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2013 Prius C had trouble starting due to cold weather…

Discussion in 'Prius c Technical Discussion' started by Mr. Man, Nov 23, 2021.

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  1. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Again, thank you so much :)
     
    #21 Mr. Man, Nov 25, 2021
  2. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    One more thing. It’s going to get extremely cold tonight. Apparently may be into the teens. Would it be in my best interest to go out there and start the car and run it for over a half an hour?
     
    #22 Mr. Man, Nov 25, 2021
  3. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Probably not.
    Whatever additional charge that might put into the battery probably would be gone by morning.
    But it wouldn't hurt anything either.

    Your time probably would be better spent calling around to your friends to see if you can find a "jump pack" to borrow.
     
    #23 sam spade 2, Nov 25, 2021
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  4. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    #24 Mr. Man, Nov 26, 2021
  5. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Ok!

    Tomorrow I intend to go pull the plug on this and spend the money, around $210 at AutoZone, and buy the replacement battery.

    I’ve always had trouble manipulating that battery area under the rear passenger seat. That being said - - is this the sort of replacement a n00b like me can do, or should I go to an auto body?
     
    #25 Mr. Man, Dec 30, 2021
  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Call ahead to be sure that they HAVE the one that you need in stock.

    Then ask them to tag one for you and put it on charge while you go there.

    Also ask if one located where yours IS still qualifies for their "free install" on batteries.

    Unless you don't know the basics of hand tools, you should be able to handle it.
    Disconnect and isolate the negative lead first and reconnect it last.
    But if Autozone will do it for you, why not let them.
    They also should be able to check your charging voltage too.
     
    #26 sam spade 2, Dec 31, 2021
  7. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    I already called ahead and they have it, it’s about 210 which is pretty good. But they cannot install it because it’s a hybrid and the battery is in the back passenger area, I don’t know why that means they can’t but they can’t.

    called a local auto body who says that they will do it for $50, though I have to admit the guy on the phone made me a little curious about whether he understood me 100%. Call the Toyota dealership and they said that they would have to buy the battery themselves to install it and the whole thing would cost an astonishing $500.

    obviously I’m leaning towards going to this auto body, unless I hear negatively from one of you…
     
    #27 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It seems to me that changing a twelve-volt car battery ought to be in a n00b's skill set.

    If it isn't now, it will be after you do it. :)
     
    #28 ChapmanF, Dec 31, 2021
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  9. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    I finally went to my car to drive it over there, and it is actually not starting this time… so that’s nice…
     
    #29 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  10. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    I swear to God, I’ve just had a large amount of trouble even removing the panels in front of the battery, underneath the rear passenger seat.
     
    #30 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  11. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    Got an Uber to AutoZone, here now, bought the battery, and if the car doesn’t start I’m just gonna have to do this myself. Wish I didn’t have to buy the tools I will need.
     
    #31 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  12. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Wrench

    Screwdriver

    Should cover it. And the screwdriver is kind of optional, sometimes I can manage the plastic pop-latches by hand without any prying at all.

    Good luck!
     
    #32 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Dec 31, 2021
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  13. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    The car literally just started, right when I got back to drop off the battery.

    please just humor me. I could drive to this autobody nearby, and they claimed they could do it over the phone, do you think I can rely on them?

    meanwhile I’m just having trouble getting this damn panel off, I don’t know what to do without breaking something.

    I know, I know, I will try to do it myself… I know this is easy…
     

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    #33 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  14. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    I’m sure this is very straightforward. I just am having trouble with this stupid panel.
     
    #34 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  15. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Why are you stuck on a "body shop" to do a battery swap ???
    If you don't feel comfortable doing it yourself, why don't you BUY a battery from a shop that will install it ???
    You are making this MUCH harder than it needs to be.

    Edit: Now I understand the problem better.
    I kind of assumed that everybody owned a wrench and screwdriver.
    I wish you luck.
     
    #35 sam spade 2, Dec 31, 2021
  16. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    If that worked, you could call me up and I'd do it.
     
    #36 ChapmanF, Dec 31, 2021
  17. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    I did just buy the battery, and now I will try to install it.
    I own a screendriver, but not a wrench.
    I'm sorry for being such a n00b.
     
    #37 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  18. Mr. Man

    Mr. Man Junior Member

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    I’ve got it from here, got the panel, just need some tiny little socket wrench to remove these screws and then I can just do it myself. Thanks all.
     
    #38 Mr. Man, Dec 31, 2021
  19. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    VERY IMPORTANT:
    Disconnect the negative cable from the battery first and move it well out of the way.
    Then re-connect it LAST.
    If you do not do that, you risk causing a serious problem.......if your tools cause a short.
     
    #39 sam spade 2, Jan 1, 2022
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  20. farmecologist

    farmecologist Senior Member

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    I hope the install goes well for you! The 12V on a Prius C can be a bit finicky to remove/install due to the tight quarters under the seat. I installed one recently and while not hard, it definitely is more difficult than most other vehicles.
     
    #40 farmecologist, Jan 1, 2022
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