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Driving in diagnosis mode to check hybrid battery, mine reads 12.3? Is my hybrid good or bad?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Terri Salhus, Jun 20, 2021.

  1. Terri Salhus

    Terri Salhus Junior Member

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    While driving with the diagnostic displayed, the 12V battery icon reads 13.2...does this low reading indicate a bad hybrid battery?
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    No it means your normal 12v battery is fairly well charged up.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's not the hybrid battery, it is the 12 volt battery, and that is the inverter voltage maintainng the 12 volt (like an altenator in a non hybrid)
    the only way to check the hybrid battery is with toyota tech stream diagnostic software, or a phone app like dr. prius
     
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  4. Terri Salhus

    Terri Salhus Junior Member

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    #4 Terri Salhus, Jun 23, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 24, 2021
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  5. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Not exactly. If you were reading 14.3v on the 12v system, it means the 12v battery is low on charge. If you read 13.2v it means the 12v battery is almost fully charged, which is a good thing. Charging systems increase the voltage to charge more, reduce the voltage to charge less.

    But 12v battery charge has almost no relationship to the health of your hv battery. A totally bad 12v battery may cost you some mpg but your 12v battery seems to be ok.
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    exactly
     
  7. Terri Salhus

    Terri Salhus Junior Member

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  8. Terri Salhus

    Terri Salhus Junior Member

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    Thank you for answering, and I understand that, but my reading of the 12v is constantly going down, now it's down to about 10.3, and I'm getting st best, 30 mpg? Thanks again for taking time to respond..
     
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  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Have you put a charger on the 12v battery and given it a full charge??? Or attempt too anyway.
    If so, wait 30 minutes, after removing the charger, then load test it. Since you probably don't have a load tester, you can turn on
    the head lamps, high beams, then measure the battery, at the battery. If you are getting 10.3 volts,
    the battery is more than likely bad. Hold old is the battery?
    If the 12v battery is bad, it could be constantly drawing more amperage/voltage from the hybrid battery
    because it's trying to charge it up and keep it charged, which will cause the hybrid battery to drain faster
    which will cause the engine to run more to charge the hybrid battery.

     
    #9 ASRDogman, Oct 18, 2021
    Last edited: Oct 18, 2021
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you needa new 12v battery. how old is it?
     
  11. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    I agree. Have the 12v battery checked very soon. It is costing you mpg and is likely to strand you.
     
  12. Colorado Boo

    Colorado Boo Active Member

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    If you drive to any car parts store, they will give you a free 12-volt battery health check if you ask them.
     
  13. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ah…., forget it.
     
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