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Car won’t start, only check engine light on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by AVS1, Nov 23, 2018.

  1. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    So, back the the three blown fuses. Did you check for mouse damage as @TMR-JWAP suggested? It's the only suggestion I've seen on this thread that covers all the conditions you have.
     
  2. AVS1

    AVS1 Junior Member

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    I checked the in cabin filter. All good.
    I checked the fuses under the steering wheel. All good.
    One update - I rechecked all of the fuses under the hood and there are only two of them blown (14 & 17).
    Put the multimeter to the battery. Went from 12.07 down to 10.97 when starting it.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  4. AVS1

    AVS1 Junior Member

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    Here is the video of the load. The resting charge is 12.1 which I understand is problematic, but my concern is that there are no other lights on. When I had a dead battery at least some of the display/lights work, albeit they are dim.

    Any thoughts? Does this mean that the battery is shot despite the person at auto zone (who wasn’t a 17 year old kid) saying it was ok?

     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yup. if you can't charge it up and get it to stay above 12.1, it's either toast, or you have a parasitic drain when the car is off
     
  6. AVS1

    AVS1 Junior Member

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    Another update - I changed the two fuses, now the dome light works (who knew, since the dome light fuse was blown). Now the hazards work, and the smart key when I press lock, will make the beep and flash the hazards but the locks and windows do not work still. The dash lights now work, but only the headlight icon, the smart key icon, and the turn indicators. No brake lights when I press the brakes. Engine light is on as normal, but the clicking sound you hear in the last video is also gone.

    Try a new battery? If I put it on the charger tonight, it should at least fire up if fully charged, correct?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk, it is sounding more like another fuse or wiring. any rodents?
     
  8. AVS1

    AVS1 Junior Member

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    No rodents that I can tell.

    I'm giving up. Getting it towed on Monday. Was trying to avoid this expense. If the repair is over a few hundred dollars I'm just going to donate it to charity and start over on another one. I was going to try jumping it again tomorrow, but I think its something larger than a battery.
     
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  9. AVS1

    AVS1 Junior Member

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    I guess it doesn't negate the fact that I'll have to tow it, but I was out there again, and the headlights do work, but not the brake lights. I wonder if it was a brake switch - I'll let you know when I find out next week.:mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
     
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  10. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Will the Prius even go to ready mode if the brake switch doesn't work? I thought that was a prereq. Foot on Brake and then press the power button. If no foot on brake signal is present, the car will not go to ready?
     
  11. AVS1

    AVS1 Junior Member

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    No clue on how ay of that (or really anything works). I put cassette in, and the car just clicks a little in front by where the engine fuses are and never stars. Just getting that check engine light. We’ll see next week what it is, I’m sure after a hefty tow and diagnostic fee.
     
  12. debbiehoke

    debbiehoke Junior Member

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    Hope your outcome is better than mine. I got a similar situation yesterday. Have had the car towed twice (once to auto zone- who wouldn't put in the battery) then this morning to the dealer, who ran the codes. Cell in the MAIN battery blown. Would cost me more than the car is worth to have them fix it (and i am not able to diy), so may be parting- out..... Sad!
     
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  13. AVS1

    AVS1 Junior Member

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    What do you think caused that. What was the estimate to fix? When you say cell blown is that just one of the cells - aren’t those 20-30 per cell to swap out plus labor?
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    old battery, it happens
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?
     
  16. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Debbie,

    I am not an advocate of the majority of rebuilt batteries, but I also understand everyone's financial situation/risk aversion is different. If you really like your car, there are other options available to you than dealer installed brand new batteries. We actually have people locally who offer rebuilds for $399 in my area. I have no experience with them, but I see them advertised. Trust me, these are most likely NOT the highest quality jobs available, but they would (most likely) get you back on the road. It can be hit or miss, as I've seen basic module swaps, with no other work, last over a year and sometimes only a month or less.

    For example:
    Toyota Prius, Camry Hybrid Battery - auto parts - by owner - vehicle automotive sale
     
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  17. debbiehoke

    debbiehoke Junior Member

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    Unsure of the cause. My car was bought brand new and has been cared for, (in fact had just had the oil and both filters changed THAT DAY) but we spent a couple very harsh winters up north without a garage and with salted roads, also the last 2 years i was only driving it maybe 3 times a week, for about 30 miles. I know not driving it wasn't good for the battery.
    The estimate was $3,500 to replace the whole cell group. Only one cell is bad, but I'm a gal and can't do it myself, so the labor is $1,500, & with no guarantee another won't go out soon (and no warranty) so the only way it makes sense to do it, is the whole group. At least that's the ONLY way the mechanic would agree to it. I don't even know where to begin to part it out-or how, but guess I'll have to try.
     
  18. debbiehoke

    debbiehoke Junior Member

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  19. debbiehoke

    debbiehoke Junior Member

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    Ah, followed the link, you're in the MASS area. Unfortunately I'm in E TX and haven't seen anything like those ads round these parts!
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    look up the value on kbb, might be worth installing a battery and selling. have you checked with any dealers?