Prius 2013 goes into ready mode but engine won't start. key fob is still working

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Sarah Burgart, Jul 4, 2019.

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  1. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    Ive checked all the suggestions I have found on the forum so far, and elsewhere. Brake lights and key fob are both still working, lights are normal brightness.

    What isn't working: If I depress the brake pedal fully and press the Start battery the light turns green on the start button. When I remove my foot from the brake pedal, light turns amber.

    If I try to shift to another gear while brake pedal is depressed it won't shift, and it doesn't sound like the engine is actually turned out, just hypothetically ready to do so.

    Any hints/ help / troubleshooting suggestions would be appreciated.

    I could try and find a jumpstart, but I am thinking that since the lights aren't dim and the key fob is still working it probably isn't the battery?
     
    #1 Sarah Burgart, Jul 4, 2019
  2. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Check your 12v battery
     
    #2 tankyuong, Jul 4, 2019
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you say that it goes into ready mode. if correct, you don't need a jump and your 12v is fine.

    does the 'ready' light up?
     
    #3 bisco, Jul 4, 2019
  4. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean by 'the 'ready''

    The Start button turns green when I press it with my foot on the brake, if I take my foot off, instead of doing the usual, continue to run, it turns amber
     
    #4 Sarah Burgart, Jul 4, 2019
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  5. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    Based on what, please? I have none of the signs I have read about
     
    #5 Sarah Burgart, Jul 4, 2019
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    your title says 'prius 2013 goes into ready mode'.

    but ready mode is the actual word lit up on the dash.

    the fact that it is not going into ready mode usually means your 12v is low/dead.
     
    #6 bisco, Jul 5, 2019
  7. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    oh geez. I was conflating the green light with the full Ready Mode. thank you. I will acquire a voltmeter (as I am guessing jumping a good battery is not a recommended course of action)
     
    #7 Sarah Burgart, Jul 5, 2019
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    jumping a good battery is fine. it will tell you whether it is the battery, or something else.

    you can also pull it out and take it to an auto parts store for testing. how old is it?
     
    #8 bisco, Jul 5, 2019
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    also, make sure the brake lights come on when you press the pedal. there have been many reports of incorrectly adjusted or bad brake switches, and it is part of the starting circuit.
     
    #9 bisco, Jul 5, 2019
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  10. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    As far as I know, it's original, and the car has ~80k miles on it. I have not changed it at least since I got it with ~50k miles.

    Yes, the brake lights come on.
     
    #10 Sarah Burgart, Jul 5, 2019
  11. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    I have a battery tester arriving today
     
    #11 Sarah Burgart, Jul 5, 2019
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  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    excellent. now, we wait
     
    #12 bisco, Jul 5, 2019
  13. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    Battery tester says the battery is dead. Now to choose a new one! Any suggestions?
     
    #13 Sarah Burgart, Jul 7, 2019
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  14. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    The Optima Yellow S46B24R is a good choice. I’d just see what they have at your local auto parts store. Most auto parts stores will help you install it right in the parking lot, as long as they aren’t too busy.

    Because the battery is inside the car, there is a tube used to vent hydrogen gas outside. Be sure that tube is connected when the new battery is installed. Hydrogen gas is flammable (remember the Hindenburg?), and venting the gas prevents the possibility of the hydrogen igniting in your car (which isn’t very likely, but...)

    The Prius 12V battery is somewhat unique: It’s not used for turning the starter motor, and it’s charged from the Big Battery. All it does is “boot up” the electrical system. That’s why these batteries are so small and long-lasting. The only problem, really, is that with traditional car batteries, you can tell when they’re dead because you either get no electricity at all, or the engine turns slowly but doesn’t start. The Prius doesn’t give you any clue that it’s the battery. Don’t bother with an extended warranty or anything silly.
     
    #14 Rebound, Jul 7, 2019
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  15. Sarah Burgart

    Sarah Burgart New Member

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    Yeah, now the problem is just getting the car to the auto parts store ... Hoping it can get there with a jump

    And thanks!
     
    #15 Sarah Burgart, Jul 7, 2019
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i like the oem. after that, there are a few options, none of which i would say are unworthy
     
    #16 bisco, Jul 7, 2019
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  17. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I'm also a big fan of the OEM battery. Something kind of appealing with that 84 month warranty. ;)
     
    #17 jerrymildred, Jul 7, 2019
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  18. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    My $65 AGM is still behaving well after 53 months, despite occasional inadvertent abuse.
     
    #18 CR94, Jul 7, 2019
  19. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Is that the scooter battery?
     
    #19 tankyuong, Jul 9, 2019
  20. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    U1 size, which is used for numerous purposes, including mobility devices. Not difficult to adapt to Prius, including venting.
     
    #20 CR94, Jul 9, 2019
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