I Jumped the Prius Yesterday and It Ran Fine but Now the Battery Is Dead Again

Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

8

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

Due north/A

Hey anybody,
I have a 2004 Prius (just in case you couldn't tell from my handle). Just bought information technology most a yr and a one-half ago. This past summer, the 12-Volt bombardment in the trunk went dead. I was worried that it was the electric (in the front), but the guy nearby who does the super-expensive Prius batteries said it wasn't that, based on the symptoms I described.

So I ordered a new 12-volt and installed it myself in the dorsum, following directions on Youtube. And so it worked. Trouble solved.

Or was it? A few months passed. Everything was working fine. Then, occasionally, while driving to and from work, the Prius would refuse to turn on. I would have to get a jump from a kind coworker.

Finally, the semester ended (I am a professor), and the thing just went kaput entirely. I did non set it right away, because we had quarantining to do and aging parents to visit. Now, I am trying to jumpstart it over again off our family car'southward battery.

What practise you all think? Should I lodge a new 12-volt? Do something else? The screen on the dash (when the car is being jumped) says I have a nearly-full bombardment. I'm not sure if that means anything. Whatsoever assistance would be greatly appreciated.
sam spade 2 Senior Fellow member

Joined:

Mar 31, 2018

6,144

2,417

0

Location:

USA

Vehicle:

2017 Prius c

Model:

Iv

Y'all demand to:
Accept the battery tested, AFTER it is fully charged from an external charger.
(Did y'all alter the new ane before installing it ??)
Check the main battery cables for tightness and corrosion......BOTH ends of both cables.
While it's running, get the charging voltage checked.
Many new batteries come half charged or less. "Mail order" ones come almost dead.
IF you lot did non fully charge your replacement battery AND your trips besides and from work are fairly short, and so you may have just ran the battery expressionless. A proficient accuse might solve the trouble. But your "new" battery might be half used upwardly at present too.
Measure the 12v with a voltmeter. It should be at least 12v and oft won't boot the system to Ready around 10.5v. Ensure there is no corrosion on either side of the negative battery cable. A jump can accept five minutes to piece of work if the 12v bombardment is severely discharged. The discharged battery takes time to equalize with the bound battery.
If you are not driving it several times a week, go a four stage battery maintainer like the Battery Tender Jr ($28) to keep it charged. Occasionally these cars will have excessive off state bombardment drain.
Attached Files:
Joined:

May 11, 2005

96,946

43,961

0

Location:

boston

Vehicle:

2012 Prius Plug-in

Model:

Plug-in Base

the icon on the dash is for the hybrid battery, non the 12v bombardment. you're probable not driving enough to go on the 12v charged.
y'all can get a smart charger to assistance with that. how many miles on your automobile?
Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

8

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

North/A

Thank you and so much. This is super helpful! I'll let y'all all know how it goes!
Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

8

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

N/A

"A jump can accept five minutes to work if the 12v bombardment is severely discharged. The discharged battery takes fourth dimension to equalize with the leap battery."
Quick question--I jumped the automobile for a solid half hour yesterday, but the moment I took the jump cables off and turned off the automobile, information technology wouldn't start. Does this mean I should merely go a new 12v, or should I buy and use a voltmeter first to make certain it'southward dead?
That is a definite possibility, simply to put in any decent charge into what looks like a securely discharged battery, you would have needed to leave the auto in Fix for a good many hours – like 12 to 20 hours. So it is non surprising that the motorcar would not start given the circumstances.
Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

8

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

N/A

Thank you all for your help! I volition continue to follow upwards with your suggestions. I jumped the motorcar yesterday and simply left information technology running for a while. The battery recharged and the car at present seems to be working just fine. I'll be investing in that Battery Tender for sure! Anything else you all would suggest to foreclose this from happening again?
Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

8

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

North/A

Thank you! Yup! You're absolutely right. I left it in "ready" for an hour or and so yesterday and then drove it around the neighborhood for a while, and that seemed to do the pull a fast one on.IF.....it measures but 12.0 with no load, then it is at least 50% discharged and might (probably) driblet low plenty to fail when trying to start up.
The easy thing to practise is accept the 12v battery to an auto supply and have them load exam it for free. If you need ane, which is likely, consider getting a Toyota OEM. This is probably all you need to practice.
A serviceable 12v battery will recover plenty in 5 minutes to Ready the car while jumped. In fact, this is mentioned in the owners manual.

