1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Extreme cold starts

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Gen1Prius, Jan 15, 2024.

  1. Gen1Prius

    Gen1Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2012
    37
    4
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I got out yesterday to drive my 02 Prius and it started making a buzzing sound when trying to start it. I haven’t driven it in a couple of days and there were no lights coming on the dash. I do keep a charger on the 12V battery all the time. Since it sits outside all the time what can I do and is the hybrid battery discharged too low now? Thanks.
     
    Bruce Berquist likes this.
  2. Gen1Prius

    Gen1Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2012
    37
    4
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I’m talking low temperatures near 0 degrees. Unfortunately it’s going to be like this for about a week.
     
  3. Bruce Berquist

    Bruce Berquist Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2021
    87
    23
    0
    Location:
    South Tamworth, NH
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    I
    I really doubt that you have a low Hybrid battery.

    By what you have shared, I believe that you have an insufficient 12v system power problem.

    That can come from loose or corroded connections, including where the ground cable bolts to the chassis.

    Even with the charger, your 12v battery can go bad, and might not hold a sufficient load to boot up the system properly.

    It is probably time for a new 12v battery.
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,796
    15,448
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Is the buzzing sound for sure not the pump pressurizing the brake system?

    In later generations they gave it a head start by powering it as soon as you open the driver's door to get in. But in Gen 1 it wouldn't get power till you turned the key. And on the coldest mornings it can run not just a second or two, but many seconds (sounding like a dying wind-up toy depending on how the 12 volt battery is doing).
     
  5. Gen1Prius

    Gen1Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2012
    37
    4
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I have updated my battery with an optima battery or a GEN two and I actually use the optima battery charger on it and I did after trying to start it and put the charger back on. It was at 25%. The only problem is that I try to drive the car every other day but because we have weird weather I wasn’t able to until yesterday and I don’t know how much longer I can go because I’ve already had the hybrid battery replaced by Green Bean Battery Company. I really wish it was a plug-in and that way I could just plug it in it will stay charged but I don’t have that option and I don’t have any option of getting it inside the garage either. But I believe I am due for a 12 V battery and that’s the main reason why I have that I have my battery charger on it all the time.
     
  6. Gen1Prius

    Gen1Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2012
    37
    4
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Could be, I don’t really know. I was kind of surprised that nothing on the dash lit up and I think one the other members may be correct in that the 12V battery may need to be replaced. I think I will go over to the Toyota dealership tomorrow because the new battery the Toyota has a supposed to be a lot better than the optima. Thank you for your comments and that’s for everybody here! It’s better to contact people that have actually dealt with maybe some of these issues! I do know a lot of people say well why would you waste your money and putting it in that we are replacing the hybrid battery and having 211,000 miles on it and I will look at them and see because I know this car inside and out and I’ve had it for several years and the thing is if I wouldn’t bought a Jen to who knows I may have been placed a hybrid battery in that one too. I do knows what else is wrong with it. And I actually like the Gen 1 because it’s not a hatchback.
     
  7. Gen1Prius

    Gen1Prius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2012
    37
    4
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2002 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Think I will get out tomorrow and try to use the new jump starter that I have or booster or whatever you wanna call it and see if I can get it started and I’ve shopped around and I found a dealer that did have the Truestart 84 month battery but the parts department left a voicemail saying to leave a message so now I’ll just try to call them tomorrow and see if they have it in stock and I’ll replace my original optima battery that was for a Gen 2 Prius. My other issue is that I need the catalytic converter pipe and it has a hole in it and the dealer wants $3000 for it and I said no I don’t think so and I did find one on eBay marketplace but it’s trying to find a Shop that will put it on for me and I’m going to replace the whole exhaust system too.
     
  8. ronlewis

    ronlewis Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 5, 2016
    868
    178
    1
    Location:
    texas
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    One
    Get an Everstart U1R lawnmower battery at Walmart for $30. There are others brands too for $50-$80. The Walmart battery works with the car's original cable terminals - you just gotta pop out the green plastic insert the use the same screws to go through the WM's flat terminals. real easy. Other batteries may have stand battery terminals, but Toyota says and adapter to use those.