2013 Leaf - Dead 12-Volt Battery every 2 Weeks

[PrimeRisk]

2 weeks ago I spent the $199 to upgrade the TCU so I can utilize the App. In 2 weeks my 12v battery died and yesterday I was left stranded.?

I think you are in a particularly good position. You paid for the TCU to be upgraded and you got a bum TCU. Since they have admitted there is an issue, I'd be demanding that they either fix the issue or refund your money.

[tbog1]

Update! Last post that commented I could have jumped it. It was completely dead. Dealer confirmed that. They charged it but died for them as well.

Action taken: Nissan contacked and said they are aware of the TCU upgrade draining the 12volt. No fix on the horizon. They paid for my battery replacement. We turned off the TCU until a fix is found. Don't need the app that much to play a guessing game if my LEAF will start or not. I recommend calling Nissan and logging a formal case. 1-877-664-2738 option 1 then 4. They said when known they will probably have a mailer home.

I asked WHY if you know of this issue do you allow Dealers to install the TCU. They started because they didnt know which ones are bad. I said EXACTLY you need to inform your dealers. Mine had no idea (at least that is what they stated). Been 15months since the new TCU upgrade. A bit concerning they can't figure this out. They wont give me my $199 back BUT are doing the right thing by paying for a new battery that their TCU killed.

Thank you to all who posted on this.

[TheLostPetrol]

I got the 3G TCU upgrade on my 2015 Leaf on February 26, 2018, and haven't noticed any effect on the 12V battery.

Connectivity seems to be strongly location-dependant. Always works in the parking lot at work, never works when it's in my garage.

Are these 3G TCUs used in other Nissan models, or only in Leafs? I was surprised that the Nissan dealer I went to had one in stock, but if they're also used in other Nissans, that would explain it.

[tbog1]

My dealer had one on the shelf and one they ordered in for mine just in case another customer came in. The Master Tech confirmed the parasitic drain was the TCU. Had Nissan Leaf Consumer Affairs call me back (Will was his name and a Great help)

They approved paying for a NEW 12v battery as a result of this known issue. He said most likely they will have something from Nissan or Dealership mailed home once they figure this issue out. For now they advise turning off the TCU if you dont want a surprise dead battery. That is what I chose to do. Cant afford to get up and be surprised. Sure you can jump it but in my case it was so dead wouldn't even accept the charge

Just still amazed it has been going for about 15months with numerous owners having issues and no fix in sight. Find it hard to believe . I do love the LEAF and zooming by has stations. Very comfortable car. I had a host of Nissan SUVs for the past 22 years and was hesitant at 1st but can honestly say it is a quality built car. Look forward to many years ahead with the LEAF

[GomerK]

Wow. So I picked up my newly-purchased 2013 SL yesterday and this morning I tried to register at the Nissan owners portal to see about Carwings etc. Got an error code--in the subsequent online chat with the service person, I was advised that I should get the $199 TCU upgrade so that I could avail myself of the services...or I could have the 2G TCU deactivated for free. No mention of any 12V battery issues associated with the upgrade. I specifically asked if there was a reason I ought to have the old TCU deactivated, I was told no, that there's no harm in leaving it.

Wow. Just...wow. Glad y'all are here. Thanks.

[baustin]

Wow. So I picked up my newly-purchased 2013 SL yesterday and this morning I tried to register at the Nissan owners portal to see about Carwings etc. Got an error code--in the subsequent online chat with the service person, I was advised that I should get the $199 TCU upgrade so that I could avail myself of the services...or I could have the 2G TCU deactivated for free. No mention of any 12V battery issues associated with the upgrade. I specifically asked if there was a reason I ought to have the old TCU deactivated, I was told no, that there's no harm in leaving it.

Wow. Just...wow. Glad y'all are here. Thanks.

To get an account for remote access to the car, you need to provide Nissan with proof of purchase showing the VIN number. Unless the TCU has been, or will be, upgraded to a 3G unit, there is no point in doing so. The 2G service across the US was shut down over a year ago. The existing TCU will continue the search, but will never connect. There is no mention of the 12V issue from Nissan, because it doesn't affect enough people for them to openly admit it is a problem. I have to do a fuse pull about once a month to reset the TCU, but other than that it works without issue.

[tbog1]

GomerK.
Yes they also encouraged me too at Nissan to do the $199 upgrade to utilize the App. I do not believe the people encouraging the upgrade are aware of the 12v issue as they are completely different departments. If you call 1-877-664-2738 and press Option 1 and option 4 you will speak with Leaf customer support. They are well aware of the issue. As the other person stated not enough have issues for a recall BUT they are working in a fix and will alert owners when they have a fix and will have dealers fix the TCUs.
My advice is DONT upgrade until resolved or you will end up with a surprise dead vehicle and need a tow. I dont believe in having to pull a fuse or trickle charge my 12v yo have an App work. I'll wait till a firm fix is in place.

Best of luck! Yes these chat rooms are a wealth of info. Thank you ALL!!! Great to share experiences . Great car overall. Just wish they would fix the TCU 3G soon

[jlv]

I have to do a fuse pull about once a month to reset the TCU, but other than that it works without issue.

When you say "works without issue", I've a question:

Are you getting text messages? My TCU, with the occasional fuse pull, works just fine for remote status, but I haven't gotten a text message (or app notification) like "charging complete" for a few months.

[Stanton]

I have to do a fuse pull about once a month to reset the TCU, but other than that it works without issue.

When you say "works without issue", I've a question:

Are you getting text messages? My TCU, with the occasional fuse pull, works just fine for remote status, but I haven't gotten a text message (or app notification) like "charging complete" for a few months.

I'll jump in here: the "charge complete" messages (which are highly important to me) require settings in the car (console) and web (account) to work. I can't walk you through them, but that is something that Nissan support should be able to do if the manual isn't clear enough.
I used to the the "fuse pull" until I removed all my "saved charging locations" from the car...and now my TCU "works without issue"...without doing anything (for many months now).

[jlv]

I'll jump in here: the "charge complete" messages (which are highly important to me) require settings in the car (console) and web (account) to work. I can't walk you through them, but that is something that Nissan support should be able to do if the manual isn't clear enough.
I used to the the "fuse pull" until I removed all my "saved charging locations" from the car...and now my TCU "works without issue"...without doing anything (for many months now).

Yes, I know they require that setup. I've been getting them for happily for about 80% of the 4 years that I've had the car (didn't have them for the 6 months between when the 2G went away and when I paid $199 for Nissan to enable the battery-drain problem).

Are you still getting them? When was the last one? I've not gotten any since around February. I didn't change anything on my car, and as best as I can tell they are still set up correctly in the car and in the web portal. They stopped about 1 month after the new version of the app came out (but the app shouldn't have anything to do with it).

I can still do remote status updates from the app (or web) to poll the car. Just no notifications or SMS messages.


FWIW: I have no "saved charging locations" and have still had the TCU lockup.