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Battery questions after jump start.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Carolyn Avery, Dec 16, 2020.

  1. Carolyn Avery

    Carolyn Avery New Member

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    I needed a jump start the other night - I had idled in a long drive thru line forever and hadn't put it in park. Ate in the parking lot with the car off and doors locked, finished, turned on the car, the alarm sounded (doors were locked), unlocked the doors, and the alarm turned off but car wouldn't start and doors wouldn't lock/unlock. Geico app (have roadside assistance)- called for help - they sent someone who jump started my car. Drove around for 35 minutes and it's been fine since. Just want to know if I should be worried because I needed to jump start the battery? Here's some more info:

    • car is a 2007 prius (not touring).
    • has about 147,500 miles
    • I hadn't put the car in Park when I was idling in the long drive-thru lane (a message on my screen later told me that park will regenerate the battery but neutral won't...I had had it in drive with my foot on the brake)
    • I don't know what the alarm is - I bought the car used and it has this alarm where if I start the car and the doors are locked the alarm goes off. I've gotten into the habit of not doing that but occasionally forget. I guess all the idling and the alarm wiped out most of the battery?
    • Battery did not completely die - when I turned on inner lights they turned on, although dim.
    So just wondering if this means anything as far as health of my battery? Thanks for any insight.
     
    #1 Carolyn Avery, Dec 16, 2020
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Probably has a weak 12v battery that doesn't hold a charge well. A dealer or auto supply can test. They are expensive agm batteries typically around $200. Often Toyota can sell you a better battery than the auto supplies at a similar price.
     
    #2 rjparker, Dec 16, 2020
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    always use drive, park or off. limit use of neutral
     
    #3 bisco, Dec 16, 2020
  4. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    That shouldn't have discharged your battery in the same way that leaving it in Neutral would. A weak battery is unpredictable, it will cause problems that seem random. There is probably no connection between what you did while in the car and not being able to start it later.
     
    #4 davecook89t, Dec 16, 2020
    SFO and jerrymildred like this.
  5. Farsan

    Farsan New Member

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    Hey Carolyn!
    I am having the same issue with my car, the alarm goes off when I jump start. Could you please clarify how you got the alarm to stop? Does you just use the unlock button in the fob?
     
    #5 Farsan, Dec 16, 2020
  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    What @davecook89t said. If it was in drive, it was trying to charge the battery. Could be an old and tired 12V battery or it might be a loose connection either at the battery terminals or where the ground connects to the car's body.

    Still, the advice about not sitting in neutral is good, especially in regards to the traction battery, which is what that message was about that you saw.
     
    #6 jerrymildred, Dec 16, 2020
    davecook89t likes this.
  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!

    How many hours per week are you currently driving?

    12v batteries don't last forever, when was yours last replaced?
     
    #7 SFO, Dec 16, 2020
    Raytheeagle, jerrymildred and davecook89t like this.
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    12 volt battery is toast. Dont bother getting it tested all that does is subject your car to more 12 volt nonsense and you never know if the guy testing it is an idiot and damages your car further. Replace it.

    There's 2 things you really need to be aware of the 12 volt is the least of your worry's.

    1 is the hybrid battery is right at the sweet spot mileage wise to begin failing. Its the most common thing on this site as no one is driving much anymore and it kills the 12 volt battery like yours and the hybrid battery. The hybrid battery repair or replace is very expensive and a real hassle the car is a 4000 lb paper weight without a good hybrid battery.

    The other most common post on here especially if you live in California is G2 Prius are getting there catalytic converters stolen like crazy its fully epidemic and is a constant post on this site. In CA you must use a OEM cat to pass emissions as they examine it and stock cat is $1551. + installation.

    Go on you tube and search:

    Prius Stolen

    lots of good California stolen cat info.

    While on youtube search Prius Battery for all the hybrid battery posts.

    You can also use our search function its the link up top says search forums search the word STOLEN CAT and then HYBRID BATTERY
     
    #8 edthefox5, Dec 16, 2020
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2020
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