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Touching base on 2003 Prius

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by bwilson4web, Nov 11, 2017.

  1. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Our home helper's 2003 Prius has two problems, weak 12V battery and a slow tire leak. I've asked her to join PriusChat and this forum because trust you' all (mostly) to help her with wise and sage advice.

    12V Battery

    Recent cold snap and the battery was down to ~1V. I brought my 12V charger and it barely budged until enough charge was in to not suppress the short protection. Eventually, after 20 minutes, the battery recovered enough we put a charge on to reach 11.6V, open circuit, enough to start the car. So we did and let the car handle the rest of the charge.

    In 2009, I replaced the failing OEM battery with an Odyssey Exceed, PC-925: Auxilliary Battery Life: Please POST if you have replaced yours | PriusChat

    It worked until 2016 when after giving the car to our house keeper, the Odyssey failed so for cost reasons, we replaced it with a garden tractor battery:
    Another 12V Battery Thread | PriusChat

    Here is what we ordered,

    "Sealed Lead Acid Battery 12 V 33 AMP VRLA AGM SLA (12V) (33AH)
    Sealed Lead Acid Battery 12 V 33 AMP VR...
    Item ID: 142262926083
    Quantity: 1
    Estimated delivery: Mon. May. 8
    Paid: $58.15 with PayPal
    Seller: monsterpowerpro. Shop more from similar sellers."​

    We never replaced the battery holder but just used 1" square, shims to hold the battery stationary.

    May have found a replacement: 12 Volt 24 Ah Sealed Lead Acid Rechargeable Battery: BatteryMart.com

    Any other recommendations that I might have missed?

    I had considered installing a 12V solar panel to trickle charge the battery but gave away the car before installation.

    Slow Leak Tire

    When I arrived, the tire was flat. We had the jack ready to go but when I tried to take the lug nut off, the thin metal shell fractured leaving no way to take it off. So using the 12V Harbor Freight air pump that came with the car, we inflated the tire for 40 psi and drove to a tire store. There for free, they took the over-tightened lug nuts, swapped the spare, and looked at the tire with the slow leak. Sad to say, the outer edge shows wear and they did not want to risk finding and plugging the tire. The rest of the tread is still above the wear bars.

    If we can locate the leak by dipping in a soapy water tank or bath tub, we can removed the problem. There are two potential 'wires' in the tread but nothing we could say 'this is it.' Plugged, the tire should last another year.


    Since these tires have no tire pressure sensor, one option is to 'goop' the tire. The worry about the replacement and clean-up in the future. I'm not fond of this approach but it is fast. But I'd rather plug-patch the tire if we can find the leak.

    Any other suggestions or thoughts?

    Thanks,
    Bob Wilson
     
    #1 bwilson4web, Nov 11, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 11, 2017
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    give her a raise?
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 12, 2017
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  3. Brian in Tucson

    Brian in Tucson Active Member

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    Unfortunately, no matter what the title says you still kinda own this car. As I remember, the goal was for the woman to have a reliable car to get her to work and home. Luckily, it's coming up on Christmas and a tire makes a wonderful gift. My spare, I bought a new tire when I bought my fancy wheels, is a Douglas from Walmart & I think I paid about $40 for it. Maybe you could just buy her a good tire.

    Alternatively, get her a tire at a used tire place. They can't sell worn out or aged out tires and I've seen tires between $10 & $20.
     
    #3 Brian in Tucson, Nov 12, 2017
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  4. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Battery first since that stranded her already and we're headed towards cold weather.

    If we patch the tire, she should reach next summer before having to get her next set.

    My labor rates are reasonable and any parts that fall out of hands into her car, OPPS!

    Bob Wilson
     
    #4 bwilson4web, Nov 12, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2017
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  5. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I run the OEMs 16" shod with summer tyres in the warm season (they have the OEM TPMS fitted) and for the winter I have a set of 15" steelies shod with Blizzak WS-80s, without TPMS, so for the past two years in the winter, I've ignored the NagLight, but I garage the car where the summer wheels are stored, so the NagLight goes out each time the car is garaged. Having been driving for the past 55+years, I've developed the habit of checking the tyres (visually before each time I get in the car) and every couple of weeks with a decent pressure gauge. However, I recently bought a set of these:


    …not cheap at $83, but simple to set up and beautifully made. I'd recommend them to anyone and everyone! I put them on my summers, and transferred them to the winters earlier in the past week when the winters went on! ;)

    …and by the way, tell her to invest in a battery maintainer. There are many threads about battery maintainers, hereabouts - use search! I think I paid ~$20 for each of mine (I have one in the garage, and one in the house) when they were on sale at Sears.
     
    #5 WilDavis, Nov 12, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2017
  6. enormiss

    enormiss New Member

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    I bought this battery but didn't receive it yet to make any comments... Seemed like a good fit and price was right.
    (Cant link until 5th post, see below LoL)
    If you can't find any leaks on tire tread check around the bead
     
    #6 enormiss, Nov 12, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2017
  7. enormiss

    enormiss New Member

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    #7 enormiss, Nov 12, 2017
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  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    How do you generate the Amazon shortcut? It might be a good workaround for when PriusChat eats Amazon links.
     
    #8 Prodigyplace, Nov 12, 2017
  9. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    I'd seen that one too but the 5.1" looked a shade too wide. Let me know how it works out.

    Original OEM battery size: Which 12v battery is the best? | PriusChat
    • 5.0" - width
    • 7.5" - length
    • 8.05" -height
    Bob Wilson
     
    #9 bwilson4web, Nov 12, 2017
    Last edited: Nov 12, 2017
  10. enormiss

    enormiss New Member

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    Copied it after clicking "share" from the Amazon page
     
    #10 enormiss, Nov 12, 2017
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  11. enormiss

    enormiss New Member

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    The width was perfect, the length had a little play, but somethings up with the height or my upper bracket.
    I dont remember how it was when I removed it but the new battery, old optima, and listed factory height are all around 8".
    Ran out of daylight, will fiddle more and get a picture tomorrow...
     
    #11 enormiss, Nov 17, 2017
  12. enormiss

    enormiss New Member

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    The height listed for the battery was 8" but the actual block is much smaller in height.
    Even including the posts it's not quite 8 but whatever, it's in...
    Flipped bracket around and improvised LoL

    20171118_093712.jpg
     
    #12 enormiss, Nov 18, 2017
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  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I noticed for my Gen 4, the Japanese manufacturer measures to the top of the posts for the quoted height. That means the battery height is less than what is quoted.
     
    #13 Prodigyplace, Nov 18, 2017
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