Car needs to be jump started every time

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by EternityInBlack, Apr 20, 2013.

  1. EternityInBlack

    EternityInBlack Junior Member

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    Hey y'all. Long time no chat.

    After years of enjoying my Prius, driving it all around California and getting about 70k miles on it, it finally went haywire today when the car didn't start. Let me explain.

    When I tried turning on the car, it didn't do anything and felt resistance from the brakes. I noticed that the interior lights were dimmer than usual, so I tried pressing the Power over and over again. Unfortunately, it didn't start.

    Panicked, I frantically tried to get my manual out of my trunk, only to have the lights actually fully turn on. Puzzled, I turned on the car and, sure enough, it started. But I'm an idiot and turned it off and got stuck with the same problem again.

    A couple of hours later, I had someone jump start the car and, lo and behold, it worked and I was even able to drive it 50 miles to my place. Now, the gas tank had enough for a 100+ mile trip and the battery indicator shows that it's got more than 80% juice left. Also, when I finally got home, the car pretty much couldn't be started... again.

    Is this the sign of a faulty battery? A bad starter? Something else? Any help would be appreciated.
     
    #1 EternityInBlack, Apr 20, 2013
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Your 12 volt battery would seem to be dead.

    Your Toyota dealer will sell you one installed.

    Many people have good luck with this battery, available locally or mail order.
    Optima DS46B24R Optima battery direct fit replacement for Prius 2004 + & Plug-in Prius with Instructions

    Some people find this battery.

    Toyota Prius Starting Battery - Exide Edge 51JIS Flat Plate AGM

    While those are the only US options I know of, any externally vented, AGM battery with reverse polarity JIS Posts should work safely, if it fits.

    Jump starting a Prius incorrectly will cause multiple thousands of dollars of damage, so replace your 12 volt battery soon.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Apr 20, 2013
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You can get a rough idea of the battery state by hooking up a digital volt meter, either directly at the battery in the trunk, or at the jumpstart terminal in the fusebox in engine compartment. A healthy battery will read around 12.6 volt, or higher. A borderline battery around 12.4~12.5. Ambient temperature will effect the readings, but as long temperature isn't extremely low, it's not much of a factor.
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Apr 20, 2013
  4. EternityInBlack

    EternityInBlack Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply guys.

    I was wondering if you guys know anything about the battery warranty that California has? I read somewhere that battery replacements are free within a 10 years or 150k here in California, but I'm not sure what the stipulations are. I mean if it's already dead at 79k I would imagine this qualifies.
     
    #4 EternityInBlack, Apr 20, 2013
  5. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    That is for the "hybrid" battery, not the 12v battery.
     
    #5 frodoz737, Apr 20, 2013
  6. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    The above posters are talking about your small 12 volt battery, it is not covered by the 10 year 150k, your main traction battery is covered by that warranty. The battery that is probably causing you problems is your small 12 volt, and your dealer will install one for between 2 and $300.
     
    #6 Munpot42, Apr 20, 2013
  7. EternityInBlack

    EternityInBlack Junior Member

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    I called my Toyota dealership and they said they can sell me the battery for $203 and, should I choose to do so, $110 will be the labor charge. If I bought the battery myself, I would need to give them my battery first. Is it easy to install this? I've never worked on my car before.
     
    #7 EternityInBlack, Apr 20, 2013
  8. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    It is not hard to do, but with your lack of experience it may be wise to pay extra for them to do it. If you have someone you know that has and can do it, then it would be an opportunity for you to learn.
     
    #8 frodoz737, Apr 20, 2013
  9. EternityInBlack

    EternityInBlack Junior Member

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    Thanks for all your help guys. I couldn't have found the problem without you all :)
     
    #9 EternityInBlack, Apr 20, 2013
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can also get a price from any local mechanic.
     
    #10 bisco, Apr 20, 2013
  11. EternityInBlack

    EternityInBlack Junior Member

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    Wanted to update everyone with the status of my car and, in effect, closing this thread.

    I actually went and took the 12v battery out of my car myself, took it to a Toyota dealership (it's required apparently to get a new battery), got a new 12v battery, and installed it myself. The process was pretty simple and I just needed the right tools and the manual. When I took the battery out though, there was a smell coming from the battery casing itself though there were no visible cracks or leakages that I saw. The guys at the Parts store at the dealership confirmed my observation and said that it's possible it was a leakage inside the casing.

    At any rate, my car starts totally fine now and is ready to be driven again! Thanks a lot for the help :)
     
    #11 EternityInBlack, Apr 21, 2013
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I went through that process about a month back, except: the dealership (non-Toyota) didn't need the old battery upfront: they just put an extra charge on the bill, which I was refunded when I later brought back the old battery.

    Congrats on getting through that, it is pretty straight forward. Just take cables off in the right order, keep them separated and so on. Putting a rubber or heavy leather glove over the cable end is good for keeping from touching something.
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Apr 21, 2013
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