dead battery after recall service?

It is possible that the dealer discharged your 12v battery which can reduce its remaining capacity. If you measure the 12v batterv voltage in three conditions:

1. In accessory (press pwr without stepping on the brake - battery voltage should be more that 12v ( a fully charged AGM battery should be almost 13v) - Insufficient charging is common if you tend to make a lot of short trips.
2. Press pwr again without the brake to put a load on the battery (you could also just turn on the headlights) - battery voltage will drop a bit, but stay above 12v.
3. Now step on the brake and press pwr to get into "ready" mode - the battery should now be charging at near 14v.

If step one fails, your battery is either weak or just not sufficiently charged.
If step two fails (0.5 volt drop or more) replace the 12v battery
If step three fails, you either have a blown the 100amp fuse or need to replace the inverter (a salvaged one is far less money)

JeffD

 

The 12v batteries generally last 4/5 years or 70/80k miles (obviously with exceptions). Yours was probably due to be replaced and I wonder if the dealer might have just finished it off by leaving the doors open whilst they processed the software upgrades etc. I usually switch off all my interior lights before handing the car in for a service/recall.

But jump starting a Prius is a very temporary measure and the 12v should be replaced much sooner than later. Chances are it'll let you down in the most inconvenient place and the worst time of day in the worst area. Get your 12v booked in now and hopefully it will resolve your problems. Actually it probably will. With winter just around the corner it's especially prudent to replace it.

 

test the battery; many places would do it for free. if battery holds the charge, than it is something else.

Agree with other comments battery should be on last leg. They usually go out this time of the year, when the night temps go down

 

If you are able you really should take the 12v off the car and give it a good charge and then put it back. The Prius 12v charging system isn't as fast as a traditional cars alternator and by jump starting the car it is barely getting enough charge. You really need to resolve this as quickly as you can. Running the car with a failed 12v can cause extra strain.

 

If step 3 failed (low voltage in ready mode) you either have a severely failed 12v battery that is drawing a lot of current from your inverter, or the 100 amp charging fuse is blown or you have a failure in the inverter. Stop trying to test the 12v battery and get a new one that reads more than 12,5 volts. Install it in your Prius and check step 3 again. If you still see less than 13.5 volts, then you have a more significant repair to do.

What were your readings in the three steps?

JeffD

 

Given the problems other have had with the Optima brand of batteries, I was leaning toward an OE replacement battery, until I saw this one with a full four year FREE replacement warranty.

SLI51PAGM Duracell Ultra Platinum AGM Battery
- 2010 to 2014 L4 1.8L 325CCA Hybrid - Prius - Toyota - Car and Truck - Batteries Plus

 

CCA is an unimportant spec for a Prius battery. ask:

• Does it have a vent port? - a safety issue, but low probability that it will be activated
• What is the Amp-Hour Rating - the old OEs had about 30 and the Exide is over 40
• Is it a "Deep Discharge" rated battery? - Can it handle a deep discharge and be brought back to life by charging it more than once

My Optima Yellow Top

• Has a vent port
• 36 amp-hours
• Is a deep discharge battery
• Has held up well for the three years it has been in my 2004 Prius

JeffD

 

You are putting your wallet at risk. A digital voltmeter can be purchased for about $30 (Radio Shack, Harbor Freight, ...). Good luck relying on your dealer as maybe 1 in four can be trusted with a failure of this type.

JeffD

 

Every service instruction I have read in repair manuals begins with read the OBD II codes record them and disconnect the 12 volt battery. Toyota charges $230 for their battery. So I would listen to Jeff and see what Batteries+ has to offer I have found their replacements and knowledge above what dealer mechanics consider adequate.


iPhone ?

 

One of our company trucks had problems staring after the weekend. I put it on the charger overnight and then took it to AutoZone afterward. They tested it and said everything was good. A week later the same thing, jumped it and took it to Advance Auto Parts. They tested it and they also said everything was good. I took it to our local shop and they tested the battery bad under load. The battery was a Advance Auto Parts unit, which was still under warranty. For $40-45, can't remember, they replaced Advance Auto Parts unit, warrantied the battery, and replaced it (labor). So two parts places, including the battery vendor/reseller, said the battery was good. Now I know that they are fighting the warranty and their diagnostics are worthless. They bring out a electronic battery tester which cannot load a battery properly. A battery tester that can handle a load is larger/heavy and has to dissipate a large amount of heat.

 

BAttery+ open sunda


iPhone ?

 

Where do you live (your approximate location should be in your PC profile)? That way we can point you at a reputable independent repair facility if there is one within driving distance.

JeffD

 

someone else tried the duracell and was happy upon installation, iirc. my local says they will test your battery for free.

 

That still sounds like the battery to me. 20 minutes also isn't very long for it to recharge. Replace the battery, and then if you still have issues, you'll know it's something more.