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Help - car won't start

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by MsTee, Jul 8, 2024.

  1. MsTee

    MsTee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2017
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    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    Got in my car this morning and it won't start. I'd be really glad for any tips on what to check. The nearest Toyota service centre is ~100 km away.

    The car is a 2012 Prius C iTech. I've never encountered any problem with it before. The engine won't turn over. It's silent. A light that I think is the engine light comes on when I try to start it up. Then there's another light in the top left that flashes sometimes.

    The car is outside and it's been raining for a few hours. I don't know if that's relevant. Of course it's been in the rain lots over the years without a problem.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    hopefully, you just need a new 12 volt battery. can you get a jump start, or purchase a jump pack?

    ref=asc_df_B08Z3B5VXR
     
    MsTee likes this.
  3. MsTee

    MsTee Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    Thanks. I hope that's all it is. I have now called for roadside assistance, so hopefully they will be able to pinpoint the problem. I don't know if they'll have a suitable battery (if that's what it is), but they should be able to get me back on the road so I can get to the Toyota service centre.

    I'll post back here if it's the battery or something else.
     
    bisco likes this.
  4. MsTee

    MsTee Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2017
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    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    i-Tech
    Roadside assistance got the car going. It was the 12 volt battery. Unfortunately it seems I'll have to wait some days to get a new one, but at least it was something simple.

    I don't think I've ever replaced the battery, which means it's lasted more than seven years.
     
    #4 MsTee, Jul 8, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 8, 2024
    Brian1954 likes this.
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    that's very good for australian heat. glad you are sorted!
     
  6. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2019
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    Location:
    Monument, Colorado USA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Glad you got it figured out! My wife's 2017 Prius 12-volt battery is testing great but is the original, so going on 8-years old, so I'm planning on replacing it when my wife gives the car to our daughter. (My wife ordered a new Corolla Hybrid for herself.)
    I'm hoping to get a new battery from the Toyota dealer....those things are impressive....the 12-volts I buy from Auto Parts stores are lucky to last for 5 years.
     
    Stevewoods likes this.
  7. Stevewoods

    Stevewoods Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Genuine Toyota starter battery are expensive but I have them tough to best in yerms of reliabilty/long-life.