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Parked outside for 8 months. Flying back in soon. Help!?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by ivfx, Mar 18, 2019.

  1. ivfx

    ivfx Junior Member

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    Backstory: I parked my car at a storage facility (outside) while I flew abroad for “three weeks”. It’s been eight months since then and I haven’t returned. I am returning at the end of this month and will be headed straight to the car from the airport. Car is in Long Island (Syosset) NY and I am based out of Texas. Without the car working, I’ll be up a particular creek...


    I am hoping to able to start the car by:
    1. calling my insurance’s tow truck ( even though I able quite unwilling to call insurance for anything except an incident that needs to be reported but) or
    2. swapping out the 12v battery or
    3. Charging the 12v battery using a battery charger ( I was able to charge my motorcycle battery at a battery shop here in Bangladesh in 2 hours and use it successfully after the motorcycle sat for about 5 months).


    My questions are:
    1. How do I find a place that charges 12v batteries and if needed the hybrid traction battery. Or can I buy a battery charger in auto parts stores that’ll charge my battery in 6-8 hours?

    2. How do I find a low cost hybrid vehicle experienced mechanic should the car refuse to start even after a 12v battery swap? Any recommendations are welcome.

    3. How to charge/ troubleshoot the hybrid system at first on my own? (If there are problems which I hope there aren’t...)


    I read in an old post that the traction NiMH batteries can be quite unaffected if they they self discharge are charged back up prior to use. I don’t know for certain that my traction battery is NiMH but I guessing since it’s a base model 2010 Prius.

    I apologize for rambling all about. Any tips and recommendations will be appreciated.
     
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    2010 is a NiMh battery.

    A dealership should be able to charge it up. They may not have a charger on site and may need to get it from regional location. So car may have to sit waiting for some time before the charger arrives. Plus time it takes to charge it. You could try to call ahead of time just to be sure.

    If it were me I'd have some starter fluid ready to help facilitate the starting.

    You asked about diagnosing it.
    You could check state of the hybrid battery before even trying to start it.
    - Android phone/tablet
    - Torque Pro app
    - ELM 327 Bluetooth OBDII adaptor
    Set up the app ahead of time on the phone/tablet so that you can plug in when you arrive.

    Is there anyone that can check some of these things before you arrive?
     
  3. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Dont jump start it by using a non-hybrid car battery. It will dmg your electrical system and you'll have to take it to the dealer. I was gone for 7 months for a military tour in the middle-east. When I got back, called my buddy to jump start it using his truck. It started and drove fine, after about 20 mins of driving, car went into limp mode and check hybrid system light came-on. I took it to the dealer and thankfully, it was covered by warranty. They changed something in the hybrid system. Idk maybe a fuse, computer chip or something, i can't remember.

    If I were you, just buy a new battery and install it. Don't mess with that old one.
     
  4. GrGramps

    GrGramps Active Member

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    I wonder if that truck was using something other than a 12 volt system?
     
  5. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    It was just a regular truck. 12v.

    Believe me, the prius batteries are really sensitive and u do not want to mess with it using other car's battery. Unless you can find another prius that can jump for you that will be fine.

    What year is your prius? It will probably still be covered under warranty if the hybrid failure thing happens to u.
     
  6. scona

    scona Active Member

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    One thing is for certain, it will not start without some work being done. I might consider renting a car at the airport for a day or so and then driving out to see what the situation is with the Prius. You could always use the rental to try a jump start and if that does not work then drive somewhere to buy a 12-volt battery. Good Luck getting it back in action.
     
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I'm not buying this.

    A jump-start to get you home, followed by a full charging session of the 12 volt, might get you out of the woods. Still, a fair chance it'll need replacement.
     
  8. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Welp. It happened to me. I was gone for 7 months for a military deployment in afghanistan. Flew back and my prius is dead. Jumped with a friend's truck. Drove for 20 mins and hybrid system fail. Went limp mode. Had to take it to the dealer. Thankfully it was still covered under warranty. Otherwise it would have been costly.

    Good luck!
     
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  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    What was the state of both batteries when you left the car there? The HV charge can hold up and last for couple years if you “prepared” I for hibernation.
     
  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_O
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The search for the elusive hybrid car battery, narrated by David Attenborough...
     
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  12. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    Volts and amps are volts and amps -- I don't think the 12v battery cares where they come from, but 12v battery chargers can be better at recharging them rather than the common jump start.

    Batteries that are dead due to internal shorting, typically have lead dendrite growth from one plate to another. Something like a slow then vigorous recharge can bring a lead acid battery back to life. This doesn't happen with a jump start and a drive around town.
    It also doesn't easily explain why 20 minutes later you'd get some error code...other than some odd combination of multiple failures

    Mike
     
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  13. bobzchemist

    bobzchemist Active Member

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    AAA Mobile Battery Service will come out with a brand new fully-charged 12v battery and install it for you on the spot, right there at the storage facility. No jump start needed. As long as you don't have too much junk back there in the cargo area, you should be done in less than an hour after the truck gets to you. I just got a price quote on the website of $213.70 plus tax for a 2010 prius 12v battery with a 6 year warranty, delivered and installed.

