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Installed new 12v aux battery; car won't start

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by MaceWindu007, Dec 30, 2013.

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  1. MaceWindu007

    MaceWindu007 Junior Member

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    I purchased a new 12 volt battery from Toyota and installed in my 2009 Prius. My car wouldn't start. So, next I tried to jumpstart it. I pressed the Power button (the light was GREEN) but it wouldn't start. I pressed the Power button again (The light was AMBER) and the hybrid drive engaged and the CHECK ENGINE light came on; however, the engine didn't start, the dashboard didn't light up and the READY indicator did not appear.

    Next, I grabbed the Owner's Manual and went through the Troubleshooting sequence. Engine still wouldn't start.

    Is a fuse blown?

    Please help!!!!

    Thanks,
    Mace
     
    #1 MaceWindu007, Dec 30, 2013
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are the terminals tight on the new battery?
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 30, 2013
  3. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    It sounds like you have a loose connection on your battery. I just hope you paid close attention to polarity when you jumped it. If not, that may have caused other problems.

    But lets stick to basics first, check to make sure you have tight connections at the battery.
     
    #3 usnavystgc, Dec 30, 2013
  4. MaceWindu007

    MaceWindu007 Junior Member

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    I thought I had tightened them pretty good but I'll try again.
     
    #4 MaceWindu007, Dec 30, 2013
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe the battery's defective?

    If you can get a hold of a digital mulitmeter, try checking voltage with the car off: should be at least 12.5 Volt, 12.6, 12.7 better.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Dec 30, 2013
  6. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    If that doesnt work, my next question is:

    What is the voltage of the "new" battery?
     
    #6 usnavystgc, Dec 30, 2013
  7. MaceWindu007

    MaceWindu007 Junior Member

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    When I first discovered this issue, I took the battery back to Toyota and had them test it. The Toyota tech came back with the results: the battery is in excellent condition.
     
    #7 MaceWindu007, Dec 30, 2013
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What's lead up to this battery swap? Just a weak 12 volt, or?
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Dec 30, 2013
  9. MaceWindu007

    MaceWindu007 Junior Member

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    What led up to the 12v battery swap was the fact that my wife and kids had left the lights on one too many times - requiring me to jump the vehicle off many times. I took the battery to Auto Zone and had it tested. The old battery wouldn't hold a charge; and hence, my visit to Toyota to purchase a new battery.
     
    #9 MaceWindu007, Dec 30, 2013
  10. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    Do you have 12+ volts at the fuse box in the engine compartment?
     
    #10 jadziasman, Dec 30, 2013
  11. MaceWindu007

    MaceWindu007 Junior Member

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    How do I check to see if I, in fact, have 12 volts at the fuse box in the engine compartment?
     
    #11 MaceWindu007, Dec 30, 2013
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check the dome light fuse.
     
    #12 bisco, Dec 30, 2013
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'm going to assume everything was working fine on your 2009 before you changed the battery. Also you didn't cross the positive and negative terminals. Only thing I could think of is you didn't tighten your connections. Connect the positive first and then connect the negative. Make sure everything is tight and that's it.
     
    #13 JC91006, Dec 30, 2013
  14. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

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    You will need a multimeter to check the voltage. Measure the voltage in the same location where you performed the jump start.
     
    #14 jadziasman, Dec 30, 2013
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Also, check the negative cable where it bolts to the body.

    How much fuel in the tank?

    Was the car operational prior to the 12V battery change?

    Press the brake pedal hard while depressing the POWER button. Make sure the brake lights come on when the brake pedal is depressed.
     
    #15 Patrick Wong, Dec 30, 2013
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is the fob battery low?
     
    #16 bisco, Dec 30, 2013
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    don't think it's the fob, he gets lights "green" and "amber". if the fob was low, nothing would happen
     
    #17 JC91006, Dec 30, 2013
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    right. just gasping at staws.
     
    #18 bisco, Dec 30, 2013
  19. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I think Patrick spelled it out. Brake light switch failure, waiting on response from OP. Green and Amber LED will be seen if one doesn't press the brake pedal.
     
    #19 dorunron, Dec 30, 2013
  20. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Well hell, maybe. OP - try putting your key into the slot and see if anything improves?
     
    #20 JC91006, Dec 30, 2013
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