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Low 12-Volt Battery when I start my prius

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Venkatraman Natarajan, Apr 18, 2020.

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  1. Venkatraman Natarajan

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    Something happening with my Prius Two (2017) model, as I try to start it. I get this message "Low 12-Volt Battery Apply Parking Brake Securely While Parking See Owner's Manual" (attached the picture). I saw other threads on the same topic and they point to possible issues with the 12V battery. What's also weird is I hear some noise if I get close to the right front tire (I only can add a link after few posts, as the forum doesn't let me to and this is my first thread) when the car is OFF (this noise stopped after one hour). Anyone has faced this problem before?

    I have been driving once a week after the lockdown started in the US. I am not sure if this has anything to do with what I am seeing now.
     

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  2. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    You need to put your Prius on some type of external 12v battery charger and bring it back up to a full charge. If you live near a Walmart, buy one tomorrow if you can.


    Rob43
     
  3. Venkatraman Natarajan

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    Thanks for the reply. Any idea why I was hearing this weird noise?
     
  4. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    "Some type" ???
    Come on Rob. Surely you can do better than that.
    :)

    This likely means that you will need a new 12 V battery soon.......regardless of any short term charging you might do.
     
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  5. Venkatraman Natarajan

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    Attached a video of a weird noise that I was hearing before close to the front right tire (it's quite inaudible unless I get near the right tire). I turned off the car after the low 12Volt warning message, but this noise was there for about an hour before it stopped. Any idea what's going on here?

     
  6. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    sam spade,

    Instead of complaining, man up & post a good product link....

    The whole idea of a forum like this is not to whine, but to help others out.


    Rob43
     
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  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I think that was the purpose of the smiley face. A sarcastic comment different from his usual commentary.
     
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  8. Venkatraman Natarajan

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    Any idea on why my car was causing that noise? I attached the video on my last reply.
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the brake actuator pump can make a funny noise if not getting enough juice from the 12v
     
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Neither play button plays the video for me, so I don't know what the sound is. But from personal experience, with a low 12V, the brake pump takes a long time to make pressure, so I think @bisco is probably right.
     
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Smart chargers may be the latest "toilet paper"?
     
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  12. bb4srv

    bb4srv Active Member

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    I also had a "low" and dead 12v b/c I forgotten to trickle charge. Yes, mine also make a ticking noise by front right wheel area, once I put a tenderer on.

    Get a CTEK battery tender.
     
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  13. m8547

    m8547 Senior Member

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    That noise is pretty weird. The brake booster pump is on the left side, so it doesn't seem like it would be that. There is something that tests for leaks in the fuel system, but it shouldn't run continuously for an hour.

    Can you get it to make the noise again? If so can you open the hood and see if you can narrow down the source?
     
  14. Venkatraman Natarajan

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    Hi folks,

    Thanks for the replies. It was very useful. Just to update, I did a jump start and it died again. Turns out the 12-V battery actually had to be replaced. I had to take it to a service center to fix that.

    I am just wondering why it happened. Recently, I bought an air compressor to pump air that uses the 12V battery for that purpose (I probably used like a couple of times only). Can that cause the damage? However, car mileage is like 55k miles.
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    covid non driving?

    was it under warranty?

    you still need a battery maintainer, even with a new battery
     
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  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Were you running the compressor without the car fully on? That can do it. The battery requires regular use of the car to avoid getting depleted. Or regular connection to a maintenance charger.

    Protracted down time, a jump start or two and compressor use while not full on will kill it.
     
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  17. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    By "fully on", what he means is you had your foot on the brake pedal when you pressed the Power button and the green READY light is on. When the Prius is READY, the traction battery is energized and powering the 12V outlets and other accessories. Otherwise, only the 12V battery is powering the accessories.
     
  18. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    For longest life, lead-acid batteries need to be kept at 100% charge. Then the lower the battery gets discharged under that, the shorter its life. All batteries elf-discharge to some extent, and then there are vampire drains while hooked to the car(the SKS system is one). The start up fo a hybrid isn't as big a drain as with traditional cars, but it still takes a measurable amount of time running the car to fully charge the 12V after start up without considering the battery already being lower than 100%.

    With less driving with the shut down, people arr having 12V battery issues without even using plug in accessories like a compressor.

    A battery maintainer is a small charger that keeps the battery 100%. While most put out enough juice to counter self discharge and light vampire drains, some might slowly charge a battery a battery below 100%. If you can't leave the car plugged in 24/7, you could get a real charger, and use it occasionally to top off the 12V.

    There are air compressors/inflators that plug into an outlet. I got this one over the B&D one because it had a serviceable fuse, Inflator Home Inflation System - Campbell Hausfeld - RP410099AV
    Keep the 12V one in the car for emergencies.
     
  19. Venkatraman Natarajan

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    Yes, I think I did that. So you are saying, as long as Prius is READY, I shouldn't have a problem using the 12V battery for powering up the compressor?
     
  20. krmcg

    krmcg Lowered Blizzard Pearl Beauty

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    correct