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Prius 2010 won't start

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by blyn, Jul 4, 2013.

  1. blyn

    blyn New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    I tried to start my car and it was dead. I checked the fob and got out a second one. It then started. I drove to the market and when I came back it wouldn't start again. AAA was able to jump start it and told me to drive it around for 30 mins. With the air conditioning on to fully recharge the battery. I did this and the battery went from 2 bars to fully charged.

    When at home, it immediately died again when I shut down the car. Now the engine is making a whirring noise for over an hour and the engine/hood area still hot.

    What's going on? Should I be worried? No dealers are open tomorrow...it's the holiday.

    Thanks for your help!

    Blyn
     
    #1 blyn, Jul 4, 2013
  2. Drdiesel

    Drdiesel Active Member

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    Open the trunk and charge your 12 Volt chassis battery. You could also disengage the traction battery switch to shut the system down while the 12 volt system is being charge.
    This should cure the immediate problem, but you need to have the 12 volt battery checked before it happens again.
     
    #2 Drdiesel, Jul 4, 2013
  3. blyn

    blyn New Member

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    Model:
    III
    Thanks. I can't get the trunk open. And even if I could, I'm not sure I could figure what what you are suggesting. I'm mostly worked about the noise the engine is making...like something is going so wrong under the hood.

    I can call AAA Friday and take to dealer on Friday.
     
    #3 blyn, Jul 4, 2013
  4. blyn

    blyn New Member

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    Model:
    III
    Dr. Diesel, the noise stopped. I think I had left the power on and I corrected that.

    It has 57,000 miles, so I will take in Friday for the 60,000 maintenance. I think you are spot on that it is the 12 volt battery....

    Thanks again!

    Blyn
     
    #4 blyn, Jul 4, 2013
  5. Feri

    Feri Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    when you can't open the back door find the jump start thingy under the fuse box lid and attach a 12 volt power source. Even two 6 volt torch batteries in series can do it. and their will be enough power to operate the back door lock. Alternately fold your back seats down and access the battery from there.
     
    #5 Feri, Jul 4, 2013
  6. Paradox

    Paradox Prius Enthusiast / Moderator
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    Moved to the gen III forums from the Prius c forums.
     
    #6 Paradox, Jul 4, 2013
  7. blyn

    blyn New Member

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    Model:
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    Thx again...yeah, I thought that through...going through by folding down seats...this "monkey" can think that much through...lol. But, admittedly, I'm not very handy mechanically being a female who always permitted men to do everything...so, charging the battery on my own is out of my scope. I'll call AAA tomorrow to do it :). That's why I pay for ER roadside service....but, I will watch and learn to pay homage to PriusChat. As you all have given me peace of mind.
     
    #7 blyn, Jul 4, 2013
  8. ralleia

    ralleia Active Member

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    Four
    If you get the 12-volt battery checked/replaced and find that it is still being drained, then it could be an issue with the inverter.

    We briefly had a 2012 hybrid Camry that kept draining the low-voltage battery.

    Came to find that the inverter was defective and was draining the low-voltage battery dry every time the car was powered off.
     
    #8 ralleia, Jul 4, 2013
  9. Feri

    Feri Active Member

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    Location:
    Maldon Victoria Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III

    Yeah! Sorry I didn't mean to sound so terse.;)
     
    #9 Feri, Jul 4, 2013
  10. techno-Zen

    techno-Zen Junior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II

    Did you ever find a resolution to your issue? I think my car is doing the same thing.
     
    #10 techno-Zen, Feb 10, 2014
  11. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
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    III
    Probably failing 12v battery.
     
    #11 GrumpyCabbie, Feb 11, 2014
  12. techno-Zen

    techno-Zen Junior Member

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    Funny, my 2010 had nearly identical mileage as this guy's and had the exact same issues. Currently getting my 12v battery replaced after AAA gave me a boost this morning.
     
    #12 techno-Zen, Feb 11, 2014
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