New Prius peculiar start-up problem

itndave · Jan 20, 2011

Re: New Prius peculia start-up problem

s1njin,
After starting life as a young wrench until discust of some practices of most shops, I no longer trust any dealer. A good cup of coffee, great shop manual, screwdriver, duct tape, vice grips and I'm all over it.....My personal exp with the factory battery was intermitant internal shorts. Most readings with a meter gave me 12v, then one day during the trickle charge (1 hour unattended in the car) returned to find one of the leads melted. Meter indicated 10v, internal short located .

jim256 · Jan 21, 2011

Re: New Prius peculia start-up problem

Ned H said: ↑

Iâ€™d like to give a little update on the adventure with my Prius. First thanks for all the input. I disconnected the battery so the computer could reboot. But then the car wouldnâ€™t start. After charging my Diehard jumper I jumped the Prius. It started. Makes me think there may be a battery problem. I havenâ€™t gone through morning start-up routine yet Iâ€™ll try that tomorrow A.M. to see if the reboot helped. I will be testing the batteries voltage.

Thanks again
Click to expand...

Even a new battery can have a problem--I had a 6 month old Mercedes that would not start intermittently, tested fine at 14 v., ended up being a dead short only under load. The dealer towed the car in, put a load test on the battery and replaced it. No problems ever again.

pEEf · Jan 21, 2011

Re: New Prius peculia start-up problem

Yes, Jim is right. New batteries can have problems right from the factory, in addition, it could have been sitting on the dealer shelf or a warehouse for a long long time, allowing it to discharge and sulfate.

cycle11111 · Jan 21, 2011

Re: New Prius peculia start-up problem

Ned H said: ↑

Iâ€™m posting this out of some desperation, after reading numerous posts none seemed exactly on point, and after calling the dealer, who didnâ€™t think he could help as he doubted they could duplicate the problem.
We just bought a new 2010 Prius with the navigation system about a month ago and have put about a 1000 miles on it. We really enjoy the Prius. We have had some minor issues with starting the car that I attributed to inexperience. But a few morning ago, after a night in the low 20â€™s the car wouldnâ€™t start. I spent several minutes fiddling pushing the start button, trying to put it in gear, just waiting. During all this, the instrument panel came on but it was not what I usually see. The steering button overlay was visible during much of the time as were the instrument panel warning lights. At a couple points the Prius logo did its normal disappearing act. The ignition buttonâ€™s light was green or amber, I guess depending if my foot was on the brake. The nav came on but went off actually the backlight for the lcds was not working as an almost black map was visible (not the night map). The passenger air bag on and off lights were both on. I finally heard the ICE come on, and noticed the instrument panel was back to normal and I was then able to put it in gear and to back out of my spot. The backup camera worked but when put in drive the nav screen went dark. I was finally able to get the nav to work after shutting the car off and restarting it a few miles down the road.
I had trouble starting the car on subsequent mornings but as nights and day were warming and I became accustom to the problem I now usually just need to push the start button twice with a short wait to get the car started. I have read on several posts that starting problems are often 12v battery related. But the dealer didnâ€™t think it was the battery, as the master warning light didnâ€™t stay on. He didnâ€™t think they could duplicate the problems as the dealership is couple thousand feet lower in elevation, they are on the desert floor, than where I live in the low mountains of SW New Mexico, thus it wouldnâ€™t get cold enough to cause the problem.
I need to get this fixed, Some of the problems may be my own foolishness, but some appear real such as the nav display and needing to push the start button twice.
Attached are some instrument panel pictures taken the second morning. Note the nav screen did come on this morning unlike the first morning.
The sequence is:
1. Before pushing the start button.
2. After just pushing the start button (note the steering wheel button overlay on the instrument panel).
3. After about a minute wait.
4. After pushing the start button a second time and the READY light came on.
Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

This really smells like a bad 12V - basically when they are weak and the car is left for a long time or cold etc you get strange behaviors. I would insist the dealer look at the 12V. If they won't call Toyota or just go ahead and put in a Optima yellowtop which is way better battery anyway.

