Some quick Battery diagnostics help needed.

[Phantomx]

So the Supra sits in the garage and maybe comes out once a month to go to work. It’s a 2020 with the original battery (i’m in FL heat eats batteries here) and it started acting up. Sometimes I just get a click when I hit the start button and I get a starter activation warning which clears after it’s running. Today the park sensors had a fit but that cleared as well and the auto stop/start just clicks and won’t restart.

My guess Is battery, since the more I read these things are silly temperamental because of all the electronics. I don’t have a battery warning light on, voltage was at 12.5 when I checked it and drops to low 11’s when I start it. I finally got a tender wired up under the hood and it’s sitting on that now but I think the battery might be on it’s last leg.

Also It seems when you change the battery the dealer has to program that in.(Or use bimmer code) is that right? No way to do it through the menu’s? Figured i’d ask you guys since i’m sure someone has run across the same issues.

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[J29DB03]

So the Supra sits in the garage and maybe comes out once a month to go to work. It’s a 2020 with the original battery (i’m in FL heat eats batteries here) and it started acting up. Sometimes I just get a click when I hit the start button and I get a starter activation warning which clears after it’s running. Today the park sensors had a fit but that cleared as well and the auto stop/start just clicks and won’t restart.

My guess Is battery, since the more I read these things are silly temperamental because of all the electronics. I don’t have a battery warning light on, voltage was at 12.5 when I checked it and drops to low 11’s when I start it. I finally got a tender wired up under the hood and it’s sitting on that now but I think the battery might be on it’s last leg.

Also It seems when you change the battery the dealer has to program that in.(Or use bimmer code) is that right? No way to do it through the menu’s? Figured i’d ask you guys since i’m sure someone has run across the same issues.

Not BimmerCode, you want BimmerLink to register a battery.

However, I believe if you are swapping to the same battery you may not have to register it since they would be the same amperage. One of these racing guys will confirm or correct that.

 

[Phantomx]

I thought Bimmercode was for coding and Bimmerlink was for monitoring? At least from what I read.

 

[J29DB03]

I thought Bimmercode was for coding and Bimmerlink was for monitoring? At least from what I read.

Correct, BimmerCode is for coding/changing things. BimmerLink is for monitoring, resetting service intervals, registering a new battery, manual override for the exhaust valve, etc.

 

[Phantomx]

if you do a direct battery replacement do I still need to code it in Or just install and go? Anyone seen issues like this as well when the battery starts to get low?

 

[Axix23]

When you get your new battery, make sure to hook it up to a battery tender at least once a month to charge it to full….

 

[Phantomx]

So got the new battery. When they tried to test the old battery it said something like unstable battery and the test failed.

so better safe then sorry I replaced it. But the same problem still exists when I hit the start button it just clicks and says engine can’t be started starter activation error. Then I hit the button again and it starts right up.
Anyone seen that mess before?

interesting side note I don’t have the battery light on and nothing else seems to be different after installing it. No warnings as such. Maybe when you reset the battery with bimmerlink it starts to behave normally?

 

[concept]

A “starter activation error” in a 2020 Toyota Supra, or any vehicle, typically indicates a problem with the starter system. This could be due to a variety of issues, such as:

• A faulty starter motor
• A problem with the ignition switch
• A malfunctioning starter relay
• A problem with the vehicle’s battery or electrical system

 

[Phantomx]

I got these codes 35AE00 and 21A511 starting system starter pinion: timout.

Now the fun begins is it the relay (I guess easy fix and cheap) or the starter motor

I guess the question after that is where is the starter relay in the front fuse box or the back LOL

 

[Phantomx]

Ok doing some research. Seems no starter relay, not that I can find on the toyota parts list. So looks like starter is going to be it. I read some instructions that I thought said to remove the oil pan I was like that can’t be right. But it’s a cover apparently?

 

[Razors Edge]

As far as I remember, you have to “register” the new battery as new or the system can have issues because it’s set to the old battery. Even if it’s the same one, it needs to be told it’s new. Do a forum search and I’m pretty sure this is exactly what others have said.

 

[Phantomx]

Ordered the MHD dongle, getting a local shop to unlock the DME while i’m at it and get the MHD tunes and BEF stuff. I’ll be doing a little bit of dyno testing once it all comes in to kinda get 3 different scenarios

1. JB4 only with E30 map 5 dyno
2. JB4 with BEF Dyno
3. MHD E30 flash

see which does what in the best/safest way. Should be interesting.

and hopefully along the way I won’t have to replace the starter but we will see after I reset the battery.

 

[MyCorolla]

As far as I remember, you have to “register” the new battery as new or the system can have issues because it’s set to the old battery. Even if it’s the same one, it needs to be told it’s new. Do a forum search and I’m pretty sure this is exactly what others have said.

That’s correct. This video explains it:



It‘s worth having a battery tender, and BimmerLink.

 

[Phantomx]

Definitely gotta look up my battery tender brand tender to make sure it’s AGM approved

 

[SuupYota]

Definitely gotta look up my battery tender brand tender to make sure it’s AGM approved

I just purchased the CTEK, and it has a specific AGM setting.

CTEK - 40-206 MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic 4.3 amp Battery Charger and Maintainer 12V https://a.co/d/e7RJnqu

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