1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Battery Problems

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by KillJoy124, May 12, 2015.

Page 1 of 2
  1. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I just got my 2004 Prius recently and I knew I was going to have trouble out of the 12v battery soon and I was prepared for that and when it first started I handled it well enough, I charged it properly and it was manageable for a month or two. At first I had to charge it every now and again and then every other day then every day but recently it has been going completely dead and charging it isn't helping. In the last few days I've had to boost it off with another car and it'll run but as soon as I turn it off it is completely dead again.

    I guess my question is if my problem is still just with the 12v battery or am I looking at having to replace the hybrid battery? I can replace the 12v batter but will that fix my problems?

    oh and I have having problems with my catalytic converter recently, I don't know if they are related at all but they both started to go at the same time. I am looking into having it replaced
     
    #1 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    #2 JimboPalmer, May 12, 2015
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how many miles on her?
     
    #3 bisco, May 12, 2015
  4. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

    Joined:
    May 22, 2009
    9,083
    5,798
    0
    Location:
    Undisclosed Location
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You have a very old 12 volt battery that no longer will hold a charge. You need a new one.

    This may not solve all your problems. BUT...it is one thing at least you need to do.
     
    #4 The Electric Me, May 12, 2015
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,420
    38,651
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    If you can get a hold of a digital multimeter, check and post what the voltage is, after it's sat overnight. If it's 12.6 it's fine. If 12.4~12.5 it's showing it's age but "ok". If 12.3, lower, it's losing the ability to retain charge.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, May 12, 2015
  6. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    About 175k miles
    I know that I for sure need to replace the 12v asap at this point but I just don't know if whats happening is also a sign of the hybrid battery going out.
     
    #6 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
  7. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,420
    38,651
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    If the hybrid battery was going you'd notice driveability problems, strange/sudden ups and downs of charge state and more than likely there'd be warning lights on the dash. Assume the best, replace the 12 volt first.

    Still, a digital multimeter, a $20~30 one will do for starters, is invaluable for battery status checks. Load testers are another level, but a multimeter is good. You can sort through all the questionable batteries in the tool drawer too. :)
     
    #7 Mendel Leisk, May 12, 2015
  8. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I will be sure to make that investment while I'm also picking up a portable power pack/jump starter thing. ^.^ thanks for the suggestion because my only option to check the battery was to go to my local Toyota dealership I though and I have a strong feeling that it would only end in me reluctantly buying a new car.
     
    #8 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  9. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,628
    3,849
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I doubt very much that you have HV battery issues, based on what you have posted, so in agreement with other posters on this.

    What intrigues me more is that you have posted information that clearly shows your 12 V is history, you seem to be of that opinion yourself, several others have posted the same, and yet you seem to be resisting changing out your battery for a new one.

    Please, TEM gives good advice:
    Once you have your new 12V battery installed, re-evalute and see if there remain any further issues.

    All the best.

    PS, I wouldn't bother buying a jump pack as well, because once you have your new battery installed, you won't need to use it for several years. Do buy a DVM, though, it has many other uses both around the car and home.
     
    #9 dolj, May 12, 2015
  10. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I haven't been resisting per say I just haven't had the means until now and now that I do I wanted to be sure that I wasn't sinking money into replacing the 12v if as soon as I do I find out that what I have been experiencing was actually the HV battery. I know that charging the 12v was helping but I didn't know the two weren't related until JimboPalmer commented pointing that out. After a few comments reassured me that it is the 12v I have came to the decision that I will take the step to replace the battery instead of trading in for another car.

    I mentioned the power pack because that was going to be my first step so I can make it to and from work for a week or two until I can get the battery but now that I finally looked it up I don't think I'm going to bother and try to make time to just go straight to get the battery replaced. Thanks for pushing me to looking it up to get a price before I walked into that blindly. I will still get the DVM.
     
    #10 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    no, it's not. no symptoms you've mentioned so far have anything to do with the hybrid battery. the catalytic converter is something that should be giving you trouble lights and codes, not 'problems'.
     
    #11 bisco, May 12, 2015
  12. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Well problems being a really strong sulfer/rotten egg smell and a maintenance required light
     
    #12 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    then you need to take in for a code scan, to identify the issues and solutions. but neither relates to the hybrid battery. if concerns about the hybrid battery are keeping you up at night, you probably shouldn't have purchased an 11 year old prius with 175,000 miles.:)
     
    #13 bisco, May 12, 2015
  14. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    After I have the battery replaced and it turns on without having to be boosted I will probably have it check with the catalytic converter fixed, I didn't buy it before I had done my research and a place ready to replace the hybrid battery when and if I needed to for a reasonable amount, I just expected a little more time to save up to replace it but thankfully that isn't my issue yet and maybe not for a long time considering a friend of mines Prius has gone over 300k on the original hybrid battery
     
    #14 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
  15. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    55,420
    38,651
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Maintenance required light is just a dumb mileage counter, I think. It comes on, you consult the book as to what's need, ie oil change, get it done, reset the light.

    The egg smell could be the catalytic converter (as you're suspecting). I learned that all of 5 seconds ago, lol:

    Why does my car smell like rotten eggs? - Richmond DIY Auto Mechanic | Examiner.com
     
    #15 Mendel Leisk, May 12, 2015
  16. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
     
    #16 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,690
    49,387
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i wish you all the best my friend!(y)
     
    #17 bisco, May 12, 2015
  18. KillJoy124

    KillJoy124 New Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2015
    9
    4
    0
    Location:
    Hudson, NC
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I really appreciate everyones advice here, it was my decision to buy a prius (honestly my dream car) against my families and friends doubts. I felt confident in my decision because I did my research and this community has been my go to source for information. This being my first time asking my own question has been so much help. Just thanks so much ^.^
     
    #18 KillJoy124, May 12, 2015
    dolj and Mendel Leisk like this.
  19. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,628
    3,849
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It could also emanate from your 12 V battery, if one (or more) cell has failed.

    Like you said, fix one thing at a time and see how it goes.

    All the best.
     
    #19 dolj, May 12, 2015
  20. Jim Porta

    Jim Porta Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2009
    86
    17
    0
    Location:
    Louisville, KY
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    The second thing to do is get an oil change and reset the Maintenance Required light.
     
    #20 Jim Porta, May 13, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 2