12V Battery-Optima kit from elearnaid.com

Remember the 12V only brings up the computers and doesn't do the starting of the ICE etc that is the traction battery and based on what you said once the ICE and traction battery are in play all is good.

There are tons of threads here on the 12V battery issue.

Ned H · Feb 2, 2011

Re: New Prius peculia start-up problem

I would like to give an update on New Prius peculiar start-up problem. First I got a Scan Gauge and then tested the 12 volt battery voltage on numerous occasions. At several times I got pre-start readings in the low 9 to high 8 volt range (not good). Not wanting to drive the car 100 miles to the dealer where I bought the car (and thus give the battery a good charge) I took it to the new dealer in town, I left it out doors at the dealership overnight where the temperature got down to about 18 degrees and nearly duplicated the conditions that first occasioned the problem. The car would again not start until after about five pushes of the start button, and then the HIS display didnâ€™t come on. The mechanic agreed there was a problem. He tested the battery and got a print out. I am not knowledgeable in these areas but all the readings were bad or didnâ€™t even register. I got a new warranty battery! The mechanic suggested that the battery must have been bad for some time and should have shown up bad on the dealerâ€™s pre-sale once over (6 weeks and 1100 miles ago).

The car seems to be doing well. Thanks one last time (I hope) for all the help.

adrianblack · Feb 6, 2011

Glad it's solved. I have a SGII and have noticed the brake booster precharge has gotten slower. I live in Los Angeles, so the car isn't exposed to really cold temps but I notice that while the booster is running the voltage is often around 11v. Once it stops it may go to 11.5v. When the car is in ready the voltage seems to vary between 14.7v and 13.2v. I know the Gen III has a temperature sensor on the 12v battery, I assume used to regular the charging voltage. It always starts around 14.6-14.7 when I start the car and drops in the 13's once I've been driving a while. (and Presumably the battery has warmed up a bit.)

I need to take the car in for the brake flash and also my rear brakes squeak (TSB) so I suppose I'll have them look at the 12v too.

sgelber · Sep 8, 2011

Ned H said: ↑

Iâ€™m posting this out of some desperation, after reading numerous posts none seemed exactly on point, and after calling the dealer, who didnâ€™t think he could help as he doubted they could duplicate the problem.
We just bought a new 2010 Prius with the navigation system about a month ago and have put about a 1000 miles on it. We really enjoy the Prius. We have had some minor issues with starting the car that I attributed to inexperience. But a few morning ago, after a night in the low 20â€™s the car wouldnâ€™t start. I spent several minutes fiddling pushing the start button, trying to put it in gear, just waiting. During all this, the instrument panel came on but it was not what I usually see. The steering button overlay was visible during much of the time as were the instrument panel warning lights. At a couple points the Prius logo did its normal disappearing act. The ignition buttonâ€™s light was green or amber, I guess depending if my foot was on the brake. The nav came on but went off actually the backlight for the lcds was not working as an almost black map was visible (not the night map). The passenger air bag on and off lights were both on. I finally heard the ICE come on, and noticed the instrument panel was back to normal and I was then able to put it in gear and to back out of my spot. The backup camera worked but when put in drive the nav screen went dark. I was finally able to get the nav to work after shutting the car off and restarting it a few miles down the road.
I had trouble starting the car on subsequent mornings but as nights and day were warming and I became accustom to the problem I now usually just need to push the start button twice with a short wait to get the car started. I have read on several posts that starting problems are often 12v battery related. But the dealer didnâ€™t think it was the battery, as the master warning light didnâ€™t stay on. He didnâ€™t think they could duplicate the problems as the dealership is couple thousand feet lower in elevation, they are on the desert floor, than where I live in the low mountains of SW New Mexico, thus it wouldnâ€™t get cold enough to cause the problem.
I need to get this fixed, Some of the problems may be my own foolishness, but some appear real such as the nav display and needing to push the start button twice.
Attached are some instrument panel pictures taken the second morning. Note the nav screen did come on this morning unlike the first morning.
The sequence is:
1. Before pushing the start button.
2. After just pushing the start button (note the steering wheel button overlay on the instrument panel).
3. After about a minute wait.
4. After pushing the start button a second time and the READY light came on.
Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Ned-

I have had the same exact issues with my 2010 Prius since I bought it a year ago March. My Toyota dealership has not been able to "duplicate" it although I have had it in for service on several occasions. Did you ever resolve the issues? If so, PLEASE pass on the info so I can share it with my dealership. I am sooo frustrated.

