Total Noob in deep doo-doo

I've been browsing the forums this morning - sadly it took a Prius crisis for me to find this site. Anyone reading this thread please be kind - I don't know all the acronyms and I don't *blush* always take the best care of my wonderful little car. If pertinent information has already been posted please direct me to the appropriate thread.

PROBLEM: Wouldn't start - now dead.
1) Only previous history of starting problems was when I was late getting the recall fixed (for the brake light issue), once that was corrected there were no other problems.

2) A couple of days ago my 2004 prius would not start. Got in as usual, brake depressed, fob in, pressed start and it went into whatsit mode (orange light on start button). I didn't think much of this - thought maybe I hadn't fully depressed the brake.. the fob got stuck, I held the power button in long enough for it to power down and start over. But then several things happened and I don't know the exact order...

When I started again the power light came on but the engine didn't start. Then the displays on the dash started acting strange - the bars across the gas indicator were flashing in unison with the squares around the gear indicators, then everything went black except the check engine light and the fob was stuck again. I had to get to work so I got it powered down and hitched a ride with the hubby.

3) Excuses, excuses... but it was a 14 hour workday, when I got home after dark I didn't look at the Prius again. The next morning I tried again. When I put the fob in the slot the headlights came on before I pressed anything. I turned off the headlights (normally I leave the knob on) and tried to start it - a similar parade of strange flashings occurred on the dash display and at one point the check engine light was the only thing lit. The fob was stuck again and this time I couldn't get it to 'power down' to let it go. I thought I held the start button in for 45 seconds - but it's possible I didn't. I had to leave it in - locked the car with our other fob and went to work with plans to call Toyota.

4) That was Friday - one of my longest work days ever, I did not get to call Toyota. Yesterday was similar (but only a 13 hour workday - forced to borrow the hubby's Escape - at least it's a hybrid) - this week has fried me thoroughly and even though that's not an excuse the bottom line is now (as expected) the poor prius' battery is dead - at least I can get the fob out now.

I'm assuming the battery died from leaving it crippled in the driveway. It's Sunday so no help will be coming from Toyota. I am off tomorrow so plan to deal with this problem but of course with it not starting I'll have to get a tow to the dealership... I'm a bit scared of what they're going to say.

OKAY - AS I SAID PLEASE DON'T JUDGE..... I love my little car, I just don't always show it :C

SO MY QUESTION TO THE WISE FOLK ON THIS FORUM:
I am now going to learn how to jump my prius. A sad day. With the weirdness going on the last couple of days is there any reason I should *not* jump start it? Since the dead battery is only a secondary problem there's a good chance that if I get the battery charged it still won't start. I don't want it's little brain to explode!

If I jump it and at least get it back to where I was a couple of days ago does the specific pattern of what happens when I try to start it give any diagnostic information or do I just need to get it lugged into the dealership to run testing? (I can write down exactly what it does now that I've had some sleep and the brain is a bit more functional!).

Any thoughts are helpful. I'm off to read my owners manual.

- Pam

 

Wow - you guys are awesome!

Are you saying *blinks and rubs her eyes* that the old battery could be the cause of all of the brain-glitchiness? Oh that would be wonderful!

I will most certainly be having the dealership replace the battery. But I'm brave enough to jump it - if I can avoid a tow I'll be ecstatic.

Thanks guys - I am so glad I found this site!

- Pam