Don't put the jump box or cables in the storage under the hatch

There’s a metal key that unlock drivers door, or no? It’s awkward, but you should be able to flip down rear seat back, then release hatch with emergency lever, just below hatch mechanism on the inside.

 

Sounds like you are getting the voltage readings with the car in Ready Mode. A 12v auxiliary battery, at best should be reading 12.x volts not 14.



Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Unless your battery has a good reason to be dead - like the car left idle for weeks or the like - probably safer to replace it.

Seems like it's not unusual for the 12V battery to only last 5 years - sometimes less.

When O'Reilly tested it and it came back "bad" - I wonder what criteria they used and if they know that Batteries in the Prius aren't like other cars.

With the 14.2 on your OBDII scanner, you may have been reading a charging voltage, not a battery voltage. Unless there's a different battery chemistry I'm not familiar with, a fully-charged 12V battery comes in at about 12.6v. 13.8-14.7 range is more like a charging voltage.

 

You really should just go ahead and replace the volt battery now. Otherwise you will turn your Prii, into a rolling Slot Machine, sometimes it will start, sometimes it won't? Sometimes the fob will work sometime it won't? Weird stuff will go on and until the 12 finally dies and you replace it. Or you can wait until your better half get's tired of your sill crap and takes the car to a Hybrid Shop and they replace it, my bad.

 

How old is this 12V battery?

 

That jump box should work fine till you get a replacement battery... Here's the battery I reccomend, I've had one just like it in my car for almost 10 years without issue. Also enclosed below is photos of hardware you'll need to connect the terminals: https://ebay.us/vN4JsP

 

Original batteries last 5 to six years on average. If you don't drive very often and let the car sit for a while between, the lifespan will be on the shorter end.

If you have a jump pack, you can use the original battery since it tested good. If the car sits, investing in a battery charger/maintainer would be a good idea.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

no reading at the jump point is prolematic

 

We’ve owned nine hybrids in my extended family. Nearly always, the situation you describe ends with a brand new battery.

Auto stores typically do not understand hybrid 12-volt systems. They often install batteries meant for the wrong application!

A new, fully charged battery will measure around 12.6 volts at the terminals (car OFF). In READY mode, the battery is charging at 13.4 to 14.x volts.

Techs who don’t test the battery under full load (car OFF; all Accessories ON), may get false readings. A battery can “read” charged, but be unable to produce sufficient energy under load!

I have had the least trouble with the OEM (Yuasa) replacements. Treated properly, they last at least five years.


— Bill Burkholder

 

Those two statements are at loggerheads? Something’s may be rapidly drawing down the battery charge.

There is no alternator.

 

The battery this person recommends does not have one safety feature that Automotive battery's have, an external vent. Use this type of battery at your own risk.