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Help! 2012 Prius won't start... any ideas?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by rukawa11, Aug 6, 2014.

  1. rukawa11

    rukawa11 Junior Member

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    Hey guys, was wondering if you could help me. I went to my garage today and went to open the door... it didn't beep and unlock... let's try again...same results.

    Took the remote out and pressed the unlock button 4 to 5 times and no dice either. Ok what the heck? Took the key out of the remote and manually unlocked it, sat in the car pressed the brakes to turn the car on and the brakes were really hard to depress. Power button was a no go as well.

    The interior lights were on but really really dim. I am completely baffled, just drove the car 48 hours ago. The car is the 2012 model with about 11k miles. I do leave a dashcam plugged in that turns off automatically when the car is off and haven't had any problems with it for the 2 months I've had it. Thanks for any help and ideas before I jump it with my portable jump starter.
     
    #1 rukawa11, Aug 6, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    In any other car, this would tell you the battery is dead. Same here in your prius
     
    #2 JC91006, Aug 6, 2014
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    get a trickle charger, and charge the 12 volt battery overnight. did you leave the dome light on or a door/hatch not closed all the way?
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 6, 2014
  4. rukawa11

    rukawa11 Junior Member

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    Ah got it.

    Nope I didn't.
     
    #4 rukawa11, Aug 6, 2014
  5. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    AND.....if charging the 12 V brings it back to life, you probably are due for a new battery.
    Along with that, the charging voltage needs to be checked.
    Loose or corroded battery cables are also a possibility.
     
    #5 Easy Rider 2, Aug 6, 2014
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Check the voltage of the battery with a digital multimeter.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Aug 6, 2014
  7. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    You need a new 12 volt battery.
     
    #7 adamace1, Aug 6, 2014
  8. siuschef

    siuschef New Member

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    Which digital multimeter would you recommend? Thanks!
     
    #8 siuschef, Apr 24, 2022
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No preference really.

    I have a Milwaukee, but was not to impressed: left it face down for a few months and a corroding battery dripped all over its circuit board (replaced under warranty).

    Just see what’s available, check reviews, doesn’t need to be too expensive.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Apr 25, 2022
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