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HELP! Prius sat in garage for 3 months now won't start.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Silver NY P3, Jan 2, 2013.

  1. Silver NY P3

    Silver NY P3 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2011
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    Location:
    St Louis, MO
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Last year I moved from NY to St Louis, MO. Recently I started driving a friends beater car to save in miles on my Prius which is 18 months old with 40k miles already. (I know what your thinking, isn't that what you bought a Prius for) LOL It's been in my garage for a few months and I would start it from time to time and let it run for 10 min or so. The other day I started it and was cleaning some things out of it. A few days later I went out to get something out if it and it was dead. No remote start, keyless entry, dome lights, start. Had to use key inside fob to get inside. Just was wondering if anyone knew what the most likely reason for this is. I haven't tried to jump start it yet. I'm a little knowledgeable with autos in general. I know I should have taken it out on the hwy for 15 miles or so to charge the 12v battery.

    Any input is greatly appreciated!!

    Nate
     
    #1 Silver NY P3, Jan 2, 2013
  2. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2003
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    Location:
    Nixa, MO
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yea, I think you've made your own diagnosis, that 10 minutes of garage time isn't enough to top up the 12 volt. I think if you jump it (use the terminals under the hood, not directly on the battery and be 110% sure you don't reverse the positive and negative leads) it should spring right back to life.
     
    #2 efusco, Jan 2, 2013
  3. Silver NY P3

    Silver NY P3 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2011
    45
    2
    0
    Location:
    St Louis, MO
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thank you so much. I think I just needed conformation. LOL I know there's a + terminal in the fuse box and I remember there being a bolt right above it that should be a solid ground. Ill try it out tomorrow.

    Thank you again!
     
    #3 Silver NY P3, Jan 2, 2013
  4. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
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    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    I'd fully charge the 12 volt and see if it holds a charge. You may have permanently damaged the 12 volt and it may not work so well now.

    Taking it on the highway vs. leaving it stationary in READY mode makes no difference in terms of charging the 12 volt. Prius has no alternator. The 12 volt is getting charged via the DC to DC converter that's in the inverter/power control unit.

    One of our repair experts has suggested many times to leave the car in READY mode for 8 hours (2005 Prius beeps when door is open, then won't start | PriusChat) to charge the 12 volt. The charge rate via the DC to DC converter is unfortunately very slow, presumably to protect the AGM battery.

    I have Amazon.com: TecMate TM-141DUAL OptiMate 4DUAL 0.8Amp Weatherproof Desulfating Charger/Maintainer: Automotive to charge and maintain the 12 volt as I don't exactly like leaving my car in READY mode for anywhere near that long.
     
    #4 cwerdna, Jan 2, 2013
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