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Problem with my mom's Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by TheToolMan, Sep 4, 2018.

  1. TheToolMan

    TheToolMan New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    2011 Prius - 85k miles

    She called me this morning and was having trouble. I had her send me a message explaining what happened.

    "It said I was going 60mph and I had just pulled onto the highway. The battery said it was low. Like I was just using battery. Pulled over and turned it off and restarted but did the same thing. Came right home."

    I've been striking out in my search. Any ideas?
     
    #1 TheToolMan, Sep 4, 2018
  2. TheToolMan

    TheToolMan New Member

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    Five
    She has a full tank of gas.
     
    #2 TheToolMan, Sep 4, 2018
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  3. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Ha, ha. That was the first thing I was going to ask.

    Could be many things. Would need to do a bit more diagnostics.

    Is the electrical working? Dome light, dashboard lights, etc.

    Does it have enough oil and is it properly filled? Was there an oil change just prior to the shut down event?

    Is there coolant in the radiator and inverter?

    How old is the 12v, and is it it good health?

    If it could get a diagnostic scan it might point you in the direction of a specific component. Fuel pump, inverter, inverter pump, coolant, transmissio, etc

    Hard to guess without gathering more info.
     
    #3 ericbecky, Sep 4, 2018
  4. TheToolMan

    TheToolMan New Member

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    Five
    Thanks for getting back to me. I have my stepfather there checking the fluids now. I did just speak with her and she clarified her text.

    She told me she was driving down her street at 15-20mph and the speedo was reading in the 50s and 60s. It also said the battery was very low. The 12V was replaced with a new Optima in November.
     
    #4 TheToolMan, Sep 4, 2018
  5. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The battery screen may be a red herring.

    Good to hear you are checking fluids.

    Does the dome light work?
    Do the computer screens come on?
     
    #5 ericbecky, Sep 4, 2018
  6. TheToolMan

    TheToolMan New Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Five
    I'm going to head over there in the morning and check it out. I will post my findings. Thanks for all your help.
     
    #6 TheToolMan, Sep 4, 2018
  7. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Any chance the speedometer is on kilometers per hour instead of miles per hour?
     
    #7 ericbecky, Sep 4, 2018
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  8. VFerdman

    VFerdman Senior Member

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    whenever some funky stuff happens, I would check the 12V battery first. Just because it was replaced does not mean it wasn't drained by mistake (like the hatch not closed all the way and the light staying on). Low 12V battery can produce strange symptoms.
     
    #8 VFerdman, Sep 4, 2018
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    1) how fast did she think she was going? i have often pulled onto the highway at 60mph.

    2) 'battery said it was low'. the battery can be low at any time depending on circumstances. she just may have freaked out, and everything is normal.
     
    #9 bisco, Sep 4, 2018
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  10. TheToolMan

    TheToolMan New Member

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    Five
    1) She definitely wasn't going 60. She estimates 15-20, and that is about right for speed on her street.

    2) She does worry a lot. I will test the battery tomorrow.
     
    #10 TheToolMan, Sep 4, 2018
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    gotcha, she didn't mean 'highway'.:)
     
    #11 bisco, Sep 4, 2018
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