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Grandma left me, and a dead Prius, Now what?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Dave Holbrook, Jun 20, 2013.

  1. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    Hi to everyone here at PriusChat!
    So Grandma left us a few months back, (God rest her soul) and her sweetness that she was left me the 2004 Prius. I went to look at it after sitting for 3 months and of course its dead also. I see the battery is not new so I figure I'll just replace it . So my question is, what can I expect after replacing the 12V battery and starting for the first time, any codes or problems I should look for in this situation???
     
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  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I agree that your first step should be to replace the 12V battery. Make sure that you observe battery polarity - if you reverse the battery hookup you may destroy the inverter.

    If you are lucky the car will start after that is done. The fuel gauge requires some time after power is restored, to register correctly.

    If you are not lucky and the car does not start, then take photos of the warning lights that appear, and post them.
     
  3. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    It should be fine with a new 12V battery. You might be able to get a charger on the old battery, such that the car will start and you can see what is what. But, do not jump the car unless you are totally sure of the polarity. Big disaster if reversed.

    Check the tire pressures (42F/40R is good). Get the inverter coolant pump replaced and the steering column checked under the recall at the Toyota dealer (free), replace the transaxle fluid (just drain and fill). Likely a good idea to change engine coolant as well. If there are any lights on, get the codes read by Toyota or a Prius compatible reader. Let us know what they are here before taking action.

    The hybrid battery indicator will probably show a low state of charge on the screen, but that is fine as it will charge back up in short order while driving. How many miles on the car?

    Look at the recent threads from people wanting advice on buying a used Prius with 100K or 200K miles, where there will be further suggestions for things to be aware of. It will be a great ride, just a bit of learning to be done at first.
     
  4. TheEnglishman

    TheEnglishman Member

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    Replace the 12V battery and cross your fingers. It wouldn't surprise me if the traction battery is gone since it's 9 years old. I hope you get good luck with your grandma's Prius. I got a car from my grandparents ('96 Chrysler Concorde) and it's definitely drawing its last breaths. I know the sentimental value is probably pretty important, but do not let emotions control your checkbook.
     
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  5. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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    ^^^^^^^^

    Well said
     
  6. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    Wow guys thanks for the replys, the car is near 200k on it, I guess there will be a learning curve to this. I can do all the maintenance, I'm good mechanically, I'll post an update later as today has been designated as "going green for grandma day". We going to bring the Prius back to life. Too bad the same cant be said for grandma, her battery can't be replaced.
     
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  7. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Don't despair Dave. The traction battery would normally survive sitting for three months quite easily. After you fit the new 12V start it and let it idle in park for a minute or so to start charging the HV battery. Then take it for a drive of at least 30 minutes to get the oil up temperature and to complete the HV battery charging. (Probably a good idea to check the oil before driving too).

    BTW. When you replace the 12V battery, be really careful to fit it with the correct polarity the first time (you might not get a second chance). For reference, the +ive terminal goes toward the front of the car and the negative terminal towards the rear.
     
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  8. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    UPDATE:
    Wow, what a day. Hooked up the new battery, got dooor lights etc. on the dash, waited ten minutes and vrroom. The motor stumbled to life. Left it run about 10 minutes until it shut off, then I did a walk around, checked the oil and started the trip home, 225 miles. What a sweet little ride, I am really impressed. Still felt stable driving at highway speeds, Averaged 46 MPG on the way home and that was mountainous driving. So I guess I'll spend the weekend doing all the fluids and any maintenance. Thanks for all the tips, I'll be looking up all the DIY stuff now for fluids. Any other things I should look for would be seriously taken into consideration. Thanks everyone.
     
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  9. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    46MPG sounds like things are in working order. A little technique, and you can get that a bit higher. Watch the battery state of charge on the MFD, and note where it settles. It should be around 5 or 6 blue bars most of the. time, going to green down long hills, and possibly dropping sometimes to purple going quickly up long ones. If you see this, then the traction battery is still in good shape.

    Enjoy
     
  10. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Spark plugs were supposed to be replaced at 120k miles. The brake pads should still be fine. It is easy to do a visual inspection.
     
  11. JMD

    JMD 2012 Prius 4 Solar Roof

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  12. Dave Holbrook

    Dave Holbrook Junior Member

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    Thanks for the tips guys keep em coming, I'm just getting the tools out..
     
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  13. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Dave, I am sorry for your loss. Based on the mileage Grandma sure got around. You've got a good solid car. It does take some time to get used to the different sounds. There is no feeling quite like being at the top of the mountain with the traction battery in a low state of charge and filling it up on the way down. The engine may spin up just to use up the excess charge. Maybe Grandma's in the Prius. My Mother the Car - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
     
  14. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    And be sure to read the Owner's Manual, which grandma no doubt kept :_>
     
  15. Baldbubba

    Baldbubba Member

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    As an old guy 60 years old first time prius owner The best advice I have gotten from Steve at auto by us is don't worry about anything just get in and drive this is the most amazing car you will ever drive! I have a drink the Kool-Aid Never running out of fuel don't leave the dome lights on and always shut the door before you try to put it in drive and you have a car that will last long time I have had mine almost 8 weeks and love it if you are a big guy buy the extended seat rails I am 6' 6"I can put the seat all the way back and not touch the pedals. I now get in the car and just go for a ride. Most of the time on the toll roads the tolls in the costing more than the gas you. btw mine will go 112 mph! I am not a big time environmentalist I just love saving money And I can do it with this car! btw I do not drive that fast all the time just wanted to see how fast it would go,,, was long open road in montana
     
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  16. jefe

    jefe Member

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    Punctuation is your friend.
     
  17. Baldbubba

    Baldbubba Member

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    Not when I am using voice to text is not, but thanks Mom
     
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  18. jefe

    jefe Member

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    Sorry, it just gets hard to read. The voice to text actually explains a lot.