Left our '02 parked in Drive. Now it won't start.

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Tryyn, Aug 13, 2020.

Tags:
  1. Tryyn

    Tryyn Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2020
    39
    8
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    My grandfather and I bought a 2002 a couple months ago. It has been well maintained (was an electrical company car) and is still on its original traction pack. The pack tests out well (Dr. Prius). My grandpa's been driving it regularly. He plans to give it to me when I get my license, and I'm something of a tech historian myself, so that's why I wanted a gen 1.
    A week ago, he parked it and didn't realize he left it in Drive. Today he tried to start it, and it wouldn't boot. No beeps. No lights. No multi-display. I suppose the 12V is dead? Is that the case or did we do anything else to it?

    Thanks!
    - Tryyn
     
    #1 Tryyn, Aug 13, 2020
  2. vaughnstark777

    vaughnstark777 Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2012
    180
    33
    0
    Location:
    Roy, WA
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I would try to jump the 12v first. Then go from there.
     
    #2 vaughnstark777, Aug 13, 2020
    WHCSC and Tryyn like this.
  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,517
    14,132
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    A week in drive? It may have run out of gas and then drained both batteries. :eek: Try jump starting it to see if it will start. Just make dead sure you have the polarity right before you connect the jumper cables.
     
    #3 jerrymildred, Aug 13, 2020
    WHCSC likes this.
  4. Tryyn

    Tryyn Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2020
    39
    8
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    A week, key OFF, in Drive. Hybrid system was off.
     
    #4 Tryyn, Aug 13, 2020
  5. Trombone

    Trombone Member

    Joined:
    Oct 26, 2019
    258
    94
    0
    Location:
    Allentown, Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'm puzzled. You can't take the key out of the ignition when the car is in D (Drive); it only comes out when it's in P (Park). So the car was sitting with key left in, in D gear. Was it left in "Ready" mode? In any case, you've surely fried the 12V battery, which is now dead, so you won't get any action at all. If car was left in "Ready," you may have depleted the hybrid battery as well. Charge the 12V battery and hope for the best.
     
    #5 Trombone, Aug 13, 2020
  6. Tryyn

    Tryyn Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2020
    39
    8
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    The vehicle was off. The key was taken out. For some reason that interlock isn't working. Is something wrong with the ignition switch itself?
     
    #6 Tryyn, Aug 13, 2020
  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,517
    14,132
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I admit that I'm not a Gen1 expert, but it sure sounds like something's wrong with the ignition switch. Since he's nearby, maybe @ericbecky can advise.
     
    #7 jerrymildred, Aug 14, 2020
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    25,678
    16,775
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    If it was OFF with the key out for the week, it should still really have been OFF though, and not drained the battery.

    If there's a problem with the shift interlock circuits (as it already sounds like there is), maybe that's also the explanation for not starting? It has to think it's in Park. (Not just look like it's in Park; the ECU has to be seeing the interlock signal saying it's in Park.)

    But if it's really dead, no lights anywhere, I guess that's not it.
     
    #8 ChapmanF, Aug 14, 2020
  9. Tryyn

    Tryyn Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2020
    39
    8
    0
    Location:
    Madison, WI
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    UPDATE: put the 12V on a charger and now it runs fine. Now we need to get that interlock checked out...
     
    #9 Tryyn, Aug 19, 2020
    bisco, Aaron Vitolins and jerrymildred like this.
  10. Larry Hill

    Larry Hill Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 4, 2015
    2
    1
    0
    Location:
    West Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This is a bit off topic, but last year I got out of my 2003 Prius and had accidentally left it in Drive and Ready mode. It had kicked off and was therefore silent. I did NOT get any warning tone when leaving the car. An hour later I found that it had started up to charge the battery and had enough at idle to roll over the hill into the woods and was totaled hitting a tree - still in Ready mode and engine running when I found it. I had recently put a reconditioned battery in it and pushed the insurance co to give me a good settlement which I put into a 2002 Prius. Bought the carcass back from insurance co and had loads of spare parts, including a good battery pack.
     
    #10 Larry Hill, Aug 29, 2020
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)