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2010 prius — biggest screw up

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by antoine, Oct 6, 2009.

  1. antoine

    antoine New Member

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    I have read about the 12 V battery dying after 2 weeks parked in an
    airport lot and decided to cut to the chase and call Toyota in Calif.
    (800-331-4331) after my email to them resulted in the suggestion
    that I disconnect the neg battery terminal when traveling more than
    2 weeks.

    As this solution is crazy, I called and was told that this was their only
    solution. I explained that as far as I knew, there was no way to lock
    or unlock the hatch back with the 12 V battery disconnected. To
    disconnect the terminal would require removing the rugs, covers,
    plastic spare tire cover, etc to get to the battery and to do this by
    crawling over the back seat on my stomach so as to leave the hatch
    locked for airport parking lot security. Then locking the door using the
    key.

    The Toyota guy on the phone said he was making a record of my
    concern, but had no alternative solution to the dead battery situation.

    This is the 21st century and Toyota has made Prius' for years. Were
    they simply brain-dead over in Japan? Too big a rush to get the 2010
    out to compete with the Honda Insight?

    Waiting for a recall/retro fit solution
     
  2. alfon

    alfon Senior Member

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    Has this been documented?

    The reason I ask is that we are planning on going for 2 weeks to Arizona the end of the year and will be flying down.

    Our Prius will be parked at our house, with temps in the 30-45 range.

    So when we come back our 12 volt battery will possibly be dead?

    alfon
     
  3. zeeman

    zeeman Member

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    well, with my 2008 i did not have such problems. I left the car for a whole month, I just disabled the SKS and car started just fine.
    HV batt pack was still in green and 12 V batt did not have any problems.
    so, are you saying that 2010 prius is backward from 2008 and earier?
    that is crazy!

    what if you have to go to prolonged trip?!
     
  4. a priori

    a priori Canonus Curiosus

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    Why are you starting a new thread on this topic? (EDIT: Sorry to start off this way. I'm not intending confrontation, so this is a bit too much "in your face" for a decent response.)

    I understand why you are upset, and I can see why you'd call Toyota, but why not report this in the existing thread? By doing this we all can work toward a common resolution.

    Also, please do not report incorrect information. The Technical Service Bulletin did not suggest you disconnect the negative on the 12v battery. Instead, it says you should "Disconnect wire harness from exclusive jump starting terminal (found in Junction Block under hood)."

    I'm not suggesting this is the greatest way to handle things, but at least if you take this action you'll be able to get into your car (using the key) and then pop open the hood to reconnect the wire harness.

    Here is some of the information I reported in post #12 of the other thread (2010 II 12 Volt Battery Dead After 17 Days of Parking):
    Here is that TSB:

    Tech Serv Bulletin re Battery Maintenance during Storage.pdf

    For some reason I cannot understand, there is reference to a maintenance activity should the Prius be stored for 10 days or longer. It involves disconnecting a harness under the hood. Not difficult to get to, but kind of odd to do it for a 10-day storage.

    Remember, though, that this TSB addresses the handling of a brand-new Prius just delivered to the dealer and being prepped for initial delivery to a customer. It tells the dealer how to handle long-term storage and then delivery to the customer. It is not a TSB designed to address ongoing operational issues.
     
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  5. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Why make this complicated? Just call AAA if your battery does die (and that's a big if).
     
  6. nparker13

    nparker13 Member

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    I dont think you have anything to worry about. I left mine for 1 week and it still had a full traction battery...if youre really concerned put it on a battery tender (if at home).
     
  7. garygid

    garygid Senior Member - Blizzard Pearl

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    Yes, one could "trickle-charge" the 12v battery (but not over about 13.5 ? volts) when near a suitable electrical outlet.

    If that was Toyota's official solution, they should write up just how to do it, and sell a "safe" (voltage-limited) charger. But, parked at an airport parking lot, that is not a practical solution.

    However, it would seem that the TOYOTA Service Department's advise was to disconnect the minus lead of the battery (not a good choice, it seems), and the Service Bulletin apparently suggests doing something entirely different: disconnecting the plus lead (of the battery?) at the "ejst" in the JB under the hood.

    I have not found the issue addressed in the Owner's Manual.

    Is the issue treated for Prius Owners on a Toyota web site?
    If so, where?
     
  8. RadioZero

    RadioZero Member

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    there are some aftermarket solar panels that plug into the cigarette charger that charges the battery. i have one that i got from the local Audi/VW dealership but i have seen them sold in various places. you could plug it up and park near some sunlight or overhead lighting.
     
  9. garygid

    garygid Senior Member - Blizzard Pearl

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    A full traction battery does not mean that the 12v battery is not "dead".

    If the 12v battery is discharged too much (not fully flat yet), the Prius electronics cannot function, and the car will not start.

    Right?
     
  10. garygid

    garygid Senior Member - Blizzard Pearl

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    I think the cigarette sockets are not connected to the battery when the power is OFF, so one cannot charge through them.
     
