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Help! My 2013 Plug-in does not charge when plugged in

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by N.J.PRIUS, Apr 6, 2017.

  1. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    there are all kind of things that could fail, but you should get a dash light.

    are you using your oem cable or a public charger?

    try resetting the system again

    one things for sure, i'm never taking mine in for the recall, too many horror stories
     
  2. firstk75

    firstk75 New Member

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    Thanks, I would never have imagined that changing a fuse would cause the car to quit charging. Is there a way that I can reset the system without taking it to the dealer?

    No lights on the dash, everything else appears normal. I am using the oem charger.
     
  3. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Try reaching in with a small tool and scraping away any oxide coating on the contacts. That goes for the charging wand (unplugged) and the charging port, itself. I think you can eliminate the fan theory, as the car should at least begin charging while at room temperature, even if it may possibly be prone to overheating later in the charge cycle.
     
  4. firstk75

    firstk75 New Member

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    When it first failed I could wait for a couple hours and then it would start to charge. It doesn't do that now. That is where the fan idea came from. I have looked closely at the connectors before, but I will try what you offer when I get home tonight. Thanks
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    disconnect the 12v neg for a few minutes to reset.

    btw, do you have any timer charging set?

    try a public charger to eliminate the possibility of a bad oem cable

    there's also a reset button on the cable i think
     
    #25 bisco, Jun 19, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 19, 2019
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  6. firstk75

    firstk75 New Member

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    Thanks a lot for the help.
    Tried the 12V reset, no joy. Then just for S&G, I reached down and wiggled the red traction battery disconnect (the one that the manual says do not touch). Nothing more than a wiggle, but afterward I plugged in the charger and it is charging. If there is oxidation on the contacts to this battery, it could explain why the problem occurred when the dealer disconnected the battery to change the fuse. I do not know anything about this battery connection, but it is likely that there are control or monitor wires there as well as the main supply wires, maybe one of these has the oxidation. Any thoughts here?
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how long have you owned this car?

    a loose safety plug, and smelling warm electrics is a safety concern
     
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  8. firstk75

    firstk75 New Member

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    We've had it for maybe 5 years, and for nearly 100k miles. As far as I know this plug had never been touched until the dealer changed the fuse. Current from that battery is substantial so I know that if the main connector is loose, it is not good. I need to learn more about that connector so that I can safely take it loose and inspect it.

    Right now it is working correctly, and there is no repeat of the smell. That was a hot day, and I had been running it in EV mode. No warning lights though.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are youtube videos on the safety plug
     
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    @firstk75, the dealer needed to open up the battery case to replace the fuse. So there is the possibility that something got dislodged or not completely plugged in.

    Also the smell is a little scary. It may or may not have come from the car, but I would take it back again.
     
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