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I have changed my 12v battery and my Prius will not go into drive.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by LyeCommunard, Apr 28, 2021.

  1. LyeCommunard

    LyeCommunard New Member

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    My 2008 Prius sat for eight weeks in my driveway. I started it periodically but clearly this was not sufficient to keep its 12V charged. Finally when I came to start it recently, the 12v was dead. First I jumpstarted it as per the manual ( at the front of the car, at the remote terminals). This gave me enough charge to start the car and I left this running for a few hours. I then attempted to restart but although all dashboard lights came on, it was not possible to put into drive and there was no READY symbol. Instead there was a triangle with an exclamation mark in it and the word "Problem" on the display, plus a car symbol with an exclamation mark in it.
    I changed the 12 V battery to a new, compatible one and still had all the same responses. I cannot get it into drive and the light on the start button is red/orange.
    The car has done 145,000 miles and there are some mechanical issues that resulted in it failing its MOT ( brakes and back light problem), but I drove it home fine from the MOT centre at the end of December
    The manual is not detailed about what the symbols mean and suggest taking to Toyota but as this will involve a hefty fee and tow, I wonder whether you have any advice on any avenues I should pursue. Thanks
     
    #1 LyeCommunard, Apr 28, 2021
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I would first check the off state voltage on the 12v from the front terminals. Hopefully its over 12v. If low or no voltage is not the obvious problem, I might disconnect the 12v battery negative terminal for a few minutes and then reconnect. Try again. Often it will take two or three Start button attempts. No joy? Check all the fuses. Don't forget the fusible link module up front.
     
    #2 rjparker, Apr 28, 2021
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and if none of that works, you will have to read the trouble codes.

    old hybrid batteries don't like sitting either, and 13 years is ripe for a sitting module to go under the minimum parameters
     
    #3 bisco, Apr 28, 2021
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  4. chronon

    chronon Active Member

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    yep 8 weeks is all it takes to take down both the aux and the HV bats ... because the one feeds the other .. the HV tries to keep the aux up because the computers need the 12v to run .. when the HV cells get low over time they tend to 'flip' polarity and i dont think there's anyway to bring a module back once 1 of the cells flips ..
     
    #4 chronon, Apr 28, 2021
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    In the category of:
    Don't overlook the obvious:
    New batteries sometimes come almost completely DIScharged and must be charged overnight before use.

    A voltmeter would help in determining whether the new battery is charged or possibly defective OR if there is a bad main cable connection.
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Apr 28, 2021
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