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Toyota Prius 2006 Slow to accelerate in heat?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Friendlyx, Aug 28, 2017.

  1. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    Hey everyone! I have a Toyota Prius 2006 with 125k miles on it. I am a little worried because i live in California and like myself my Prius seems to hate the heat. I started to drive today and it's 109 degrees here and my car drove fine until I was about to pass up a car and I accelerated from 0-25 very slowly. I felt the car move so slow until I felt a little jolt( I'm guessing the gas engine kicked in) and I heard the fan for the Hybrid battery running very loudly. This continued and the battery was at one bar and wouldn't charge even on a downhill road. Is there something I can do? I feel like this is damaging my battery. Could it be that there is a problem with it? Thanks!
     
    #1 Friendlyx, Aug 28, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you probably need a new battery, but start with cleaning the fan and the intake grille. prius protects the battery from overheating, and an old battery is more prone.
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 28, 2017
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  3. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Sounds like your HV battery is very, very weak and about to give up the ghost. As bisco said, a clogged fan with poor flow wouldn't be helping matters.

    Also, are you using A/C? The battery needs cooling so use a/c but the heavy a/c load makes it harder for a weak battery to stay charged.
     
    #3 fotomoto, Aug 28, 2017
  4. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    Hey! Ive cleaned the vents multiple times and I've even changed the fan multiple times for many reasons. However I can confirm the fan is clean along with the vents back there being free of any thing blocking them. Yes I use the AC on max in the start of the car ride because I sweat a lot so I like to crank it up and people have told me that would help the Hybrid battery cool down too.
    Who can test my battery? What are the chances of it just dying on me? Do I have to purchase a whole new battery? Thansk!
     
    #4 Friendlyx, Aug 29, 2017
  5. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    New battery is $3500 at the dealer
     
    #5 JC91006, Aug 29, 2017
  6. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    100%. They don't have an infinite lifespan. :)

    You'll need to asses your situation. Do you want to keep the car for many years with reliable battery operation or are you contemplating moving on, etc. New vs refurb (rebuilt).
     
    #6 fotomoto, Aug 29, 2017
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  7. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    What would you say it the best option? I want to keep the car but don't really know if new or rebuilt is the best option for me. How long do rebuild last?
     
    #7 Friendlyx, Aug 29, 2017
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    new is almost the only option if you want reliability.
    since you haven't thrown any codes yet, it may not be too late to reinvigorate your battery with a prolong system.
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 29, 2017
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  9. Friendlyx

    Friendlyx Member

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    Who would I talk to to do this? A normal mechanic?
     
    #9 Friendlyx, Aug 29, 2017
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  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    #10 Raytheeagle, Aug 29, 2017
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    had to press the like button 6 times for one like.^^^:rolleyes:
     
    #11 bisco, Aug 29, 2017
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Thank you for your persistence while the site is janky (y).
     
    #12 Raytheeagle, Aug 29, 2017
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  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I always thought @Raytheeagle was a likable person, myself. :D
     
    #13 Prodigyplace, Aug 29, 2017
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    indubitably.
     
    #14 bisco, Aug 29, 2017
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  15. srellim234

    srellim234 Senior Member

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    I agree with the weak battery theory but it would help to know more about the conditions the car is kept in prior to driving. For the first time we experienced a drive similar to yours in the same conditions the day before yesterday. We almost always park the car in the garage or the shade. My wife took the car to work and was forced to park in the 100+* sun all day for a change. Gas mileage immediately went down; the ICE ran much more than usual It was only the second time I've heard the fan run on high while driving. The battery had obviously heated up. After the car "cooled" overnight in the garage it was better in the extreme heat yesterday. Today it's back to normal.

    As an aside, I started using the Prolong system in June and have been happy with the results on the road and on the MFD after the single use.
     
    #15 srellim234, Aug 30, 2017
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