Car won't start, but all dash lights come on and blink

I suggest that you replace the 12V auxiliary battery as soon as possible.

 

I second that ... replace the 12v battery

 

Patrick is right.

 

Confirm battery voltage with the car OFF using a voltmeter at the charging post under the hood, or by the procedure given by jdenenberg here (no tools required):
PriusOnline.com • View topic - how to put 12V battery in sleeping mode?

If it's less than 12.6 V with no load, time for a new battery.

 

Richard,

12.6 seems a little optimistic for our little 12v batteries (maybe when using a meter directly at the battery?). Mine has run at about 12.4 for 4.5 years with no trouble which is why I put a loaded threshold of about 12v in my suggested test sequence that you referenced (I went back and looked at it again and of course had to correct three spelling typos ).

JeffD
Engineering Professor

 

12.6V is the expected unloaded value based on the chemistry of the cells, but I won't argue with using 12.0V as a threshold for replacement. The self-test reading on mine is always a little low compared to a voltmeter.

 

+1 on jdenenberg's comment.

Using a ScanGauge to get a measurement just after shutdown, the
reading might start at 12.6 momentarily, but then falls to 12.4 or .5
and settles there for my battery -- 1 year old.

With the SG you can measure 12 V battery voltage anytime, even when
the car is OFF. Just hit the button in the lower right, scroll thru gauges on
one of the buttons to VLT -- I think it is. The SG stays activated for a
minute or two and then shuts down.

Easy to do an "after sitting overnight" test, before you go to READY.
Far better than one done just after shut down -- which I learned after
reading other threads like this one. Thank you very much.

 

Let me guess. Your car is parked outside, not in a garage?

 

Mine does this too, but always starts on the second try. It doesn't matter if it's in the garage or in a parking lot, and doesn't seem to matter if it's cold or warm out. It happened to the dealer once when I took it in, and he said there was a little oil somewhere (sorry, I don't know car-speak) from the last oil change.... But it still happens after that, so I don't think that was it. I haven't reported it again, because it's not that big of a deal. But it sounds like the consensus is to change the 12v battery, so I should probably do that soon! Thanks, everyone... This has been very helpful.

 

Was the battery the problem? I am experiencing the same exact thing right now.

I left it alone for about a half hour and then tried again, and it started up no problem. But the only thing was that the gas tank was full before it the problems began, yet now that has gone down to one bar. I've called two dealerships but they can't help -- just say to get it towed. But it is starting up. Is it okay to drive to get home to my local garage and have them look at it?

 

Yes, this is a very typical problem, which usually shows up on a cold morning.

You can order the Optima kit and install it yourself, it's easy with a few hand tools. This battery is superior to the original battery and will last a lot longer.

Here are Hobbit's excellent notes on the installation.

 

Thanks for that info. So, is it safe to drive about 25 miles home if I can get it started again?

 

It's perfectly safe to drive if you can get it going. You can also jump it if it refuses to go ready. Instructions are in the owners manual. Be VERY CAREFUL about polarity, as a wrong move here could be costly!

 

Once you can get the car running, there's no problem driving it. No need for a tow.

The fact that your fuel gauge reset is evidence that the 12V auxiliary battery needs to be replaced. If you can do that yourself, then you'll save the labor charge. Good luck.