Turn on/off too fast causes beeping before exiting car - come back dead battery

The little 12 volt aux battery in the back is not a very hardy battery. Kill it once or twice good and all bets are off. Its an ok battery and will last 3+ years if your good to it and charge it once in a while and never kill it.

BUT,

Once you kill it dead it will sulfate quickly and then never reach or hold a good charge again so the slightest drain will kill it.

Try this easy test:
http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/73400-weird-stuff-happening-mpgs-dropping-test-battery.html

You will find a very poor battery. Which is why your car is doing all the confusing beeps.

And really there's no reason in the world to have a dead battery on our car. All you have to do is use the key fob or the door button on exit to set the lock and it will multiple beep and let you know if you have left the hatch or any door ajar. Saved me maybe 10 times in the last 3+ years. Especially in the garage. BUT, even though I have taken care of my 07's battery with periodic float charges and never killing it, its showing signs of rapid deteriation. Its not a real good battery to begin with. Its good ebnough to get the car out of its warranty period.

Here's the setup most people move up to. Its a far superior battery:

Toyota Prius 12 Volt Auxiliary Battery with install kit for 2004 - 10

 

Be more careful when shutting down the car. Make sure all of the dash lights are off.

 

Like all the other computerized electronics in our world, the Prius also should be turned on and off in a positive manner, holding the power on button for about a second. Turning the car on/off too fast just confuses the ECU s and then you just have to go thru the procedure again. It's just like our computers, treat them gently and take a second. For more serious symptoms, rebooting helps.

 

it use to happen to me using the smart-key.

generally, when i shut down car and see that i need to roll up a window (or i am using the ACC mode to listen to radio while sitting).

so i press start again, quickly roll up window, and shut down car.
then open the door and the car "beeps". that is, the car is not officially "off".

so i press start again, press the accelerator to get engine running, then turn off car.
if there's no beep when i open the door, it's officially off.
if there's still a beep when door is open, it's still on. so i do the process over again.

it's a computer malfunction and there's nothing i can do but be aware of it.

unfortunately, it happened to someone who borrowed my Prius (drained the battery, that is). so now everybody who drives it knows about the flaw...

 

It seems to me that your doing a couple of things wrong.

A. There is no need to restart the car to roll up a window. Unless you have opened a door, your still able to close the windows, try it.

B. In your drivers manual it states...never press the gas pedal while starting the Prius. Also why get the ICE running, just to turn if off again.

I would not treat my computer this way. I look at a Prius as 1/2 a computer and 1/2 a automobile....treat it as such.

Happy motoring !!!!!!!

 

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that you need a new battery.....let the dealer decide that for you.

I have basically the same vehicle as yourself...I have read others having this wining sound......it's something that I have never had.

Just lucky......Maybe !!!!!!

 

baker2gs: Yes.....it's new to you.....but it's a 2007.....how many miles are on the car....The Optima battery is probably a good way to go..

 

Don't feel bad. Its one of the most common complaints here:

"Bought a used Prius and the battery is going dead or the car is doing all kinds of wierd things"

Buying a used car no matter what it is and then it quickly needs a battery or usually tires is the most common thing and to be expected.

Buy the Optima when you can and then lock the doors every single time you get out of the car. No matter where the car is especially in the garage. It will alert you to doors not completely closed. Lights on etc. Works great. Upgrade to an excellent battery and don't look back.

That will eleviate about 99% of any issues you may have with the car.
Its a very very dependable car but the little stock battery in the back sucks and will continue to be an issue till you upgrade since you bought someone elses problem with it.

Don't feel bad. I have taken excellent care of my battery and I need a new one too.

Good Luck.

 

Your 12V battery sounds pretty good to me. I went to the extreme of disconnecting the trunk and door lights, I only use the dome light manually ( and rarely) Just concentrate on keeping it in a charged state. For instance if you listen to the radio or run the heater while parked make sure you keep the car in ready so the DC/DC converter is always presenting a full chage to the 12V. Should you have a garage or carport, lock the car always, that way you cannot accidently leave a door or hatch ajar, ( the car will warn you ). :cheer2:

 

The problem with this measurement is that you did not allow 8 hours to elapse after the battery was charged, before you measured it. The battery voltage registered an erroneously high measurement because it had been recently charged.

I agree that the battery needs to be immediately replaced.