1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Christmas Tree Dashboard

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by RestedSoul, Jul 17, 2017.

  1. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ok, I have read a lot of topics on this, and got home today to do some testing.

    Story, I have a 05 Prius. Bought used, big bad battery was replaced last August. There was no known issues. Drove the car for about 2 months, and I get the Christmas Tree Dashboard, lights galore. I checked the code and it came up as P0a80. Yep I know what that usually means.

    Today I was reading through all the discussions about the dash lights and testing this and that. So I got home, jump started the car, and here are my findings.

    1. The inverter fluid is moving while engine is running, and not running.

    2. Car turned on: Vehicle Signal Check Mode shows battery at 12.8V in diag mode.

    3. Car turned on: Vehicle Signal Check Mode shows battery at 12.3V in diag mode with headlights on.

    4. Car running: Vehicle Signal Check Mode shows battery at 13.8V in diag mode.
    EMV: OK, NAVI: OK, Audio H/U: CHEK, G/W: OK, DSP-AMP: OK

    Lan Monitor:
    EMV: CHEK, NAVI: CHEK, Audio H/U: NoErr, G/W: NoErr, DSP-AMP: CHEK

    Dash lights that are on:
    Red Triangle, Check Engine, VSC, and the !

    HUD shows the red car with the ! on it.

    After turning off the car, the volt meter on the 12v reads 4.15v and falling.

    The car has been sitting since December. Needless to say I have to jump it anytime I need to test or do something. Prior to that I had no problems starting it.

    As long as I jump start it, it starts and runs fine. AC blows cold, everything works, just this annoying Christmas Tree Dashboard. I have not driven it since this first started in December. Closest Toyota dealer to me is about 50 miles away.

    I have been pricing the big bad batteries, and found a place close to Memphis, TN, that has them for under $1500 with a 5 year warranty. Just trying to make sure that is what it is before trying to get a loan to drop that much money. I am still paying on a car that has been sitting in my yard for 8 months. Besides that, I loved driving it, since I work 65 miles from my house.

    Please let me know if there are other things I need to test, I was really hoping it was something cheap and easy fix.
     
    #1 RestedSoul, Jul 17, 2017
  2. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
     
    #2 ILuvMyPriusToo, Jul 17, 2017
  3. Malcolm338

    Malcolm338 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2012
    27
    2
    0
    Location:
    Carlisle uk
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The first thing I would change is the 12 volt battery in the boot I had all the lights on mine changed the battery car works fine now
     
    #3 Malcolm338, Jul 17, 2017
    Ellen Berman likes this.
  4. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'll take a look at it. I didn't have a problem with the 12v battery until it sat for 8 months. When this problem first starting happening, it would start without any issues. Or is it that the car doesn't start off of the 12v battery? Right now I cannot get it to start or power anything, without a boost. Once I hook up the jumper cables, it fires right up, don't have to let it sit to charge before starting.
     
    #4 RestedSoul, Jul 17, 2017
  5. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ya not a typo, im afraid. I know that the 12v battery is shot now, but it was starting just fine 8 months ago when these issues first started. I parked it then, as I do not have the money for the other battery.

    Could the 12v battery have been going bad then that is causing me all these issues and check engine code of P0a80?
     
    #5 RestedSoul, Jul 17, 2017
  6. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,855
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes. Although 8 months of sitting is not good for the main pack...
     
    #6 2k1Toaster, Jul 17, 2017
  7. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Is the 12v hard to replace? I can afford the $200 ish more than the $1500 ish. Either way I know it needs replaced, just don't want to take it to a shop if it is something I can do easily from home.
     
    #7 RestedSoul, Jul 17, 2017
  8. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Didn't realize a 12v would give you that check engine code. The main battery gauge goes all the way down, then back up after first stating.
     
    #8 RestedSoul, Jul 17, 2017
  9. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2010
    6,035
    3,855
    0
    Location:
    Rocky Mountains
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes, it takes a few minutes. Easy.

    When the 12v is low, nothing the car does is rational. That's why "replace the 12v" is the most common mantra around. The Prius has a very small 12v compared to American standards, normal for Asian markets. It also takes a while to charge once depleted in the Prius. All the systems use the 12v to start and if it is weak, all sorts of references may be off. Almost any error the car can throw, may be thrown.
     
    #9 2k1Toaster, Jul 17, 2017
  10. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    It is possible that your 12V, when installed, wasn't fully charged and things went downhill from there.

    I'd get a battery charger and try charging it up before replacing it to see if that resolves the problems.
     
    #10 ILuvMyPriusToo, Jul 17, 2017
  11. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I've heard you got to get a special charger. Only battery charger I have is a 12v charger I got from Harbor freight
     
    #11 RestedSoul, Jul 17, 2017
  12. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2014
    778
    514
    0
    Location:
    Outside Philly, PA
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    II
    To charge the 12 volt battery, a 12 volt battery charger should do it. Just follow the directions! (y)
     
    #12 ILuvMyPriusToo, Jul 17, 2017
  13. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2009
    5,608
    3,788
    0
    Location:
    So. Texas
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Anything is possible but you have a code for a bad (used) HV battery and a weak one can also trip numerous other codes/lights. BTDT

    If the car has been sitting for 8 months, the 12v is dead and shouldn't be trusted even if revived so you'll need one of those anyways but your HV batt has failed.
     
    #13 fotomoto, Jul 17, 2017
  14. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Ya the company was Greentech, something like that
     
    #14 RestedSoul, Jul 18, 2017
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,049
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    the 12v fires the computers and relays. the hybrid battery propels the car, charges the 12v and turns the engine over.
    nothing works without a good 12v, and unlike a regular car, more issues are caused by a weak 12v than just not cranking the engine.
    get a new 12v on line for the best price, and find a youtube install video.
     
    #15 bisco, Jul 18, 2017
  16. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,817
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You need both batteries.
     
    #16 edthefox5, Jul 18, 2017
  17. RestedSoul

    RestedSoul New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2016
    11
    6
    0
    Location:
    Tennessee
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I got it fixed yesterday. I called to order both batteries and he showed up same day and installed them in about 30 mins. He services about 6 states, so if you are in need, I would recommend him.

    $1775 for both batteries, tax and installation. 5 year warranty.

    Hybrid Restoration is the company, located in Bartlett, TN.
     
    #17 RestedSoul, Jul 25, 2017
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,132
    50,049
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats, all the best!(y) (let's hold off on the recommendations until your expectations have been met)
     
    #18 bisco, Jul 25, 2017
  19. Ellen Berman

    Ellen Berman Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2017
    16
    5
    0
    Location:
    Wilmington, de
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Three Touring
    Just try unhooking positive 12v battery and rehooking..May be easy fix. This will reset electronics.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #19 Ellen Berman, Jul 25, 2017
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)