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Intermittent 12v power failure.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Savedprius, May 23, 2014.

  1. Savedprius

    Savedprius "just cut it"

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
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    Location:
    Applegate, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    A little history...
    07,
    137000 miles,
    one year old Optima battery,
    with the exception of major rear end body work and front hub assembly's, for the last 70,000 miles (a little over a year) it has been stellar car.

    Tuesday late afternoon I made a quick stop, maybe 15min, jumped back in upon pushing the start button I saw a quick flash of dash lights then all off. No horn, no power of any kind. Started searching pertinent fuses leading me back to the accessory battery, which is fun to get to when the battery is dead. This is late afternoon and the temps while not high warmed the car's interior. I was playing around checking the fuse s (all good), battery connections (tight), I went back to the drivers seat and low and behold the door beeping was a sweet sound. Car fired right up, but, now information display is out, no ability to electrically lock the doors and the airbag light is lite up. But I'm driving, a good thing when working 200 miles from home.

    Day two...All is good start and stop driving throughout the day, until late afternoon when I jump back in and nothing, no power. Start checking the accessory battery directly at the terminals of the battery and get 4.7v, check again and get 9.2, then I hear beeping, go forward and car starts right up. That was mid week and after not leaving the car in the direct sun I have not had the problem again.

    Does anyone know of issues with Optima Battery Failure? Or any other inputs, it would be greatly appreciated. I don't have the ability this hour to get tech-stream up to pull codes.
     
  2. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
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    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Never heard that one before on here. Just low charged Optima's when new and some not holding charge well.

    If your actually measuring by the DVM probes right on the posts you obviously have a bad Optima. It happens. That one is rare as it seems it has a bad internal connection. Get it out of there and see if you can get a Pro rate on a new Optima.

    Have you ever had to jump start that Optima?
     
  3. Savedprius

    Savedprius "just cut it"

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2012
    31
    9
    0
    Location:
    Applegate, Ca
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks for the feed back.

    Yes I have had to jump it. Although not recently. I wanted to expect that the battery was good as it is the Optima, but may have to do the part change out.