Cold weather related? Car won't start unless we try to start about 5-10 times

[JasonInNJ]

Hi All:
We have a 2006 Prius and generally love the car, but it appears that we are having a problem starting it on cold days -- even yesterday and it didn't even seem that cold yesterday.

Are there any known issues or is this something that need to be repaired? Thanks

Jason & Kim in NJ

[Jeannie]

I'm also in New Jersey. I've had no problem starting my 2006 Prius, even when it's been in the 20's in the morning, and I don't have a garage. I'd suggest a trip to the dealer.

[galaxee]

what happens when you try and it won't start? any lights on the dash? beeps?

if you have smartkey, have you tried putting the key in the dash slot?

[efusco]

There shouldn't be any issues starting in cold weather. As Gal suggests check your fob battery, it could be the 12v battery, or something totally different. I suspect it's not a cold weather issue if it did the same when it wasn't very cold.



Some indication of what is actually happening always helps....are you sure you're pressing the brake pedal all the way down? There's a sensor attached to the brake pedal that can go bad and cause startig problems...it could be cold weather sensitive. But without some idea what exactly happens when you try to start it's very hard to diagnose.

[john1701a]

Now on my 7th winter (yes, SEVENTH) with a Prius, I can assure you it is most definitely not the cold alone. In fact, that is probably just coincidental timing.

Evan's guess of the brake pedal is likely. The mistake of not pressing hard enough would reset after enough time. By the way, it took me well over a year to figure out what the heck problem some owners were having with startup. That turned out to be it. The issue was the same as this... not being provided with enough detail to correctly diagnose.

[narf]

Does your car have Smart Key? If so are you keeping the key in a different pocket with your cellphone or MP3 player? Sometimes having the smartkey right next to another electronic device makes it work intermittently.

[kenopa]

We've had two instances in the last year where the gas engine stumbled when starting in cold, wet weather. Resulted in both major alarm and check engine light. After several retries (and some worried looks), vehicle started correctly and alarms self-extinguished. Took to dealer where response was confusion and "well, it's OK now". Believe this may not be rare in case where electric motor functions as starter, possibly "releasing" engine when it senses ingition onset.

[tochatihu]

Kenopa, have you had the TSB EG011-03 done on that 2003 Prius? If, not, it may be what's needed.

Jason, the new model Prius like yours does not appear to have problems similar to the above, so yours is different I suppose.

[sivanu]

I got a 2004 prius with smart key.Parked at the Toronto airport for 1 week and when I tried to open the door or to start there was no response.I had to call Toyota road side assistance and they sent some towing vehicle to help with jump start.($60).It happened last year too when I parked the car in my underground parking for 3 weeks.Any suggestions to avoid these kind of trouble in the future

[Patrick Wong]

Originally Posted by sivanu

...Any suggestions to avoid these kind of trouble in the future

1. Install a new 12V auxiliary battery first, certainly if the existing battery is original.
2. Turn off the SE/SS system during extended periods of parking: 1-2 weeks.
3. Disconnect the 12V battery's negative cable connector (or figure out how to disconnect the wire at the dedicated positive jump start terminal at the main relay/fuse box) when parking the car for three weeks or more.
4. Carry a portable jump start battery in the car so that you can help yourself next time you have a dead battery.