battery issue? Left my prime parked for 2.5 weeks

Discussion in 'Prime Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by GeoJ, Nov 13, 2025 at 10:51 PM.

  1. GeoJ

    GeoJ Active Member

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    I left my car for 2.5 weeks, have 21 miles on the EV when I returned.

    Drove it once, started fine, and then drove a mile to another place and parked. Now car won't start, dead battery? My bad (very bad, after a 24 hour plane trip, so a bit out of it), I think it is possible I left the car on after I drove it the second place a mile down the road. So if I left it on would that cause the 12V battery to run down, or is it that I left it for 2.5 weeks, or something else why car won't start? Any thoughts for this travel zombie? Thanks
     
  2. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    It probably just needs a jump start.
    Get the battery checked-out tomorrow. I'm assuming the car wasn't plugged-in and charging that entire time. That will draw down the 12VDC battery too.
     
  3. GeoJ

    GeoJ Active Member

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    Thanks, I will try to jump start it. I assume just plugging it in now, from what I've read online, won't get the 12V to a level to start the car. Yes, it was not plugged in the entire time.
     
  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    While your traction battery is charging; portions of your 12VDC systems are energized to ensure power to ECU & cooling fans; it's not really designed to provide a 'recharge' of your 12 VDC battery - though it does get some voltage in the process.
    I believe that your 12VDC battery is below 10.5 VDC, that's about the voltage the can't close the relays to engage the DC-DC converter, to put the car into ready mode.
    I need to put my gen4 on a battery charger about once a year, when I find it below 11.5 VDC - car still goes into ready mode at that level.
    I didn't have this problem when my car was a daily driver, but now that I'm retired and only drive a few times a week, I've noticed the battery getting low and I do unplug the car when the battery is finished charging.
     
    #4 BiomedO1, Nov 14, 2025 at 3:19 AM
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2025 at 11:40 AM
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Sounds like the 12V battery was drained by normal car functions while parked. It had the charge for the first start, but was left too low for a second. A mile is nowhere near enough time to replenish the energy used for starting. Leaving it on might have been the best plan;)
     
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  6. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    Yep, most likely that 12-volt needs some TLC. My wife is retired so her Corolla Hybrid 12-volt battery is low even after a week if she doesn't drive it somewhere....so 2 1/2 weeks would really leave it low.
     
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  7. GeoJ

    GeoJ Active Member

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    Thanks for the inputs. I got the battery jumped with AAA, and wanted to get a new battery but AAA said they don't have batteries for Prius prime. AAA did put a meter of some kind on the battery and said it was no good, needed to be replaced. So once started I drove directly to the dealer, and surprisingly, to me, it was replaced under warranty once they determined it would fail. Blew some time but that is a nice ending to a car story. Btw, dealer said it would be a $400 battery - seems crazy and unlikely, do they really get that for a battery.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    toyota dealers having been charging $400. for at least 20 years. hey, there's a sucker born every minute, and car dealers know how to take advantage.
    congrats on the free replacement, you can bet toyota won't pay them $400.! :cool:
     
  9. ColoradoBoo

    ColoradoBoo Senior Member

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    $400? Wow, for our 2017 Prius, I replaced the 12-Volt with one from the dealer just last August and it was $261. Maybe they charged Toyota $400 for it.

    I do like the TruStart batteries, though...comes with an 84 month warranty and I noticed the CCA went up to 470, a lot more than the one installed at the plant.
     
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

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    Get the 12 volt tested, say with an electronic load-tester. The 2.5 week hiatus is the likely cause.
     
  11. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Last time I checked, Wally had them for around $175. You'll need to clear out your trunk; if you want them to install it. I've been looking; ever since I've had to put the car on a charger every once in a while. It still test good with my old carbon core battery tester; but diminished. I may replace it if I can find a really good deal.
    Don't know since I still remember $50 batteries; EPA, recycle mandates??????
    That 84 month warranty is depreciated against that $400 retail price, so if that battery makes it past 42 months a battery on a dealership sale may be a cheaper buy than exercising that warranty option. I used to play that game when I worked in an auto parts store, in high school. I was amazed that a few of them would insist on the warranty; even though it would cost them $20-$30 bucks more. Maybe it was me and they just didn't understand.o_O The customer is ALWAYS right.:LOL::ROFLMAO::sleep:
     
    #11 BiomedO1, Nov 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
    Last edited: Nov 14, 2025 at 5:05 PM