Prius won't start - (Not a bad battery)

Hi valde3,
I'm not sure what you mean by "no key light". I guess I never noticed such a light before.
If the key is not in the slot, a small red icon blinks, which looks like a little car with a key in it. I always thought that was an "alarm" indicator that flashes when the car is not in use. It always flashes periodically when the car is parked. ... Is that the "no key light" you are referring to? Because that light still flashes periodically as it always has if the car is parked and the key is not in the slot. So that seems "normal".

Also, there are two small, green LEDs (one on either side of the key slot). If the key is not in the slot, the lights are off. As soon as I insert the key FOB into the slot, the green LEDs light up (like normal). I think the key is being recognized just fine.

 

There's power to turn on the headlights, dome light, lock/unlock the doors, emergency flashers, etc.. All work well and are extremely bright. The 12v battery actually has 12.4 volts, and is quite healthy.
But I can't turn the radio on, because I can't get the car to either start or even go into Accessory mode. --- Whether I step on the brake pedal or not, depressing the Start button has no effect. So I can't turn on the radio, even if I wanted to.

 

No, the car is not salvaged. I purchased it new. I am the only owner.

 

Thanks for the info, bisco. I didn't know. My other Prius starts up just fine with this battery, but it is the original battery. I'll consider replacing both batteries.

But as I mentioned in one of the earlier posts, I also tried jumping from my Jeep, which had the engine running during the jump process. ... Still nothing.

Since jumping AND switching batteries has no effect, I don't think it is strictly a dead battery issue. Even if 12.4v is considered "low", it should still start the car, shouldn't it? Before I started this thread, I read all the posts regarding dead batteries first. It sounds like other Prius owners have run their batteries below 12.4 volts before they had problems.

 

OK, thanks everyone. .... I guess it's time to bring it to the dealer and have them diagnose/fix the problem. I appreciate all the input. Once it's fixed, I'll post the results back here.

 

Thanks JC. I'll keep that bit of information in mind, when I drop the car off with the dealer.

 

IMkenNY & edthefox5 ---
Thank you for the info. I will definitely check the 15 amp fuse for AM2.
I also like your suggestions on how to go about negotiating repair with the dealer. I don't want to have somebody just throw expensive parts at the car until it starts working. ... That would be expensive.

I hope it is just an issue with FOB recognition. Since pushing the Start button with the FOB in the key slot has no effect, it's kind of like the FOB isn't even there. ... Maybe that's the issue. I sure hope so, as a 15 amp fuse would be pretty cheap to replace.

 

BTW - Once I pop the hood and lift the black fuse cover off, are the fuses well identified? Will I be able to identify the fuse for AM2 right away? Is there a "fuse diagram" in the user manual? (I'm not being lazy; I'm at work right now, and the Prius is at home, so I can't just check myself).

 

Thank you valde3. I will pop the cover and check any of the fuses that appear to be related to the Start/Ignition system.

 

IMkenNY ---

YOU ARE AWESOME !!! Thank You for suggesting the fuse for AM2.
I changed the fuse, and the car starts right up !!! I am soooooo relieved.

Now, you indicate that this fuse commonly blows when the inverter circulation pump fails. What is the inverter circulation pump, and do you think I can drive the car 15-miles to the dealer to get it fixed? I don't know what an inverter circulation pump is.