed quality checks? Apparently there is no voltage regulator, the computer tells the alternator how much to charge. The tech guy came out and talked to me which I appreciated. I'm no mechanic but I know enough to be able to ask the odd stupid question.
Apparently they need to see a 13.5 to 15.5volt charge and they are seeing only 9v.

So, not having had one full day of joy out of my brand new top ranked reliably vehicle, I was somewhat disappointed. The fact that I was not covered to get a replacement car for a couple days kinda disappointed me more.... I guess one need to spend more money to qualify for that perk.
So here I am asking you folk if anyone had a similar situation so I can gauge if I will remember this as a good or bad experience.

The way I see this, Toyota has a real opportunity here.....

Willie

 

Branch Chain Amino Acids?


That sucks hope they get it remedied quickly

 

I'm not sure why you didn't get a loaner. Maybe it's different in Canada?

From the Toyota website:
If my vehicle requires a warranty repair, will Toyota provide me with a loaner vehicle?
As part of our ongoing commitment to our customers, you are eligible for transportation assistance under the Transportation Assistance Policy, if your vehicle must be kept overnight for warranty-covered repairs for any of the following reasons:

• The warranty repairs will take longer than one day to complete.
• The warranty condition requires extensive diagnosis.
• The parts needed for the warranty repairs are not readily available and your vehicle is inoperative or unsafe to drive.

For additional details, please refer to the Warranty & Maintenance Guide or speak to the Customer Relations Manager at your local Toyota dealership.

 

In their defense I have to say, they DID offer me a loaner...........at $35/day.

 

that's not a loaner, that's a rental. you should not be footing the bill for an issue with a brand new truck.

 

What a drag. I pick mine up (also here in BC) this afternoon... Limited as well. Will let you know if I have any issues. In Kamloops.

 

I would be livid, not because the truck let me down, but because they expect you to pay for a rental. If they don't have anything on the lot, they could call the local Hertz, Enterprise, etc to get you something.

But...if you're happy, more power to you. I hope they get you going.

 

X2
The right thing would be give you a loaner, regardless of Toyota covering it or not. You bought a truck from their dealership. Accordingly they should provide service that comes with earning your buisness. Sorry you are going through this. Unfortunately this is the gamble of buying new model year vehicle's. Good luck OP, hope they take care of you the way they should.

 

Transportation assistance could be a Sienna driving around several people at a time. It's a pain in the ass

 

¨Transportation Assistance¨ is a van that will take you home and will pick you up when your truck is ready. However, in this case, the dealer should have stepped up and let you take the ¨rental¨ they offered you for no charge. Hopefully they get it back to you pretty quick.

 

I can't say this from experience, but what people say is you will have issues with with first year of new generation. Next year they should work out most of the kinks. First year you are a test bunny

 

The voltage range you mention is correct, and has been for decades.

Regulators started being included inside the alternator long ago, and many moved into the ECUs by mid to late 90's.

A simple alternator bench test, or a swap with a 'known good' ECU should get the diagnostic portion handled quickly, and allow for the proper part(s) to be installed to cure the problem.

I'll wager you have a 'simple' problem that has nothing to do with being the 1st year of a model. UNLESS there is a bad batch of ECUs for some reason............... And even then I doubt the regulator component has changed from previous gens. Although they may have changed suppliers.......

And I agree with others. You should be riding in their wheels for free.

Let us know the end result of the repairs. Good for the order and all that.

 

There are couple of us who made the Toyota Service Ticket cut because of a howling noise Between 35-45MPH. The good thing is Toyota is involved, The bad thing is Toyota is involved.

With these new trucks Toyota needs to see every warranty issue. Techs are not up to speed yet. We are guinea pigs and beta testers. One of the "perks" of early adopter ownership. Could be worse. Could be dealing with GM on a $65,000 C7 Corvette.....rated the 5th worst reliable car.

 

My truck with 800 miles will flash a "charging system warning" anytime I turn on accessory power, on power without starting the engine. Battery and starting seem fine, but it has me scratching my head? It is a continuous warning, not come on once and go away warning.

 

OP, please fix your thread title. You do no one a favor including yourself with such a nondescript thread title. Others may have the same problem but many don't click on every single thread. If the title included the topic, those people might be inclined to click on it. Plus, it makes it easier for people to search in the future.

 

A continuous warning while you are running accessories with the vehicle off? And goes off when vehicle is cranked?

 

Correct, continuous. No present when vehicle is started.

 

When you press the button but don't start the truck it is in "accessory" mode. So yes, normal as I saw this other threads. Mine does the same because it's not charging the battery which is obvious since the truck is not running.

However this owner has a clear issue since he battery was dead after driving it which should have charged it up. Even with a short distance drive.

 

You lost me in the beginning....

• You're excited to spend 46K
• Self respecting men go to Home Depot on Saturday

Sorry to hear you are having issues though, curious how Totota resolves this

 

What I don't get, is why this gets a "Toyota has a real opportunity here." type of comment.

Honestly I would say your dealer should be the first ones to step up. They didn't build it but I were in your shoes I would have been a bit irked about the cost being handed me for a rental for a day or two. Let the dealer eat 50 bucks when you drove 15 k in a 46k truck that was just delivered to you.

Just from a customer service aspect at the dealers end. Then as it moves along and if not in your favour or liking call Toyota and discuss it.