2008 Prius dies during water pump replacement at Big-O

They likely ran the 12V down. The little 12V will not run accessories like the radio, ac, interior lights, etc, very long before it will fold. It probably just needs a jump to turn on the computers and then start it so it will charge the batteries. The 12V may be on it's last leg now. When it is jumped they will likely get one chance to get it right. If they cross the connections even for a split second it could cost many hundreds.

 

The HV battery charges the 12V. Any accessories left running runs down the both. If it was working fine when you left it, it is likely they ran it down from ignorance of how the system works and how fragile the 12V is. I would not want them charging it.

 

Best case scenario is they jump the 12V, making certain it is connected right the first time, and it starts and charges the HV battery.

 

Then I guess Toyota will get another chance to say there is nothing wrong with the car and the mechanics did nothing wrong. I hope they can say that.

 

If the car didn't start, then there were codes set. It would be good to know what those are before doing anything. I am under the impression that the HV battery showing one bar on the display has plenty of power to turn over the engine. After all, one bar is still what, only 40% or 50% discharged? Let's hope that this isn't another case of reversed 12V jump syndrome!

 

Yes, obvious. Fuses blown, at least.

And there are numerous cases of generic ODBII scanners giving erroneous results on the Prius, so I would not rely on their assessment just yet. Techstream is the final word on this.

 

If that was the original 12V battery in the car, then it was time for a new one in any case. They don't last much longer than that. Yes, the shop probably didn't have the car in Ready mode, so that would have flattened a weak battery. If a charger didn't bring it up enough to at least get the car running, then it probably had a shorted cell or two.

 

Some go 5 years. Others go 6 and some only make it to 4. It's a given at 5 yrs. the battery will fail

My wifes Matrix almost made it to 8 years, but I full charge it about 2 times a year.
My charger has a de-sulfate mode. It must work, because it's the longest battery life I've ever had.

 

No! It's just a worn out battery It's just a coincidence that it took a dump while they had it.
It happens and that's how it goes. You got almost 5 yrs. out of it. Just move on and let it go.

 

Yes. It probably just got drained too much and being an old battery would no longer accept a charge. Discharging a 12V battery is never good for it's health.

 

The Prius 12V battery is on the small side, and not rated for high amp anything. A high amp charge could have finished off the already weakened battery.

 

Sounds like the people at Big O didnt know what they were doing. I wouldn't trust them with a Prius.

A year ago I had the windows tinted in my car and they did not know how to turn it off. It also killed my 12v. I opted for the Optima yellow top as a replacement, but thats when I learned my lesson about making sure anybody who touches the car needs to be briefed on how to work the Prius.

Now whenever I bring the car in for tire rotations I school the tech real quick on how to work it.

Anyways, since they couldnt start your car and had it towed out, is it now your responsibility to check the coolant level, since it needs to be burped? I'd keep an eye on it.... remember - use Toyota's SLLC ONLY.