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2 strange things happening last 7-8 months

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by NinnJinn, Jan 23, 2015.

  1. NinnJinn

    NinnJinn Member

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    I work a 2nd job 3-4 days a week as a pizza delivery driver so I am in and out of my 2008 prius quite a bit those days......

    For the past 7-8 months at least once a week when I turn my car off and open the door to get out, I have a chime going off as if I have left my key in the ignition or in our cases, the key fob in the slot. Problem is, the fob is in my pocket and never leaves my pocket unless I come home and no one is home and I have to get it out to unlock the house door. And of course when I change into clean pants.

    Over the last 3 months I have had to get a "jump" 4 times so I could leave to go to work in the morning.

    Tonight I stopped by Walmart to get Dog and Cat food along with some groceries, So I backed into the driveway.

    I am a smoker and I smoke outside. So I went outside about 2-3hrs after I got home to smoke and noticed that my scan gauge was on. Thought maybe it was a fluke, so I sat and smoked. when I got finished, I got up and noticed that it was still on. I walked up to the car and the dome light comes on and when I grabbed the door handle the car unlocked. But when I opened the door, it started chiming as if the keys/ fob was still in the ignition. So I started the car, let it run for about a minute then shut it off. Opened the door, and the chime went off again. Did this 3 different times with the same results. I finally started the car and put it in drive went maybe 5 feet or so, Put it in park, turned it off, opened the door, silence. I got out, shut the door, pushed the door handle button to lock it, and 2-3seconds later the scan gauge turned off. I have since went outside to smoke twice since then and the scan gauge has been off everytime.


    So,
    1. Could my scan gauge be running my 12v battery down over night?
    2. Why is my car dinging periodically when the fob is in my pocket?
    3. Why isn't my scan gauge turning off when it should?

    As always, you guys are the best and all comments and theories are well appreciated.


    Ps. In case you are wondering, based on Toyota owners.com, the car has never had the 12v replaced. I have had the car for 15months now.
     
    #1 NinnJinn, Jan 23, 2015
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    sounds like you should check the 12v for it's health and replace if necessary
     
    #2 JC91006, Jan 23, 2015
  3. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Replace the 12V battery now since it is 7 years old. It is way past-due since you have had to repeatedly jump start the car. The ScanGauge plugs into the OBD-II port which has 12V power available at all times.
    2. With a low 12V battery, weird things can happen.
    3. If the ScanGauge is not powering down then you need to disconnect it from the OBD-II port. As to why it is not powering down, consult its operating manual or ask your supplier of that product.
     
    #3 Patrick Wong, Jan 23, 2015
    frodoz737 likes this.
  4. TMJ

    TMJ New Member

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    My 2008 died until it was jumped by AAA. I am about to replace with an Optima ds46b24r. It is still running but shows poor mileage and seems to be running mainly on electric. Any suggestions?
     
    #4 TMJ, Feb 9, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?
     
    #5 bisco, Feb 9, 2015
  6. TMJ

    TMJ New Member

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    #6 TMJ, Feb 9, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hopefully it's just the 12 volt. please let us know what happens after you replace it.
     
    #7 bisco, Feb 9, 2015
  8. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Yeah, just keep buying new parts until it works again.
    ;)
     
    #8 GregP507, Feb 9, 2015
  9. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    He has had to jump start it many times already.

    So only possibilities are:
    -Just too little driving. But has he changed his driving habits? How much does he drive?
    -Current drain in the car. Could be measured. Scangauge probably can’t even use that much?
    -Charging system fault. Unlikely but possible especially battery ground cable.
    -Faulty battery. Most likely option.
     
    #9 valde3, Feb 9, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    or you could pay a dealer more than the cost of the battery to try and diagnose it.
     
    #10 bisco, Feb 9, 2015
    valde3 and Tony D like this.
  11. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    NinnJinn- My experience with SG was the same as yours, and one of the reasons I would disconnect it every time I got out of the car.
     
    #11 PriusGuy32, Feb 9, 2015
  12. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    I thought I read a thread about the same problem with something plugged in the obd connector draining the battery.
     
    #12 69shovlhed, Feb 9, 2015
  13. PriusGuy32

    PriusGuy32 Prius Driver Extraordinaire

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    It was probably mine :ROFLMAO:
     
    #13 PriusGuy32, Feb 9, 2015
  14. HaroldW

    HaroldW Active Member

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    How about the fob battery? H
     
    #14 HaroldW, Feb 9, 2015
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