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Battery issue? (video included)

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Stephan Jefferson, Sep 20, 2019.

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  1. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    2012 Prius Four with 61,000 miles. I have had this car for about 3 weeks and I suddenly had issues starting it (see attached video).

    After about 5 minutes it ended up starting and now two days later there's still no issue. My question is should I get a new battery from the dealer to avoid being stranded and potentially having to get it towed?
     
    #1 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 20, 2019
  2. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    Video won't upload but the dash kept flickering. Should I go to dealership and purchase another since it has been starting 2 days consistently since the event?
     
    #2 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 20, 2019
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    are you going to diy?
     
    #3 bisco, Sep 20, 2019
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if not, you need to have it tested

    otherwise, you may spend a lot of money unnecessarily
     
    #4 bisco, Sep 20, 2019
  5. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    Yes I was going to do it myself.
     
    #5 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 20, 2019
  6. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    A flickering dash board can be caused by a weak/discharged 12v battery. It would be worth your time to have the battery tested. If it's the original 12v battery, it might even be worth just replacing for peace of mind, especially if you have a wife/kids that will be using the car. But, you could of course temper that with real test results.
     
    #6 TMR-JWAP, Sep 20, 2019
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  7. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    Yes it is the original battery and I drive 60 miles a week picking up and dropping off my daughter. The battery is roughly $200 from Toyota dealership.

    You're quite wise
     
    #7 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 20, 2019
  8. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_Oo_O
     
    #8 Grit, Sep 20, 2019
  9. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    What am I doing wrong when trying up upload a video? I kept getting an error saying something about the format not being supported. I tried converting it to several formats but still nothing and it is a video that I took from my phone
     
    #9 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 22, 2019
  10. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    Ok the car did it again. Couldn't even use the normal open the door and had to use a physical key. Wouldn't start or power on. After few minutes it just worked as normal.

    I tested the battery last night and it appears to be working properly. Any suggestions? Will replacing the 12v fix the problem? Or put it be the hybrid battery?
     

    Attached Files:

    #10 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 23, 2019
  11. bisco

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    either replace it or have it tested at an auto parts store. it most likely is the 12v, just replaced my 2012.
    or buy a volt meter, very handy to have. have we discussed fob batteries?
     
    #11 bisco, Sep 23, 2019
  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    11.9v and it’s working properly?

    o_O
     
    #12 Grit, Sep 23, 2019
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  13. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    The fob was blinking red. Do you think it could be as simple as that? Even when I used The physical key and got in the vehicle it still wouldn't start right away.
     
    #13 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 23, 2019
  14. Stephan Jefferson

    Stephan Jefferson New Member

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    Correct. but that test was last night and it wouldn't start this morning. Not sure if that makes a difference.
     
    #14 Stephan Jefferson, Sep 23, 2019
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    red = good, but if you haven't changed them, you should.

    if it won't start with the fob held up to the power button, it is likely the 12v
     
    #15 bisco, Sep 23, 2019
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  16. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    A working 12v battery for a Prius should be measured at 12.7v or higher after overnight. Anything lower than 12.7v will give you issues down the road, including loss of MPGs, issues with unlocking doors, even turn over to ready state.
     
    #16 Grit, Sep 23, 2019
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if you don't want to spend 200, check pep boys, et al
     
    #17 bisco, Sep 23, 2019
  18. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Checking the battery with the car's display is pretty iffy. It's showing only voltage, and that voltage may be dragged down by various loads. If you were to measure 11.9 volts, first thing in the morning, with the car off, with a decent digital volt meter, that would indicate a near-dead battery.

    The simplest effective and cheapest route for you is probably to get an automotive retailer (say Pep Boys) do to a gratis battery test. Or DIY, look into something like Solar BA9.
     
    #18 Mendel Leisk, Sep 23, 2019
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  19. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Voltage is low enough to let you know it’s time to replace. I don’t believe in using those battery maintainers if you drive every other day. 12v Batteries are not needed to be put on a charger maintainer if car is driven on a regular basis. Get a new battery and do away with car headaches.
     
    #19 Grit, Sep 23, 2019
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  20. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I do believe in battery maintainer, but then: our car regularly sits for 3~4 days, and then we might just be going on a grocery run.
     
    #20 Mendel Leisk, Sep 23, 2019
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