Won't shift to D or R, Master Alarm ON. 12Vbattery???!!

psiva · 01-26-2007, 11:46 AM

I initially had a Master alarm, VCS alarm, brake alarm when i started once, car didn't shift, then turned off and turned on power a couple of times, the error disappeared. I thought it was an annomaly and forgot about it for a couple of days until i get into town to my dealer.

Next day, alarms (VCS, Master and brakes) come on but i can drive... at a traffic light car dies, and doesn't want to shift to R or D. Hybrid battery shows it has charge.. as far as i know the car seems to have power, lights are on, heater works... so i turn off all the accessories, and try power down and power up.. no luck.

Towed it to dealer who blamed me for leaving the dome light on and draining the 12V battery. They charge it and i take the car only to have it not start again 30 minutes and 20km later. Tow it back to dealer and dealer says 12V battery has an open circuit... Its been 4 days and I am still waiting for the elusive battery to arrive.

How could an open ckt battery allow the rest of the car to operate. Cant believe a high tech car like this is failing for a low tech battery... Are the stock 12V battery unreliable.

Any one had similar issues?
Help

Pinto Girl · 01-26-2007, 02:34 PM

Something sounds odd here. Don't think it's the 12v battery which is causing problems like these.

Have them check to see for error codes.

psiva · 01-26-2007, 02:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jan 26 2007, 02:34 PM) [snapback]381273[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Something sounds odd here. Don't think it's the 12v battery which is causing problems like these.

Have them check to see for error codes.
[/b]

They say they got P3000 Low battery error code... hmmm....

richard schumacher · 01-26-2007, 04:33 PM

The stock 12V battery can be unreliable after it has been drained, for example by leaving on a dome light, leaving the rear hatch incompletely closed, incorrect installation of after-market electricals, etc. Low voltage on the 12V system can cause any manner of weird sh!t behaviour.

psiva · 01-30-2007, 01:23 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Jan 26 2007, 04:33 PM) [snapback]381340[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

The stock 12V battery can be unreliable after it has been drained, for example by leaving on a dome light, leaving the rear hatch incompletely closed, incorrect installation of after-market electricals, etc. Low voltage on the 12V system can cause any manner of weird sh!t behaviour.
[/b]

Would the instruments all work if the battery is drained?

Pinto Girl · 01-30-2007, 04:30 PM

Dunno, but it's sounding more and more like it *IS* the 12v battery.

Regarding the instrument displays: it's a bit more difficult to troubleshoot this car empirically than 'conventional' automobiles...I wish I knew the answer but I don't.

psiva · 01-31-2007, 12:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pinto Girl @ Jan 30 2007, 04:30 PM) [snapback]383000[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Dunno, but it's sounding more and more like it *IS* the 12v battery.

Regarding the instrument displays: it's a bit more difficult to troubleshoot this car empirically than 'conventional' automobiles...I wish I knew the answer but I don't.
[/b]

Thanks! this is an awesome Forum!

richard schumacher · 02-02-2007, 03:03 AM

Did they replace the 12V battery?

psiva · 02-02-2007, 03:11 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(richard schumacher @ Feb 2 2007, 03:03 AM) [snapback]384659[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Did they replace the 12V battery?
[/b]

Yes 12V battery was replaced. Feb 1st 2007.
Feb 2nd 2007 - update - Suspect ingition relay, replaced and will Technician will check on it on monday.

psiva · 02-02-2007, 10:24 AM

Feb 1st. Received car from dealer (Tony Graham in Ottawa) and drove home with no issues, stopping once for gas. 20km trip.
After parking car for 10mins, went back and started... got the Master Warning, ABS,VCS check lights!!!

Called dealer and let them know. I am getting frustrated now. 1,400 kms on car. Its been in the repair shop longer than I've had it now.

Waited for half hour, tried again, this time depressed brake for 30 seconds till a humming i heard stopped, before pressing power... then only the Master warning light came on. Car is drivable.. but now dealer doesn't see my error...

Feb 2nd.
Silly engineer that I am, tried the car this morning.. no warning lights at all! Not sure what to show the dealer!

Always when these lights came on, everything else in the car worked (audio, fan,lights) except wouldn't shift to D or R.

Any Advice? Electrical problem...? Its also cold here. -3C (15F)

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Master Warning Alert	jkark	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	11	11-20-2008 09:38 PM
Master Warning Light	jarhtmd	Gen II Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting	7	04-27-2007 09:11 AM
master's or phd for galaxee?	galaxee	Fred's House of Pancakes	37	02-23-2006 11:14 PM
how do I reset master alarm?	alager	Gen II Prius Main Forum	5	06-30-2005 04:20 PM
Security Alarm too quiet? Does alarm trigger shut down?	crtolin	Gen II Prius Main Forum	4	06-20-2005 05:09 PM

01-26-2007, 11:46 AM	#1
psiva Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I initially had a Master alarm, VCS alarm, brake alarm when i started once, car didn't shift, then turned off and turned on power a couple of times, the error disappeared. I thought it was an annomaly and forgot about it for a couple of days until i get into town to my dealer. Next day, alarms (VCS, Master and brakes) come on but i can drive... at a traffic light car dies, and doesn't want to shift to R or D. Hybrid battery shows it has charge.. as far as i know the car seems to have power, lights are on, heater works... so i turn off all the accessories, and try power down and power up.. no luck. Towed it to dealer who blamed me for leaving the dome light on and draining the 12V battery. They charge it and i take the car only to have it not start again 30 minutes and 20km later. Tow it back to dealer and dealer says 12V battery has an open circuit... Its been 4 days and I am still waiting for the elusive battery to arrive. How could an open ckt battery allow the rest of the car to operate. Cant believe a high tech car like this is failing for a low tech battery... Are the stock 12V battery unreliable. Any one had similar issues? Help

01-26-2007, 02:34 PM	#2
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,372 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	Something sounds odd here. Don't think it's the 12v battery which is causing problems like these. Have them check to see for error codes.

01-26-2007, 04:33 PM	#4
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	The stock 12V battery can be unreliable after it has been drained, for example by leaving on a dome light, leaving the rear hatch incompletely closed, incorrect installation of after-market electricals, etc. Low voltage on the 12V system can cause any manner of weird sh!t behaviour.

01-30-2007, 04:30 PM	#6
Pinto Girl Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco, CA Posts: 2,372 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	Dunno, but it's sounding more and more like it IS the 12v battery. Regarding the instrument displays: it's a bit more difficult to troubleshoot this car empirically than 'conventional' automobiles...I wish I knew the answer but I don't.

02-02-2007, 03:03 AM	#8
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,512 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	Did they replace the 12V battery?

02-02-2007, 10:24 AM	#10
psiva Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Feb 1st. Received car from dealer (Tony Graham in Ottawa) and drove home with no issues, stopping once for gas. 20km trip. After parking car for 10mins, went back and started... got the Master Warning, ABS,VCS check lights!!! Called dealer and let them know. I am getting frustrated now. 1,400 kms on car. Its been in the repair shop longer than I've had it now. Waited for half hour, tried again, this time depressed brake for 30 seconds till a humming i heard stopped, before pressing power... then only the Master warning light came on. Car is drivable.. but now dealer doesn't see my error... Feb 2nd. Silly engineer that I am, tried the car this morning.. no warning lights at all! Not sure what to show the dealer! Always when these lights came on, everything else in the car worked (audio, fan,lights) except wouldn't shift to D or R. Any Advice? Electrical problem...? Its also cold here. -3C (15F)