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Seldom Drive, Won't Start, Check Engine Light (first COVID now THIS???)

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C, Apr 25, 2020.

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  1. I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C

    I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    New York
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    My wife and I just moved to New York five months ago (great timing, right?).

    We rarely drive our 2013 Prius C. Once per week for several months. Then COVID hit 6 weeks ago.
    So now every other week we loop the block. Two weeks ago it drove around the block fine.
    Had 1/2 to 1/3 of a tank.

    Last night I tried to turn it on and it powered up, but the radio display wouldn't turn on. I tried to turn it off after a minute or so, it wouldn't turn off. Tried again, no luck. Finally it turned off. I turned it back on again. Now the gas showed as 0 bars. The battery showed as 2/3rds full. The radio display still wouldn't turn on. The engine was making a kind of hum. Seemed weird. I turned it back off and opened the door. The locks would lock, but not unlock. I turned the car back off. I turned it back on. Now none of the dash lights up, just the check engine light comes on.

    I turn it back off. I get out and then lock and close the door. I make sure the FOB still unlocks the car. It does. I go to bed because it has been a hell of a week.

    So now it's day time and I need to deal with this. I have no mechanical experience or knowledge. Any help would be immensely appreciated. I'll start reading through the manual to see what it suggests, but I'm assuming this community is going to be a good resource. Thank you in advance.
     
    #1 I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C, Apr 25, 2020
  2. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Two
    Hello New Yorker and sorry for your situation. Without know how many miles are on your car and the repairs done, my uneducated guess is the 12 volt battery would be your first check. Then the traction Battery. Just my guess at this point.
     
    #2 Montgomery, Apr 25, 2020
    AlphaFox, iceman13, I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C and 1 other person like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can get a free 12v test at an auto parts store
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 25, 2020
    I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C likes this.
  4. I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C

    I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C Junior Member

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    Three
    I should have included that. 100k miles. No repairs had or needed. Got it checked before we moved. Always changed oil on time. Also did safety and emissions in January and no problems.
     
    #4 I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C, Apr 25, 2020
  5. I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C

    I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C Junior Member

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    2013 Prius c
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    Three
    I will call around to find a place and get it checked. Thank you.
     
    #5 I_Own_A_2013_Prius_C, Apr 25, 2020
    bisco likes this.
  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    You need a new 12 V battery.....and a plan to keep it charged better than what you were doing before.
    Like driving farther and more often......or connecting a smart charger occasionally.

    But at 7 years old, it probably was near the end of it's natural life anyway.
     
    #6 sam spade 2, Apr 25, 2020
    kenoarto and iceman13 like this.
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    What's your parking situation? Are you able to plug in a charger? Securely?
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, Apr 26, 2020
  8. AlphaFox

    AlphaFox New Member

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    Four
    you cant plug a Prius C into a charger. unless your referring to a 12V battery charger.
     
    #8 AlphaFox, May 8, 2020
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Yeah that's what I mean.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, May 8, 2020
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    I think it's rather obvious.
    The ENTIRE thread so far has been talking about the 12 V battery.

    And I think that most C owners already KNOW that it is not a "plug in" model !! :)
     
    #10 sam spade 2, May 9, 2020
    kenoarto likes this.
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Deleted, inflammatory.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, May 9, 2020
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Try the ignore user function ;).

    It saves your blood pressure:).

    And sanity(y).
     
    #12 Raytheeagle, May 9, 2020
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