2002 Prius dead battery.

1. Consult the owner's manual.

2. If #1 not possible, open the trunk and find the 12V battery which is hiding behind a trim panel that is secured with a few plastic fasteners, on the driver's side of the trunk.

3. Run jumper cables from the 12V battery to the donor vehicle's battery. Make 100% sure that you have the battery polarity correct: positive to positive, negative to negative. If you make a mistake, you will likely destroy the inverter which is a four-digit repair.

4. Try to make the Prius READY. Once it becomes READY, disconnect the jumper cables.

5. If the battery is more than 4 years old, replace it now. If less than 4 years old, you can try to charge the battery by leaving the Prius READY at least 8 hours. If the battery fails to hold a charge then replace it. Good luck.

 

Your local Toyota dealer is the best place to buy a replacement 12V battery because it will be an exact replacement. Other alternatives require you to install new battery terminal connectors, do without venting, etc. MSRP is $139 but prices may vary significantly.

Yes, you can jump your Prius with your other Prius, but you now have even more reason to be careful with the jump process because you probably would be very unhappy if you ended up with two Prius requiring new inverters.

 

Wow, I just gotta reflect on how awesome this exchange was. Guy with a problem and a smartphone, Tapatalk, PriusChat and Patrick Wong. Sorted out in < 2 hours. Ain't technology great? Wait, technology was the problem in the first place... ah well, it's still great!

- D

 

I have a 2002 Prius and went out to start it on Sunday and just got a clicking sound. So, I figured it was the auxiliary battery. We replaced it but it will start and then, immediately shuts off. Any ideas what's happening?

 

Check throttle to see if sticky. Google search.

If throttle plate OK, we'll have start standard engine checks. This is easier if you have a miniVCI.

Bob Wilson