    No special hybrid knowledge is needed to install the 12 volt battery - any mechanic can do it easily.

    You can sign up for AAA service over the phone and get roadside assistance 5 minutes later, but the Non-member price is $247.90, so you don't actually need the membership if you won't use it again.


    AAA Car Battery Prices & Replacement, Truck Batteries | Mobile Service
     
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  14. ivfx

    ivfx Junior Member

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    Only I have the keys, so nobody can check it out for before I arrive.

    Could I disconnect the hybrid battery then jump/replace the 12V battery to turn the car on?

    After the car turns on (with the hybrid battery still disconnected, possible?) can I go about diagnosing it/charging it with the special charger?

    Good tip on the elm 327 and torque pro app but I probably can’t get my hands on them before I return.
     
    #14 ivfx, Mar 19, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
  15. ivfx

    ivfx Junior Member

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  16. ivfx

    ivfx Junior Member

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    Rather than paying AAA $200, I’d rather just walk/catch a ride to a battery shop and get a new one (hopefully fully charged and less expensive) if jumping it doesn’t work. But thanks for the tip though.
     
  17. ivfx

    ivfx Junior Member

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    I’m sorry to say I hadn’t done any preparations to the car for long term storage as initially I only parks with three weeks in mind.

    What kind of preparations though?
     
  18. bobzchemist

    bobzchemist Active Member

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    But...you're not going to save as much money as you think you are. Let's say you head over to Advance Auto Parts on Old Country Rd. An Autocraft Platinum AGM battery is going to cost you $194.99 plus tax, and that's after you open your Prius up, pull out the old battery, and take it with you to avoid the core charge. Plus you'll have to pay for an uber/taxi to get you there and back. Plus, you'll have to have the tools you need to get the battery out, etc. AAA deliberately sets their prices really close to what you'd pay if you do it yourself. Advance Auto Parts - Down for Maintenance

    Please don't get me wrong, I'm not pushing AAA, it's just that Prius 12v batteries cost $150 - $250 no matter where you buy them. (Pep Boys currently has the lowest price I'm aware of). And, I've changed out my own 12v battery, so I can tell you that if I'd been able to, I would have preferred paying someone to do it.

    The highest probability is that you'll be able to get your car going with just a jump start, and then all you'll need is a decent de-sulfating charger to restore your 12v battery. It's extremely unlikely that your traction battery is discharged enough to be unable to start the engine if you wind up needing to replace the 12v.

    If it helps any, the guy who runs Middle Country Automotive is a good mechanic and a decent person. Might be a bit of a trek from Syosset, but it could be worth it if you need more than minor repairs. Auto Repair Centereach NY Coram Farmingville, NYS Auto Inspections Selden, Brake Repair Services Selden NY 11784 | Auto Repair Services | Middle Country Automotive
     
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  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If you can manage to get your car started, with either a jump pack or a jump start with booster cables from a friend, you can drive to a retailer selling batteries, change it in their parking lot. No big deal.
     
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  20. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Their website claims you can get an AC Delco S46B24R exact fit 12 v battery for $195 at ABC Auto at 231 Robbins Ln # 6, Syosset, NY 11791 ($18 refundable for old battery)

    I suggest you call and see if their website is correct at (516) 942-7265. Perhaps they will charge it for you, knowing your situation.

    Speaking of refundable:

    Our Tool Loaner Program is comprised of 33 different specialty tools from 6 different automotive categories including brake and chassis, engine, fuel and electric, general repair, air conditioning, and auto body.

    Our loaner tools have a refundable deposit that must be paid prior to the start of the loaner period. All of our loaner tools have a 7 day “free” loaner period. Anytime during the 7 day loaner period, the tool may be brought back for the full deposit (customers will not be held responsible for broken /defective tools but will be responsible for missing parts). After the 7 day loaner period is over a $5.00 per day late charge will be incurred. It is up to the customer if he or she would like to pay the incurred late charge or keep the tool and relinquish the deposit.

    Click on the categories below to view a list of our current loaner tools including description, loaner period, loaner deposit, and picture. The majority of our loaner tools are located at all of our locations. Some tools, however, are only available at our hub stores which are located in Tyler, Dallas, Shreveport, Longview, Lufkin, and Pittsburgh. Please don’t hesitate to call any of our locations if you have any questions about our Tool Loaner Program. We are here to help you do the job right! ABC Auto Parts

     
    #20 JimboPalmer, Mar 19, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 19, 2019
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