Extra Information

ane. Measuring the voltage while it is being jumped is non good information as you are essentially measuring the jump battery and ofttimes the jump vehicle'south charging system in parallel with your battery. All vehicles, including the Prius will read a higher charge voltage when running or while in Gear up.

ii. For diagnostic purposes you have to measure your battery solitary at different intervals like showtime thing in the morning before a start and later after it has been running and so shut down.

three. Practise not continue to Jump the auto afterwards the Prius is in Ready (eg "running"). The Prius charging system is active at all times in Ready. If you are using jumper cables from another running vehicle, y'all and so have two different charging systems working at once. Not a brusk term problem but not good for longer periods.

4. It is not necessary to run the motorcar in Prepare for long periods of fourth dimension to charge a 12v bombardment. In fact that strategy has downsides if you washed unattended, as engine or coolant problems could occur that go unnoticed. You lot are too unnecessarily cycling the high voltage bombardment hundreds of times. Bad idea. If you lot must charge a 12v battery get a proper charger like a Battery Tender Jr ($28) and leave it continued overnight. A charger similar this is also highly recommended for use if the motorcar is not being run for weeks at a fourth dimension.

5. If the battery is being quickly discharged while the organization is off, information technology is often excessive parasitic current describe causing the event. Typically a calorie-free left on considering the rear hatch was not completely closed or a maplight that was left on turns out to be the root cause. Still in that location are other sources that crave a trained machine electric technician to track down. There are relatively easy techiques to measure the symptoms using a voltmeter or to actually mensurate the parasitic draw with an advanced use of the meter. The amp modes require series connexion of the meter, not the typical parallel voltage reading modes.

A voltmeter should be in your tool box and a serviceable ane can be had for a very low investment. Knowing how to use it can be some other issue.
How long time wise is your average drive and how many times a week are you lot driving?
Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

viii

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

N/A

So hither'south an update--after having numerous other battery problems and having the 12v charged at Avant-garde Car, it stopped working altogether. I finally just gave up and had it towed to the Dealership. They said the trouble is that the battery has a dead prison cell and that the coolant hose is leaking. I may just have it towed back to my firm, every bit the battery I bought this summer is nonetheless under warranty and the dealer (naturally) wants to accept all my money. Is the coolant hose something that an ordinary auto store can repair?
Pretty common story Professor.
Once that fiddling battery gets completely discharged peculiarly discharged securely and perfectly past leaving a calorie-free on information technology will never be the same IMHO.
It will never take a full charge again. Especially if its sits for a while stone expressionless and held expressionless by a low-cal bulb.

You never posted the mileage on the car.

You must arm the cars alarm every time you walk away from the car it will not arm if y'all left a door ajar.

I always without exception before i go to bed I will exit front and wait at my cars make sure at that place locked and I didn't exit a lite on.
Bank check the car in the garage also.
It has stood me very well I have never had to go through what you just went through.
Old Cars are a hurting in the nice person you lot have to stay on pinnacle of them or they volition stay on tiptop of y'all.

I check the battery voltage on my 07 prius at least once a month with my digital voltmeter at the front jump point. Never cheque at the battery e'er cheque at the front jump signal. Practise non become into the hatch.

A good for you driven well Prius battery lives at 12.6 volts at the front jump.
Anything less then that it goes on my sh*t list and i start watching and testing it..

My but 3 years and 3 months onetime on a 3 twelvemonth warranty Yellowtop just started going from 12.6 to now 12.3. And is now unable to light the full greenish calorie-free on my charger.

Ok I know for sure its new battery fourth dimension. Only a matter of fourth dimension. Going with a Batteries+ Duracell nice 4 year warranty SB model driblet in. No more yellowtops.

.
Yes whatsoever shop can change a hose. Y'all may want to cheque with your battery supplier and detect out how much a new battery will cost after it is prorated. If it is a half or more of the new price y'all might come up out ahead by getting the Toyota battery at the dealer and avert the tow cost. Don't be afraid to negotiate with them.
Finally, don't allow a battery to sit down for weeks or longer on a regular basis. Utilize the four stage charger or just drive it for thirty minutes once a week. Your tires, brakes, engine, suspension and electric systems will benefit. Plus you don't desire a twelvemonth old stale tank of gas.
Batteries+. Plus Duracell is $226.
Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

8

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

N/A

Much obliged! Thanks for the advice!
Joined:

Jan 17, 2021

viii

1

0

Location:

Georgia

Vehicle:

2004 Prius

Model:

N/A

Thanks so much! Because I bought my battery in July, it was still under warranty. With some arm-twisting (and a lot of driving effectually), I got the Advanced auto guys to accept back the old battery and give me a new 1. The Dealer says they will install it for $ninety, which is fine by me, as it saves the cost of towing.