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Losing power randomly

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Brandon99, Aug 7, 2014.

  1. Brandon99

    Brandon99 New Member

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    Okay so when I was driving through town yesterday I just lost power, the main light came on steady with the vsc and brake light. So I turned it off and turned it back on the drive until 4 minutes later it did the same thing. Well I noticed my headlight was out. I tapped it and it came back on. Turned the car off and back on and no check engine light or anything. 10 mins later it happened again. What's the problem?
     
  2. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Gonna need to have it scanned for codes but the most likely cause is a fault with the 12 V battery system.
    If the battery is going dead or the battery cables are loose, it can cause a whole host of strange symptoms and set random, unrelated codes.
    Get the battery checked; or if it is the original OEM (5 years old) you might as well just shop for a new one.
     
  3. Brandon99

    Brandon99 New Member

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    Code was c1241

    There aren't any signs of the battery going dead though. Lights aren't dimming or anything
     
    #3 Brandon99, Aug 8, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 10, 2014
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    You may have an inverter coolant pump problem but the code does indicate loss of 12V power.
     
  5. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Like anything else electrical, the battery can be intermittent too.
    And it is hard to see brightness variations of the lights in the daytime.

    Not saying that it HAS to be a 12 V battery problem but the experience of a LOT of owners suggests that it very well could be and dismissing that without getting it tested could be a big mistake.

    The really unfortunate part is that the battery can test good one minute and fail a few minutes later.
     
  6. Brandon99

    Brandon99 New Member

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    I pulled the test screen up on the touch panel and the battery reads 10.2 volts on accessory mode but 13,6 volts when turned on
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    disconnect the battery and measure it at the posts with a voltmeter after the surface charge is gone.
     
  8. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Both readings are somewhat low.
    10.2 is WAY low and the charging voltage when ON should be a bit more than that too probably.
    I think you are on the verge of total battery failure.
     
  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Replace the 12V battery now.
     
  10. Brandon99

    Brandon99 New Member

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    Will this cause my left headlight to go off? When the headlight bulb works, the car runs fine.
     
  11. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    What kind of headlights does your car have?

    If HID, replace the bulb now because it is getting marginal and not staying lit given the high voltage applied to it by the ballast.

    A failed headlight is not going to cause your car to stall. So you need to consider that your car has multiple issues.
     
  12. Brandon99

    Brandon99 New Member

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    I don't think it has HID. The bulb works. It just randomly goes out. If you tap the headlight it comes back on eventually and the car runs fine

    No fog lights so I don't have HID
     
    #12 Brandon99, Aug 9, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 10, 2014
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have any aftermarket accessories like remote start?
     
  14. Brandon99

    Brandon99 New Member

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  15. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    What does "eventually" mean ??
    And you might have the cause and effect backwards; that is, when the car runs fine, the headlight works too.

    I still think that you simply need a new, fully charged battery but when you "tap" on something and it starts working again you have to consider a loose connection somewhere.
     
  16. Brandon99

    Brandon99 New Member

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    Eventually means it doesn't come on when I hit it once or twice but as I keep hitting it, it "eventually" comes back on. And I will check on the battery when I take it to the dealer on Tuesday.