1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Car not starting and probably 12v

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Hakam, Nov 10, 2023.

  1. Hakam

    Hakam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2022
    14
    3
    0
    Location:
    Jordan, Amman
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello guys. So I have been starting my car without driving it once each week for 15 minutes until after like 1 month it stopped starting. The first thing I did was jumpstarting and it worked fine but it seems it only starts by Jumpstarting it. I don't really have that experience in cars and want to know some details before driving it to the mechanic. Since getting the mechanic to the car is so expensive, I would like a safe way to start it and drive it to the mechanic, and I was wondering if it's ok to Jumpstart it and drive it there, I mean is this a safe method to do? And please provide with more details or tips on what to do.
     
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,855
    3,967
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If you are not driving your car week on week, starting it for only 15 minutes once a week is likely to deplete your battery faster. You need at a bare minimum to start it for one hour once per week. One hour twice a week would be better. For your current situation, you'd be advised to fully charge your 12 V battery with a 5 Amp battery charger.
    Yes, sure there would be no problem doing this, but if you charged it for longer, you wouldn't need a mechanic visit.

    Is there a reason you're not using a battery charger (a fully automatic multi-stage one) while the car is not driven?
     
  3. Primetime Paul

    Primetime Paul Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2023
    31
    10
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    If your car is parked outside you can piece together a small solar panel and charge controller. Very cheap and easy you can get the parts at harbor freight.
    I used this on a class c RV that was stored for almost a year and no battery drain.

    First
    You'll need to test your battery to make sure it's good, most auto parts places will charge it fully and load test it, but you will need to take it out.



    30 Amp Solar Charge Controller

    Solar Power Connection Cable Kit

    1.5 Watt Solar Battery Maintainer

    Pixel 7 Pro ?
     
  4. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,376
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Probably time to give up your car or move back to a Yaris or Corolla that just requires gas The savings aren't helping you it sounds like
     
  5. Hakam

    Hakam Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 31, 2022
    14
    3
    0
    Location:
    Jordan, Amman
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Actually i didn't even know there is a charger for the battery. Since I don't have it do you think it is possible to remove the battery and take it to the mechanic so he can charge it there?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,675
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Definitely get a charger, a smart charger, 3~4 amp rating. Having a fuel efficient car and driving it purely to charge the battery doesn't sound right, does it...

    We're in the same boat: last drive was eight days ago. Our car LIVES on a charger, pretty much constantly between uses: a CTEK 4.3 (current iteration is CTEK 5). I've wired in the CTEK supplied quick-connect cable, makes hook up easy. Our battery was 8 years installed as of September, still tests like new.

    How old is the battery? I'd suspect it's toast, with that history. You could do a simple voltage test first (with a digital multimeter, $20~ for a cheap one), and post here. Test directly at the battery posts.

    For a better test something like Solar BA9 (an electronic load tester, one of many) will diagnose the battery, determine it's viability.

    Or you can bring the loose battery into most automotive retailers, ones that sell batteries, have them test it for free. Phone in advance: it would be good find a place that has your specific battery in stock, makes it one-stop shopping if the current battery proves to be dead (which it likely will).
     
  7. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    10,376
    1,792
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Even an old age until I'm hoveround bound or something I can come up with a way to drive the car 16 miles a day or some such nonsense It's fun to do something else to do all that sort of thing so until I medically unable everything seems to be reasonable.