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Electrical problem? Computer problem?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by jackmccullough, Jul 27, 2010.

  1. jackmccullough

    jackmccullough Junior Member

    Joined:
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    2008 Prius
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    Here's a weird series of events.

    In April I took a trip to Martha's Vineyard and had a problem starting my 2008 Prius when the ferry arrived in port. http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/79366-error-message-park-brake.html

    I've had no problems since then, at least up until last week when I arrived on the Vineyard and the same thing happened. I gather the 12V battery may be weak.

    The weird thing is this: My driver's side window was partly open when I needed to get a jump from the portable generator they had on the ferry. Ever since then, when I try to close the window by raising the controls and releasing it it closes all the way, stops, and returns to the level it was at when I got the jump. I can get the window to close by holding it and carefully releasing it when it gets to the top, but otherwise I keep getting this up-and-down thing.

    Do you have any idea what this might be? Would replacing the battery fix it? Might I need a new computer?

    TIA

    Jack
     
  2. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    III
    It does sound like your 12V battery needs replacing. Also, the window issue is a sign of the loss of 12V. I believe the fix is to operate the window up and down something like three times in a row so that it re-learns the auto up/down function.
     
  3. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    that does sound like a 12v problem.

    to reset your window... you have to have the car on. (or should in your case)

    it's basically rolling the window all the way up and down 3 or 4 times. (sometimes 3 doesn't work for me so i do 4 times...)

    one after the other, hold the switch.. when you hit the top.. hold the switch for a second... then go down all the way (holding the switch).. when it hits the bottom.. hold it for a second.. now go up... try not to let go of the switch at any time. repeat 3 or 4 times...

    now test it.. click it all the way up and let go to see if it stops at the top. try down too... (if up works.. down works)

    i know this works for genII figured it was carried over to the genIII