Car powered off and won't turn back on. Was stranded on the side of the road at midnight.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by AlohaSpirit, Aug 12, 2018.

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  1. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    So I left for work at 9pm, got 2 stoplights away and as the light turned green on the 3rd light, I lifted my foot off the brake, the car moved forward and then turned itself off. Luckily I was able to coast to the shoulder...

    I tried to jump it using the fuse box points under the hood and when that didn't work tried to jump direct from the 12v in the back. That didn't work either. All I get is the red car/key icon on the dash and the fob light will blink red once when inserted. I can hear that little whirling coolant pump from behind the dash when I try though.

    So I finally located a tow at 2am and got it back to my place. Next day I went and got an optima battery.

    Installed battery and still nothing. The dash or screen doesn't turn on and I have tried both remote start and placing the key in the slot. Have also tried it with both my key fobs. I'm kinda stumped and I have a long day at work tomorrow and wish the battery was the fix.

    Here are some details.
    2007 prius w 95k miles
    Dash or screen doesn't turn on when power button pressed.
    Hybrid battery was charging decently and I was getting 45mpg+

    Red car/key icon on the dash with start attempt and the fob light will blink red once when inserted. Whirling coolant pump sound.

    Original battery was 3 yes old. Replaced with yellow Optima.

    Headlights, all domelights and open door chime still work and turn on when fob is present. Also able to open and close doors with fob.

    I did have an old mp3 player plugged into the cig lighter in the middle console (so I had thought I had inadvertently drained the 12v battery)

    You guys really helped the last time.
    Maybe someone can chime in with a link or a fix.
    Aloha!
     
    #1 AlohaSpirit, Aug 12, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    start with all the major fuses and the inverter pump.
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 12, 2018
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Most likely blown AM2 fuse, from a shorted inverter pump.

    Disconnect the pump and replace the fuse. If the car turns on, then that's your problem. Look at picture attached, AM2 fuse location and pump disconnect. Screenshot_2018-06-16-13-14-02.jpeg
     
    #3 JC91006, Aug 12, 2018
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  4. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Thanks for the quick reply.
    I went and took a look.
    Is there a fuse in there?
    (Looking up AM2 fuse now)

    Also no red triangle. And no smoke.
     
    #4 AlohaSpirit, Aug 12, 2018
  5. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    You’ve gots blown fuse! 13 or 14 or 16
    It’s never happened to me but something shorted
    Replacing battery reset the code


    iPhone ?
     
    #5 Paul Schenck, Aug 12, 2018
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The fuse is in the fuse box pictured, next to the hand
     
    #6 JC91006, Aug 12, 2018
  7. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Ok... That worked! You guys (y)
    Changed the second 15a fuse on the right

    Can't believe a $1 fuse cost me $500 for tow and battery :cry:
    Now I have to get extra fuses.

    I have owned it a while and this is the first time this happened. Should I be concerned?

    Least now I can work on the radiator on my wife's car :rolleyes:
     
    #7 AlohaSpirit, Aug 12, 2018
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you need a new inverter pump, not more fuses.
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 12, 2018
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  9. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You need to replace the inverter pump. It would be free if you didn't do the recall at the dealer.

    You can only drive a short distance with the inverter pump disconnected. So don't drive far

    The 12v is almost never the issue when the car dies while driving. Not sure why so many people blindly replace it
     
    #9 JC91006, Aug 12, 2018
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  10. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    I'll try contact my local Servco but they take forever. Its also 20 miles away. May look into replacing it myself.

    So I can't drive it huh... and I should leave it unplugged?

    And this is what I need to replace?
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 AlohaSpirit, Aug 12, 2018
  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You can drive it, but short distances. I Think you can do 20 miles in the morning without traffic. If you plug it back, the fuse will blow again

    Yes the pictured item needs to be replaced. Lots of YouTube videos on this, not very hard to do
     
    #11 JC91006, Aug 12, 2018
  12. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    Ok. Will look into it.

    And did a search when car died. Battery came up but fuse didnt... so went with it
     
    #12 AlohaSpirit, Aug 12, 2018
  13. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Unfortunately these forums get responses from many people that are trying to help. So sometimes the advice may not be correct
     
    #13 JC91006, Aug 12, 2018
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  14. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    It's all good. You guys are great. Thanks to everyone that posted.

    I also turned the car on and opened the reservoir. No coolant turbulence... so I guess that's that.

    Looked up the replacement. Didn't seem too bad. But they all remove the headlight while someone said you don't have too... so searching for that.
     
    #14 AlohaSpirit, Aug 12, 2018
  15. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It's shorted, that's why the fuse blew. You won't get turbulence now because you've disconnected it
     
    #15 JC91006, Aug 12, 2018
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  16. bobodaclown

    bobodaclown Member

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    Just had to change mine. Remove the headlight, it's much easier, only adds about 10 minutes. It's harder to get the bolt that is mounted sideways that needs to be removed to remove the actual pump mount. Think the only tools are a 10mm 12mm, pliers and screwdriver.

    Z981 ?
     
    #16 bobodaclown, Aug 13, 2018
  17. AlohaSpirit

    AlohaSpirit Junior Member

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    i put a new fuse in and plugged it back in. Turned car on and no turbulence.

    Ok thanks. Z981?
     
    #17 AlohaSpirit, Aug 13, 2018
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    #18 bisco, Aug 13, 2018
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  19. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    It is much easier with the headlight removed. Easy access to the area around the pump. Lotsvof places to scrap yourself or get cut. Your hands will thank you.
     
    #19 ericbecky, Aug 13, 2018
  20. Paul Schenck

    Paul Schenck Active Member

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    Removing the headlight works it takes a few minutes. I had to replace one in a rush so I removed the inverter-mount 14mm x2 then long extension and 10mm. I sheared off the stud so I-only use two bolts to hold it now.
    The trick is finessing it around the corner up and out in front by the radiator.


    iPhone ?
     
    #20 Paul Schenck, Aug 13, 2018
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