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Car starting

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018.

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  1. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    Yesterday morning, I went to start my 2009, it didnt start, lights came on, but ready didnt and parking brake was flashing green. This suggested battery didnt have enough juice. Got it jumped and it started immediately. Drove multiple times all day (I'm a delivery driver, probably started it 15-16 times before coming home). Parked it around 6pm. It's now 7:30am and it is not starting again. Do I need to replace the small battery in the trunk?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #1 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
  2. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    From what you have told us, that would seem like the thing to do.
     
    #2 dolj, Jul 3, 2018
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  3. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    Heh, first hybrid for me...was making sure I was looking at the correct battery.

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    #3 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
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  4. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    I have to say, I've never seen the park brake flash green, before.
     
    #4 dolj, Jul 3, 2018
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  5. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    Are there two batteries on this car? The small one in the trunk and another one somewhere else? The reason I ask, I just had to jump the car again and when it came up the display was showing the battery almost full (which is where it was when I turn the car off)

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    #5 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes. the small one (12v) fires the computers and relays.
    the large one (hybrid battery) under the spare tire starts the engine and helps drive the vehicle.
     
    #6 bisco, Jul 3, 2018
  7. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    And is that one different from the one on the display I'm assuming?

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    #7 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
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  8. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Yes, the 12v battery is located at the rear passenger side corner of your 2009. The HV battery is located under the trunk floor. The HV battery is the one displayed on your MFD and has the colored bars.
     
    #8 TMR-JWAP, Jul 3, 2018
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    correct. the display is for the hybrid (drive) battery. see my edit above.
     
    #9 bisco, Jul 3, 2018
  10. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    Okay so if I'm having trouble getting the car to turn on, that's definitely going to be the small one then, not the big one right?

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    #10 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    correct. if it even gets low, around 12.3 or 4 volts, by the time the voltage gets to the computer, it is outside the operating parameters.
     
    #11 bisco, Jul 3, 2018
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    but it also has to do with the voltage when a load is put on it, which can really drop it down, even if it tests okay.
     
    #12 bisco, Jul 3, 2018
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the hybrid battery will light up the dash if it ever gets outside its operating parameters.
     
    #13 bisco, Jul 3, 2018
  14. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    Okay. Other than a dead or dying battery, is there anything else it could be that would cause symptoms like this?

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    #14 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
  15. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    One thing you can do is to make sure the + and - cables are securely fastened to the battery terminals and the chassis end of the (-) cable is securely fastened to the rear wall of the trunk. If the 12v battery (the small one) is original, it's definitely time to install a new one.

    Your symptoms would lead me to believe you're at a 99% level of confidence that the 12v battery is at end of life.
     
    #15 TMR-JWAP, Jul 3, 2018
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not that i know of. since a jump fixed it, it should be the battery. might just need a charge, but no way to know without experimenting.
    any idea how old it is?
     
    #16 bisco, Jul 3, 2018
  17. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    Not a clue. I just bought the car in March. I've already dropped almost a grand into work on the brake system, does my hesitancy to just go buy a brand new battery. Is there anything that runs when the car is off? Like I've noticed a few times when I turn it off and get out there's something still running for a few seconds afterwards.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #17 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
  18. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Any AutoZone / AdvanceAuto/etc should be able to test your 12v battery very quickly. Most places (even I have one) have an electronic battery tester that's about the size of a voltmeter. It will connect to the battery just like a jump start cable. Most of them you'll have to enter the CCA value of the battery so it can compare it's tested value to the rated value. If you have a SKS model prius, the CCA of the battery is 325, if you have the non-sks model, the battery CCA is 272.

    The electronic tester will tell you the battery voltage, whether it has an internal cell failing, and what it's estimated capacity is. Most of the tests it performs are pass/fail. It's very very quick.
     
    #18 TMR-JWAP, Jul 3, 2018
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  19. Mebeksis

    Mebeksis Junior Member

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    How do I find out which one I have? Is it written on something or something?

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    #19 Mebeksis, Jul 3, 2018
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sks means you can open the drivers door with the fob in your pocket.
     
    #20 bisco, Jul 3, 2018
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