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wierd battery start problems

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by nathanielhierseman, Sep 30, 2004.

  1. nathanielhierseman

    nathanielhierseman New Member

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    I searched back through a few pages for a similar topic, but found nothing.

    I will start my car go to work and then come out to my car and it will not start. It's like the battery is dead. I go the the trunk make sure the wires are on tight, kick the battery (not really) sit back in my car and with a little delay, it starts.

    I wake up this morning to go to work same issue. I mess with the wires except this time it doesn't help. I put a charger on it. I am beginning to think its not the battery, and might be something else?

    Any suggestions?

    2003 model btw, I was going to call a dealership today to see if they could give me some info, or could look at it. Just thought I would check the knowledge base here as well.

    Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 nathanielhierseman, Sep 30, 2004
  2. tms13

    tms13 Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Lochcarron, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    Can you explain what you mean by "not start"?

    As you can unlock the car and open the boot (trunk), you clearly have a working 12V system.

    When you insert the fob, does the red immobiliser light stop flashing?

    What happens when you press Power? Do you get any warning lights, or does it just sit there as if nothing happened? Or do you get speedometer display, but can't put it into drive ?

    Are you using Smart Start? If so, does it work if you insert the fob? It's possible that the car isn't spotting the fob immediately. Actually, I can't remember whether a 2003 model has Smart Start (we don't get it at all here, on any model).

    Sorry for all the questions, but I'm hoping a little more detail might help someone to recognise your problem.
     
    #2 tms13, Sep 30, 2004
  3. nathanielhierseman

    nathanielhierseman New Member

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    Hello tms, I appreciate the reply.

    By not start.... The lights on the dash turn on, but they are very dim. Seem to get bright then dim, bright then dim again and it just hangs. So it appears that the battery is weak. It almost sounds as if it IS trying to start but nothing turns over. Just hangs.

    Yes the unlock works. I do not have an automatic trunk opener.

    I apologize for being a newbie here, but I am not sure what red immobiliser light is. When I insert the key there are no lights flashing at me.

    When I press power on what? Just like I said above the lights turn on but are very dim.

    No I do not think I am using smart start. I am not sure what that is either.

    I am going to go home over lunch as I have a charger on it now and attempt to start. I hope I have provided enough information for some attempt at troubleshooting.

    Thanks again
     
    #3 nathanielhierseman, Sep 30, 2004
  4. tms13

    tms13 Member

    Joined:
    May 25, 2004
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    Location:
    Lochcarron, UK
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Business Ed. Plus
    I have to admit that I'd typed most of my reply before re-reading your post and noticing that yours is a 2003 model - mine's a 2004. So most of the things that don't make sense are things that apply to a 2004. Sorry if I've added more confusion.

    Can someone more familiar with the Classic help here?
     
    #4 tms13, Sep 30, 2004
  5. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2004
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    Location:
    Northwest VT
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I'm not familiar with the classic, but off the top of my head:
    • I could speculate on a couple of other things but as they may be 2001-2003 vs 2004+ specific, I won't
     
    #5 bruceha_2000, Sep 30, 2004
  6. nathanielhierseman

    nathanielhierseman New Member

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    Well of course I went home for lunch I got int he car after it had been charging this morning. Of course is started right up.

    I took it to work, because I am stupid I guess.

    I turned off the car and made sure everything was off.

    We will see what happens in 3 - 4 hours.

    Thanks for the posts guys.
     
    #6 nathanielhierseman, Sep 30, 2004
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