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Could faulty 12V battery be causing dash warning lights?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DigitalSky, Nov 22, 2016.

  1. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    The car in question is a 2007 Prius with 125k miles.

    The issue I'm having is that I took the car out today for a drive and about half-way into my drive the red warning triangle came on as well as the VSC light, the tire pressure light and the check engine light.

    I continued to drive for about 10 miles and noticed no issues with drivability. The car drives completely fine and goes back-and-forth between electric mode just fine with no issues whatsoever.

    According to the display, the HV battery stays fully charged in the green level most of the time and never gets below the blue level.

    When I got home I popped the hood and let the ICE run. I could audibly hear the inverter pump running and when opening the inverter coolant reservoir I could also see the coolant moving as well (which means the pump is working I assume).

    The last thing I did was to test the 12V battery. It's a little over 14V when the car is running but when it's in ACC mode it was around 11.6-11.8V. So, perhaps the 12V battery is going bad, but I don't think that would trigger all these warning lights, would it?

    Either way, I probably need to take it into the dealership (and I will), I guess my real question is could a faulty 12V battery be causing all these warning lights?
     
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If that 11.6~11.8 volts is the same as what you'd read with a multi meter with the car off, that's really low. You could try charging, or replace. If it's 4 years or older think I'd just replace.

    Guess I'm not answering your question though, not sure on that.
     
  3. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    I followed this procedure to test the 12V battery:
    Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat

    So while I didn't use a multimeter to test it, the car was off (in ACC mode) when I tested it using the MFD.

    I don't know the age of the battery since we've only owned the car for a year, but it should probably be replaced. I'm just curious as to whether this could cause all the warning lights I'm getting.
     
  4. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Sounds like your problem -- Capitol Toyota might have a discount coupon on their web site....

    But, I really hate to guess these things. You can get a cheapo meter at Home Cheapo or Lowes or have a parts store test it for you.

    Batteries Plus is also an option (yes, they have Prius batteries) and they would test it for you to see if you need a new one. .
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sounds low to me. you can read the date code on the top of the battery. it can cause weird things to happen, but it's worth testing and seeing how old it is before replacing.
     
  6. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    I'll likely replace it just to rule it out.

    However, I was under the impression that if that red triangle warning light stays on, it means a code is stored in the system which is something a low 12V battery wouldn't cause. Maybe I'm wrong though?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm not positive either. maybe read the codes first, then replace the battery.
     
  8. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Yeah, I need to get a code reader ASAP!
     
  9. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Again, check the battery. The low voltage thing can cause all sorts of ghost codes, lights, strange pecking sounds on the roof....(wait, that's Bisco).

    If it ain't broke don't spend the $$$ to replace it. If it is low, it is most likely your culprit.
     
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  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Did you check the tire pressure at all four tires?
    2. You may have more than one problem given the presence of the check engine light.
    3. Get Mini VCI to retrieve the diagnostic trouble codes.
     
  11. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Yes, tire pressure is 40psi all around.

    I'll away the Mini VCI and see what that tells me. Amazon says it will be here Friday. Hopefully the software is easy to install on my laptop.

    Had to install BMW DIS software once and that was a nightmare!
     
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    It is easy if your laptop is using Windows XP or Windows 7, 32 bit OS. If 64 bit OS or Windows 10, you may not be able to install the SW.

    If the tire pressure light is on even though the tire pressures are correct, then one or more of the sending units in the wheels may have a failed battery. My daughter's 2007 has that problem so I am going to take the car to Costco tomorrow to have the four sending units replaced.

    That issue would not explain why the other warning lights are on in your case.
     
  13. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

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    Patrick is my hero. Whatever he says, ignore me.
     
  14. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    That stinks! My laptop is running Windows 10... I don't have anything else on there however, so perhaps I'll just load a copy of Windows XP or Windows 7 on there.

    I was under the impression (and correct me if I'm wrong, since I am mostly a Mac user) that Windows 10 had some sort of Windows XP / 7 emulator mode.

    The tire pressure warning light is now off, so now I've just got VSC, check engine and the red warning triangle.
     
  15. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Since you are mostly a Mac user, you might be interested to know that I have successfully used a MacBook Pro with BootCamp and Windows 7, 32 bit OS to run Mini VCI.
     
  16. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Good to know! Problem is I only have a 5K iMac, and while I do have BootCamp on it with Windows 10, I'd have to go through too much of a hassle with the desktop.

    I have a spare Windows laptop with nothing on it that I bought for the sole purpose of doing things like this, so I'll have to use that.

    As much as I dislike Windows, it's obviously necessary for these sorts of things.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    A lot of people just buy a beater laptop with winXP or 7, expressly for use with techstream, no sensitive data on it, definitely not connected to the internet.

    No personal experience tho.
     
  18. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    That's exactly what I bought this laptop for :D
     
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  19. DigitalSky

    DigitalSky New Member

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    Bummer... I won't know for sure until I get the Mini VCI, but I think at 124k miles my HV battery is toast.

    When I start the car after it sitting in the garage for a few hours the battery is down to one bar (purple). When I start the car it only takes a minute and all of a sudden the battery is 100% full (all green bars). Then I turn it off, go back in 2 minutes and the battery is in the 50% range (blue bars). It keeps fluctuating like this non-stop.

    Also, now I can hear the battery fan in the rear going on-and-off periodically as well...

    I really hope it isn't the HV battery, but all signs point to that being the case... Ugh!!!

    Only 124k miles too... I would have thought it would last me until 200k.
     
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Good report, but bad news. :(