My sister has a 2014 PIP that will not start. Hasn't been started in 4 months so I presume the 12 volt battery is dead. If I simply plug the car into a power source will that charge the 12 volt battery? Or do I need to do a jump process (as found in manual). I have owned three Prii myself so am familiar with these vehicles. Thanks for your help.
I don't know if it will revive a dead battery but from my learnings along years of having a 2014 PIP, I know that keeping the car plugged in while on vacation etc will keep the batteries from dying. In my 2006 Prius I remember reading that if you leave the car for more than a couple weeks without using it, you will need to go into the maintenance screen on the display and shut off the fob sensor that is continuously pinging for the key fob (it's what turns on the dome light inside when you get close to the car). So it would be worth shutting off on this feature on any Prius that isn't plugged into some kind of battery charger or simply plugged in as normal , for PiPs, but yeah, you might as well try plugging it in and seeing what happens.
Thanks. I guess I will start by plugging the car in and see if the 12V battery charges. I presume I can charge it with a 115V extension cord. I need to review the manual for sure.
That's not going to work! 12V battery is only getting a charge as long as the traction battery is charging - once the traction battery is full all current to the 12V battery STOPS. If everything is dead; I doubt that's going to be enough juice for the 12V. Depending on how much you like your sister; you can just swap battery with a known good one. The one from your sister's car needs to be pulled, recharged, and tested - replace if necessary. Hope this helps..... You can use the jump point, under the hood to get the car started - but she may end up stranded the next time she tries to restart her again.
I appreciate the replies. I'll investigate further. It may be the factory 12 volt battery. I'll pull the it and put it on a charger. My old Gen II and my C had the battery under the rear seat and my Prius V's battery is easily accessible from the rear cargo area. I suppose hers is under the rear seat?
the car won't charge if the 12v is dead. so you have to attend to the 12v first, either a jump, a charge, or replacement.
The battery measured about 5.9 volts and will not take a charge. Ordered a battery from my local dealer and can pick it up tomorrow. The engine started right up when I used a jump starter. The installed battery was pretty new, built 1/23, but because the car has not been used in months and the SKS was left on, the battery is dead.
Yes to the first bit, but as far as I know SKS (Smart Key System) does not require shutting off on Prius v. Months of downtime for sure can kill a battery; a smart charger (5 amps or less) can be left on constantly. Or disconnect the neg cable and charge just periodically.
