Prius Gen 2 gone weird

Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat

If you have HIDs and don't want to put cycles on them, just flick between off and parking lights. If you're on the original 12 volt, it's likely toast now and needs replacement.

You should be able to jump it but DO NOT reverse the polarity. If you do, you will most likely blow the inverter, which has a 4-digit price tag.

 

You could leave the car on in READY mode for 8 hours (see 2005 Prius beeps when door is open, then won't start | PriusChat from one of our resident Prius repair experts). I don't like doing that and never have.

I have Amazon.com: TecMate TM-141DUAL OptiMate 4DUAL 0.8Amp Weatherproof Desulfating Charger/Maintainer: Automotive.

But again, if you're on the original 12 volt, it's toast. Charging it will only help temporarily and it will likely go flat after not too long.

Please let us know 3 sets of voltages from the above test after the car has sat overnight or many hours. If it's in the bad state now, that should be good enough. Or you could use a voltmeter to check... I suspect it's very low.

 

Your 12 volt battery is very dead when it reads 9.x volts.

I charge my 12 volt while it's still connected and even use the jumping terminals in the front and have suffered no ill effects. IIRC, you should not charge at higher than 4.2 amps (see The Prius 12 volt charging system. | Page 2 | PriusChat). ‎ http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/Hybrid03.pdf says to limit it to 3.5 amps on page 8. The AGM battery can be damaged if you charge it too fast.

 

Do you own the car parked in front of The Prius in the picture?

Because if it's yours and it runs, you might be using it until you can get a new battery.

 

No, it takes a smaller than usual battery w/a weird post size. The typical replacements are a Toyota OEM or New Optima 12v Yellow Top D51 battery with Pencil Posts | PriusChat. Another battery for the Prius. | PriusChat will work too.

There's been a lot of debate in the past about whether using a flooded lead acid battery is a bad idea. Examples:
12 volt battery replacement info | PriusChat
Got a refurbished Interstate Battery for $30 | PriusChat
Got a refurbished Interstate Battery for $30 | PriusChat

http://priuschat.com/attachments/pg007-03-pdf.46114/ specifically says

FWIW, I changed my Prius' battery to Toyota Prius 12 Volt Auxiliary Battery with install kit for 2004 + including Plug in. This was before the pencil post version came out. I had to replace the new negative cable and positive terminal back then (comes in the kit)

 

you can jerry rig any 12v battery and the car will operate. but you have to be careful and consider your safety, as far as possible battery gas venting into the cabin and strapping it in properly. i would try charging the existing battery without disconnecting anything and see what happens. all the best!

 

Since it appears you have a charger, you might consider using the charger every night to keep the battery charged up. Hope you don't get stuck on the side of the road at one of your business stops during the day.

I realize you are down under, but you definitely need a new battery. 9 something volts is a dead duck. That battery when new will measure 12.8 volts minimum at the posts without any load.

The advice given above is the same I would say about the special battery and also the use of a regular battery. If you are in a pinch use a regular battery. You will find the posts will be bigger which means changing cables. That wont happen overnight for sure. If you can get the D51 Yellow Top shipped in, you can also get the adapter kit which will have the cable ends you will need for the conversion.

Here is a hint that might help you. You can lock your car while the Prius is in "Ready" mode. To do so, simply close all doors, then use the metal key that is stored in the keyfob. Lock the doors with that key. When you do that, the fob is disabled and you have to use the metal key to unlock the doors. After that the fob will work again.

If you are making multiple stops per day, you could do the above if the area is fairly secure. Bare in mind that anyone could theoretically break a window and drive off with your Prius. But it could be a way to keep the car going during your business day until you can get the battery.

It is rough when you only have one car and it is broken plus be out in the boondocks. I wish you the very best of luck.

Ron (dorunron)

 

If you are asking will a second keyfob work if you lock the door with the metal key, the answer is NO. When you lock the door mechanically with the key, the keyfob is disabled UNTIL you unlock the door with the key. It is what it is, and as far as I know there really is not a way around it.

Someone more knowledgeable than myself may be able to give you a hint on how to use a fob after you have locked up with the metal key.

Also, if you do the above make sure you have plenty of fuel in the Prius. The ICE will cycle on and off to keep the traction battery charged up while the Prius is sitting there. If you were running the A/C, the ICE will run more often. You don't want to run a Prius out of gas. That can be a nightmare in itself at times. Best to always keep it no less than two pips unless you like playing Russian Roulette.

Best of luck to you,
Ron (dorunron)

 

Down under Japanese Pencil Posts are not weird or that uncommon.

I don't know if you can get this (can't here in NZ) but this is a direct replacement option:

Exide Edge AGM Battery - FP-AGM51JIS

Otherwise, if you are going to go down the normal flooded acid type of battery route, then there are a few options.

A Bosch 46B19R, or any other good brand's group 46B24R/55B24R (the 55 is better) model such as Hella NS60APP, Century NS60, Exide NS60P/XS60P should all just drop in and are rated at 45 Ah. Make sure the posts are JIS PP. All these quoted models have their positive terminal on the left-hand side when the terminals are on the edge nearest to you. Ensure the battery you go for, has the terminals so configured.

I have used a Bosch successfully.

hope this helps.

 

Interesting... That's exactly what Patrick Wong used at Another battery for the Prius. | PriusChat.

 

Glad to hear it worked out reasonably well for the OP.

Sounded like a bad situation....with darkness approaching, limited tools and resources, and a dead 12 volt, in what sounded like a very rural area.

So glad to hear the OP was able to get it started.

And yes...get a new 12 volt in ASAP.