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Start Prius when Traction Battery is one bar.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Chicov, Nov 16, 2018.

  1. Chicov

    Chicov Junior Member

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    Gas leak in line, patched with epoxy. Drove to mechanic. On way patch blew off, drove until engine stopped (still fuel in tank, maybe not enough pressure from fuel pump). Drove on traction battery until car stopped at one bar. Pushed last block.
    Question : if engine does not start after fuel line fixed, how to get engine started so as to recharge Traction battery, to be able to get engine started?
     
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    If the Traction (HV) battery is low enough that it cannot start the engine you will need to recharge it. There is no way to start the engine once the Traction battery is depleted.
     
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  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Not sure that is a good suggestion.......for someone who tries to fix a gas leak with epoxy.......and then continues to drive when he knows the leak has come back. :eek:
     
  5. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    We all begin life with no knowledge. Hopefully, we learn from our mistakes, but better yet to learn from others' mistakes. :D
     
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  6. Piro133a

    Piro133a Junior Member

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    Epoxy is great for temporary fixes. Not sure if weakened by gasoline though. I used a "shit ton" of epoxy on a radiator in my gen2 recently (being very careful that no smears were inside the radiator to get knocked loose internally). Got 80 miles out of it driving to junkyards.....near the end there was a small drip that had found it's way out through the epoxy.
     
  7. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Some but not all.
    No good solvents in epoxy to cut through surface oil or other contamination.
    So the parts need to be squeaky clean.
    Also it doesn't stick to some materials good......even if they are clean.
     
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  8. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Chicov,
    You likely wore the high voltage down so low it cannot start the car.

    You can use a voltmeter to check it. (Carefully, as it is high voltage.)
    Or can use an app like torque pro. You will need an Android phone/tablet as well as an elm 327 Bluetooth Obdii adaptor to run the app.

    Some ideas for charging it.
    buy a charger
    build a charger
    repurpose a high voltage power supply
    pay an independent hybrid mechanic to charge it
    pay dealer to charge it
     
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  9. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    If the OP had one bar left?
    Can we hope the vehicle will just start?
    Experts...let me know.
    Is one bar left hopeless?
    It absolutely has no chance of starting?

    I would make sure there is enough fuel and just give it a shot.

    If you're lucky it will just start, and you can drive it to a better hybrid battery charge level.
    I've always understood that the gauge actually represents a "middle way" approach. That is, when the battery is low, it really isn't as low as it is reading...and when it is showing Max, it really isn't as max as it is showing.

    I'd hope once the fuel line is repaired, that perhaps the vehicle will just start. Make sure there is enough fuel in the vehicle to reset.

    Otherwise yes, It becomes a lot more problematic and a challenge. -All the advice before mentioned.
    But the first thing I would do, is have the fuel line properly repaired, make sure there is enough fuel in the vehicle for it to register, and simply push the start button.

    Not much IMO to lose. If it doesn't start? You're in the exact same projected hole.
    But the optimist in me, thinks..."Maybe it will just start?".

    PS.
    If it doesn't start? I wouldn't push it. Don't want to drain it further.
    But I'd give it at least one shot.
     
    #9 The Electric Me, Nov 18, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2018
  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Used to see that a lot years ago on this site. People would try to get the last drop out of the gas tank to increase there mileage and run out of gas. Then would drive on the hybrid battery till that died.
    Then come on this site pissed that it ran out of gas lol.

    Back then the 200 volt charger was a rarity and would have to be to be shipped in from Japan. $$$$$$$

    Bottom line is you will need to get your hands on a Prolong Charger and install the charging cable to the battery. Tic toc because that old battery will not enjoy sitting dead for long period of time.
     
    #10 edthefox5, Nov 18, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2018
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  11. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I just assumed that the OP already tried a few times after already draining it by driving it on electric til it died.
     
  12. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I assumed just the opposite, since the OP had a leaking gas line, and was evidently out of gas. What good is trying to start it, if you know you don't have gas?

    But in any case, once the gas line is fixed---this is first repair, priority one.
    And enough gas is added.

    My simple first thing, would be to just see if it starts.

    It might not work.
    Unfortunately the OP may of drained his HV battery to a point where it won't boot up even with gas and a non-leaking gas line.

    I think we are focusing on the HV battery...
    When the FIRST problem was really running out of gas, because the gas line was broken.

    The OP IMO needs to do at least two things. Fix the gas line...(fill the gas tank).
    Then determine the condition of the HV battery.

    I'm just being optimistic that maybe the HV battery might be robust enough to bounce back enough to at least start the vehicle.
    If so?
    It would make the OP's challenge here, a lot easier.

    My optimism may be unfounded. It may be too late for the HV battery on it's own.

    I hope the OP comes back to at least let us know what happened.
     
  13. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    When you run the car out of gas is there a way to bleed the air out of the lines before attempting to start it?