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PriusIV 12v battery (smart car type) problems.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ScouterDP, Oct 31, 2015.

  1. ScouterDP

    ScouterDP New Member

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    Have great difficulty getting the car to jump start. Got it running briefly, clicked fob lock unlock system to break the anti theft interlock with doors left unlocked. Tried to put it in gear and it died. Cannot get it to jump start again. The hatch lock has no manual override to open it that I can find.
    Any suggestions for getting into the hatch to get my stuff out and access the battery will be appreciated.
     
  2. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Welcome to the site.

    I am confused. After the jump it should have stayed in Ready and putting it in gear would have no effect.

    If the polarity was reversed for the second attempt the failure would be expected as at best the fusible link would have been fried.

    The manual release for the hatch is under the little plastic cover by the latch on the deck. Drop the rear seats & pull your stuff out through the rear doors. Crawl to the back, pop the cover, reach down & trip the release.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pop the hood, use the jump point in the fuse box, open the hatch and replace with a new battery.

    welcome to priuschat.
     
  4. ScouterDP

    ScouterDP New Member

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    Polarity was not reversed. Thanks for info to find (excavate) the manual hatch release. Of course, I had it fully loaded!!!
    Any idea for a good non-OEM battery for a smart car?

    That was our intent, but no go.
     
    #4 ScouterDP, Oct 31, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 31, 2015
  5. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I'm a little unclear as to the genesis of your problems.
    When you say you got it running briefly, was this after a jump start attempt?

    I would just start doing things 1 thing at a time. The first being getting your hatch open, which should be possible regardless of everything else.

    Then you can attempt another/or first? Jump Start...or replace battery. Or discover that you have bigger problems.
    If you had it running and it died when you put it in gear you may have some other problem(s).
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are a few aftermarket options. optima, exide, duracell and others. 'good' can only be determined by each user, and it's been hit or miss.
     
    #6 bisco, Oct 31, 2015
    Last edited: Oct 31, 2015
  7. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    The underhood jump start can be iffy because it's conductive on only one face. Some jumper clips conduct to only the fixed jaw so it's possible to fail that way.
    I recommend leaving the driver door open so you can see the dome light come on once you've oriented the jumper clip properly.
     
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  8. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Search for "2010 prius battery" and a number of options will be returned. When reviewing the selection through amazon compare the price to that on the seller's website. One will probably be cheaper.

    Regardless of the brand you choose there will be someone who had a problem with them. As long as it is a DS46B24R it will be a direct fit.

    I bought an optima from elearnaid. It arrived quickly & fully charged.
     
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  9. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    what is smart car type?
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sks, smart entry and start. keep the key in your pocket vs having to push the fob button to unlock doors or slide into dash to start car.
     
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  11. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    i thought that was smartkey,not smartcar.

    the only smartcar i know is this:
    [​IMG]
     
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Friendly, I bet a lot of readers where scratching their heads over that, just thinking "whatever". :)
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    prius is 'a' smart car, not 'the' smart car. non sks is dumb.:cool:
     
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  14. ScouterDP

    ScouterDP New Member

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    Thank you all.
    Have gotten access to the battery after manually popping the hatch. On a charger now.
    Can anyone recommend a trickle-down charger for this particular battery?
     
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I have a CTEK3300, so partial to that. It charges at 3.3 amps, well under the 4 point something ceiling in the spec. It's a smart charger, can be left on indefinitely.
     
  16. ScouterDP

    ScouterDP New Member

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    Thank you. Anyone else have models to recommend or to avoid?
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    go with mendel's, he's the battery king.(y)
     
    #17 bisco, Nov 3, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 3, 2015
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Well, if you can find it. CTEK makes some newer chargers in the same range. But there seems to be a lot of CTEK 3300 in stock still. It's a good name, very hard shell case, and they come with a decent, Velcro flapped bag to contain all the cords.

    The 4.3's another option: newer, 4.3 amps, more charging stages, a little pricier too I think:

    Battery Chargers - CTEK Battery Chargers
     
  19. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    I use a BatteryMINDer for trickle charging. $30 on amazon, $25 on Northern Tool. Mendel's recommendation is more capable. You get what you pay for.