My 2008 Prius Sounds Like A Racecar And Smells of Gas After 12V Battery Change (with video)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by mgonzales319, Jun 15, 2020.

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  1. mgonzales319

    mgonzales319 New Member

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    Hi!

    Last Tuesday I had my 12 V battery replaced. It drove fine after, but for the first 5 minutes after starting up, the gas meter showed I was almost on empty even though I had over half a tank before I took it in. After about 5ish minutes of driving, the gas meter accurately reflected the amount of gas I had. Then on Saturday, I went to start my car and I thought the Camaro parked behind me had started. The engine rumbled extremely loudly, shaking the car, and the inside smelled like gas. I turned it off and tried again. The video is my fourth attempt turning it on. Any ideas on what this could be and if it is connected to getting my battery replaced?? Thank you!
     
    #1 mgonzales319, Jun 15, 2020
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    Not connected. Look under the vehicle and see if someone has borrowed your catalytic converter or part of the exhaust system :cautious:
     
    #2 SFO, Jun 15, 2020
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the gas meter needs to reorient itself after a 12v change
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 15, 2020
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  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Yup, any time you disconnect the 12v battery, you'll lose fuel level indication until it calibrates itself. Could be 3 minutes or 3 hours.

    And Megan, I'm very sorry to say, the noise is likely due to someone stealing your catalytic converter.....the joy of living in California...In South Carolina, I think we're allowed to just bury thieves like that in the woods...:whistle:
     
    #4 TMR-JWAP, Jun 15, 2020
  5. nolotank

    nolotank Junior Member

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    From what I can see, the battery replacement went just fine. The fuel gauge does need to recalibrate every time 12v power is lost, so that's the cause of the behavior you saw. The fuel gauge should work as expected until the next time you disconnect the 12v battery. The automatic driver's window will also need recalibration - roll it all the way down and then all the way up and it should be good to go.

    As for the rumbling noise and smell of fuel, you've probably become a victim of catalytic converter theft. Your exhaust is being dumped right under the front end of the passenger compartment, resulting in the smell you noticed. Catalytic converter replacements are not cheap - about two thousand bucks. If that is the issue and you do decide to fix it, you might want to look into one of these right after... Catalytic Converter Protection - GetCatSecurity
     
    #5 nolotank, Jun 16, 2020
  6. mgonzales319

    mgonzales319 New Member

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    Thank you all so much for your help! When I went under the car to look I found that someone had definitely stolen my catalytic converter. At this point it's not worth the money for me to fix it, does anyone know how to sell a car without a catalytic converter? Thank you again!
     
    #6 mgonzales319, Jun 30, 2020
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    The correct procedure is as follows:

    When the 12 volt battery is disconnected

    The power windows must be initialized in order to ensure proper operation. (driver’s window only)
    1. Open the window halfway.
    2. Fully close the window by pulling the switch up and continue holding the switch for 1 second.
    The indicator on the switch changes from a flashing pattern to being on when initial settings are complete.
     
    #7 dolj, Jul 1, 2020
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