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2013 Prius C - Bring it back from the dead...?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Minter66, Jul 24, 2019.

  1. Minter66

    Minter66 New Member

    Joined:
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    Model:
    Four
    Hello all,

    I have been browsing this forum as of late looking for answers but just haven't found anything for my specific scenario.

    Recently I came across at 2013 Prius C with 51,000 miles. Owner states it has good trans/engine but traction battery is bad. He bought it at auction about 3 months ago but is in over his head and just wants to offload the car.

    It's for $2500 right now and a refurb'd battery with 18 month warranty is $1050 here locally.

    I have a few big questions as I'd like to buy this, refurb it and make it my new commuter car (currently driving 2004 Cavalier with 200,000 miles on it)

    1) Is there any way to test the Prius electronics without the traction battery hooked up? The owner states it was disconnected under the back seat due to it "messing up" - I don't know to what level it was messing up, but would be hesitate reconnecting it back to the vehicle.

    2) If I take a jumper and just hook 12V up to the lead points in the engine bay, will this give me enough voltage to verify mileage and other 12V accessories? My main concern is the whole electrical system is fried which is why this guy is offloading it.

    3) Prior to auction - it had last been registered in 2015 - so potentially sat for 3 - 4 years - I need to zero out the fluids and my main concern is gasoline - is there an easy way to drain the bladder/tank so I can put fresh fuel in there?

    4) Anything else I need to look out for that were common issues on the 2013 Prius C?

    Thank you so much in advance. Looking at the vehicle Friday - will run the VIN through Carfax and verify it is not flood/salvage as well as check in all the usual spots to verify it was not a flood car.
     
    #1 Minter66, Jul 24, 2019
  2. Minter66

    Minter66 New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    As far as #3 - Just called the owner back and asked how much fuel was in the vehicle and he says it is almost empty. So no concern on that. I will just add 93 octane fuel in there to dilute whatever is left of the old fuel and make it burnable

    Possibly add some fuel injector cleaner as well.
     
    #2 Minter66, Jul 24, 2019
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  3. dubit

    dubit Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    It's for $2500 right now and a refurb'd battery with 18 month warranty is $1050 here locally.

    Sounds like a great deal, but don't buy a refurbished battery or you'll be right back where you started. In doubt of that? Read the MULTIPLE threads on refurbished batteries around here.

    1) Is there any way to test the Prius electronics without the traction battery hooked up?

    No

    2) If I take a jumper and just hook 12V up to the lead points in the engine bay, will this give me enough voltage to verify mileage and other 12V accessories?

    Yes but be careful here - connect it wrong and you'll end up blowing fuses all over the place. Prius' don't take kindly to reverse polarity.

    3) Prior to auction - it had last been registered in 2015 - so potentially sat for 3 - 4 years - I need to zero out the fluids and my main concern is gasoline - is there an easy way to drain the bladder/tank so I can put fresh fuel in there?

    I personally wouldn't change any fluids at all. (Seen your 2nd post on the gas, yes I'd do the same) People here when they see this will go all crazy and tell you otherwise however.

    4) Anything else I need to look out for that were common issues on the 2013 Prius C?

    None that I'm aware of.

    Sidenote's.

    Do purchase a Toyota battery. I can't stress enough how bad of an idea it is to go with a refurbished traction battery.

    Purchase a new 12v battery. All sort of weird things happen to Prius' with a weak/bad/failing 12v battery.

    I'm guessing when you do get a traction battery in there, it's still not going to move and will have multiple codes thrown. Purchase "Techstream" software so you can maybe diagnose some of the issues you encounter. It's the software most people talk about here. Me I just go to the dealership, but hey - I grew up there so it doesn't cost me anything.

    Be prepared that this $2500 your spending to purchase the vehicle will probably require another $2500 + to get rolling again. (That's including the traction battery) Personally I'd jump all over this vehicle. But then I don't have to worry about working on it having a brother and son who are both master techs. I just throw cash their way. lol
     
    #3 dubit, Jul 25, 2019
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    @2k1Toaster what would be needed to fit your new cell kit to a Prius c?
     
    #4 Prodigyplace, Jul 25, 2019
  5. Minter66

    Minter66 New Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Thank you for the advice. Good to know these little suckers aren't really all that fragile.
     
    #5 Minter66, Jul 25, 2019
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    if it was the traction battery, why wouldn't it have qualified for warranty?
     
    #6 bisco, Jul 26, 2019
    iceman13 and Prodigyplace like this.
  7. iceman13

    iceman13 Member

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    That’s true. You should call Toyota and find out about this option. It’s obviously still under the 10yr/100k miles warranty for the hybrid system.
     
    #7 iceman13, Jul 27, 2019
    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller likes this.
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    8 years
     
    #8 bisco, Jul 27, 2019
    iceman13 likes this.
  9. Minter66

    Minter66 New Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Four
    Typical jerk Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace seller.

    Had an appointment to take my Tundra and car dolly down to pick up the car this past Friday. Thursday I notice the car has been removed from Marketplace and I message the seller if we were still good for Friday.

    "Nah, decided to just replace the battery and sell for more"

    *sigh* - back to the Cavalier with 200k.

    And yes, I fully planned on picking it up and taking it directly to Toyota of Grapevine to have them replace the battery under the 8/100 warranty. Guess I should have jumped harder on the deal.

    Still appreciate all the advice and input, if I find another deal like that, I will act faster
     
    #9 Minter66, Jul 29, 2019
    dubit and bisco like this.
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