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07 wont start with out jumping from under the hood(has new 12v battery)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ohioratrodder, Apr 11, 2013.

  1. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    I have a 2007 prius, i replace the original battery with a Optima prius battery about 3 months ago, Never have had any problems with the car but old battery was getting weak. After replacing the battery everything was still normal. Two days ago i came home shut the car off and went in. Next day i had no power(nothing dome light, locks, etc like 12v battery was disconnected), thought maybe something got left on so i jumped it under the hood and it started and ran fine. Let it run for about 30mins turned it off then went to turn it back on, again nothing, I checked the Optima in the trunk and its fully charged and the main 120 fuse is good and all other fuses i can find also are good, But the car has no power to anything or less i jump it from under the hood, jumping it at the optima does nothing. I followed the 12v battery wire till it went through the floor pan under the rear seat still had 14.6v. Cant tell where the wire goes but the fuse box under the hood has no power. Have also tried another good battery with same results. Is there a fuse hidden some where or could this be a problem with the inverter? I have jumped the car a few times and it will start up and run fine and gas motor will even cycle on/off like normal. Does anyone have and ideas what to try or where to look next?
    Thanks
     
  2. nklb

    nklb Member

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    I would try to check continuity between the battery and the jump terminals in the front. It sure does sound like either a fuse is blown or a cable is otherwise disconnected somewhere.
     
  3. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    Thanks its what i have been trying to do. I know the 12v + wire runs along the under side of the car and comes up the firewall along with the orange inverter wires. I can see the inverter wires on the firewall but cant seem to locate the 12v+ after about 8" from the fuse box. Hoping there was a junction or rely i keep missing.
     
  4. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    I have a complete wiring harness at home that I can snap a pic of......when I get home
     
  5. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Before you do anything else check the connection of the negative wire from the battery where it is connected to the bodywork. It is not unusual for this connection to be loose or corroded. This would be the second time I have posted about this fault in three weeks.

    John (Britprius)
     
  6. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    A picture from the plug under the read seat to its next connection would be great. I have already tried re-grounding the battery even through the stock ground and ends are still in good shape. I have tried looking online for wiring diagrams put have had no luck in finding the 12v battery schematics.
     
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Does this help. Power Distribution 1 of 2.jpg

    John (Britprius)
     
  8. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    Thanks it conformed no fuses i missed. Finally found the problem. Wire was corroded half way up the firewall inside the plastic sleeve. Now i have to either replace the wire or add a new section in and remove all of the corroded wire. Just glad it happened now and not two weeks ago when we where on vacation:) Honestly don't know how the prius started for the last few months as bad is it was.
    Thanks everyone
     

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  9. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    So the cable is aluminium! One small hole in the insulation for salt to get in and goodbye to conductor.

    John (Britprius)
     
  10. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    Yep, trying to see how hard its going to be to replace the whole wire or if i should just solder a section in. May have to wait till the morning to see if toyota even has one in stock
     
  11. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    I would replace it with a piece of copper cable soldering on new terminal ends (or the existing ones). This would likely be cheaper, quicker, and better than the OEM cable.

    BTW solder will not work on aluminium.

    John (Britprius)
     
  12. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    Most likely what i will do, cant go anywhere till tomorrow anyway. Plus have to double check how hard it is to remove the the plug ends and reuse them
     
  13. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Hope it works out well for you. Please let us know how it turns out.

    I should also have welcomed you to PC.

    John (Britprius)
     
  14. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    thanks i have searched the forum off and on for a few years just never made an account, Have had the car for about 3 years and have put around 120,000 miles on it. This is the first time its not been drivable for more then a day since we have owned it. Still very happy with the car. Has made 7 or 8 trips to Florida mostly Destin or Clearwater but as far as Miami from Blanchester, Oh. Plus many trips to tenn and other out of town trips and been my wifes daily to college and work also.
     
  15. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    As you probably realise I am on the other side of the pond from you and have a Prius with over 90,000 miles and agree it is a reliable car.

    As with all vehicles it has some faults, but was quite surprised to find that cable is aluminium. As a retired EE I do know about the pitfalls of using aluminium as a conductor, especially when it is possible for it to come in contact with water and salt. Just asking for trouble.

    John (Britprius)
     
  16. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    Would love to visit England one day but we have to save our out of states travels till we are older. Wish mine only had 90,000 i am well over double that. Think she is pushing 240,000. I was surprised about the wire. Only reason i found the break i finally started feeding the wire to see if i missed any fuses and it had a small bubble. I would have tested the wire but thought i was missing a fuse or rely, only because its hard to believe out of no where the problem came out.
     
  17. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    As promised even though u figured out ur issue.....might help other's. This is the complete harness from the traction battery & 12v accessory up to the inverter & fuse box

    image.jpg

    image.jpg
     
  18. ohioratrodder

    ohioratrodder New Member

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    Thanks, now only if i had an extra one laying around.....