2009 Prius Won't Start

I purchased a 2009 Prius last year in the US and then got stationed in the UK. I had my car shipped Aug/Sept 2013 to the UK. Up until now the car has run great with no problems. Three weeks ago a red triangle with the message "there is a problem with the transmission "p" lock mechanism. Park your car on a flat surface and fully apply the parking break" appeared. A week later the car wouldn't start. After reading several forums and posts I checked the battery and it was indeed low. It looked like the original battery and was reading 9.3V. I had the car jumped, drove to the local Toyota dealership, and bought a new battery. After installing the new battery the car ran fine with no issues.

Five days ago (Friday) the car wouldn't start in the morning, but all of the lights worked. Then about 3 hours later the car stared and ran fine all day. We made an apt with Toyota to look at the car. The earliest they could get us in was Monday.

Four days ago (Saturday) the car again wouldn't start in the morning and then started up about 1000am and ran fine the rest of the day. The car ran fine all day Sunday. I started the car at around 1030pm Sunday night to make sure it was ok.

Two days ago (Monday) I was getting ready to take it to Toyota, but it wouldn't start. I was hoping it would work later in the morning like before, but it never started. After two tow trucks (long story) I finally got it to Toyota. The battery was at 12.3V and both tow truck drivers said it was the battery. However, they tried jumping it with no luck. All interior lights, locking mechanisms, alarm systems, and exterior lights work. The key fob can lock and unlock the car, by pushing the buttons or using the smart key system.

Yesterday, Toyota had the car and it still wouldn't start. They were working on it and then it randomly started. They kept it at their shop all day, starting it periodically. They checked the ECU and said it was fine and weren't getting any error codes. Once they got it started they said nothing was wrong. I got the car and drove home. It ran normally all the way home.

I started it this morning with no problems around 6:30am. At 10:00 this morning my wife tried to start it to go to the store and it wouldn't start. The battery is reading 12.27V. All interior lights, exterior lights, alarm system, and locking mechanisms work. The immobilizer system light blinks normally in the dash. Using the smart key system or inserting the key fob into the slot on the right of the steering wheel the car won't start. Nothing happens when the power button is pressed in, wether the break pedal is depressed or not. The normal dash board lights do not come on when the power button is pushed. The touch screen display does not come on when the power button is pushed. No other warning lights have come on since I installed the battery. I have called Toyota and they are looking in to the problem. Meanwhile my car is dead in my driveway.

Any help or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

John,

I am using a DVM. I just checked both the battery in the back and at the jump point in the front. Both read 12.27V. I too feel like the rain has something to do with it not starting, but I have no way to prove it.

Nate

 

I did check them and they were both tight. Wouldn't the jump start have worked even if the battery was low or if the cables were a little loose?

 

I haven't checked the start button yet, but was wondering if it could be water getting in somewhere. Every morning it won't start it has been raining. When it seems to randomly start the rain has stopped. I have read about the hood cowl cover seam leaking and causing problems. The dealership wants me to replace the immobilizer ECU if they can get one. I don't understand how it could be bad and still have the car randomly start.

Nate

 

Would I get no response from pushing the start button if the Immobilizer ECU was bad?

 

Here are some updates on my car. It stared last Thusday after I posted. I drove it right away to the dealership. The dealership has had it for a week and it is still randomly starting/not starting. They are telling me that their diagnostic systems can't read the computers in my car. They said they called 'Big Toyota' and they can't help because it is a left hand drive car (US). Right now they have no way to look at the car. Does anyone know of somewhere else I might be able to take the car here in the UK where they could fix my car?

Thanks,
Nate

 

John,

Thank you for the response. I am in Guildford and my car is currently sitting at Inchcape Toyota Guildford. Currently, I do not have any of the equipment needed to run electrical tests on my car. The only thing I have is a DVM witch isn't much help in this situation.

Nate