Ran out of Gas and Now the Battery is Dead

jrod81 · 09-07-2007, 02:56 PM

Hey guys,
Last Saturday I ran the prius dry. I broke down on the side of the interstate... ran out of gas. I know it is a stupid thing, you don't have to go there. But here is my question. We went and got gas and filled the tank and it started. Now today (6 days later) the battery is dead. Are these related somehow or just happen stance that both things happened to me? Oh and today when I got out of the car, I walked around to the passenger side and got my computer out and realized I had not hit the power button so I leaned over and hit that... my foot was not on the brake or anything, does that mean that it never turned off or something and that is why the battery died?
thanks guys
jared

derkraut · 09-07-2007, 03:06 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(jrod81 @ Sep 7 2007, 11:56 AM) [snapback]508675[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hey guys,
Last Saturday I ran the prius dry. I broke down on the side of the interstate... ran out of gas. I know it is a stupid thing, you don't have to go there. But here is my question. We went and got gas and filled the tank and it started. Now today (6 days later) the battery is dead. Are these related somehow or just happen stance that both things happened to me? Oh and today when I got out of the car, I walked around to the passenger side and got my computer out and realized I had not hit the power button so I leaned over and hit that... my foot was not on the brake or anything, does that mean that it never turned off or something and that is why the battery died?
thanks guys
jared
[/b]

Hey Jared,

The fact that the battery is dead today is probably NOT related to running out of gas last week. It's probably dead because you left a light on (rear hatch not closed, door not closed, etc). I also don't think leaving the power button on inadvertently will run down the 12V battery, because the ICE (gas engine) would come on automatically as necessary to charge the batteries. Of course, if the ICE runs out of fuel with the power on, both batteries will go dead eventually. When you push the power switch, you should always check to see that the power is off.

jrod81 · 09-07-2007, 03:18 PM

well it could not have ran out of gas, it has a new full tank as of this morning... it is possible i left something open i assume but i don't think i did.
it is in the parking lot downstairs at work so i will run out there now and see if anythign is open. is there anything i can do at this point or is a jumpstart the only option?
thanks for the help

subarutoo · 09-07-2007, 03:26 PM

Not directed at you personally, (after all you seem to be just one of thousands) but why do so many Priusites run out of gas? You would think that a car that gets 50 or so mpgs, would give you plenty of time to find gas between fillups. I don't get it.

Skwyre7 · 09-07-2007, 03:34 PM

I agree with derk, in that you running out of gas and your battery being dead are probably unrelated. By battery, I am assuming that you are referring to the 12v battery. I've got a few thoughts on the battery issue.

You're in a 2005, so it's likely that the small 12v battery was at it's end.
When you leaned over to hit the power button, you did in fact turn off the car. However, if you had your lights on, when you got out of the driver door (with the car still on), they remained on. When you turned the car off through the passenger door, the lights would still be on. They only go off when you open the driver's door, which you had done with the car on.
It's possible that the hatch was not closed properly, thus draining the battery.
Just bad luck.

You should be able to jump it, and be fine. Keep in mind that because the 12v battery is so small, draining it completely will weaken it. So you might want to get a new one in the near future.

David Beale · 09-07-2007, 03:39 PM

I think the simple explanation for the dead battery is you entered and turned off the car from the passenger side. If you don't open the drivers door after turning off the car the headlamps stay on. They -will- drain the battery.

1fixitman · 09-08-2007, 03:32 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(David Beale @ Sep 7 2007, 03:39 PM) [snapback]508703[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I think the simple explanation for the dead battery is you entered and turned off the car from the passenger side. If you don't open the drivers door after turning off the car the headlamps stay on. They -will- drain the battery.

[/b]

Recharge the battery by a jump start and a 30 min drive or so. The inverter will recharge the battery. You can also recharge the battery using a very small motorcycle battery charger. Do not use any charger that is greater than 2 amps or you will do permanent damage to the 12v battery. One of the small adapter looking chargers that put out 12-14 volts and 3/4 of an amp will do exactly what you want it to do. The AGM 12V battery need a trickle charge to keep from destroying it. Check all of your interior lights to make sure they are not turned ON vs. door or off. If you lock your car using the black button on the handles or trunk it will beep once as long as there is no doors ajar or any other problem.

qbee42 · 09-08-2007, 05:41 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(D Rock @ Sep 8 2007, 03:32 PM) [snapback]509166[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Recharge the battery by a jump start and a 30 min drive or so. The inverter will recharge the battery. You can also recharge the battery using a very small motorcycle battery charger. Do not use any charger that is greater than 2 amps or you will do permanent damage to the 12v battery. One of the small adapter looking chargers that put out 12-14 volts and 3/4 of an amp will do exactly what you want it to do. The AGM 12V battery need a trickle charge to keep from destroying it. Check all of your interior lights to make sure they are not turned ON vs. door or off. If you lock your car using the black button on the handles or trunk it will beep once as long as there is no doors ajar or any other problem.
[/b]

If you use a modern multi-step smart charger, you can use one of any amperage as long as you configure it properly for AGM.

