The warning message for 12V battery discharge is a common issue with most EVs, including the Hyundai iONIQ 5. This warning message usually appears when the infotainment system is used without starting the vehicle through the brake pedal. In this article, we will discuss some reasons why you might be getting the 12V battery discharge warning message and provide solutions to resolve the issue.
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Reasons Behind the 12V Battery Discharge Warning
There could be a number of reasons why you might be seeing the discharge warning on your iONIQ 5. That being said, Hyundai has acknowledged the issue faced by its users and shared some of the common reasons behind this warning. We will take a look at them in this section.
1. Too Much Bluelink Traffic
The primary cause is unauthorized third-party Bluelink apps that request information too frequently from the iONIQ 5, waking up the vehicle and causing significant draw until it goes back to sleep. Hyundai has limited Bluelink server traffic to 20 transactions per day and blocked certain problematic unauthorized apps. Customers have been advised to change their Bluelink password.
2. Faulty Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU)
The second cause is related to the Integrated Charging Control Unit (ICCU) and ICCU fuse, which need to be replaced to solve the issue. Some vehicles that only had the ICCU fuse replaced incurred Diagnostic Trouble Code P1B77, which required the Power Relay Assembly (PRA) in the EV battery to be replaced.
Hyundai also debunked a rumour that the ICCU campaign in Korea for coolant leaks was related to the issue, stating that the Korea issue pertained to an Inverter Coolant Low Warning light on, not an EV Light On issue.
3. Infotainment System is Running
The infotainment system in the iONIQ 5 runs off the 12V system, which drains the 12V battery if used without the vehicle being turned on through the brake pedal. Once the car is on and ready, the 12V systems and battery charging are powered from the main battery through a DC-DC converter. To prevent the 12V battery from going flat, the car must be powered on via the brake pedal before using the infotainment system.
To fix this, ensure that the car is turned on through the brake pedal before using the infotainment system. Once the car is on and ready, the 12V systems and battery charging will be powered from the main battery through a DC-DC converter.
4. Dead Battery
If the 12V battery goes flat, the car’s proximity keys and blue link will not function, and the power locks and the car’s computers will not start when the vehicle is turned on. If the 12V battery is dead, the car will be inoperable until the battery is recharged.
To prevent the 12V battery from going flat, the car must be powered on via the brake pedal before using the infotainment system. If the battery is dead, the vehicle must be boosted to start. It is advisable to have the battery checked by a professional to determine the cause of the battery’s failure.
5. Faulty Battery or Charging System
If the warning message persists even after the car is powered on, it could be due to a faulty 12V battery or charging system. In such cases, it is advisable to have the battery and charging system checked by a professional.
To fix this, have the battery and charging system checked by a professional to determine the cause of the issue.
Some Solutions you Should Try
To address this issue, Hyundai recommends several solutions. You can try them and see if the warning disappears.
1. Connect your Car to the Charger
The first solution is to connect the car to a charger, which can help keep the 12V battery charged and prevent it from draining too quickly. This can be done by plugging the car into a standard wall outlet or a Level 2 charging station.
2. Keep your Car in Ready Mode
The second solution is to keep the car in “READY” mode, which means leaving the car turned on but not driving. This will activate the car’s charging system and help keep the 12V battery charged. However, it’s important to note that leaving the car in ready mode for an extended period can also drain the main battery, so this solution should be used judiciously.
3. Activate Utility Mode
The third solution is to put the car into Utility Mode, which is a feature that uses the main battery to keep the 12V battery charged. This mode can be activated by following the steps below:
- Make sure the vehicle is not currently charging. If it is, unplug the charger.
- Turn on the car and go to the EV menu.
- Navigate to the settings menu.
- Select “Utility Mode” from the sidebar.
- Activate Utility Mode by tapping on Activate Utility Mode.
- Wait for the system to activate Utility Mode and start using the main battery to charge the 12V auxiliary battery.
- Check the dashboard to confirm that the vehicle is now operating in Utility Mode. It should display “UTIL” on the dashboard.
It’s important to note that Utility Mode cannot be used while the vehicle is charging, as this would cause the car to try to charge and discharge the battery at the same time, which is not possible. However, you can activate Utility Mode while the vehicle is not charging and use it to power the HVAC system or other electronics while sleeping in the car at a campsite or other location.
In addition to these solutions, Hyundai also recommends setting the car and navigation settings to Miles instead of Kilometers. This can help reduce the load on the 12V battery by decreasing the frequency of data updates.
Summing Up
To sum it all up, the 12V battery discharge warning in the Hyundai iONIQ 5 is caused by overactive unauthorized Bluelink use by third-party apps and ICCU-related issues. However, Hyundai has provided solutions to address these problems, including limiting Bluelink server traffic and replacing the ICCU and ICCU fuse. If you own an iONIQ 5, taking preventative measures such as using a charger, keeping your car in ready mode or Utility Mode, and utilizing the solar roof can help prevent 12V battery discharge.