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Reversed polarity jump start

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by fixitguy, Feb 27, 2012.

  1. fixitguy

    fixitguy New Member

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    2001 Prius

    polarity got reversed on dead battery. Main fuses OK
    so did I toast all the CPUs?? or not...

    Now properly hooked up, but no dash lights/screen...all DEAD, if inverter is gone,
    would it still "light up the dash?"

    thanks.. I had the dead drive battery cause the CPU on the battery
    rach failed. recharged the cells and replaced the cpu.. last year.
    ran just fine till now...
    Don in PDX
     
    #1 fixitguy, Feb 27, 2012
  2. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Not all, but I hope you are lucky. The Inverter can be hurt in your scenario.

    JeffD
     
    #2 jdenenberg, Feb 27, 2012
  3. freidawg

    freidawg Prius Recycler

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    This is consistent with our experience. Usually to reverse polarity jump start will fry the dc-dc converter section of the inverter. I've not personally seen it prevent the dash from lighting up, but it is certainly possible.

    For whatever reason we are seeing a rash of gen 1 inverter failures lately.

    Eric
    Adopt A Part
    Milehybrid Automotive
     
    #3 freidawg, Feb 28, 2012
  4. RobH

    RobH Senior Member

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    Before you conclude that the DC-DC converter is fried, check the fuses. There should be a 100 Amp fuse or fusible link that is blown. Plus a few other smaller fuses.
     
    #4 RobH, Feb 29, 2012
  5. freidawg

    freidawg Prius Recycler

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    Yes, this is good advice.
     
    #5 freidawg, Feb 29, 2012
  6. fixitguy

    fixitguy New Member

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    So how would a few fuses be $4K? I'll dig in and see what I find.The 100A and 5 in the batt comp are OK, now for fuses in the front!
    Thanks friends, will advise success..
     
    #6 fixitguy, Mar 4, 2012
  7. fixitguy

    fixitguy New Member

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    UPDATE:
    REPLACED 100 FUSIBLE LINK. using the "100Amp fuse" directions
    found on that subject .no fun in that job and
    three 15A fuses ,now ICE runs for 6 seconds and stops,
    turtle mode. Car moves both ways.
    My guess the inverter is toast/drive batt not getting charged.
    AUX batt is being charged.
    may swap inverter as have access to spare one...
    code reader guy to show up soon.

    comments??
    thanks so much for your input.
     
    #7 fixitguy, Mar 10, 2012
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    When the Prius is READY, use a digital multimeter to read voltage across the 12V battery. You should measure ~13.8VDC or so.

    If you measure this voltage then the DC/DC converter within the inverter is good. If you measure a much lower voltage then the DC/DC converter is bad and the inverter must be replaced.
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Mar 10, 2012
  9. fixitguy

    fixitguy New Member

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    I
    Final solution:
    found thread on "starts then dies" Mine 2001 would start run 6 secs and die. going to neautral position instantly after ICE start.. then
    the drive batt got recharged. It went fom one bar to full in 5 minutes.
    [Thats the next headache down the road [202,000 miles now]
    Still had the triangle of death and
    turtle showing for the next test drive. After starting again all
    warnings gone!!
    Back on the road again!!
    Thanks for all the pointers along the prius learning highway!!
    Don in Portland.
     
    #9 fixitguy, Mar 11, 2012
  10. dhanson865

    dhanson865 Expert and Devil's advocate

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    Slightly confusing, let me see if I can recap it properly

    1. reverse polarity on jumper cables fried stuff (fuses and such)
    2. replaced fried stuff (fuses and such)
    3. vehicle wouldn't run properly (battery was low)
    4. all you did was use the shift lever to get the engine to run long enough to charge the battery and fix #3?

    The extra off and on to clear the dash warnings is a given with Prius issues so I'm leaving it off but you could add that into #4 if you like.
     
    #10 dhanson865, Mar 11, 2012
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