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Is this a symptom of a dead batter

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by yawkeyfan, Nov 29, 2013.

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  1. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    I have a 2004 Prius that has been relatively maintenance free. Oil changes and brakes. That's it!

    But recently, I've had to jump start my car 6 times in the last 6 weeks, three times in just last week.

    When I open door overhead lights dim and the car makes a beeping sound as if I've left lights on, but all lights, etc. are off. I shut door lights and beeps stop.

    When I put the key in and push start button, I hear one beep and the dash light illuminate as if it were going to start, but it won't start. The lights that indicate the fuel levels will only flash one box, even though the fuel tank is full.

    I've never replaced battery. Is there a way I can tell that its just battery and not an underlying electrical problem? I don't want to replace battery if there is a problem that will just keep draining it. Also, the touch screen panel died a couple of years ago. It keeps flashing on from time to time, but there seems to be a loose wire. I think its unrelated as that happened long before I started having problems with starting the car.
     
    #1 yawkeyfan, Nov 29, 2013
  2. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    If that's the original, you're luck it's lasted that long. If you have a multimeter you can check the 12-volt voltage on the battery. It should be 11-14 volts. I recommend replacing it before you damage something even more expensive with all the jumping. Prius is very sensitive to reversing polarity when jumping.
    One of the main things the 12-volt really does is run electrical systems, including ECUs and those lights you have said dim, so the Hybrid system can act weirdly or not run at all when 12-volt is bad.
     
    #2 Zedhomme, Nov 29, 2013
  3. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    Thanks for the quick reply. I appreciate it. I will test and pick one up..........
     
    #3 yawkeyfan, Nov 29, 2013
  4. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    You may see some posts that recommend after-market batteries, but also a lot of modifications needed for them. I recommend the OEM Prius battery. It has the correct size posts, vent tube attachment, fits in the space without modification of the tray, and has a carrying strap that fits under the harness. Others require modifications.
     
    #4 Zedhomme, Nov 29, 2013
  5. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    As far as the touch screen flashing, did you ever replace the OEM radio or anything else that required full or partial disassembly of the dash?
     
    #5 Zedhomme, Nov 29, 2013
  6. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #6 JimboPalmer, Nov 29, 2013
  7. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    No, honestly. I've had nothing for repairs, other than standard maintenance. And, I have 277,800 miles on this car. When the screen went, I just did withou.
     
    #7 yawkeyfan, Nov 29, 2013
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you may have the record for longest surving 12v!
     
    #8 bisco, Nov 29, 2013
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  9. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    That's very good lifespan. If you haven't read other posts, have you changed the transaxle ATF fluid at a couple points?
    Back to the Multi-display. Have you checked for any DTCs? B1248 can be a bad or loose wire harness from the Gateway ECU to the display?
     
    #9 Zedhomme, Nov 29, 2013
  10. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    I've never brought it to the dealer. I bought it as a certified preowned car in 2008; it had 40,000 miles on it. All maintenance has been done at either Valvoline or the Monroe Oil changes places...Whatever, they;ve recommended, I've done. I honestly don't know what they change. I did switched to high mileage oil. I am aware that I've been lucky but I've always owned Toyotas and have never gotten less than 250k miles from any of them......
     
    #10 yawkeyfan, Nov 29, 2013
  11. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    I'd say good maintenance is more important than luck in this case. The only reason I ask is because Toyota considers the Transaxle ATF "lifetime", but many members here recommend replacing it at about 60,000 mile intervals. I first did mine at about 120,000 miles and it was very dirty, but hadn't caused any damage. Very simple procedure though, just drain and fill, no flushing, so well worth the cost.
     
    #11 Zedhomme, Nov 29, 2013
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  12. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    Oh, and on the display, I think its just a loose wire. I went on YouTube and learned how to remove the unit so I will and check the wiring. It blinks on and off and I believe it just a loose wire. I want to do that before winter because last winter was tough to get the heat and defrost regulated easily as its more cumbersome toggling through the heat using the buttons on the steering wheel.
     
    #12 yawkeyfan, Nov 29, 2013
  13. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    Great sounds simple enough. That will get done after I figure out the battery issue.
     
    #13 yawkeyfan, Nov 29, 2013
  14. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    Sounds good. Let us know if it works.
     
    #14 Zedhomme, Nov 29, 2013
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  15. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    I think it's actually a bad solder joint and apparently it's a fairly common problem. If you search this site you should be able to find more details on this, and I think there are even some independent specialists who can fix it fairly cheaply if you send it to them.
     
    #15 uart, Nov 30, 2013
  16. Zedhomme

    Zedhomme Member

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    RE: MFD There is a pretty good post from Hobbit about the issue that you may be having and some solutions.
    Check link below. As uart said it can be a solder pin connection that has broken, usually either pins 58 & 60 or 59 & 60.

    Prius MFD

    RE: Transaxle ATF- You can remove the fill plug and draw out a small sample of the fluid to check condition. Recommend always using Toyota ATF WS as a replacement although if you have had Valvoline or Monroe actually replace it, since you have close to 278,000 relatively trouble-free miles, you have either been doing something right or very lucky.
     
    #16 Zedhomme, Nov 30, 2013
  17. hkgngplugin

    hkgngplugin Junior Member

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    I can’t agree anymore than this. Get your 12V replaced and everything should go back normal!
     
    #17 hkgngplugin, Nov 30, 2013
  18. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    Ok few lessons learned. The 2004 Prius is one of a few that has three batteries. I got the first one from the Auto Parts store $222 and it was the exact one mentioned in this forum Optima Ds462B24R. When I googled the part and went on three auto parts store website, they all came up with this battery. It was too wide (rectangular shaped) to fit in the harness. I went to the Toyota Dealership and was given battery was square (they looked up the battery by my VIN #) it fit fine and I was able to change the battery. The car started right up!

    Of course, new issue. I have constant blinking light that I have never seen before, even after i pull the key out. Its a flashing orange light that looks like it has a key in it. I am going to Google it now, but if anyone has heard of this, please let me know. And, thank you for your help. Before I tackle the display, I want to check this light out as I certainly don't want it draining my new battery.
     
    #18 yawkeyfan, Nov 30, 2013
  19. yawkeyfan

    yawkeyfan Junior Member

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    Oh, I don't have a smart key
     
    #19 yawkeyfan, Nov 30, 2013
  20. hkgngplugin

    hkgngplugin Junior Member

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    Hey, that light tells you you car lock is on. If you move your car with that light blinking, your car alarm should comes up. Btw, it is very amazing to me that you’ve driven your car for so many years, and you don’t recognize that light!
     
    #20 hkgngplugin, Nov 30, 2013
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