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2006 Prius 186,000 miles

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Malin, Oct 15, 2014.

  1. Malin

    Malin Junior Member

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    I love my car and have never really had an issue with it. It gets the oil changes and the services, and new tires and it starts and take me where I need to go. (I do hate the loss of power when I lose traction, which makes winter driving a nightmare. ) Recently I have noticed that the battery indicator goes very low when I stand idle, or drive in cruise control at high speed (over 68mph) for a prolonged time. Seems to be happening more and more. It also sounds loud, and burns through the gas. There are no warning lights, or any other issue indicators.
    I have also lost some buttons on the steering wheel, and they told me I need new buttons which are pricey.

    Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
     
    #1 Malin, Oct 15, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    unfortunately mate, your vehicle is showing signs of age. your battery probably needs servicing, and your steering wheel buttons can only be fixed cheaper than the dealer, at a decent mechanic, or if you are a good diy'er. all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Oct 15, 2014
  3. Malin

    Malin Junior Member

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    ....and by servicing you mean? :)
     
    #3 Malin, Oct 15, 2014
  4. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    He means
    1) Have you replaced your 12V battery?
    2) Have you heard about using a Grid Charger (available at the PriusChat Shop) to recondition your HV battery (which is getting weak based on your first post)?
    3) As for the buttons, you can likely get some good ones at a salvage yard or on Ebay
     
    #4 usnavystgc, Oct 15, 2014
  5. Malin

    Malin Junior Member

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    I was wondering about the 12V, so I am glad you brought that up. Not knowing anything about cars, and loving that my Prius has been so great that I never had to learn until now, I theorized that the 12V might be draining the HV battery. Will look into Grid Charger too. Thanks
    This car must keep going - kid in college , no money
     
    #5 Malin, Oct 15, 2014
  6. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    The unique thing about the Prius 12V battery is that you won't notice a problem if you always just start and go. It uses virtually no power to turn on the computer, unlike a conventional car which uses large amounts of current to start the engine. Unfortunately, Toyota has opted for an automotive-type battery which has a fairly short lifespan compared to almost any other type of rechargeable battery of similar capacity out there.

    The buttons can probably be fixed if you have lots of patience for taking things apart and a bit of contact-cleaner fluid. Unless the contacts are completely burned away (unlikely), it's probably just corrosion or dirt.
     
    #6 GregP507, Oct 15, 2014
  7. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    If the 12V aux battery is in really bad shape, it's possible that it is draining the hybrid battery through the DC to DC converter, although I'd expect a system warning if that were the case.
     
    #7 GregP507, Oct 15, 2014
  8. AzWxGuy

    AzWxGuy Weather Guy

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    I would bet the steering wheel button problem is due to failure in the clockspring. Is it the buttons in the lower right quadrant that don't work anymore? That is how mine is failing. You can confirm it by making the car ready and then rotating the steering wheel and pressing a non-functioning button or holding a button down and see if you can make it work at some point in the rotation.
     
    #8 AzWxGuy, Oct 15, 2014
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