My 2007 prius requires frequent jumping of the Aux Battery.

Re: 2007 prius requires frequent aux battery jumps

It sounds like your 12 volt battery's bad. I suspect the voltages will read very low if you run http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/73400-weird-stuff-happening-mpgs-dropping-test-battery.html after leaving your car overnight.

The fact that you've run it down to the point where it needs jumping multiple times isn't good for it. I'd suggest you replace it with http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-h...-12v-yellow-top-d51-battery-pencil-posts.html. It's unclear if there's something wrong w/the charging system though. How long are your drives in terms of time?

I think I've jumped mine 0 times but I went ahead and replaced my 12 volt early this year a bit past the 5 year mark with http://www.elearnaid.com/12vo1topraub.html (the pencil post version wasn't available yet). It was getting marginal.

 

Re: 2007 prius requires frequent aux battery jumps

You would be better off with an Optima deep cycle battery so you don't kill the battery by having it discharge a few times.

Are you seeing 14 v when the car is in ready mode?

 

Your battery is NOT fine. See: Checking 12v Battery Health - Hybrid Car Forums for a testing method you can do yourself.

There is a more rugged battery from Optima (Their Yellow-Top series) that you can put in your Prius. You can get a standard Yellow-Top and an adapter kit from:
Toyota Prius 12 Volt Auxiliary Battery with install kit for 2004 - 11
or buy a drop-in version directly from Optima (DS46B24R)
http://shop.optimabatteries.com/pro...umber=DS46B24R/1737.0.1.1.73619.0.0.0.0?pp=8&).

Either can be installed by any competent mechanic (you can find installation instructions by searching PriusChat or they come with the ElearnAid kit).

JeffD

 

Re: 2007 prius requires frequent aux battery jumps

Out of curiosity, what dealer did you buy from and where are you getting it serviced?

 

You have at least two problems -- the unintended or excess current drain that caused the first few dead battery incidents, and the seriously wounded battery that has suffered far more discharges than any normal car battery can endure.

If the first problem still exists, replacing the battery won't end your problem. It will only temporarily reduce the frequency back to the original rate. But the new battery will quickly get wounded too, and soon you will be back to monthly jumps.

If this were my car, I'd immediately measure the battery current consumed by the car when it is turned off.

 

Good advice!

 

Turn your headlights off manually instead of waiting for the Prius do it for you. If your battery is weak then do it before you shut down the ignition.

 

I agree. You can also go to a place like "batteries are us " and have them put thier battery tester AND provide documentation to show your dealership that the battery is deficient. (if that is the case) With that little document in your hand you may go to the dealership and possibly get a new battery, again! I am presuming that you have much documentation on this problem with the dealer, right? It is also possible that you have a severe current drain when the car is parked, Toyota SHOULD be able to prove that, it is a simple procedure. The other option is insufficient charging of the 12 V Battery. Again the dealer should be able to check this. You should simultaneously call Toyota Headquarters and get them involved. :cheer2:

 

Deep-cycling the battery shortens its life severely. Once you have had to jump it a few times, it is unlikely to hold a charge for more than a day or two. You need to start fresh with a new one, and I cannot recommend an Optima battery strong enough. If you have a problem, the Optima will be much more tolerant of deep discharge.

 

This exercise is a waste of time, as there should be no compensation for a failing OEM 12V battery 4-5 years after the car was delivered. By this time many customers have had to replace the battery, at their own expense, due to ordinary aging.

Do check these items. The initial problem was caused either by something here, or by operator error such as repeatedly eaving a light turned on.

You need assistance from someone with a better understanding of electricity. Current is never measured in volts.

All those other condition reports are useless in this case. If a standard automobile battery has been drained flat a dozen times, its remaining life expectancy is very short.

Which is more likely in your case? A dealership unable to find a real problem with the car, or a spouse who won't confess to repeatedly leaving a light turned on? Only you can answer this, and neither answer will be pleasant.

If you have never purchased a replacement 12V battery for this car with your own money, then it is now time to do so. When you pay money for a new battery (as opposed to getting a free replacement from the car dealer), it should come with a new warranty. If there is still a problem with the car, maybe the battery seller will be able to prove and document it after getting tired of providing warranty replacements.

 

Re: 2007 prius requires frequent aux battery jumps

Very simple answer. You cannot discharge this little battery once as it will quickly sulfate and never hold a charge properly again. Which means the very first time it required a jump the battery was toast.

If this has happened since you bought it that means they probably let it go dead on the lot and then handed that time bomb off to you. They jumped it once and it was toast.

Then you bought a new battery and somewhere along the line you killed it. Its easy to do. I came close a few times especially the rear hatch not closed all the way light on all night.

But you must be getting terrible mileage as it takes forever to charge up this battery when its sulphated and the engine will run on.

But it's a pretty good little battery because I bought my 07 new also and still on the original battery. I take care of it like I take car of all the batteries in my cars. Never killed it and at least once a month I put in on a charger to check its health.

What does this quote mean?:

You sit in the car with the car off with the headlights on? Why? If you need to do that just leave the car in ready. Headlights draw alot of current.And will hammer our little aux battery.

But for god sakes stop jumping the car as your exposing it to some very expensive damage. Countless posts in the last few years of AAA jumps destroying the electrical systems in a Prius. By reversing the polaritys.
You've been extremely lucky.

 

Re: 2007 prius requires frequent aux battery jumps

^ +infinity

You need to get a new battery and then try not to leave electrical loads running when the car is not in ready mode (especially head lights).

 

Take a look at:

Note that the handle on the Optima can get in the way when reassembling the compartment. Two solutions:
1. remove the flexible handle
2. route it under the bracket so that everything fits. ( there is a photo of this on one of the DS46B24R discussion threads here at PC)

The video stops at the point where you lift out the old battery. Installing the new one is just the reverse of the removal.

JeffD

 

random thoughts... is it charging properly? you mentioned you had this problem after a new battery from almost day 1... maybe the inverter that charges the battery has a blown fuse or something?

also.. maybe something like your water pump that runs the thermos bottles is pulling too much power for some reason?

i would give a response about the battery like everyone else has.. but i went with a different solution all together... hehe..

btw... the solution to sitting in the car is to always have the car in Ready... it only burns a gallon every 10 to 12 hours while sitting idle.. yes.. it seems to mess up your mpg but your battery can only hold soo much juice... and having the car sitting on with headlights and possibly fans and such draws several hundred watts of power. even at a full charge, your 12v can only handle that for so long... so... keep the car in Ready to save the battery. burning a few dollars in fuel is much better than losing your AAA membership or getting stranded.

 

[oops, sorry.]

 

I would suggest you buy a charger ($20-30 motorcycle charger) and fully charge your battery. Once you have full charge just get your battery checked at walmart. I suspect there is a short in your car that is causing the battery to drain. It would be nice if you can find a master tech that can troubleshoot the short. Dealerships can be a waste of time and money. Did you have an accident? If yes, I would double check whatever was fixed. If battery is okay and you cannot find the short; I would suggest you go buy a solar charger that plugs into the 12v socket. They have new ones with over charge protection. I have freinds who use solar chargers for bikes. They are easy and simple. No power plug required.