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07 Prius starting problems

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PriusBarber, Dec 15, 2018.

  1. PriusBarber

    PriusBarber New Member

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    I pushed button with brake held down and an orange light comes on in the power button. The display and everything comes on but it wont say ready and start. I had to turn it off and take key out several times to get it to start. I ran the 12v batt test from the display and turning lights on and off and it showed fine. It was 12.3v and the lowest I could get it to for a split second was 11.8v. The guy I bought it from said in August the hybrid mechanics replaced the brake light switch. Also I’m only getting 43 mpg on highway and in my 06 I easily got 48. Any suggestions????
     
    #1 PriusBarber, Dec 15, 2018
  2. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Hmm, is it possible you pressed the Power button, a split second before you depressed the brake? If the brake is NOT depressed and kept depressed, before pressing POWER, you will likely be in ACC.

    READY= the car is "started" and running.

    The brake light switch may need to be adjusted, since that was the part that was replaced and will cause starting/READY issues if not adjusted correctly. Do the brake lights come one consistently, everytime the brake pedal is depressed?

    Read the owners manual on the sequence of POWER button presses.
    FOOT off brake:
    press power once = ACC(essory) green light on POWER button,
    press power again = IG-ON (Ignition On) amber light on POWER button,
    press power again = OFF, no lights on POWER button
    if you depress the brake at any point in time, then press Power = READY (car "started" and running).

    Foot depressing brake, press power once = READY (car is "started" and running).​
     
    #2 exstudent, Dec 16, 2018
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    If the car will not ready it will be very unhappy and throw a lot of codes (the trouble lights on the dash)
    You can scratch your head and guess or pull the codes and it will tell you why it’s unhappy.

    Amazon.com VXDIAG WITH TOYOTA TECHSTREAM. $77. Same software the dealer uses.

    Plugs into the obd connector and works with a laptop via usb. Extremely necessary tool if you own an old Prius. Your staring down the barrel at hybrid battery issues so will soon need a good obd tool.
     
    #3 edthefox5, Dec 16, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?

    try a jumpstart to eliminate the 12v

    maybe the brake switch wasn't tightened properly

    so many variables affect mpg's, no two cars are alike, just as no two driving conditions are alike.

    if you want to try to improve mpg's, go to the 'why are my mpg's low?' sticky.
    mileage, filters, tires, plugs, injectors, brakes, 12v, hybrid battery, wear and tear, etc. can all wreak havoc
     
    #4 bisco, Dec 16, 2018
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Lets hope that it is the 12 V battery getting weak........because it could be a sign of the HV battery having a fault.......and some other things too.

    Either charge or jump the 12 V.
    If that doesn't help, you probably need to get it to a shop to read the codes.
     
    #5 sam spade 2, Dec 16, 2018
  6. PriusBarber

    PriusBarber New Member

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    Yes the brake was definitely pressed and held down. On my 06 as long as brake was on I could just tap this button and it would work. I’m not sure if brake lights come on but I would sure hope so otherwise that is dangerous on the road.

    I just tested it out and videoed going up and down the driveway and the brake light on trunk only came on once. I didn’t notice any brake lights in the tail lights. I hit brakes about 4 times and they only came on once.
     
    #6 PriusBarber, Dec 16, 2018
  7. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    It seems that the brake light switch either needs adjustment or needs to be replaced. Park the car backed up next to a surface that will reflect the brake lights, so you can see the brake lights in your rear view mirror.
     
    #7 Patrick Wong, Dec 17, 2018
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