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Is the 12V battery dead on our Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Sethp, Mar 7, 2015.

  1. Sethp

    Sethp New Member

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    So, I was about to go get something in the garage yesterday and the car didn't open. I know one of the fobs has a bad battery. Well I got new batteries and replaced them in both fobs. Red light blinks can't unlock when clicking the unlock button nor does the smart function work. I get the little key out and open the drivers seat and think Shouldn't there be some lights on in here like around the power button? or blinking?

    usually when you unlock with the little key should you be able to turn lights on inside the car?
     
    #1 Sethp, Mar 7, 2015
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    One way to test the 12V battery is to turn on the headlights. If you don't see the lights come on at normal brilliance then you know the battery is having a problem. Replace the battery if it is more than 4 years old; otherwise fully-charge it overnight using a 4A charging rate and see if that helps.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Mar 7, 2015
  3. Sethp

    Sethp New Member

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    I don't think I can replace it without getting the car to Toyota. Cant get the trunk open. My hope is that a friendly neighbor can help us jump start it. The parking garage doesn't have any outlets for a charger.
     
    #3 Sethp, Mar 7, 2015
  4. Sethp

    Sethp New Member

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    Hmm i guess there must be a way to get the trunk open without power, I think i'm going to consult the manual again.
     
    #4 Sethp, Mar 7, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    use the mechanical key to open the drivers door. climb in back and lift the hatch floor board. there's a cover over the mechanical pull wire to open the hatch from inside, it's just below the hatch lock area. pop the cover off and you're good. manual describes it with pictures.
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 7, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can call a tow truck for a jump, or buy a jump pack which is cheaper and useful in the further. either way, make sure you hook positive to posit and negative to negative! reverse connections can detrimental to your hybrid system!
     
    #6 bisco, Mar 7, 2015
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    also, there is a jump point in the fuse box under the hood, so you don't have to bother with the hatch.
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 7, 2015
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    There is a shiny metal lever (no pull wire) that needs to be moved, to unlock the hatch lock. You need to exert upwards force on the hatch as you move the lever, then the hatch will open.
     
    #8 Patrick Wong, Mar 7, 2015
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks pat!(y)
     
    #9 bisco, Mar 7, 2015
  10. Sethp

    Sethp New Member

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    A Jump pack sounds interesting! I'd rather not get a tow truck out here :)
     
    #10 Sethp, Mar 7, 2015
  11. Sethp

    Sethp New Member

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    There was this IKEA flat pack furniture that I wanted to assemble that was in the back. I just folded the front seat and slid it out the front door. Going to check with my local Toyota dealership where I serviced the car if they have som sort of assistance so they can Jump start it, then we can take a ride to the Dealership and switch battery. It all depends on what costs more, getting a guy out here or buying the jumperpack.
     
    #11 Sethp, Mar 8, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    great idea!(y)
     
    #12 bisco, Mar 8, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wait, you have ikea in sweden?o_O
     
    #13 bisco, Mar 8, 2015
  14. grhybrid

    grhybrid Junior Member

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    The 12 volt battery is an AGM, absorbant glass mat type. They use a completely different battery charger. Do not hook up a conventional charger and let it go overnight. Use the jump connections under hood at the fuse box. You can buy over here, for about $125, a very neat jump pack about the size of a small paper back book. Comes with various connectors to charge lap tops, cell phones etc. Has a nice jump harness for jump starting vehicles. A must have for vehicle owners, in my opinion. Pay for itself in one visit from a tow truck. All you are supplying voltage for at the jump connections is the various modules that need to be 'awake' and satisfied the system is ready to close the contactors to the HV battery. The HV side of the system will charge the 12 volt battery up. That said, if the 12 volt battery us a few years old, replace it. Always use the correct AGM battery. The Prius battery has very small posts, so getting wrong battery in would be difficult.
     
    #14 grhybrid, Mar 10, 2015
  15. Phillip Hamman

    Phillip Hamman Junior Member

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    Not that it helps, I once left the car on in accessory mode, listening to music while camping. The next morning it was dead. For the luck of a nearby person it jump started and we were back to life. The 12 volt battery lasted exactly 8 years, which is the estimated life span.
     
    #15 Phillip Hamman, Mar 11, 2015
  16. Sethp

    Sethp New Member

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    There was a power outlet in the garage. We conncted the charger to the port in the front. First thing that happened when they hooked up the cable was the light came on in the passenger seat...

    I just want to check. Could we have caused damage by charging it using the port under the hood over night? Should you just jump it and have The generator do The work by drivning around?
    I was at work and my moms fiancée and my wife handled the whole charging

    Took The Car for a 140km drive today and it worked okay. Going to Toyota soon to check/replace the battery
     
    #16 Sethp, Mar 15, 2015
  17. Sethp

    Sethp New Member

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    IKEA is as common in Sweden as McDonalds are in the US ;)

    The parking space at our local IKEA has a special section for hybrids and electrical cars :)
     
    #17 Sethp, Mar 15, 2015
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pretty sweet. you can charge from the front ports no problem. but you have to make sure you're not using a charger with too high of an amperage.
     
    #18 bisco, Mar 15, 2015
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