2006 Prius I got on March 1 is....

supernole1 · 04-03-2006, 05:50 PM

the battery is down to one bar in the mornings and won't go into reverse (it'll go into drive) until it generates at least one more bar. When I park it at night it has about 75% of max battery charge. has anyone seen something like this?

BellBoy · 04-03-2006, 06:06 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(supernole1 @ Apr 3 2006, 01:50 PM) [snapback]234336[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

the battery is down to one bar in the mornings and won't go into reverse (it'll go into drive) until it generates at least one more bar. When I park it at night it has about 75% of max battery charge. has anyone seen something like this?
[/b]

Where are you located?? From what I've read here, temps can have a lot to do with battery charge. I got mine on the first of March as well and I can tell you that in L.A. I don't see anything like that. Might be time to take her into the dealer to get it checked out.

Potential Buyer · 04-03-2006, 06:06 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(supernole1 @ Apr 3 2006, 04:50 PM) [snapback]234336[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

the battery is down to one bar in the mornings and won't go into reverse (it'll go into drive) until it generates at least one more bar. When I park it at night it has about 75% of max battery charge. has anyone seen something like this?
[/b]

How cold is it? I know my Civic Hybrid neither uses the motor nor charges the battery until the battery is within a certain temperature range, to prolong its life. Maybe if it's really cold where you are, the Prius won't use the battery until the car warms up a bit?

**efusco** · 04-03-2006, 06:14 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(supernole1 @ Apr 3 2006, 04:50 PM) [snapback]234336[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

the battery is down to one bar in the mornings and won't go into reverse (it'll go into drive) until it generates at least one more bar. When I park it at night it has about 75% of max battery charge. has anyone seen something like this? [/b]

Are you absolutely sure you're turning it off? There's no reason the battery would be down that low in the mornings unless you leave it in Park and READY mode and it's just draining the battery down then the ICE runs minimally to keep the battery from being completely drained.

If you're sure you're shutting down completely then you need to take it in to have it checked...definately not normal.

donee · 04-03-2006, 06:15 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(supernole1 @ Apr 3 2006, 05:50 PM) [snapback]234336[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

the battery is down to one bar in the mornings and won't go into reverse (it'll go into drive) until it generates at least one more bar. When I park it at night it has about 75% of max battery charge. has anyone seen something like this?
[/b]

Hi Supernole1,

It almost sounds like you are leaving the car on. Say, in drive, with the parking break on, or in park with the AC on. Also, if you leave the hatch incompletely latched, that will leave the interior lights on. Which may then run down the battery. Although there would probably have to be some more drain that that to bring the main battery so low. The rear hatch being aluminum is somewhat underweight for the gas springs, and one has to really close it hard.

Do you have the Smart Key System? I cannot help you with that.

Make sure you hit the "POWER" button to turn off the car.

jbarnhart · 04-03-2006, 06:16 PM

If you're saying you parked it last night with 75% charge and this morning it shows something like 15% charge -- I'd say arrange a visit to the dealer ASAP. This baby needs looking at right now.

gilahiker · 04-03-2006, 06:21 PM

You do not indicate what package you have and whether you have the Smart Key System. If you have SKS you need to worry about where you store your fobs...if you store them within 15 feet (3 meters) of the car at all times you can run down the battery.

If you don't have the SKS and you are actually turning off the car (and not leaving it in ACC), then follow other folks advice and take it in!

**efusco** · 04-03-2006, 06:24 PM

guys, leaving the hatch open and having sks will not affect the SOC of the HV battery...they're totally seperate....ok, mostly.

galaxee · 04-03-2006, 07:13 PM

i'd guess the car is being left on overnight.

the car backs up by running the electric motor backward, which requires the HV battery. that explains the reverse problem. now the questions turns to the battery.

make absolutely sure the car is off when you leave it. if the car is off, then something's up with the battery control system. however, you should be seeing some kind of light on the dash to indicate a problem... which is why it sounds to me like the car isn't being turned off at night.

best thing you can do is to take notes about this in case you need to take it in. note the following:
time of day car was parked
temperature
bars on battery meter
mpg reading
time of day car was restarted
temperature
bars on battery meter
mpg reading
along with any other things you feel may be important.

supernole1 · 04-03-2006, 08:36 PM

Thanks for all the inputs and ideas guys!

FWIW, I live in north Florida so it's definitely not cold temp related.

I think I've been turning it off at night. All the lights go off as well as the MFD so i assume it's off. I'll check twice tonight.

I do sometimes go straight from Drive to powering off. Is that ok or should i go to Park and then power off?

04-03-2006, 07:13 PM	#9
galaxee uphill battling Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: central NC/ western WI Posts: 8,838 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 5 Times in 3 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	i'd guess the car is being left on overnight. the car backs up by running the electric motor backward, which requires the HV battery. that explains the reverse problem. now the questions turns to the battery. make absolutely sure the car is off when you leave it. if the car is off, then something's up with the battery control system. however, you should be seeing some kind of light on the dash to indicate a problem... which is why it sounds to me like the car isn't being turned off at night. best thing you can do is to take notes about this in case you need to take it in. note the following: time of day car was parked temperature bars on battery meter mpg reading time of day car was restarted temperature bars on battery meter mpg reading along with any other things you feel may be important. __________________ black 2005 prius, tweaked just the way i like it as DH was once told, someone with his capability should be in college, not doing mindless maintenance awaiting the occasional brain teaser. after conquering the entire ASE automotive series, he's busy retooling the diagnostic mindset for other life protecting applications. the prius tech is officially scarce, and his other half is sad without him.

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04-03-2006, 05:50 PM	#1
supernole1 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	the battery is down to one bar in the mornings and won't go into reverse (it'll go into drive) until it generates at least one more bar. When I park it at night it has about 75% of max battery charge. has anyone seen something like this?

04-03-2006, 06:16 PM	#6
jbarnhart Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Santa Clara, CA Posts: 628 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	If you're saying you parked it last night with 75% charge and this morning it shows something like 15% charge -- I'd say arrange a visit to the dealer ASAP. This baby needs looking at right now.

04-03-2006, 06:21 PM	#7
gilahiker Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Silver City, NM Posts: 175 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You do not indicate what package you have and whether you have the Smart Key System. If you have SKS you need to worry about where you store your fobs...if you store them within 15 feet (3 meters) of the car at all times you can run down the battery. If you don't have the SKS and you are actually turning off the car (and not leaving it in ACC), then follow other folks advice and take it in!

04-03-2006, 06:24 PM	#8
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 12,953 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 21	guys, leaving the hatch open and having sks will not affect the SOC of the HV battery...they're totally seperate....ok, mostly.

04-03-2006, 08:36 PM	#10
supernole1 Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Thanks for all the inputs and ideas guys! FWIW, I live in north Florida so it's definitely not cold temp related. I think I've been turning it off at night. All the lights go off as well as the MFD so i assume it's off. I'll check twice tonight. I do sometimes go straight from Drive to powering off. Is that ok or should i go to Park and then power off?