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Problem w/ my '05 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by googrx, Jan 1, 2012.

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  1. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    Hello all,

    I have this problem with my Prius well about three times now, but each time differently.
    The first time, it's won't turn on, completely black out. I called Toyota to get it towed to a dealership, the guy came out and barely jump start the battery and it started.
    The second time, it won't turn it back on after I took it out of the garage to clean the filters. I jump started the battery and it back to normal.

    After that, I took it to a Toyota dealer for an oil service as well as a check up. They said it is fine and everything is in perfect condition.

    Well, last week I went to the garage and test the smart start system. I turned it off and the next morning, this happened. I am sure it did not run out of gas as I just fill her up at a local Shell just a few days ago and did not go anywhere that far.

    Here are the pictures.
     

    Attached Files:

    #1 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  2. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    I did press on the brake before I powered her "on".
     
    #2 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    #3 cwerdna, Jan 1, 2012
  4. Flying White Dutchman

    Flying White Dutchman Senior Member

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    your 12volt battery :_)
     
    #4 Flying White Dutchman, Jan 1, 2012
  5. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    The touch screen wasn't on, but I tried and then this happened. The car won't response to the remote anymore and the engine light is now "on".
     

    Attached Files:

    #5 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  6. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    Are you sure? I do not want to be a grease monkey. To purchase a $200 battery and self install it could lead to other problems that I myself could be claimed as the culprit. I don't want to be cheap but do I trust Toyota dealership(s)? :eek:

    Like I said I took it to an authorized Toyota dealership before and have them examine the battery. They said if it is fine they won't service it. I also have run the diagnostic screen before and the voltage looks normal.
     
    #6 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    We're pretty sure but you can make us more sure if you run the test. What is before and what is "normal"? How long did the car sit before you ran it?

    If you have an 05 and are on the original 12 volt, it's at least 6 years old and past time for replacement. More than once, we've found dealers 12 volt battery "tests" to be inaccurate/wrong. (See http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...turned-off-then-wont-start-3.html#post1310197, for example. Patrick Wong's one of our repair experts here.)

    The 12 volt on the Prius does NOT start the ICE (internal combustion engine). You will NEVER see symptoms on the Prius of slow starter cranking or insufficient power to turn the starter since the Prius has no dedicated starter motor and the ICE isn't started by the 12 volt.

    I bought my 06 Prius in January 06. I replaced the 12 volt myself w/an Optima Yellow Top in Feb 2011 (http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...id-seattle-area-installers-2.html#post1264180). The original 12 volt was getting marginal at that point.

    The fact that you had to jump start it 2x means that it went flat or pretty flat. Running the OEM 12 volt flat once is already very bad for it.

    If you're in the bad state now, tell us the values.
     
    #7 cwerdna, Jan 1, 2012
  8. josh2008

    josh2008 Active Member

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    Do the 12v test procedure found here on the forum. The dealers 12v battery tester is not sensitive enough for the Prius's small 12v, trust me. I always did the voltage test instead of using the tester when I would check them for customers.
     
    #8 josh2008, Jan 1, 2012
  9. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    The car ran perfectly normal before this. I garaged it for 1-2 days before an failed attempt to use it for work.
     
    #9 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  10. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    I don't know but I bought it "used" certified from a Toyota dealership. Sure there were a lot of abnormalities associated with the vehicle but mostly are human made. I assumed it was taking care of when I drove it home from California.
    The before and after pictures were today recent shot of attempting to run diagnostic of the vehicle.
     
    #10 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  11. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

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    You're wasting your time (and ours) w/your guesses. Even w/o testing it, if you're on your original 12 volt, you're past due for replacement.

    Even if you had it changed say a few years ago, running the OEM 12 volt flat 2x is very bad for it and it's likely a goner, due to that. Don't believe me? Seilerts is another repair expert here (I'm not one of them): http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...after-20-min-listening-radio.html#post1323970. Here's another from Patrick: http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...tery-life-replacement-cost-6.html#post1181836.

    Please run the test and tell us the values. Another alternative is http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...-battery-good-car-wont-start.html#post1414540.

    People have encountered all sorts of weird stuff happening when the 12 volt is bad.
     
    #11 cwerdna, Jan 1, 2012
  12. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    That I was hoping for but logic seemed to run against it: One-the used/trade in but certified vehicle is "newly" purchase, meaning most components are checked out/ replaced by OEM standards and shouldn't be in that bad of a condition. Two-I brought it to a dealership to check up on the aux. battery to see if it needed to be replace. Based on economical reason, the dealership should be eager for this opportunity, but they said it was fine.

    I could just run a manual multimeter test on the battery to see if it is fine.
     
    #12 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  13. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Your 'helpers' fall in 3 subtle classes:

    1) it is the 12 volt battery.

    2) it is most likely the 12 volt battery, but you will never know what else it is until you swap out the 12 volt battery

    3) there is a simple test to see if it is the 12 volt battery, do it and tell us how it turned out.

    You may notice a trend in these replies.

    You have 3 choices in how you replace your 12 volt battery safely:

    A) The Toyota dealer will sell you a battery for about $140 for you to install. (It goes up wildly if they install it)

    B) elearnaid sell a kit to use a Optima Yellowtop battery (a deep cycle batttery that recovers from being fully drained better than the Toyota battery) that requires minor tool using skills $170 free and fast shipping
    Toyota Prius 12 Volt Auxiliary Battery with install kit for 2004 - 11

    C) Optima now sells a Yellowtop that fits perfectly for $200 (free shipping)
    Optima BatteriesOptima Batteries DS46B24R YellowTop Prius Auxiliary Battery

    One brute simple test to convince you it is the 12 volt battery, WITHOUT putting your foot on the Brake, press Power twice (Accessory mode) now try to use the power windows. If they are slow, you need a battery.
     
    #13 JimboPalmer, Jan 1, 2012
  14. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    My cheap multimeter reads 4.9 volt on the aux battery. The car is "off" (no key in slot) with engine light "on".

    I have tested the multimeter on several kinds of 1.5 V battery before I tried it. It seems to be adequately correct.
     
    #14 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  15. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    So the 12v battery is bad as all of the others have said. Replace it!

    JeffD - Originator of the Prius 12v battery test procedure
     
    #15 jdenenberg, Jan 1, 2012
  16. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    Could reverse polarity problem be possible with the stock aux battery? just wondering since my multi-meter display a negative sign.
     
    #16 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  17. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    You get the minus sign if you connect the multimeter backwards.

    JeffD
     
    #17 jdenenberg, Jan 1, 2012
  18. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    Then my random 1.5v batteries are rev. polarity?:(

    Am I going insane here? Did I mentioned my stuffs in the car keep disappear and reappear and was one of the reason I went out that night to check on the car?
     
    #18 googrx, Jan 1, 2012
  19. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    The sign of the voltage displayed on the meter depends on which way you connect it to the thing being measured. If the battery had been *installed* in the car backwards it would have immediately destroyed parts of the electrical system and the car would never have started at all. If you really measured 4.9V on the Prius battery it would be amazing if it could still start the car; it has to be replaced.
     
    #19 richard schumacher, Jan 2, 2012
  20. googrx

    googrx New Member

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    That is what I am afraid of...do you think my home have been invaded? the car run fine before that day.
    The day it doesn't start, it just flash all kind of light on the dashboard and there is noise in the back, afterward. Maybe I shouldn't attempt to try the diagnostic test. But the screen was never on. I wonder if I did any damages. But that what the fuselage panel is for right?
     
    #20 googrx, Jan 3, 2012
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