Thanks.

Stephanie

V8Cobrakid · Sep 8, 2011

you have a brand new car.. it's kinda unlikely that something is wrong with your 12v battery...

when it was 15 degrees outside when i was in colorado.. the starts were very similar to yours. i would get in the car.. put my foot on the brake. wait till all pump and such finish running.... then start the car... the mfd will be dark.. it's too cold for it to be warmed up to be visible... as the car warms, everything should turn normal.

if i don't do the wait process it was a hard start...

sgelber · Sep 8, 2011

Ned H said: ↑

Iâ€™m posting this out of some desperation, after reading numerous posts none seemed exactly on point, and after calling the dealer, who didnâ€™t think he could help as he doubted they could duplicate the problem.
We just bought a new 2010 Prius with the navigation system about a month ago and have put about a 1000 miles on it. We really enjoy the Prius. We have had some minor issues with starting the car that I attributed to inexperience. But a few morning ago, after a night in the low 20â€™s the car wouldnâ€™t start. I spent several minutes fiddling pushing the start button, trying to put it in gear, just waiting. During all this, the instrument panel came on but it was not what I usually see. The steering button overlay was visible during much of the time as were the instrument panel warning lights. At a couple points the Prius logo did its normal disappearing act. The ignition buttonâ€™s light was green or amber, I guess depending if my foot was on the brake. The nav came on but went off actually the backlight for the lcds was not working as an almost black map was visible (not the night map). The passenger air bag on and off lights were both on. I finally heard the ICE come on, and noticed the instrument panel was back to normal and I was then able to put it in gear and to back out of my spot. The backup camera worked but when put in drive the nav screen went dark. I was finally able to get the nav to work after shutting the car off and restarting it a few miles down the road.
I had trouble starting the car on subsequent mornings but as nights and day were warming and I became accustom to the problem I now usually just need to push the start button twice with a short wait to get the car started. I have read on several posts that starting problems are often 12v battery related. But the dealer didnâ€™t think it was the battery, as the master warning light didnâ€™t stay on. He didnâ€™t think they could duplicate the problems as the dealership is couple thousand feet lower in elevation, they are on the desert floor, than where I live in the low mountains of SW New Mexico, thus it wouldnâ€™t get cold enough to cause the problem.
I need to get this fixed, Some of the problems may be my own foolishness, but some appear real such as the nav display and needing to push the start button twice.
Attached are some instrument panel pictures taken the second morning. Note the nav screen did come on this morning unlike the first morning.
The sequence is:
1. Before pushing the start button.
2. After just pushing the start button (note the steering wheel button overlay on the instrument panel).
3. After about a minute wait.
4. After pushing the start button a second time and the READY light came on.
Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Ned-

I have had the exact same start up and navigation screen problems with my 2010 Prius since I leased it a year ago March. My Toyota Dealership can't "duplicate" the problems and thinks I am nuts. Have you had any luck in determining the cause and getting it fixed? If so, PLEASE pass on the info to me so I can share it with my dealership.

Stephanie

Sasparilla · May 5, 2012

sgelber said: ↑

Ned-

I have had the exact same start up and navigation screen problems with my 2010 Prius since I leased it a year ago March. My Toyota Dealership can't "duplicate" the problems and thinks I am nuts. Have you had any luck in determining the cause and getting it fixed? If so, PLEASE pass on the info to me so I can share it with my dealership.

Stephanie
Click to expand...

