1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Car need to be jump started

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by ppimd, Apr 18, 2015.

  1. ppimd

    ppimd Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2012
    122
    15
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    PIP was parked for a month was dead with fully charged extended battery, fully checked out by dealer including the engine start battery being fully functional. Toyota agreed to replace the charge cable ($1000) at no cost as the ground pin went missing months ago. Some issue with the multiple grounds in the car and complex interrelationship between systems.no think this car is anything but complex.
     
    #1 ppimd, Apr 18, 2015
  2. srl99

    srl99 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2014
    113
    23
    0
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Do you know the voltage of the starting battery when you had to "jump" it? that battery may need replacement. [The owner's manual has a section on this.]

    There's a thread on the starting battery losing charge, and methods of connecting test leads to more easily check it.

    EVSE lost the ground pin on the power plug side?

    Yes, VERY complex systems in this car.
     
    #2 srl99, Apr 18, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    12v is charged when the hv is being charged. apparently, the missing pin was the key to the 12v charging. thanks for the fyi, first one i've heard of.
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 18, 2015
  4. ppimd

    ppimd Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2012
    122
    15
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Let me reiterate the dealer tested and said the 12v battery was fine, all other systems were okay, they kept it for a few days and tested again, contacted Toyota who authorized a "goodwill" replacement of the charging cord. That represents the only uncontrolled variable
     
    #4 ppimd, Apr 18, 2015
  5. Chazz8

    Chazz8 Gadget Lover

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2008
    744
    234
    61
    Location:
    Central New York
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    The 12v was too low to start the car (boot ECU, pre-boost brake system, and move relay to connect big traction battery to the electric system). To test the 12v the dealer hooks it up to to an advanced tester that puts the battery through a charge/discharge cycle while monitoring, and prints out a report. Ask to see that report if you want to know how "fine" your 12v is holding up after getting too low to start the vehicle.

    I would say that the charging cord was replaced because it was damaged (missing ground prong). I'm kind of surprised that the handshake test that happens between external brick and internal charging systems would not catch and cut the charging connection with a ground fault present (missing ground prong).

    How do you think the ground prong went missing?
     
    #5 Chazz8, Apr 19, 2015
  6. ppimd

    ppimd Member

    Joined:
    Apr 22, 2012
    122
    15
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    The ground pin snaps in place so I learned. Somehow it came loose, after three years of pulling it out of an outlet almost daily (at my office, a hanging extension cord was provided by the management) There was no apparent damage to the plug, I think a design flaw not a plug designed for the use of plugging in electric car, think of how much engineering went into the other end.
     
    #6 ppimd, Apr 19, 2015
    Chazz8 likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    oh, the ground pin at the 120 volt end. sorry, i was thinking the other end.
     
    #7 bisco, Apr 19, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    btw, when you park for extended period, you're supposed to drive until the battery discharges down to hv mode (ice comes on) then park it. better for the life of the lithium battery.
     
    #8 bisco, Apr 19, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 19, 2015
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i'm guessing the dealer is incorrect about your 12 volt, can't think of any reason the car wouldn't become ready if it's charged.
     
    #9 bisco, Apr 19, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you say you're 'reiterating' that the 12v was fine, but in your first post, you say the 'engine start battery', which is the hybrid battery. the 12v fires the electronics and relays, not the engine.
     
    #10 bisco, Apr 19, 2015
  11. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2011
    701
    219
    0
    Location:
    So Calif
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    What bisco said, except drive to reduce the battery to HV mode.
     
    #11 rxlawdude, Apr 19, 2015
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    whoops, thanks!:oops:
     
    #12 bisco, Apr 19, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)