HELP !! 2010 Low Miles - Completely Dead and Won't Start

Sounds like it's a drained 12V battery, which is in the back of the car to the right of the spare tire, I think. A jump start from a normal car should work. Let us know how it works out, because I've wondered what to do if this ever happens to me!

 

If jump starting your vehicle is not your cup of tea, you have Toyota Care (2 Yr, 25K miles), call your dealer for the roadside assistance.

 

From Toyota FAQ

I know my complimentary maintenance benefits included Roadside Assistance, but can't remember the phone number.
The Roadside Assistance number for eligible customers is 1-800-444-4195.

 

Have them check the rear hatch light. It's easy to accidentally bump and leave on. Since it is in the rear, you'll never know it is on with the tonneau cover extended.

 

If the Gen III is like the Gen II, there are jumper cable attachment points under the hood. Easy to get to and doesn't require you to open the hatch.

 

Even if the hatch light is turned on, it will turn off when the hatch is closed. And if the car was locked, the hatch must have been closed while you were gone.

 

If it sat for a week with a light on or some other electrical draw, your battery was drained to the point of being stone dead. This will likely shorten the overall life of the battery.

 

Not if he moved the hatch light switch to the ON position. This is a two position switch. In one position the hatch light turns on and off with the opening and closing of the hatch. In the other position it stays on until you turn it off.

 

Maybe your switch is different than mine (2011 II), but I just checked and it is a 2 position rocker switch; either "off" or "on" and the "on" turnes off when the hatch is closed.

 

Mine as well (Sep. 2009 build). Either on, or off. And when on, it will turn off when the hatch is closed (I have checked this a "thousand" times before leaving the switch to "on", exactly to prevent a 12V battery drained).
Draining the 12V battery does not affect the HV battery - the HV battery is physically disconnected when the Prius is turned off...(and this is why it can happen that the 12V battery can be drained dead).

 

Sorry, I stand corrected. Mine is the same. I have just seen so many posts about dead 12V batteries and people ask about leaving the luggage compartment light on that I "assumed" this is the way the switch worked, much like the map lights.

Thanks

 

Same here. Suffice it to say I've never left it on so I wasn't aware this particular light is auto-off.

 

I also have Toyota Don't Care. They didn't care to tell me ANYTHING about it. They probably don't want people using it.

It's nice to know you can jump from under the hood.

 

I keep my rear hatch light turned off. I operate it manually if needed. I'm surprised that the interior lights including hatch light do not turn off automatically after the vehicle is vacated, locked or some other mode; like the headlamps.

 

Tom,

The hatch light will turn off when you close the hatch, if you have the switch in the on position. If you do not close the hatch door completely the light can stay on. I am beginning to think like you and leave the hatch light off and turn it on only when I need it.

For the other interior lights, I assume you mean the map lights, they will turn off automatically if you have the map light switch in the door position and not on. If you have the map light switch in the door position, again the only way for the lights to stay on is if a door is not completely closed. This is why others recommend locking the doors each time since the doors will not lock if all doors are not completely closed.


Dwight