Prius Won't Start Despite New 12V Battery

Connections could be a problem. Also check the negative cable's connection on the chassis. Verifying voltage with a meter at the front jump pump is also important. Sounds like a high current draw on the 12v even when shutdown. Could be the hatch light. Have to get the battery charged up and try once again. A good mechanic can find the current draw with a dc clamp meter while pulling fuses one for one.

 

I hate to put it this way, but are you sure they really replaced your 12V auxiliary battery with new?

 

could be something is draining it while off

 

No, you're kidding yourself.

 

.......... have you had the inverter firmware updates? Check oil regularly...and keep a eye on the coolant level....Hybrids are great till things start going wrong... and if you can't do the repairs yourself...... it's very $$$$$

 

Any resolution to this? I am in a similar predicament:

2013 Prius v with 135,000 miles on it. Wife was driving home from picking up our daughter, said that the car, while driving, went from drive to neutral and then shut off. Wouldn't start again. Interior lights turned on, dash turned on but no maintenance lights. Power button when pushed goes from green to orange and then nothing - car doesn't start. Had it towed to the nearest auto shop. I requested they replace the 12v with a brand new one just because I know they are tricky and didn't trust the auto shop to make a legit diagnosis on reading battery levels (just because they don't specialize in hybrids). Just got a call that they replaced the battery but are still having the same issues and they suggested I have it towed to the dealer to diagnose. So, unless they didn't replace the battery correctly, something else must be going on. Any ideas?

Just to recap:

• Car went from drive to neutral to shutting off and won't turn on
• Inside lights work including the dash which shows no concerning lights
• Power button goes from green to orange when pushed like normal to start but car doesn't turn on
• New battery installed

 

Really not enough information to be specific but your mechanic should have read codes at least. I would expect some dash warning lights and even the big red triangle. Wild guess - your inverter failed. If so you may get a free one from Toyota.

Saving money on a diagnosis is not the best idea on a hybrid unless the independent shop is a Prius specialist. They exist and sometimes they will save money but other times they will not be the best option as they may not know about recalls known as customer support programs.

 

For sure. I appreciate the response. My wife made the call to AAA and just picked the nearest auto shop since she had a screaming baby in the back seat. I may have it towed to the dealer next week because the auto shop doesn't seem too confident in their abilities.

 

Why might I get a free inverter from the dealer if it failed?

 

Because Toyota watches our back when they design something that fails a lot. Many of these have failed so they put a ten year unlimited mile warranty (called a customer support program) on them.

If you have your address on record with them you may have received a notice from Toyota earlier this year.

 

That's great news - thanks for sharing. Now I'm hoping it's the inverter!

 

These symptoms are consistent with an inverter failure

This is not. An inverter failure should trigger a Check Hybrid System notification and perhaps ABS/Traction Control notifications.

 

Did you get this issue resolved? i've got the same scenario going on right now with my 2013 Prius V. all the lights are on, i replaced the 12V battery, and the key fob, and now no luck. Was the inverter the issue?