2005 Won't start

[Christina]

Hi all, this is my first post, so please be gentle! I am on vacation, and a friend drove my car home from the airport. She doesn't remember putting it in park, but she was able to take the fob out after hitting the power button. (The car does not have the SmartKey system, so she couldn't have left it running, right?)

She went the next day to drive it, and it wouldn't turn on. After a few times trying, on different days, I have been told the following:

She is able to unlock the car and lock it with the fob. When the fob is inserted, the red "security system" light thing comes on, but nothing else does. The interior lights do not come on at all. She thought maybe she killed the battery by leaving the headlights on (they were in the "on" position), but I leave them on most of the time because I forget about them, and they automatically turn off when the car turns off.

I'm thinking the 12V battery is dead, but wouldn't the doors opening with the fob prove that isn't true?

I've asked her to try to reboot the car by holding the power button in for 10 - 15 seconds (as I've read on this forum), but I won't know if that works until tomorrow evening. Does anyone else have any ideas? I'm kind of resigned to having to jump start it, but my biggest fear is that the hybrid battery is dead. It had a full tank of gas, and was only driven about 5 miles, so it cannot be out of gas at this point. Besides trying to jump the 12V battery, is there anything else I can (have her) do?

Thanks in advance for the input.

[Walker1]

Originally Posted by Christina

Hi all, this is my first post, so please be gentle! I am on vacation, and a friend drove my car home from the airport. She doesn't remember putting it in park, but she was able to take the fob out after hitting the power button. (The car does not have the SmartKey system, so she couldn't have left it running, right?)

She went the next day to drive it, and it wouldn't turn on. After a few times trying, on different days, I have been told the following:

She is able to unlock the car and lock it with the fob. When the fob is inserted, the red "security system" light thing comes on, but nothing else does. The interior lights do not come on at all. She thought maybe she killed the battery by leaving the headlights on (they were in the "on" position), but I leave them on most of the time because I forget about them, and they automatically turn off when the car turns off.

I'm thinking the 12V battery is dead, but wouldn't the doors opening with the fob prove that isn't true?

I've asked her to try to reboot the car by holding the power button in for 10 - 15 seconds (as I've read on this forum), but I won't know if that works until tomorrow evening. Does anyone else have any ideas? I'm kind of resigned to having to jump start it, but my biggest fear is that the hybrid battery is dead. It had a full tank of gas, and was only driven about 5 miles, so it cannot be out of gas at this point. Besides trying to jump the 12V battery, is there anything else I can (have her) do?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Try your other fob. Did she put her foot on the brake pedal before hitting the power button? Sometimes I press the power button & nothing happens. I just put my foot on the brake & the car always starts. I have been told that if you shut the car down without putting your foot on the brake pedal this can happen. I am not a Prius mechanic, but I do know they can be strange if you don't do things the way they like them done. If your car was running fine & the batteries were performing well nothing should have happened by just parking it. Hope this helps you.

[hobbit]

To eliminate a couple of myths...
.
Foot on or off brake during shutdown doesn't matter, nor does
whether it's in Park or not [it goes into Park anyway before
finally turning off].
.
The "hold button for 15 seconds [or some other long time]"
thing to reset some computer or other is total fiction, one
which is often promulgated by know-it-all dealers as well
[who parrot this dreck without even ever having TRIED it].
.
I'd say for starters, get a voltmeter onto the 12V battery
terminals and watch it as attempts are made to start the system.
.
_H*

[qbee42]

Holding the power button for 15 seconds may not work, but I've been told with certainty that you can reboot the Prius by pushing the power button while totally naked. For this to work, you have to stand outside the driver's door and lean into the car. That will work as well as what the dealers tell you, and at least you will get a show out of the deal.

I agree with hobbit; check the 12 V system, or just jump it and see what happens.

Tom

[hobbit]

No, no! I retract my previous statement! Rebooting while
naked is absolutely the correct diagnostic path. Remember
to raise one foot behind you and point the toe, too.
.
_H*

[Bill Merchant]

Hi Christina, welcome to PriusChat!
Pay no attention to these kibitzers, your 12V battery is probably dead. The big HV battery is probably just fine. It seems the little 12V battery usually lasts about 3 years. Just jump start it when you get back and go get a new battery, but be prepared, the dealer will charge you $$$$

[paprius4030]

Don't go naked to get a new battery

[jayman]

Originally Posted by qbee42

<snip> you can reboot the Prius by pushing the power button while totally naked. For this to work, you have to stand outside the driver's door and lean into the car. That will work as well as what the dealers tell you, and at least you will get a show out of the deal.

Well Tom

Thanks for searing that disturbing mental image of you permanently into my brain. I may require lifetime medical treatment. It is without doubt the most deeply disturbing mental image I have ever imagined

jay

[jayman]

Originally Posted by hobbit

Rebooting while
naked is absolutely the correct diagnostic path. Remember
to raise one foot behind you and point the toe, too.

H

I stand corrected, *that* is the most disturbing mental image now seared into my brain

I need a drink

jay

[jayman]

Originally Posted by Bill Merchant

your 12V battery is probably dead. The big HV battery is probably just fine.

Agreed. Considering the price of a replacement though, it is worth your time to remove the 12 vdc battery and charge it with an automatic battery charger set to 10 amp position. This is per the Toyota PDI I have attached