Dear Friends, I own a used 2002 Prius and have only been driving it for about two months. In the last week it has given me some trouble on start up. I turn the key, but the engine will not start. Unlike some of the other comments I've seen here, I'm not getting any warning messages when my car won't start. I turn the key and the dash lights either come on half lit or not at all, the computer screen doesn't light at all when this happens. If I hold the key in the start position for a few (up to twenty seconds) it will eventually turn over and start, but that seems to be draining the big battery and doesn't seem like the best way to start the car. This happens about 2 out of every three times I go to start the car and it doesn't seem to matter how long I've had it parked - could be an hour or overnight. Conversely, it could be sitting for a day and a half and start without issue. All in all, there seems to be no obvious condition that would cause this, and I was curious to know what I should troubleshoot and in what order. As with many people these days, money is scarce and I don't have the money or time to keep it in the shop for a week for diagnostics, especially when it might be something I can easily fix on my own. The 12V battery is relatively new (less than two years), and the car's previous owner is from an ALL PRIUS family who took excellent care of it (regular maintenance and top ups), even nearly new tires. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.
^^^ Since you're kinda new, http://priuschat.com/forums/priusch...-clearly-in-wrong-area-forum.html#post1219542 indicates the best practice when you see this.
Even if the 12V is relatively new, that does not eliminate it as a source of problems. It could also be a poor connection at the 12V battery that is causing this. Basically, the first step in all troubleshooting of these cars is to verify that you have >12V on the system bus, not just >12V at the battery posts. Stick a battery monitor into a cigarette lighter if you have to.
Thank you, friends I appreciate the quick and insightful replies, including the "wrong forum" reply. I looked everywhere to see if I could find the correct forum for 2002 Prius' however I couldn't find a specific forum for them. If someone could direct me how to get there, I will gladly post in the proper forum in the future. Thanks again for the help, I'll return to my troubleshooting.
It is in the right spot now, Gen 1 being treated like the ugly stepsister to Gen II in these forums even though it is older and prettier in real life...
I would agree!!! Besides you, there are 2 others that come over to the GEN 1 area to help us out... Yet I see numerous signature lines on numerous members stating they have or had a GEN 1. Yet you never see them over here... That is pretty much why I post a lot of GEN 1 questions in the newbie forum. They get answered a lot quicker, plus you get several opinions. Thank you so much seilerts for taking the time to come over to our neck of the woods and helping us out.
Do as seilerts said. 12V battery corrosion (especially at the negative terminal) can really have an impact. I believe that this 'wait 20 seconds' thing points strongly towards the 12V or its connections.
