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2005 Prius won't start

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Cezarcaz, Nov 14, 2014.

  1. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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    Last night my wife took my Prius, she put the car in park and got out when she got back to the car the car was off and now the car will not start. When I push the start button one time the little light on the power start button blinks red however when I push it again and press the break the car will not start and all the lights will turn off on the dash. Has anybody experiences? Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Dead battery?
     
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    This really sounds like a dead/weak 12V battery. I would check the voltage of the battery under load (with lights on). It should be at least 11.9 and hold that voltage. If not, you can try jumping it but be careful to observe polarity.
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ditto^^^ is it orig.?
     
  5. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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    That was my original thought. Tasted the 12v batt and it all checks out also had AAA come out and test it tested fine. I found this video that on YouTube showing the same problem Unfortunately video does not show a solution. I have included the link below to see if anyone can help.

     
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    What year is the car? Mileage?
     
  7. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Did anyone try to jump or recharge the battery? If not, then I would not rule out the 12V battery. When you say you tested it, what was the voltage under load and did it hold that voltage for at least five minutes under load?

    I'm still betting on the 12V battery. AAA and others are notoriously bad when it comes to testing a Prius battery. When it comes to the 12V on the Prius, you have to make absolutely certain that it is good. I'm not convinced that was done here. If you test it, post two voltages for me, the first voltage under load and the second voltage (5 minutes under load). If that's good, we can move on from there.
     
  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This actually sounds like the car is out of gas.
     
  9. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    If it runs out of gas, you will get all kinds of DTC's but, it is worth it to check that.
     
  10. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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  11. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Although I agree the 12 volt battery is suspect it could also be the ground lead has a faulty connection where it fastens to the bodywork below the rear light.
    The conditions under which the car failed are not exactly clear. If the car was left in ready mode and park the car maintains the charge on the 12 volt battery and should rule this out. It does not rule out a faulty connection.
    If the car was not in ready mode or was in ready mode and neutral any load on the battery (lights, radio, heater fan, AC) would deplete the charge on the HV battery and the 12 volt particularly if the battery is old or in poor condition.

    John (Britprius)
     
  12. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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    I had 2 different tow truck companies come out and try to jump start the car. This morning before I had it towed to my house. I will have to test the 12v bat myself. I will need to go buy a tester any tester you recommend?
     
  13. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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    The car was left on and in park, my wife was just moving another car in order to park hers in behind that one. When she retired to the car the car was off no lights on the dash.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    any volt meter will do. test it in the morning with the car off, before starting, or at least after a few hours so there's no surface charge. i hope the tow monkeys didn't fry anything.:eek:
     
  15. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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    Car has not started since last night around 6:30pm. On my way to buy a volt meter.
     
  16. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Disconnect the 12v negative for 10 seconds and try again
     
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You might have a bad combination meter. The car was probably not off when your wife returned
     
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  18. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    From your more detailed description of what happened I do not think it is the 12 volt battery, but this does need to be ruled out before anything else. Check the voltage at the battery and the jump point in the fuse box under the hood. Turn on the lights with the meter connected and see how much the voltage falls.
    Alarm bells start ringing when you say two different companies tried to jump start the car, but we will get back to that later if needed.

    John (Britprius)
     
  19. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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    Got the volt tester


    Everything off with back hatch open
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416005689.480293.jpg

    With lights on and back hatch open
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416005725.516602.jpg

    After min lights on back hatch open
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416005783.623583.jpg

    These done directly to the battery
     
  20. Cezarcaz

    Cezarcaz Member

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    Tests with Lights off at the front of the car
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416006017.586398.jpg

    With lights on
    ImageUploadedByTapatalk1416006146.405829.jpg