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  11. Bobsprius

    Bobsprius BobPrius

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    Introduction​
    The 2010 model year Prius hybrid vehicle is equipped with 2 types of special batteries, the HV
    (Hybrid Vehicle) battery and the 12-volt auxiliary battery.
    If the hybrid vehicle is put into storage, the state of charge (SOC) of its HV battery and auxiliary
    battery will gradually decrease. To prevent the battery from becoming discharged during storage,
    proper maintenance is necessary.
    Perform the following maintenance service for the HV battery and 12-volt auxiliary battery.​
    Maintenance Items​
    CONDITION* MAINTENANCE OPERATION​
    Just After Unloading &
    Every Two Months
    Keep “Hybrid System†on for 30 minutes with the transmission in the “P†position.
    (In order to charge the HV battery and the auxiliary battery.)
    Check 12-Volt Auxiliary
    Battery Before Delivery
    Fully charge 12-volt auxiliary battery using the GR8 Battery Diagnostic Station
    (00002-MCGR8) (Deliver vehicle to customer only after it is fully charged.)
    To Store for 10 Days
    or More
    Disconnect wire harness from exclusive jump starting terminal
    (found in Junction Block under hood).
    (Prevent decreasing SOC during storage due to parasitic current drain.)
    After Storage Period
    is Over
    Connect wire harness from exclusive jump starting terminal
    (found in Junction Block under hood).​
    * The condition also corresponds with the section titles within this TSB.
     
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  12. antoine

    antoine New Member

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    A Priori - I read your thread, but it got off on who had the best voltmeter
    and how to measure the drain on the battery (12 v).

    I did contact Toyota (2 times) and here is their email response:
    ----------------------------------
    Subject
    Battery Drain when left parked for 2-3 weeks

    Discussion Thread
    Response (TGri) 10/05/2009 08:02 AM
    Dear Mr. Dodge,

    Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

    We appreciate the opportunity to address your inquiry.

    To prevent excessive auxiliary battery drainage, charge the battery at least once every two weeks by driving the vehicle for 15 - 20 minutes with all non-essential electrical accessories (such as air conditioning and audio equipment) turned off. As an alternative, you may disconnect the negative terminal of the auxiliary battery. If the battery was disconnected, it will have to be reconnected before the hybrid system is started.

    For the hybrid vehicle battery, charge the battery at least once every two months by starting the hybrid system for about 30 minutes. Check that the "ready" light is on and all lights and electrical accessories are off. It is not necessary to drive the vehicle, but do not start the hybrid system in an enclosed area unless the tail pipe is connected to an exhaust hose to prevent harmful build up of fumes.

    We certainly hope that this information is helpful. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us by responding to this email or by calling 1-800-331-4331. We are available from 5 AM to 6 PM, Pacific Time, Monday through Friday and from 7 AM to 4 PM, Pacific Time, on Saturdays.

    Sincerely,

    Eugene Des Jardins
    Toyota Customer Experience
    ---------------------------------------------------------------

    So, I don't know who or what bulletin you quoted from, but the above
    is from Toyota and my phone call today resulted in the same infor-
    mation. This is not a 21st century solution and seems to be a step
    back from the Gen II which had a simple switch to shut off the SKS
    system.

    Am I asking too much to be able to leave my car for 3 weeks without
    disabling the battery (12 v), not the traction battery?
     
  13. RoyThePriusGuy

    RoyThePriusGuy New Member

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    I could not agree more if this is in fact the case. Apparently Toyota hired some Microsoft engineers over to design this (lack of) system.

    If this is their official policy, not very comforting and certainly not user friendly at all. No excuses.
     
  14. Kapena Gary

    Kapena Gary New Member

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    I leave my 2010 Prius at the dock in Long Beach for 70 days at a time when I go to sea. It always starts when I take the cover off, unlock the car, and start it.

    The battery is not disconnected and I don't do anything special except cover the car when I am gone.
     
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  15. a64pilot

    a64pilot Active Member

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    Well there you have it. I think this is nothing more than lawyer CYA stuff. Now if your battery did go dead, Toyota has no responsibility. They told you to disconnect it.
     
  16. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    Another solution:
    keep a combination jump starter/tire pump unit in your Prius. It has a built-in, sealed lead acid battery that both powers the tire pump and also can be connected to your system to jump start your Prius should the need arise.

    I have one for my 2009 Prius. I even used it one time to start my van when the battery had died, and it worked flawlessly, barely reducing the charge remaining in jump starter. I could have started several more vehicles with it.

    I also use it when adding air to the tires on my Prius. I don't need to plug it in, just attach it to the valve stem and turn it on. It even has a built in pressure gauge to monitor the tire pressure while filling.

    My unit also has a built in level tester to show how much charge the unit's battery has left. The battery holds its charge for months, and is recharged overnight via an AC adapter when needed.

    Mine is made by Black & Decker, but there are other manufacturers that make similar products.

    Hope this helps.
     
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  17. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    Does anyone know if the rear lift back will open with a dead battery? I think it's electrically operated isn't it?
     
  18. Airbalancer

    Airbalancer Active Member

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    I have the extended warrenty so have road side service for the next 7 year.
    If it does not start I will make a call :)
     
  19. yardman 49

    yardman 49 Active Member

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    You don't need to jump the battery through the rear hatch. Even though the 12V battery is back there, the jump point (and system disconnect) is up front under the hood.
     
  20. Fstr911

    Fstr911 Member

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    Yardman 49, I was thinking if the jumper cables are stored in that rear storage area it could be a problem to get to them.