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ICE Starting Sooner and battery charging higher.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by PearlDriver, Oct 5, 2007.

  1. PearlDriver

    PearlDriver Junior Member

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    Almost overnight I've notice the ICE starting sooner and the battery charging more.

    When I first start the car I use to have enough time to back out of my garage or parking spot before the ICE started, this past week it has suddenly started starting almost immediately.

    During this same week I've noticed more green bars. Today the battery was full and while at a stoplight the ICE started cycling in an apparent attempt to burn off juice.

    I haven't changed my driving style nor routes (although today wasn't a work day so no commute). Just before this started I did a 400 mile r/t on I-5. On the trip out I was in a hurry doing up to 75 MPH and an average of 46 MPG. On the return I slowed to 60-70 and got 55 MPG.

    I've often felt my car has "moods" where I get good or better mileage (never fair or bad) and this concerns me.

    I've got just over 6000 miles in two months and my tanks have all been between 50.5 and 56.

    Are these things normal? Any thing I should be watching for? Need any other info?

    BTW I received my BH but haven't installed it yet. Now I'll wait until I know what's going on before installing it.
     
    #1 PearlDriver, Oct 5, 2007
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I'm concerned about the symptoms you describe. I think the trip and such are red herrings.

    The only 'easy' thing I can think of that might cause some of those symptoms is if you have inadvertently turned on one of the defrosters...that could be forcing the ICE to run more and pouring more 'excess' juice into the battery since it's not really needing to run. Also check that your AC isn't on "Max Cold"

    If the behavior continues and it's not one of the problems above I think it's clearly going to need to be taken in. My Prius has never started up that quickly. That said...my wife's Highlander Hybrid WILL start immediately at times, particularly if the engine is cold (ie Cold weather/winter)...has it been particularly cold in WA this past week? It's possible that the programming on the later model Prii has been changed to be more similar to that of the HiHy and the start up is sooner to begin warming the ICE as soon as possible. Perhaps some late model owners who've experience similar can chime in.
     
    #2 efusco, Oct 5, 2007
  3. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PearlDriver @ Oct 4 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]521566[/snapback]</div>
    10/01/2007 - ICE starting immediately. When you back out briskly, does the ICE shutdown and restart when you move forward? When you start the car and let it idle, does it run for about a minute and stop like Ken@Japan's Prius:
    [​IMG]

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PearlDriver @ Oct 4 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]521566[/snapback]</div>
    10/01/2007 - ICE cycling at a stop even with battery full. If the ICE temperature is too cool, the ICE will run. Although the temperature range of the NHW20 is better than the NHW11, it remains a risk.
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PearlDriver @ Oct 4 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]521566[/snapback]</div>
    Your highway mileage is about right. As you may have noticed, ~70 mph is the boundary between +50 MPG and -50 MPG. This is an area needing a little more experimental investigation for the NHW20. In the case of my 03, NHW11, 68 mph seems to be the highest, efficient speed. Anything over 68 mph begins to take a significant MPG hit.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PearlDriver @ Oct 4 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]521566[/snapback]</div>
    When was the oil changed? What is the level on the dipstick? What is your tire pressure? These things need to be checked anytime the car is worked on by mechanics.
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PearlDriver @ Oct 4 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]521566[/snapback]</div>
    Temperatures and precipitation from 08/01/07 to current would help. Our hybrids are sensitive to cooler temperatures, especially the temperature at dawn. Also, rain has an effect.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PearlDriver @ Oct 4 2007, 11:18 PM) [snapback]521566[/snapback]</div>
    No need to wait on the EBH. You don't have to use it if you are concerned but putting it in when the weather gets colder is not pleasant.

    Bob Wilson
     
    #3 bwilson4web, Oct 5, 2007
  4. bhaynnes

    bhaynnes Member

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    I have an 06 and the ice almost always starts as soon as I put it into reverse. Even more so during the colder days. It was a chilly 63 degrees here this morning. I had to get a jacket. :unsure:
     
    #4 bhaynnes, Oct 5, 2007
  5. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I would guess the ICE starting sooner is due to the lower ambient temps (it's Fall). Pearl starts about 3-5 secs. after being put in reverse. If she was driven the day before, coolant temps are around 45-50C at startup, and she shuts off again after about 30 sec. Pearl sleeps in an unheated heavily insulated garage, currently about 15C inside.

    I maintain, due to my own experience, that as the car "breaks in" the battery reaches green more often. I didn't see green bars in Pearl until the car was two months old. Now I see them at least once a week, even though I'm driving in the city on mostly level roads.
     
    #5 David Beale, Oct 5, 2007
  6. PearlDriver

    PearlDriver Junior Member

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    Thank you to all who answered. I didn't respond sooner as I wanted to see how things were set and make any changes based on the Doctor's diagnosis. Then test drive a bit.

    Lack of experience and knowledge seem to be the problem.

    Both the AC button and the front defrost button were depressed when I started the car yesterday. This AM things seem to be closer to what I'm used to, nearly completing my u-turn backing out before ICE started. I even took the same route I did the other day and although I got green bars (lots of downhill) there was always room for more--my eyes can't quite tell each bar but assuming ten is max and it switches between blue and green at 8. I only got as high as 8 or 9.

    I did get the oil changed at 3750 and the level is fine.

    I can't believe I was not thinking and that installing but not using the EBH wouldn't effect anything. Good catch, I'll install it first chance I get so I can start using it as soon as I'm convinced this is behind me. I'm 99% convinced already, all that's left is shutting down tonight with AC and defrost on and having the same symptoms tomorrow.

    The weather change was causing a little fog on the inside windows so I thought the defrost would help. I work on the ferries and my car is parked on the pier so I'm dealing with a fairly damp environment along with this being foggy season. Any suggestions on best Climate Control settings?
     
    #6 PearlDriver, Oct 6, 2007
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