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Troubles after changing 12v Battery

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by docproteus, Aug 20, 2015.

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  1. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    I preemptively changed my 12v battery out for the yellow top deep cycle a few months ago. The past few weeks I have had a situation where all lights have come on and it seems that the powered brake assist has gone out. Shutting down the car and starting it up seems to solve it. I took it to a mechanic I trust and he told me that the car is being told it's the wrong type of 12v which it obviously is not. Any thoughts?
     
    #1 docproteus, Aug 20, 2015
  2. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    if you trust him take his advise and try another battery, what do you have to lose?
    charging the battery months ago has nothing to do with its condition today.
     
    #2 Beachbummm, Aug 20, 2015
  3. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Check the voltage of the battery yourself. It can probably use a trickle charge. If your dash is lighting up like a Christmas tree after the car has been running for some time then look for another problem. Just my opinion, but your mechanic doesn't know as much as you think.
     
    #3 JimN, Aug 20, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and double check the battery connections, especially where the negative bolts to the body.
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 20, 2015
    Britprius likes this.
  5. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    Indeed. Good call. Is there any kind of software or computer reset that needs to be done after changing the 12v battery? I changed it myself and simple swapped out the old for new and called it a day.
     
    #5 docproteus, Aug 20, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, actually, when you change the 12v, you reboot the system.
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 20, 2015
  7. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    Hmmm, OK. So I just got some more info. I'm in Boston and a friend who is a Prius owner as well is borrowing the car. Turns out he took it my mechanic and they said they didn't have tools to diagnose it so he took it to the dealership. They told him the problem was that it wasn't a toyota OEM battery and that putting a new OEM Batt in would fix the issue. I'm assuming there is no truth to that as I've seen many users using Yellow Top Optimas and on top of that 12v is 12v. Any thoughts?
     
    #7 docproteus, Aug 20, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    correct, no truth. however, why not let them install a new battery, and then make them replace it after it doesn't fix it, just for kicks.:cool:

    btw, care to mention the dealer so we can avoid them like the plague?
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 20, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2015
  9. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    I'll find out and post. Just not sure which one at the moment since I am in Boston and remote. They want $320 and I considered that but it seems ridiculous. So if it's not the batt what are the next steps? Make sure its challenging and check leads. Then what? Thoughts?
     
    #9 docproteus, Aug 20, 2015
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have your friend get the codes toyota pulled and post them here.
     
    #10 bisco, Aug 20, 2015
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    btw, it could be the battery, but not because it's not oem.
     
    #11 bisco, Aug 20, 2015
  12. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    Good point. I'll ask and post. Thanks
     
    #12 docproteus, Aug 20, 2015
  13. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The problem is not that the battery is the "wrong" type. However how do you know that the battery is in good condition - have you measured its voltage when the car is IG-OFF? If not, try doing that in the morning before the car has been operated that day.

    When you replaced the battery, did you disturb the brake power supply next to the battery? Check the wiring harness connection to that unit. Also as previously suggested, check the battery cable terminal tightness including the negative cable where it bolts to the body.
     
    #13 Patrick Wong, Aug 20, 2015
  14. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    Ok, some new info as I just talked to a guy at The Toyota Superstore in HArtford Ct. He told me that the mechanic said it was the wrong type of battery and that it was a vented battery and the original was not. I told him this was wrong and asked him to check. He came back and said the vent tube was disconnected but that the original battery was vented. Still told me it was the wrong battery. I asked him for detailed and he told me the codes that came up were C1241, B1421, B1801 and that the low voltage was 10.81 on the batt.

    My assumption now is that the battery is bad as it seems that it should never get that low. Would love to hear what these codes mean but am looking to buy the battery and have my friend put it in as I'd rather not give the dealership any more money. Also, am I correct that this is probably a bad battery that isn't holding charge versus a bad alternator as the batt would be dying completely if it were?

    THoughts?
     
    #14 docproteus, Aug 21, 2015
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    All the smoke-and-mirrors aside, there's a couple of big advantages to buying the Toyota spec'd battery through a dealership: it'll be a perfect fit, and they'll tend to be fresh. I'd phone a few parts departments to price compare, install yourself, and hook it up to a smart charger, fully charge it before install. Also worthwhile to run a terminal cleaner through the clamps and around the posts, to optimize contact.
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, Aug 21, 2015
    Last edited: Aug 21, 2015
  16. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    Am considering just that. I'm assuming it's safe to say the Optima is faulty?
     
    #16 docproteus, Aug 21, 2015
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yes, 10.8 is essentially dead.
     
    #17 Mendel Leisk, Aug 21, 2015
  18. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    I only have one thought, the problem is YOU.

    so far everyone told you the same thing REPLACE THE BATTERY, you tell everyone THEY are wrong. YOU don't want to listen to anyone there or here so stop asking for more advise your not going to follow ...

    clearly you think you are the expert so fix it yourself and stop wasting everyone's time, go spend the money on the correct battery or take a bus...
     
    #18 Beachbummm, Aug 21, 2015
  19. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    Sorry this upset you so much Beachbumm but I think you're anger may be a bit misplaced. I am just trying to find enough information to make an educated decision and now that I have I actually just asked them to replace it. That said, if I've angered you somehow by asking questions of knowledgeable people, feel free to move along.

    Hoping you have a good day. And thank you for your initial response.
     
    #19 docproteus, Aug 21, 2015
  20. docproteus

    docproteus Junior Member

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    To anyone else id love to know what those codes mean anyway. Or if there's somewhere that lists them that'd be great.

    Thanks
     
    #20 docproteus, Aug 21, 2015
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