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2010 Prius problem

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by syberbear, Aug 21, 2013.

  1. syberbear

    syberbear New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Twice in the last 6 months, car would NOT start.
    'RoadSide' assist used 'jumper' cables connected under the hood
    and when 'connected, car started and runs fine.

    Checkout the starter battery with electronic battery tester,
    and battery was fine with 12.61 V and 425 CCA, etc.

    Can anyone tell me what the problem is?
     
    #1 syberbear, Aug 21, 2013
  2. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
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    Four
    Your battery may still test, but based on year model and two dead battery events, I would buy a new one before it gives up the ghost. I have a 2010 with 55K miles and have been monitoring mine more closely.
     
    #2 frodoz737, Aug 21, 2013
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Plug-in Base
    ditto. 2010 was a bad year for batteries.
     
    #3 bisco, Aug 21, 2013
  4. syberbear

    syberbear New Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
     
    #4 syberbear, Aug 22, 2013
  5. syberbear

    syberbear New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanx.
    It is certainly difficult to understand.
    Happened to go to 'Baxter Auto Parts' in Portland, OR
    where I am occassional customer, and the 'electronics' /'battery' guy
    used what appeared to be a sophisticated computerized
    tester into which he programmed the CCA and other
    'rated' info for the battery, and it showed excellent functioning condition.
    I will consider getting a new battery ( $158 for 'AGM' type ).
    It is appropriate replacement, but I'm still concerned whether
    it is a 'latent'/'intermittent' problem like a faulty solid state relay
    or 'gate switch' or whatever in the computerized hybrid system.
    I visited the 'dealer' for questions, and since the 'computer display' was fine,
    and the car is running perfectly, I didn't have the time to get involved
    with a diagnostic 'discovery process' at the time.
    I can't recall, and I'll check - - - but do you know off-hand if there is a
    'mileage limit' on the computerized hybrid system WARRANTY?
    since you have encountered similar problem. I only have about 40K miles.
     
    #5 syberbear, Aug 22, 2013
  6. garglo

    garglo Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Limited
    I would check and clean the ground wire connection to the car body.
     
    #6 garglo, Aug 22, 2013
  7. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Your hybrid system warranty depends on what state the car was originally sold ("delivered") in. If the state was compliant with the California Air Resources Board at the time you get a longer warranty. I believe it's good for 8 years and 100,000 miles if from a non-CARB state.
     
    #7 css28, Aug 22, 2013
  8. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Model:
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    That being said, this doesn't sound like a likely hybrid system failure.
     
    #8 css28, Aug 22, 2013
  9. syberbear

    syberbear New Member

    Joined:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Thanx to all responses. Very helpful.
    Something in the back of my mind made me think the
    computerized hybrid system had the 100K miles warranty.
    I'll plan to stop by the dealer and see if they will do an
    accurate 'diagnoses' . Will pass on any info to all on this thread.
    By the way, the 'starter-battery' and the 'ground-wire'
    look 'brand new' and clean. I'll double check the grd wire this morning.
    Battery terminals look clean and fine and new with no evidence
    of corrosion as expected in the clean dry mounting area at the far rear
    passenger side corner under rear deck 'cover' panels.
    ****************************
    New question: Is there any 'unknown' power 'bleed' when the
    car is just sitting for two days other than the blinking 'display'
    indicator ?
     
    #9 syberbear, Aug 22, 2013
  10. Paul R. Haller

    Paul R. Haller Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Walnut Creek
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    In my 06 it ran and tested fine but if I turned on the radio for 10 minutes it was dead and would not start the car. I had to wait for it to work again or get a jump. I bought a new battery from elearn aid in 2010. Since then, I have had no troubles.
    -Paul R. Haller-
     
    #10 Paul R. Haller, Aug 22, 2013
  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Since you do not list any location, it is hard for us to know what your car's warranty might be.

    Your 12 v battery has/had a manufacturer's warranty, not from Toyota.

    It is 'early' for the 12 volt battery to be worn out, but it can fail any time.

    Incorrectly jumping your Prius is a multiple thousand dollar error, so do not wait too long.
     
    #11 JimboPalmer, Aug 22, 2013
  12. Paul R. Haller

    Paul R. Haller Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Walnut Creek
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    All modern cars have some small miliamp draw even with the key off. I've never actually metered the Prius. Average for radio presets, clock, PCMs, ECMs, etc, are about 50-100 miliamps. I have, with a new battery, left the car at the airport for over 3 weeks with not an issue. I, however, never tried that with my bad battery. All the battery does in the prius is boot up the ECM and PCM and start/run software. Once the car is on, all accessories are run through the invertor. I do not remember the sequence for the gen 3 prius but in gen 2 you could monitor the battery output in a dignostic screen in off, on, and run, modes. Perhaps someone here remembers the way to access the 3rd gen voltage diagnostic screen.
    -Paul R. Haller
     
    #12 Paul R. Haller, Aug 22, 2013
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