Prius won't start!!!

TMahon0691 · 05-27-2009, 05:25 PM

My wife & I have a new 08 Prius, bought in July, 08. Twice since we've owned it, first less than a month after purchase and just yesterday, the unit refused to start up. Just sat there in our garage.

The first time, a couple of hours later, as we were getting ready to call the dealership, it turned over when we asked it to. We drove it into the dealership where they diagnosed it and adjusted some software directions.

OK

Yesterday, it died again. We called the dealership and they had it towed in. The technician called me this morning to report that it started up for them just before closing and that they were looking for the reasons why it failed.

Their diagnostics showed no evident reason for failure, but twice in a year is out of line. Anyone have similar problems????

Rokeby · 05-27-2009, 05:44 PM

TMahon0691,

to PriusChat.

If the car fails to do anything when you attempt to start it, the most
likely scenario involves some failure involving the 12v battery.

Since the car eventually starts, the battery itself may be OK.

So, next in line comes the battery connections. Most likely problems
here are loose connections at the battery itself. Then comes a possible
loose or corroded battery grounding wire where it connects to the
body, under the (removable) floor on the passenger side in the rear
hatch area.

Hope this helps.

BTW, when you took the car in the first time, did the techs/service
writer mention anything about retrieving any codes?

richard schumacher · 05-28-2009, 10:46 AM

Also have them check the brake pedal position sensors.

You yourself might use the 12V battery system selftest procedure given here:
Checking 12v Battery Health - Hybrid Car Forums

Mike Dimmick · 05-28-2009, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richard schumacher

Also have them check the brake pedal position sensors.

The power source control ECU only looks at the brake light switch, not the stroke sensor or pressure sensors. If you're pressing the pedal moderately hard, the brake light switch should be switching on.

The OP doesn't say whether the car won't even switch on into ACC, or whether it just won't go READY.

Tweev · 05-28-2009, 11:18 AM

just to make sure, you do have the brake down when trying to start the car, right?

05-27-2009, 05:25 PM	#1
TMahon0691 Junior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Albuquerque, NM Posts: 1 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: N/A Package: Base Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Prius won't start!!! My wife & I have a new 08 Prius, bought in July, 08. Twice since we've owned it, first less than a month after purchase and just yesterday, the unit refused to start up. Just sat there in our garage. The first time, a couple of hours later, as we were getting ready to call the dealership, it turned over when we asked it to. We drove it into the dealership where they diagnosed it and adjusted some software directions. OK Yesterday, it died again. We called the dealership and they had it towed in. The technician called me this morning to report that it started up for them just before closing and that they were looking for the reasons why it failed. Their diagnostics showed no evident reason for failure, but twice in a year is out of line. Anyone have similar problems????

05-27-2009, 05:44 PM	#2
Rokeby Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ballamer, Merlin Posts: 2,886 My Car: 2008 Prius Model: Package: #6 Touring Thanks: 586 Thanked 588 Times in 406 Posts Friends: 6	Re: Prius won't start!!! TMahon0691, to PriusChat. If the car fails to do anything when you attempt to start it, the most likely scenario involves some failure involving the 12v battery. Since the car eventually starts, the battery itself may be OK. So, next in line comes the battery connections. Most likely problems here are loose connections at the battery itself. Then comes a possible loose or corroded battery grounding wire where it connects to the body, under the (removable) floor on the passenger side in the rear hatch area. Hope this helps. BTW, when you took the car in the first time, did the techs/service writer mention anything about retrieving any codes?

05-28-2009, 10:46 AM	#3
richard schumacher shortbus driver Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 7,376 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 582 Thanked 754 Times in 306 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Prius won't start!!! Also have them check the brake pedal position sensors. You yourself might use the 12V battery system selftest procedure given here: Checking 12v Battery Health - Hybrid Car Forums Last edited by richard schumacher; 05-28-2009 at 10:47 AM. Reason: godd@mn POS server ate my first reply

05-28-2009, 11:18 AM	#5
Tweev Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 121 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 5 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts Friends: 0	Re: Prius won't start!!! just to make sure, you do have the brake down when trying to start the car, right?

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