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battery low?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by brin wood, Apr 4, 2014.

  1. brin wood

    brin wood Member

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    My '06 only shows 1 blue bar when I start up. Is this a bad indication as to its' longevity?
    Got me a little worried......126K on the car.
     
    #1 brin wood, Apr 4, 2014
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This depends on how many bars you had when you turned it off. Also it shouldn't happen all the time

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #2 JC91006, Apr 4, 2014
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    SM-N900P ?
     
    #3 JC91006, Apr 4, 2014
  4. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    As long as you don't see mad swings of green to red and back in just a couple of minutes you should be Ok. The SOC will vary from time to time.

    You will know when the battery is toast. That is when the dashboard lights up and you get codes like P30XX. I would agree it might be weaker than a new battery but if there are no lights on the dash, the battery is operating within specifications.

    Best of luck to you!
    Ron (dorunron)
     
    #4 dorunron, Apr 4, 2014
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is it the same as when you shut down?
     
    #5 bisco, Apr 4, 2014
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    "My '06 only shows 1 blue bar when I start up. Is this a bad indication as to its' longevity?"

    1. I agree that you should look at the traction battery state of charge gauge when you turn off the car, and then compare to what you see when you start up.
    2. If the bar is actually colored blue, my belief is that there will actually be between 3 to 6 bars appearing on the gauge.
    3. If there really is only one bar, then the color typically will be red (or pink.)
    4. Usually, the only time I will see one red bar is when the air conditioner compressor is running while the Prius is parked.
    5. What is a sure sign of impending battery failure is if you see the state of charge gauge rapidly move from 8 green bars to 1 red bar. And of course, if you also see relevant warnings such as either the hybrid vehicle or traction battery warning icons appear in the upper left corner of the MFD.
     
    #6 Patrick Wong, Apr 4, 2014
  7. OCJeff

    OCJeff Junior Member

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    I had an issue once where the car was left with a door partially ajar but the car was also beeping because a door was open. Didn't think much of it after the doors locked with the key fob.

    Next morning the battery was at 2 purple bars. It quickly got back into the blue and eventually green. Ever since then I've kept an eye on it (especially over the weekend when it's not used) and it always is green or high blue (which is where I have left it).

    For me it was a one time issue.


    iPhone ?
     
    #7 OCJeff, Apr 5, 2014
  8. brin wood

    brin wood Member

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    It was my mistake; it was down to 1 purple bar, not blue. I recall that when I parked it the night before, it was almost full of blue bars. I drove it about 1/2 mile and it filled up again after 2 miles it was all green, making me feel a whole bunch better. Thanks all for the input.
     
    #8 brin wood, Apr 5, 2014
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    pleasure.
     
    #9 bisco, Apr 5, 2014
  10. brin wood

    brin wood Member

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    Curious world.....I'm in upstate NY, told my daughte in FL about getting a Prius, darned if she went out and got one! Next day her husband bought one too. Both '06's. His is a plug in! Said there were only 4 in FL.
     
    #10 brin wood, Apr 5, 2014
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that's great! fyi, they didn't make a plug in until 2012, so it must be an aftermarket setup.
     
    #11 bisco, Apr 5, 2014
  12. brin wood

    brin wood Member

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    That's right, previous owner had it made into a plug in. Also had new batts. installed. Quite a deal. My son-in-law is getting 65 mpg commuting to work!
     
    #12 brin wood, Apr 5, 2014
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