Hello all, I bought a salvaged Prius this summer from a reputable shop that specializes in fixing damaged cars. Over the last couple months, however, my 2004 prius will not power up, it would just be electrically dead. But in 5 or 10 minutes, it will come back! It really seems like a loose wire somewhere is causing an all-or-none state of affairs. several weeks ago it wouldn't start, so I kicked the rear tire, and it instantly came on. If this is an issue of a loose cable/wire, where would this be? I did have to jump start it today because I tried allowing it to power-up spontaneously for a couple days, it wouldn't, so I jumped it and it worked. I'm going to take it to the shop next week, but it would be good to have an understanding of what this problem might be, perhaps something the mechanic might not think of. Thanks in advance!
If the jump starting always works, then you have to determine whether the 12 volt battery is in good condition, and if its electrical connections are clean and tight. Problems with this battery are not entirely rare in Prius. If the jump-starting success was only coincidental then unfortunately you have a lot of places to look. The body ECU or at least a few of the other computers could have poor connections? Please tell us that this was not a flood-damaged vehicle.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(tochatihu @ Nov 19 2006, 05:52 AM) [snapback]351649[/snapback]</div> He assured me it was in a front-end accident, however without more definitive proof, I can't really say. I believe him that it was a wreck, partly because he's a good enough business man to know how bad it would be for his reputation to sell flooded vehicles that this kind of thing will happen to regularly. Anyway, thanks very much Tochatihu, that helps. And I'll be sure to post the outcome when I take the car in. BTW, what's an ECU?
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(metalnut @ Nov 19 2006, 08:56 AM) [snapback]351704[/snapback]</div> Q. What is an ECU ? A. An ECU is a computer that manages your engine and keeps it running. It received data from the different sensors on the engine and reacts consequently, adjusting the level of fuel injected in the engine as well as the timing advance. BTW, I think you have hit on the solution. As a career pilot, I'd never think of moving my craft without first kicking the tire.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Alnilam @ Nov 19 2006, 02:34 PM) [snapback]351742[/snapback]</div> Kick the tires and light the fires... Tom
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(metalnut @ Nov 19 2006, 08:56 AM) [snapback]351704[/snapback]</div> Just for some closure to this thread, the apparent culprit in my system was (drumroll) a dead 12-v battery. Thank God. I'm still not sure why it came on when I kicked the tire, though .
One of the ways you can find out what damage was done to the car prior to your ownership, is to go to Carfax.com and pay the $29.00. If the car was sold at salvage then it should have a salvage registration which they would have on file.
