Need advice on another possible 12V battery failure

[Jack Kelly]

I chose not to simply add this as a post on the other recent 12V battery thread, as some potential responders may never read it.

I have an '04 (as well as an '06), mfg exactly four years ago. The last week the boot-up/ignition system has been acting erratic, and I've been stranded twice. I suspect the 12V is simply near-dead, but thought I'd check with others on the symptoms. I see that Dr. Fusco just bought a new 12V and also has an '04.

My experience with over 30 owned cars is that the average lifespan of batteries is about 4 years---some 3 and a few have lasted 5. So it'd be no great surprise if that's all it is.

Sometimes when I attempt to boot up, the guess gauge, speedometer and shift pattern will all light up their usual white, but the "ready" light won't come on. Even with a boost from a battery charger.

Other times, only the "check engine" light will come on.

Yet other times (after waiting at least half an hour after failing to start it), it WILL start, but only with the battery charger's help.

The only other thing I can think of that's a problem is the battery in the remote. I have no clue how to test it.

As noted by others, my smiling local Toyota dealer quoted me $140 for this "dealer-only" item. Annoyingly enough, trying a few alternative sources, I found that Interstate makes a battery with the same exact measurements, but the terminals are the reverse of the Prius battery. Methinks there's been some communication between Toyota and Interstate.

Being annoyed at having to fork over $150 (tax incl.) for a half-size battery---and being cheap---I fished among junkyards online in hopes of finding a recently-wrecked '04-'07 that had the 12 V intact. No luck, though I got responses from about a dozen, uh, salvage yards.

Anyone have to replace their 12V after having similar symptoms as mine?

[tochatihu]

No help to you, but that Interstate battery you mention might be appropriate for the classic Prius because it was mirror-image. Do you have that part number?

On your's I can't image why a boosting battery would not start it. Have you checked the 12 v battery connections for corossion?

[qbee42]

It sounds like 12V battery problems. It's easy to test: if your Prius boots okay with a jump, but poorly without, then the 12V battery is going south.

As for the remote, do you mean the SKS key fob? It won't cause the problems you describe. If the SKS battery is low, you can insert it into the slot on the dash. In that mode it doesn't need its internal battery.

Tom

[FireEngineer]

Jack, which Interstate battery model did you find?

Wayne

[Jack Kelly]

a) no corrosion on terminals; it DOESN'T always boot up with a jump---just sometimes; c) I have tried booting it up by inserting the fob---no dice; d) I'll have to get the model # of that Interstate battery next time I run errands to Vacaville (13 mi.), where I shop---probably tomorrow---they're sold only at Firestone service centers here---I had measured my Prius battery (10" W x 5" D x 8" H) before I went in, so I know it fits---will post it probably tomorrow---I asked the Firestone guy to call his distributor to see if they had one with mirror-image terminals---nope.

Thanks for responses.

[n8kwx]

Be careful with that Interstate battery.

Make sure it is not a flooded lead-acid battery and make sure it is a deep-cycle battery. Not a starting battery. Just because it is the same size doesn't mean it is a replacement - or a conspiracy by Toyota. Physical dimensions of batteries are somewhat standardized.

One more thing to check.

Do you have ANY accessories that were added to the car? Alarms, lo-jack, etc? There was a thread a while back where a guy had his battery going dead too. The thread ran in circles for a while. After a while the guy admitted to having a lo-jack in the car. Problem solved.

[jayman]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Kelly @ Oct 10 2007, 05:54 PM) [snapback]523886[/snapback]</div>

a) no corrosion on terminals[/b]

Check the tiny ground wire that runs off the 12 vdc battery and attaches to the unitbody. I checked mine after 12 months of ownership and there was a surprising amount of corrosion on the bolt that attaches the ring terminal to the unitbody.

I smeared some silicone dielectric grease on the threads and snugged the bolt up again. Every fall I get into the habit of backing off that bolt and snugging it up, to break loose any corrosion.

I hope the attached photo helps. It was taken by another PriusChat member, sorry I forget who. Looking at the battery, the negative terminal is towards the rear of the car. You can see the tiny negative ground wire and the rubber band. I managed to break my rubber band and for the life of me, cannot figure what Toyota used it for


<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n8kwx @ Oct 10 2007, 07:45 PM) [snapback]523926[/snapback]</div>

Make sure it is not a flooded lead-acid battery and make sure it is a deep-cycle battery. [/b]

I've had the 12 vdc battery out of my Prius, and I'm pretty sure it's flooded electrolyte. You can see the fluid moving around in the cells if you move the battery around, and you can hear the liquid slosh

I've solved all battery issues with my Prius - and my FJ Cruiser - by having a VDC Electronics Battery Minder plugged in whenever I'm not using the vehicle.

[Jack Kelly]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(n8kwx @ Oct 10 2007, 04:45 PM) [snapback]523926[/snapback]</div>

Do you have ANY accessories that were added to the car? Alarms, lo-jack, etc? There was a thread a while back where a guy had his battery going dead too. The thread ran in circles for a while. After a while the guy admitted to having a lo-jack in the car. Problem solved.
[/b]

Nope, no electrically-operated accessories. Thanks, though.