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Dome light, key fob, clock, no radio, VSC

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by paul2102, Nov 4, 2018.

  1. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    Suddenly on my 08 Prius, the dome light, key fob, clock doesn't work, radio will not come on, also VSC shows up on the dash, fuel gage is slow to respond.

    I checked the dome light fuse and it's OK. I went through the battery check and it shows 11.4 volts.

    History: Left the rear door slightly opened for a few days, about a month ago, battery was dead, charged it and everything was fine. Changed the passenger side rear light a few weeks ago, all seemed fine.
    A few weeks later, I drove it to get a sticker and noticed fob didn't work along with all the other problems.

    This is not our daily driver. I only use it to go a few miles around town on occasion. I assume I could still drive it without any problem and it is just an inconvenience.
    Any ideas?
    Thanks!
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    You probably need a new 12v and battery maintainer
     
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  3. audiodave

    audiodave Active Member

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    Well the 12 volt is certainly low. It causes weird things to happen when low.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  4. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    Trouble code reads C1231.

    Bought the battery in Dec. of 2013, it's a 84 month battery.
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    At least you Have warranty on the battery, but it may just need a charge

    How many miles on her?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    C1231. Is steering angle sensor. But you need a good 12v for valid codes, and a proper Prius scanner
     
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  7. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    Has about 102,000 miles.

    Can these batteries take a conventional charger, or does Toyota have to do it?
     
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Conventional by modern standards, yes. Not by 1971 standards. Any smart charger that will detect that you have an AGM battery should work. 11.4 volts is pretty low, but I'm surprised it won't start the car. My 2005 started with about 8.5 volts. But it took a loooonnnng time to pump up the brake accumulator.

    If you get one that auto-detects polarity, that's a plus. You do NOT want to connect it backwards on a Prius. Usually very expensive if you do that.
     
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  9. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    The 15A DOME fuse provides power to the interior cabin lights. If the interior lights do not come on, either the fuse has blown (check continuity with an ohmmeter, do not rely upon visual inspection) or the 12V battery is dead (measure voltage across the battery with a voltmeter) or you have a loose battery cable connection (check the tightness of the battery terminals and the tightness of the bolt that secures the negative battery cable to the body.)

    Regarding the clock not working, check the 7.5A ACC fuse.

    The braking system is impaired, evidenced by the VSC light being on. So the problem is more serious than a lack of interior cabin lighting and the other accessories described in the OP.
     
    #9 Patrick Wong, Nov 4, 2018
    Last edited: Nov 4, 2018
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  10. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    The car starts and runs great. Just the problems I stated, everything else seems fine.
     
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Nothing @Patrick Wong mentioned will keep a Prius from starting. But it is likely to cause your symptoms.
     
  12. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    Problem is gone!
    Here's what I did:
    I drove the car around town for about 1/2 hour, making sure I used the brakes often. Then I parked it and left it for 2 days.
    Today, I took out the dome light fuse and checked the voltage. Didn't appear to show any voltage, so I checked the voltage going to the fuse box and it was 11.9 volts. Checked the dome fuse holder again and it also read 11.9 volts. Checked the fuse and it was good. Wiped off the contacts just in case they were dirty. and put everything back together.
    In the car, I did the diag. check by hitting the power button twice, flicking the lights 3 times while holding the info button, and the reading for the battery was 11.9. Started the car and it went up to 14 volts. At that point, I noticed the dome light was on! Restarted the car, and everything was working, and the VSC light was off.
    So, now it's all good. Not sure if driving for 1/2 hour, working the brakes, or something with the fuse or fuse box was the problem, but I'm glad it's all good now.
    Thanks for all your input!
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    I’d like to think you’re in the clear, but I doubt it.
    You probably added enough charge to squeak by.
    All the best(y)
     
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  14. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    I don't think Toyota will honor the 84 month battery warranty if the battery is working. So I guess I'll have to wait.
    At least I know what it is now. Just glad it's not something more serious.
     
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  15. Kevin_Denver

    Kevin_Denver Active Member

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    Just tell Toyota you had to jump the car to start it. They'll pull out their battery tester and determine your battery is bad. If you have a warranty, they should replace it. Otherwise you're in a place where the car could strand you due to the bad battery. A fully charged 12V should read about 12.6V. I agree with others; problems will keep coming back until you get a new battery.
     
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  16. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    After 2 days of not driving the car, problems are back.
    Not having much luck with local Toyota dealer. Over the phone, they said just bring it in and we will check the battery, no charge. When I got there, they didn't know they didn't know how to check it, so they wanted to pull it into the garage. They wrote up a service work order for a battery check, an oil change and multi point check...
    Wait a minute, I just wanted to have them check my battery! Still, that would take an hour and a half. OK.. Got back in my car and left.
    I'm probably going to just live with it till it's completely dead. Then get a new battery at a service center.. Not Toyota.
    Thanks for all your help.
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just don't go anywhere a dead 12v will leave you stranded
     
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  18. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Having it fail every two days is the definition of dead. It takes many MANY hours with the engine running (think overnight) for a Prius to recharge its 12v battery. And, I hate to tell you, but 90 minutes is speedy...for a dealer. "They didn't know what they didn't know" is a error in your knowledge of job duties at a dealer. The check-in people may not know the computer method, but the techs certainly do. And they prefer to use a specialized battery tester. Not many shops will bring their tools to the front door, so it does require being pulled into the garage. FYI: Generic service centers are notorious for giving false battery tests.
     
  19. Szab Laci

    Szab Laci New Member

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    Hi ! i have the same problem whit my 2005 prius ! Please tell me if you found the problem! thanks
     
  20. paul2102

    paul2102 Junior Member

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    When I drive the car for a half hour or so, it goes away, so I think it's the 12V battery. I plan on getting a new one in the spring. I don't drive the car much in the Winter. Let me know how you resolve it. Is your battery 5 years or older? If so, it is probably that.