My continual Prius problems lately

Let's not scare the guy, have him recheck all his connections first. It really doesn't help when he's only had the car for 2 weeks, not sure of history.

 

I would exchange the battery either way. It should take longer than an hour to charge the battery at 4 amps.

 

The optima battery has a date code on there. The first number is the year is was manufactured, followed by 3 digits of the Julian date.

ex. 3120 = Manufactured 120th day in 2013

I still can't believe these experts didn't check your battery first. They removed their installation to find out it's a bad battery.

 

Oh Just, I thought you were all over that battery. I'm surprised with all the stuff you have done to your car you can't whip out a DVM.

Sorry......thought the worst since I figured you had the easy stuff covered.
Hope its the Optima man.

Many many stories of flat brand new Optima's. But still have not seen a POA nag with an unhappy 12 volt'er.
Ooops...there I go again. Sorry.

Good Luck!!!!!!

 

The Optima has burned me twice (not literally) in the same way. I wont buy one again.

 

Well, the good thing is, we know the problem and it's small, relatively.

 

As other posters have said, change the battery another new one and check the new battery on delivery.
According to Optima's own specifications an Optima battery should start a car after standing for twelve months from new.
This would mean a normal starter motor type car with high current starting demands. The Prius requires very small currents to get to ready mode in comparison.
If this battery is that discharged it must be either very old, or faulty with a high internal discharge rate. The reason the voltage is so low.
"quote" no batteries are allowed to pass down the production line bellow 13.2 volts.
I would not accept a battery with a voltage on delivery below 12.8 volts.

John (Britprius)

 

Is it possible that it's got a fried the DC-DC converter?

Or alternatively if it's not making it to ready mode then there's nothing to charge the 12 volt battery so the new battery will quickly go south if not externally charged.

 

You might have what is called a parasitic or phantom battery drain in the fog light circuit.

How to Find and Stop Car Battery Drains – DIY Car Battery Drain - Popular Mechanics

How to Find a Parasitic Battery Drain: 9 Steps (with Pictures)

It is basically a high resistance low amperage current draw.


The least expensive diagnostic tool can be had at Harbor Freight. I have one and saw one in the store, yesterday.

20 Amp Automotive Fuse Circuit Tester

 

So you were able to get the car started and running? Just the code won't go away?

 

That code is for the interlock on the HV Battery. Has that been checked?

 

What is that? He mentioned it's at the dealer...I'm sure they'll charge him to look at it now.

 

I dont have much to add, beside i did a google search. Maybe this might help:
07 Prius won't start after repairs | PriusChat

"US TSB EG019-05
May 13, 2005. NO "READY ON" AND/OR M.I.L. "ON" DTC P3140, P3141, OR P0A0D (SERVICE PLUG INSTALLATION). May occur if the service plug installation procedure isn't fully performed following a service that required removal of the HV service plug."
Source: 2004 Prius service plug was disconnected now car won't start - Toyota Prius Forum : Prius Online Toyota Forums

Interesting read:
Prius: with a trouble code p0a0d..car wont go. Interlock plug IS - JustAnswer



Thats all I got for ya. Guess I picked a bad day to stop sniffing glue.....

 

Did they check in accordance with this procedure? Refer specifically to pg 21-118 step 9c. That is the one that always gets screwed up. And I don't care how good of a mechanic or "expert" someone is, they're not immune to making mistakes. If you can't get this mech to look at it IAW this procedure, do it yourself. Its not hard and is clearly spelled out. There is really hardly anything that can go wrong internally with these. If they put a new one in, chances are, step 9c wasn't completed.

 

I'm glad you were able to sort the problem out. Props to the Toyota tech that figured out he problem. It would make sense to look where the problem originated.....while installing the lights.

 

I just want to say thank you for posting this, and for specifically calling out Step 9c. After wasting over an hour trying to figure out what was wrong with my 2005 Prius (brand new 12v, Grid Charged HV battery, and still would not start with no codes) I finally saw that I had not 'Locked In' the service plug. Major duh learning moment. Thanks again