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I believe it's a dead battery........

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Chris11, Aug 13, 2018.

  1. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    146,xxx miles and this is the first problem. 2012 Plug In. (Sorry, I hit the Italics and now I can't change it back.)

    I left the car with the trunk lid open for a week. I didn't think there was a light back there but maybe I'm wrong. Anyway I just went to start it and nothing.....just a few little noises, the start button is orange and that's it. I can't get into the rear (I closed it before I got in) and I plugged the charge cord back in and the little light doesn't even light up.

    Can anyone help with what I do now?

    Thanks, Chris
     
  2. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    You drained the 12v. Now charge the 12v. Just like every other car out there that doesn't have a hand crank on the front.
     
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  3. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    I suspected that. On my 2009 Prius there was an underhood place to attach charge cables but I don't know if there is anywhere to attach cables on this plug in. Is there? Plus I can't get into the back to attempt to charge the bat from the rear. How do I get the trunk lid up?

    Thanks again, Chris
     
  4. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    Doesn't the 12V battery charge when you plug it in?
     
  5. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    I seem to remember it doesn't....but my memory ain't what it used to be.
     
  6. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    All the Prii have jump points under the hood. The hood is mechanically released, no power required. You can both get into the back and release the trunk. Use your mechanical key to unlock the driver door and pop the hood. From there you can charge from the jump points. Or if you're feeling like having fun, once you get into the vehicle via a mechanical key crawl to the back and release the hatch manually. All Prii have this ability as well.

    I remember hearing this when the PiP came out. I never had one, I have never tested one. However I don't think it does. I know that on my Leaf for example when the J1772 or CHAdeMO connections are made it uses the 12v battery as a drain for communications and pull ups. This is provided by the vehicle and is a very small amount. But when plugged in, the 12v battery never charges. True it is connected to the 12v that the EVSE or charger may source, but the current levels involved are so low, it is meaningless.
     
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  7. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    I phoned a friend who's a toyota mechanic (I didn't do this originally since I didn't know if he had any experience with plug in priuses in our small town.)....anyway he told me where to find the charge attachment point under the hood in the fuse box. I put a 3 amp charger on it and then I measured the voltage. Only 6.55 to 6.58 with the 12 volt charger attached which doesn't make sense. I even tried another small 1.5 amp charger and it registered a fault somewhere. My friend told me he'd prefer to see me try to jump it but my jumper cables seem to have hidden themselves. Another weird thing is a strange noise like a clock ticking somewhere in the engine compartment. do not know what that is.
    Tomorrow I'll find my jumper cables and try jumping it.
     
  8. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Thanks Mr. toaster. I didn't see your reply until after I'd written my lastest post. Anyway, once i get this straightened out I'm going to look for that manual unlock the hatch. Thanks.
     
  9. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    A drained 12v battery will draw WAAAAAAAAY more than 3A. Neither 3A or 1.5A are chargers at all. They are at best "maintainers" to put on long term storage vehicles.

    What you're hearing is all the 12v systems trying to power up and drawing it down. Remember the Prius is never off. It is always watching and listening and preparing. When you get near, it starts priming the brakes and all sorts of other things. These all take power.

    The automotive 12v charger I have, the absolute lowest setting is 10A and when connected to a dead battery does nothing. It's a 250A connection for a jump start.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the pip does charge the 12v while charging the hybrid battery. but if the 12v is dead, it won't connect to the evse, as you experienced.

    if it is the original 12v, just buy a new one and install it, you've killed off the existing one, and it isn't worth getting stranded, even if you can get it up and running temporarily.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    toyota actually made a couple prius and forgot to install a charge point under the hood.
    fortunately, pip wasn't one of them.

    btw chris, you should be posting in the gen 1 plug in forum in the future, for more experienced eyeballs.
     
  12. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    The 12v needs a week of trickle charging, so better start, but it’s already 6 or 7 years old, so get a new 12v and trickle charge it overnight then attach it and go.
     
  13. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Interesting, and I tend to agree. It was the mechanic who told me to put the small amp charger on it if I can't jump it. And the strange noises I hear are the systems trying to start up I think, like you said. Now I've left it for the night I'm worried about the car doing weird stuff while I'm not watching it....lol.
     
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  14. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    If your old battery really reads less than 7 volts WITH A CHARGER ATTACHED, then using jumper cable is a VERY BAD PLAN.

    You need a new battery. The old one might be shorted out and damage might ensue.

    Are you sure that your charger wasn't set for 6 volts when you connected it ??
     
  15. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    Good Morning All,

    K...I found my jumper cables. I attached them to my known good garden tractor 12 volt battery and to the lil plate thingy under the red cover in the fuse box. The same lil plate that only read 6.5 volts. Nothing. I believe this point is where the Toyota charger attaches. However i wonder if it's similar to the main plug in....it needs some voltage to allow the jump volts to get to the battery.

    I'm not against buying another battery but I doubt my small town dealer has one on hand...I'd still like to get this one recharged for now. And can someone tell me how to get into the hatch from the inside? I've looked and can't see anything to push, pull, turn, kick, cajole, or sweet talk. Thanks.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what is 'the toyota charger'?
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, it isn't like the evse connection. your problem is a bad 12v is keeping the jump battery voltage from firing things up.
    you need to take it out of the circuit.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    do you have an owners manual? if not, the best i can tell you is to climb in back with a flashlight.
    there is a spot on the hatch door or fender well area with a pull wire for the hatch lock.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i just looked at mine, there's a little flip up door under the floorboard below the hatch mechanism. it is probably in there.
     
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  20. Chris11

    Chris11 Member

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    The charger "indicated" 12 volts but since it's an automatic charger and reads the voltage to apply you have a good point. As I said earlier, I applied a jump charge and nothing happened but I admit I didn't try to turn the car on. (Scared) I just turned on the dome light and it has the same weak light as last night.

    And I apologize to all for not "seeing" or responding in order. I don't understand this website....it doesn't seem to put the replies in order or I'm just too old to apply logic to what's happening, which is a distinct possibility.
     
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