Tom

David Beale · 09-08-2007, 06:27 PM

I'm pretty sure the 12V battery is NOT AGM. It's just a standard liquid electrolyte lead-acid battery, with a vent tube fitting. A motorcycle battery. I wonder if it's a standard size motorcycle battery used in a motorcycle. Will have to check. Jay in Winnipeg confirmed this by noting it sloshes when tipped when he had his out.

At any rate, get a "battery tender" if you want to charge it from time to time. Mine is mounted on the garage wall, beside the car. Just in case.

Access from under the hood, on the "boost terminal" in the fuse box.

Oh, and I was thinking of dead batteries when I was out at the coast last week (I re-enabled the interior lights with the door opening). I have my "Prius booster cable" that I made, in the car. Then I realized, I keep it in the storage area under the hatch floor. It would be very difficult to get at under there (hatch will not be easy - if even possible - to open with a dead 12V battery). So yesterday I moved it to the "secret storage bin".

bwilson4web · 09-09-2007, 09:11 AM

In Prius_Technical_Stuff, members have found both kinds in identical cases. My 03 Prius has AGM.

Bob Wilson

09-07-2007, 03:34 PM	#5
Skwyre7 What's the catch? Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Richmond, VA Posts: 2,302 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 1	I agree with derk, in that you running out of gas and your battery being dead are probably unrelated. By battery, I am assuming that you are referring to the 12v battery. I've got a few thoughts on the battery issue. You're in a 2005, so it's likely that the small 12v battery was at it's end. When you leaned over to hit the power button, you did in fact turn off the car. However, if you had your lights on, when you got out of the driver door (with the car still on), they remained on. When you turned the car off through the passenger door, the lights would still be on. They only go off when you open the driver's door, which you had done with the car on. It's possible that the hatch was not closed properly, thus draining the battery. Just bad luck. You should be able to jump it, and be fine. Keep in mind that because the 12v battery is so small, draining it completely will weaken it. So you might want to get a new one in the near future. __________________ Skwyre7 (or Michael, if you wish) 2005 Prius II - Seaside Pearl, Package 4 (now the wife's car) 2001 Toyota Corolla LE (my daily driver)

09-08-2007, 06:27 PM	#9
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,439 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm pretty sure the 12V battery is NOT AGM. It's just a standard liquid electrolyte lead-acid battery, with a vent tube fitting. A motorcycle battery. I wonder if it's a standard size motorcycle battery used in a motorcycle. Will have to check. Jay in Winnipeg confirmed this by noting it sloshes when tipped when he had his out. At any rate, get a "battery tender" if you want to charge it from time to time. Mine is mounted on the garage wall, beside the car. Just in case. Access from under the hood, on the "boost terminal" in the fuse box. Oh, and I was thinking of dead batteries when I was out at the coast last week (I re-enabled the interior lights with the door opening). I have my "Prius booster cable" that I made, in the car. Then I realized, I keep it in the storage area under the hatch floor. It would be very difficult to get at under there (hatch will not be easy - if even possible - to open with a dead 12V battery). So yesterday I moved it to the "secret storage bin". __________________ Edmonton Alberta "Pearl" is a 2007 Driftwood Pearl Prius.

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09-07-2007, 02:56 PM	#1
jrod81 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 42 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hey guys, Last Saturday I ran the prius dry. I broke down on the side of the interstate... ran out of gas. I know it is a stupid thing, you don't have to go there. But here is my question. We went and got gas and filled the tank and it started. Now today (6 days later) the battery is dead. Are these related somehow or just happen stance that both things happened to me? Oh and today when I got out of the car, I walked around to the passenger side and got my computer out and realized I had not hit the power button so I leaned over and hit that... my foot was not on the brake or anything, does that mean that it never turned off or something and that is why the battery died? thanks guys jared

09-07-2007, 03:18 PM	#3
jrod81 Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 42 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	well it could not have ran out of gas, it has a new full tank as of this morning... it is possible i left something open i assume but i don't think i did. it is in the parking lot downstairs at work so i will run out there now and see if anythign is open. is there anything i can do at this point or is a jumpstart the only option? thanks for the help

09-07-2007, 03:26 PM	#4
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,020 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Not directed at you personally, (after all you seem to be just one of thousands) but why do so many Priusites run out of gas? You would think that a car that gets 50 or so mpgs, would give you plenty of time to find gas between fillups. I don't get it.

09-07-2007, 03:39 PM	#6
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,439 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think the simple explanation for the dead battery is you entered and turned off the car from the passenger side. If you don't open the drivers door after turning off the car the headlamps stay on. They -will- drain the battery.

09-09-2007, 09:11 AM	#10
bwilson4web Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Alabama Posts: 1,419 My Car: 2003 Prius Package: #1 Nominated 2 Times in 2 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 5	In Prius_Technical_Stuff, members have found both kinds in identical cases. My 03 Prius has AGM. Bob Wilson