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2008 DOA!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Organfreak, Mar 21, 2020.

  1. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    180K miles, been running perfectly. Started to drive this morning with a warning light, red triangle, ABS and that other brake system (CV-something?) code, stupidly drove it, car died after three miles. Will not start, either electrics OR gas engine. Power assist on brakes/steering died at same time. Towed to dealer 30 miles away, $240. Shop closed due to corona virus. Only had the car about two weeks, all maintenance had been performed regularly. Battery had been reading good with no problems. Battery meter went half-white as car died.

    I'm poor and very afraid of what might be wrong here! Any thoughts?
     
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Not worth speculating until somebody diagnoses it properly.

    A dealer is going to be an expensive way of fixing it vs. neighborhood mechanic. Granted, not all local independents can handle a Prius, but by now a bunch of them have at least figured out the basics and some are better still. And they're all cheaper than the dealer.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    bummer!
    get a cheap tech stream copy on amazon and a windows compatible laptop to read the trouble codes.
     
  4. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    Yes, I'm painfully aware of that but I haven't yet found out who might be able to do this work other than the dealer. I had to tow it somewhere very suddenly, so it was the best I could come up with. From my reading here, it could be a symptom of the 12V battery dying. Service history shows it not EVER being replaced!
     
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Any word on when they're reopening?

    Dang! For next time, check 12 volt's voltage first.
     
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  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    As stated, not enough information here to come to any conclusion.
    I can only hope for the OP that it is something as simple and relatively cheap to fix as the 12 volt. But for a 12 model year old vehicle, which if I'm reading right, the OP has only had for two weeks, it could be anything.

    Hope it's not the HV battery.
    Good Luck.
     
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  7. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    Monday morning.
     
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  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    You can test the 12v battery with a voltmeter.
     
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  9. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    Yes, but the car is at the dealership, 30 miles away. Thanks, though. If I understand correctly, it should read at least 12.6 VDC.
    I talked to the previous owner, and he confirms that the 12V battery has never been replaced!
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's good news(y)
     
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  11. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    Heartland Toyota called me back. Car started perfectly for them with NO error codes! I authorized a diagnostic checkup for $130. Of course, a 12V battery failure is still suspected since that battery's never been changed. Now I wish i had just left it as a FORD (Found On Road Dead). They charge $270 for a new 12V battery, installed. (I'm too old and feeble to do the work myself.)
     
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  12. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    Yup, dead ORIGINAL battery, verified! This large dealership had "never seen a case like this before!!!"
     
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  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    It's not hard. The OEM and dealership batteries have a lifting strap. The Optima Yellow Top I dropped in had one too. And the battery's pretty small. At least 20 pounds though I think.

    When removing, disconnect negative first, then positive. Install is the reverse. Completely connect the positive first, before dealing with the negative. Use a small 10 mm box wrench is safest, less likely to short out between the neg and pos posts. Just take your time. Wear safety glasses, or a face shield if you have it. I have the latter, but find it gets in the way, fogs up, usually just stick with safety glasses.

    You can get a wire bottle brush style scrubber for cleaning the inside of the cable clamps. It's a little over-sized for the small clamps on prius, but can be made to work, and the tight fit cleans extra good. Fine sand paper works on the posts. Wash your hands well after, and carefully dispose of any sandpaper, there's lead dust.

    The Prius battery hold-down clamps are a finicky design, can't tolerate any battery height variation. Have some washers on hand, might help to shim.the bracket if the battery's slightly too tall.

    Don't forget to connect the vent tube.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A bit more:

    IMG_2122.JPG
     
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  15. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    Thank you, but they are doing the work for various reasons, as stated above.
     
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  16. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    What random tool / device don't you have:p.

    Well stocked for data (y).
     
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  17. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    This dealership (Heartland Toyota in Bremerton, WA) won't give me my car back until I pay for the work. (I'll have the $$$ on Friday.) That's normal, you say? Right, but currently our governor might shut down "non-essential businesses" at a moment's notice at which point I might not be able to pick up my Prius for months on end! They won't even consider making plans for this eventuality. Their ruling is final.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yeah, life is disconcerting these days, to say the least.
     
  19. Organfreak

    Organfreak Junior Member

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    Found the money, car is perfect after a new 12V battery. $400 plus the tow.
     
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats!(y)
     
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