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problems with starting car

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by taxce, Mar 20, 2023.

  1. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    Recently it is frequently happening that when I turn on my 2008 Prius the car doesn't start, the digital information panel seems dim and all the of "problem icons" light up. I sometimes have to turn the car on and off a few times before everything works properly and the car will start. On one trip the whole center digital panel that shows graphical information was simply blank; it didn't show up again until the next day. Another strange thing: when this happens, the speedometer apparently switches from miles to KM, and I have to manually switch it back to miles.

    This only seems to happen the first time I start my car for the day - on subsequent trips in the same day I have not yet had any issue.

    Any ideas about what is causing this and what is going on here? Is this an issue with the electronics or computer system? Anyone else ever had this happen before and is there anything I might be able to try myself to fix it?
     
    #1 taxce, Mar 20, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2023
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I'm not one of the members here who blame the 12 volt battery for well-nigh anything.

    But for this story, I'll go there.
     
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  3. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    You're posting in the wrong Forum. A 2008 Prius is a Gen 2. Your signature says 2010 Prius, which is Gen 3. However, both Gen 2 and Gen 3 have the same style 12V battery, the likely cause of your issues. Bottom line, you need to have your 12V battery checked. It is likely losing charge overnight causing the starting issues first start of the day. Later starts are benefitting from the charge being put on the battery while running the car during the day.
     
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  4. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    thanks for your reply. Will I eventually not be able to start the car at all if the 12v battery dies?

    I'm going abroad very soon and may be away for awhile so instead of replacing the battery right before leaving, when my car will be sitting unused, I'd rather do it when I return - but if I can't start my car on returning home, that will of course be a problem!
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can get an inexpensive lithium jump starter for when you return. example:

    ref=asc_df_B0BBFW8Z3V

    or you can charge up your battery by leaving it in ready for 8 hours, then disconnect the neg cable while away, or put an inexpensive battery maintainer on it, if you're in a garage with electricity.
    i have this one, used it while i was away for 9 weeks:

    ref=asc_df_B07W46BX31
     
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  6. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    Correct, you cannot start the car with a flat 12V battery, BUT, you can connect a jump start pack to the charging terminals under the hood and "jump" start the car. So, I would not buy a new battery just to let it sit while you are away. Maybe you have a friend or a friendly auto shop that will let you borrow a jump pack. Otherwise, search for "12v jump pack" and find several options beginning from $45 and up.

    One thing to keep in mind if the 12V goes flat while you are gone, your electric door locks will not work and you will need to use the mechanical key to unlock the car. Then you can release the hood from inside the car and gain access to the 12V jump terminals. Better practice with the mechanical key inside your fob to make sure you understand how to use it.
     
    #6 FuelMiser, Mar 21, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 21, 2023
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  7. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    New development here, I'd like to get your feedback on, to make sure you still think this is the 12v.

    Just tried to start my car - wouldn't start up, information panel blank, but did get an actual warning light this time, and found the explanation for it on p. 489 of my manual:

    Malfunction indicator lamp
    malfunction in:
    - the emission control system
    - the electronic engine control system
    - the electronic hybrid system control system; or
    - the electronic throttle control system

    that seems like a pretty wide range possibilities! but none of them indicate battery? at any rate, I can't start the car at all now.

    I should also note I heard a strange consistent "groaning" sound coming from under the hood this time while trying to get the car to start, and the sound persisted even when I turned the car off?
     
    #7 taxce, Mar 22, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2023
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The car can identify several hundred malfunctions, and all that light tells you is that it has identified one (or more). Getting the trouble code(s) from the car would tell you more.

    Some of the trouble codes you can get will be directly about supply voltage problems, and yes, those are also considered malfunctions.

    So no, you can't conclude the battery isn't the problem, just because of a generic description of a generic warning light and without having the actual trouble codes.
     
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  9. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    Ok I actually have an electric 12 volt charger, which has many different settings for charging. But I don't have much experience using it! I hooked it up and was able to get the car started - but when I removed the cables, the car died again. So I'm now leaving it hooked up on a lower setting for awhile, hoping it will charge up and the battery will hold the charge.

    I'm wondering if there is a way for me to somehow get the 12 volt charged to maximum so it will last me for the next 2 weeks before I leave? Because in 2 weeks I'm simply going to be storing the car anyway. I saw one thread where someone said if you put the car in "ready" mode and just leave it alone for 2 hours, that will charge the 12 volt battery to maximum... Is this accurate?
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    make it 8 hours, but it depends on the health of the battery and state of charge
     
  11. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Make it 18 to 20 hours - depending on the current state of charge.

    If the battery will take the charge (that is to say that the battery is in serviceable condition) yes, put it on your battery charger for 18 to 24 hours. If your charger gives you any choice for the amperage setting, choose the highest that is 5 Amps or lower. The lower the setting the longer it will take. If the charger is 1 Amp or lower it is not really the right tool for the job.
     
    #11 dolj, Mar 22, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2023
  12. taxce

    taxce Junior Member

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    Ok just an update here. I left the battery charger hooked up since about 3pm yesterday charging at 2amps. Nothing at all. Disconnected just now and tried to start car. Car still won't start, showing same warning light, and is still making strange groaning sound. The charger never lit up to show the battery was fully charged. Should I keep trying to charge at this point or does this mean the battery is totally dead?

    Also, I should note, - don't know if this matters - I could not get the car into ready mode, or actually get the car to start, even after hooking up the charger - I got a "P lock warning" telling me to move the car to level ground. After some searching I found a thread this happens if the fusebox is open, so maybe that is normal when trying to charge the 12v?

    Starting to wonder if I'm going to need to have the car towed to the dealer!
     
    #12 taxce, Mar 23, 2023
    Last edited: Mar 23, 2023
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a volt meter would help to measure the battery