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Prius 3rd gen Doesn't start

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Chamara Somarathna, May 2, 2018.

  1. Chamara Somarathna

    Chamara Somarathna Junior Member

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    Hey I got a 3rd gen prius and I couldn't close the trunk properly couple of days back and the car was parked since. Now the car is not starting, no head lamps, no horn, no hazard lamps and the break paddle feels tight too. interior lamps are lighting but kind of weak. what might be the problem
     
    #1 Chamara Somarathna, May 2, 2018
  2. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Replace your 12v battery
     
    #2 NutzAboutBolts, May 2, 2018
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    By leaving your hatch open, the 12 volt battery used to turn on the computers does not have enough juice to do this:(.

    But buying a new 12 volt battery and checking it’s voltage prior to placing it into service shouldbget you back on the road:).

    Keep us posted (y).
     
    #3 Raytheeagle, May 2, 2018
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  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Trunk needs to be closed all the way.
     
    #4 Grit, May 2, 2018
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  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    For starters the hatch light: is it set to be on whenever the hatch is open?

    You might be able to recharge the battery, but it will not last that much longer, after a drain like that: likely best to replace.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, May 2, 2018
    Last edited: May 3, 2018
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  6. Chamara Somarathna

    Chamara Somarathna Junior Member

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    Thank you sir

    Thank you very much sir, and you guys are so gracious thanks for that too

    Yeah I didn't have much experience on this kinda stuff, Thanks

    The hatch light was turned off when the hatch is opened. Thank you very much for your kind assistance.
     
    #6 Chamara Somarathna, May 3, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: May 3, 2018
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  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I'm one of those who closes car doors, trunks, hatches and hoods gently as I can. But for this hatch, don't hesitate to put use some force closing it, manual says it also therefore it was built durable to use with some force.
     
    #7 Grit, May 3, 2018
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  8. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    When replacing your battery, you can manually open your trunk for easier access. You can watch that video on our YouTube channel. Don’t struggle like what I did the first time when I changed my battery, all cramped up in the back jerry rigging my body to replace the battery lol.
     
    #8 NutzAboutBolts, May 3, 2018
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  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I have some heavy insulated gloves. When I've disconnected the negative battery cable from the post I stuff it into one of the gloves (to help isolate it), and the other glove I lay across the hatch threshold, covering the latch opening, so it can't inadvertently close.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, May 3, 2018
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  10. Dead12VBattery

    Dead12VBattery Junior Member

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    As the others said, the 12V is clearly drained. However, I had the same issue and jump starting then driving for 30 min fixed the issue. I haven't had issues with the battery since and the dealer even checked battery health and it was fine.
     
    #10 Dead12VBattery, May 5, 2018
  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Ah, had to do "the military crawl." Raytheeagle would put it.
     
    #11 Grit, May 5, 2018
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Or the “crawl of shame”;).
     
    #12 Raytheeagle, May 5, 2018
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  13. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Lol
     
    #13 NutzAboutBolts, May 5, 2018
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