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Prius won't start after jumpstarting other car

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by ReluctantMechanic, Oct 12, 2017.

  1. ReluctantMechanic

    ReluctantMechanic New Member

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    I have a 2014 Prius v 5 that I purchased used this spring. It has about 45,000 miles on it. I realize now that I made an error this morning when I used it to jumpstart my 1999 Honda Civic. Hey, I was in a hurry and didn't think it would be catastrophic, and plus the caffeine from my morning coffee hadn't reached my brain yet. I connected the 12 volt battery directly to the dead Civic's battery and the Civic started right up. I didn't start the Prius because I figured it would just go into EV mode, unlike a standard vehicle where I would've had the power-supplying car running. The cables were properly connected.

    Now the Prius won't start. It won't go into "Ready" mode. After the Power button is pushed, it won't shift into Drive or Reverse (and "B" doesn't even show up). Instead, when I try to shift it into gear, the Power button goes to amber and the "position request indicator light" flashes (P with arrow). I've been troubleshooting it but can't seem to figure out what to do. I checked what seemed to be the relevant fuses and they all look good. The dashboard indicates that the hybrid battery pack is charged.

    Any help or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.
     
  2. ReluctantMechanic

    ReluctantMechanic New Member

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    Vehicle:
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    Five
    I have a 2014 Prius v 5 that I purchased used this spring. It has about 45,000 miles on it. I realize now that I made an error this morning when I used it to jumpstart my 1999 Honda Civic. Hey, I was in a hurry and didn't think it would be catastrophic, and plus the caffeine from my morning coffee hadn't reached my brain yet. I connected the 12 volt battery directly to the dead Civic's battery and the Civic started right up. I didn't start the Prius because I figured it would just go into EV mode, unlike a standard vehicle where I would've had the power-supplying car running. The cables were properly connected.

    Now the Prius won't start. It won't go into "Ready" mode. After the Power button is pushed, it won't shift into Drive or Reverse (and "B" doesn't even show up). Instead, when I try to shift it into gear, the Power button goes to amber and the "position request indicator light" flashes (P with arrow). I've been troubleshooting it but can't seem to figure out what to do. I checked what seemed to be the relevant fuses and they all look good. The dashboard indicates that the hybrid battery pack is charged. I put my voltmeter on the 12-volt battery and it appears to be charged.

    Any help or suggestions would be appreciated! Thanks.
     
  3. Travis Decker

    Travis Decker Active Member

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    Jump start the prius
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    from the civic.
     
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  5. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I never recommend jump starting other vehicles from a Prius, I use a Jump Start Pack like amazon.com/gp/product/B0747MVLKP

    However, when READY even when the engine is not running, the inverter is fully charging the 12 volt battery. Your engine does charge the High voltage battery, which feed the inverter, which charges the 12 volt battery; so eventually the engine starts to recharge the big battery.
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What's it reading?
     
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  7. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Don't forget the 12V fusible link, hidden somewhere in the battery compartment.

    Check also at the battery jump points in the engine compartment, on the other side of that fusible link.
     
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  8. ReluctantMechanic

    ReluctantMechanic New Member

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    Tried jumpstarting the Prius. No go. Same status as before.
     
  9. Travis Decker

    Travis Decker Active Member

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    Undo 12v. Charge it. Reconnect. Unless you hooked up the cables backwards it's not broken. Just confused.
     
  10. ReluctantMechanic

    ReluctantMechanic New Member

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    The rear compartment 12 volt battery read 13v and change when I checked it earlier. The 12v fusible link -- not aware of that, is that close to the 12v battery?
     
  11. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I've never had to look for it, but hear that it is near the under-hood jump contacts. So, among other things, measure the 12V at front and back to see if they are the same.

    And make those measurements at close to the same time. After an hour or so, the battery should have fallen below 13V. It should be 13+ only while being charged (e.g. by the inverter while the car is on), and just a short while after shutoff.
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ Did you do this?

    Where did you hook up, at the battery, or at the jumpstart point?
     
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  13. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    I have not, having had no reason to believe that my car has blown that link. This suggestion was based on symptoms and results from folks have have blown it.
     
  14. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I think Mendel was directing his question to the OP. ;)

    He just quoted your suggestion to the OP.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  15. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    I would check the fuses in both fuse boxes, try disconnecting the ground on the prius wait a few mins then reconnect.. might reset the computers..you might have drained the 12 volt in the prius...try charging it.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Yeah meant for OP, sorry for confusion.
     
  17. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Sounds like you need a new battery. If the fusible link is burnt, there would be no electricity current through the entire vehicle.
     
  18. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Dead 12v is my guess. You killed it.
     
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  19. paprius4030

    paprius4030 My first Prius

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    Yeah the Prius 12v. battery is similar to a motorcycle battery. When you start the Prius the 12v. battery only powers up the computers it doesn't crank the gas engine. You should never use the Prius to jump start another car for a variety of reasons.
     
  20. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    2014 is a little young to be needing a new 12V battery, but it's possible. Note the complex positive battery post on the Prius battery. Which side of that post did you connect to, the battery terminal or the other side? That device may include the fusible link.

    At any rate, do check that you see 12V or a little more at the boost terminal under the hood. Open the fuse box on the drivers side by pressing on the plastic lock on the front of it - press on the dashes and lift the front. It will hinge open. Remove the lid. Inside you will see a red plastic "bar" that you can pivot open. It covers the boost terminal. Note that only one side of this flat is conductive. You should see the battery 12V there all the time. If you don't the fusible link is blown.

    Bottom line, the car won't work unless there is 12V at the boost terminal. That is where the car gets its' power from.

    If you do have 12V there and the car still won't go into "ready" you may have "spiked" the Prius electronics when the Civic started. See a dealer for the bad news.