Stephanie, Ned details what happened a couple of entries above yours. It was a bad 12V battery on his 2010 replaced under warranty.

I'm looking at this thread because my 2010 is experiencing something similar (3 instances of not getting past the warning lights in the startup sequence in the last month).

AZAFVET · Jan 14, 2014

Ned H said: ↑

Iâ€™m posting this out of some desperation, after reading numerous posts none seemed exactly on point, and after calling the dealer, who didnâ€™t think he could help as he doubted they could duplicate the problem.
We just bought a new 2010 Prius with the navigation system about a month ago and have put about a 1000 miles on it. We really enjoy the Prius. We have had some minor issues with starting the car that I attributed to inexperience. But a few morning ago, after a night in the low 20â€™s the car wouldnâ€™t start. I spent several minutes fiddling pushing the start button, trying to put it in gear, just waiting. During all this, the instrument panel came on but it was not what I usually see. The steering button overlay was visible during much of the time as were the instrument panel warning lights. At a couple points the Prius logo did its normal disappearing act. The ignition buttonâ€™s light was green or amber, I guess depending if my foot was on the brake. The nav came on but went off actually the backlight for the lcds was not working as an almost black map was visible (not the night map). The passenger air bag on and off lights were both on. I finally heard the ICE come on, and noticed the instrument panel was back to normal and I was then able to put it in gear and to back out of my spot. The backup camera worked but when put in drive the nav screen went dark. I was finally able to get the nav to work after shutting the car off and restarting it a few miles down the road.
I had trouble starting the car on subsequent mornings but as nights and day were warming and I became accustom to the problem I now usually just need to push the start button twice with a short wait to get the car started. I have read on several posts that starting problems are often 12v battery related. But the dealer didnâ€™t think it was the battery, as the master warning light didnâ€™t stay on. He didnâ€™t think they could duplicate the problems as the dealership is couple thousand feet lower in elevation, they are on the desert floor, than where I live in the low mountains of SW New Mexico, thus it wouldnâ€™t get cold enough to cause the problem.
I need to get this fixed, Some of the problems may be my own foolishness, but some appear real such as the nav display and needing to push the start button twice.
Attached are some instrument panel pictures taken the second morning. Note the nav screen did come on this morning unlike the first morning.
The sequence is:
1. Before pushing the start button.
2. After just pushing the start button (note the steering wheel button overlay on the instrument panel).
3. After about a minute wait.
4. After pushing the start button a second time and the READY light came on.
Any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

AZAFVET · Jan 14, 2014

I replaced my OEM battery 2 weeks ago because my dash was doing a "Star Wars" display flashing garbage and not starting the car. 2010 Prius 21K miles no Nav. Charged the battery overnight, car started once and then back to Star Wars. Had to Jump start the car to get it to autozone for a new Optima battery. Worked fine for a week and a half until we started having similar problems. Takes 3 tries sometimes to get the car started. Don't think that this is a battery problem but located somewhere else in the electrical starting system. My wife first discovered the problem and even though we have had the car for over 3 years without any problems is was leery of her ability because it started first try for me. We she wasn't mistaken as I found out later with the car failing for me as well. It will look like it started and when an attempt to put it in gear the gear position display vanishes and the starter button turns orange. I need to research this more.

BardManY2k · Jan 29, 2014

Interesting problems - my wife recently started experiencing the same problems. I, too, was ready to replace the battery with the optima after recording these results:

12.4 at battery - using DMM no load.
11.2 in accessory mode, 10.8 w/ headlights on (measured using nav/diag screen)
11.0 in standby mode, 10.7 w/ headlights on (measured using nav/diag screen)
13.8 in ready mode (charging, measured with nav/diag screen).

AZAFVET - I'm curious if you ever determined the cause of your problems. Do you know if the optima was fully charged and fresh before installing it in the car?

New Prius peculiar start-up problem

itndave Junior Member

jim256 Member

pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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Ned H New to Prius

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V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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New Prius peculiar start-up problem

itndave Junior Member

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pEEf Engineer - EV nut

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V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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