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2009 Prius won't start Strange short problem... Please help!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kaptainkid1, Nov 15, 2019.

  1. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    2009 Prius with 172,000 miles with new battery fully charged 12.4volt.
    No electrical work done on the car and everything is stock.
    Car wouldn't start and all the lights and door won't open because the 12volt system is showing 4.6 volts at the engine jump terminal. Here is the strange problem it started out of no where. No accidents, No recent electrical or battery work done, nothing. The car has never been work on regarding electrical or major maintenance for at least 7 months, except for oil changes. I replaced the electrical inverter water pump only.
    So I pulled the 12 volt battery and noticed the battery was 12.4volt on the v-meter. Once I connect the battery to the car the battery then drops off to 4.0 to 6.0 volts. I know we have some sort of short between the battery connection in the trunk to the jump start terminal in the engine bay.
    I read some where the JBL amplifier shorts out but I don't have a JBL sound system, just stock radio from the factory.
    Can anyone help me if this is a common problem? I couldn't find any threads about this problem.
    My next step get a Prius Manual and back track the electrical system.
     
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    A new 12v battery is going to be close to 13v... The one that arrived for my friend last week was 12.95 volts out of the box... A used battery that's still viable should be 12.7 or higher at the jump points when the car is off.

    Time to replace your 12V...

    If it's earlier than normal for this and I had to guess you probably bought an Optima Yellowtop Battery, which isn't a real battery, it's garbage with no quality control and executives who think they can get away with charging up and reselling defective 12v batteries because their reputation from decades ago keeps people's complaints about their fraud in dispute.
     
  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Just to be clear, you're checking voltage at the jump point and at the fully connected 12 battery in the rear.

    Did you check the 12v negative cable that connects to the body, is it corrosion free and secure at the grounding point?
     
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  4. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    The battery isn't the issue: Please don't focus on the 12.4volt read. It's a factory OEM Toyota battery. I will charge it over night but I still feel the problem is some sort short between the trunk and the engine jump terminal. I could be wrong and the battery could be the issue. It doesn't make any sense if the battery is disconnected and reads 12.4 volts and once hooked up Prius terminal in trunk. The battery volts dramatically drop to 6.0 volts. Strange!

    Here is link for a free 2nd Gen Prius Repair manual if anyone wants to download.:

    https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B7FYqTrI8SS6QTA1RW5Yd3hpTUU 20191115_112127.jpg
     
  5. GabrielD

    GabrielD Member

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    You can try to measure the current drop, by connecting an ampermeter between battery + and cable +
    Just remove the red cable from battery and put ampermeter between them...
    I am sure you have some kind of short circuit...
     
  6. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    So it turned out to be the 12volt Truestart battery. It seems it shows 12.4 volt but as soon as I put a load on the battery it can not run a air pump but shows still 12.4 volt = unconnected.
    So does any Prius AGM aftermarket battery work? I was considering a AAA AGM Prius battery is that ok?
    What sucks is I have 84 month Toyota Truestart with receipt and Toyota will not cover the warranty unless I bring in my car and start up a work order. They will not honer the warranty If I just brought in the battery by itself. Stealership rules...
     
  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Sounds typical. When was the battery installed, as you only have 24 month free replacement, then they prorate.

    Were you charged for the installation before, and will they try and charge you for installation again with a warranty claim?

    Figure out the prorated amount due, plus the install rate, and it might make economic sense to buy a better battery elsewhere.

    East Penn makes decent batteries over many brands, or so I've read.
     
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  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Do you have SKS?

    There are two (2) sizes. If unsure of which battery you have, remove it (you'll need to turn it in for the core) and take measurements.

    This could be the most 'bang for the buck' on a Group Size 51, with the additional 25% off : Bosch Premium Performance Battery Group, Size 51 | 647478 | Pep Boys

    You could also call around to the usual big box stores, costco, wal-drip, etc.
    AAA automotive batteries should still be made by East Penn, and depending on the warranty could be just what you need.
     
  9. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    No, wrong conclusion.
    IF you really did have that massive a short somewhere, there would have been a HUGE SPARK when you connected the second battery cable.
    12.4 is NOT fully charged. The problem likely is that the battery is shot and the slightest little load drags it down past 6 volts.
    It is also possible that one of the main battery connections is loose of corroded.
    The first step is to charge the battery and have it tested.

    AND....now that we are past that hurdle.....it is not worth your time or trouble to claim a few remaining months on your pro-rated Toyota battery warranty. Rumor has it that PEP Boys has a good one.
     
    #9 sam spade 2, Nov 15, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2019
  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    OK, so what happened to the option to DELETE ones own posts right after they are made ?
     
  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Edit yes, delete no? Don't recall the latter.
     
  12. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    It is as Mendel said. If you wish to delete use the "Report" at the bottom left and ask (a moderator) to delete the post.
     
  13. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    The battery manufacture date looks to be around November 2012. It's 7 years old.....Prorate would probably get 10-15 bucks...and that battery in the photo is the SKS model. 45AH. The small one is 35AH IIRC.
     
    #13 TMR-JWAP, Nov 15, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2019
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    and yet, the op's first sentence says 'new battery'
     
  15. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    that was just to throw us off the trail...

    Anytime a car battery is 12.x volts when disconnected and then drops below 10 if connected to a car, there is a serious problem with the battery. Even a typical ICE starter motor will not cause voltage to drop that far on a healthy battery. That battery was dead as a doornail and I'd have bet a months salary on it. Another perfect example of why open circuit voltage is very unreliable for determining battery capacity.
     
  16. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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  17. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    Thanks everyone for your input and I was able to find another 84 month GSYUASA battery from Offer up used for $40.
    I love Craigslist and Offer up. The used battery was manufacture back in 10/2017 so I should have another 4 more years left on it. My last battery lasted 80 months and if I can get 80 month too that's still 3 year plus months. I still have the old battery and Autozone gives $10 credit for all used battery regardless if you purchased one from their or not, the used battery replacement just got even cheaper. $30 spent.
     
    #17 Kaptainkid1, Nov 16, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2019
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  18. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    :eek: DOH.

    Penny wise and pound foolish.
    I hope this works out for you.......but the odds are against it.
     
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  19. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    What's the difference when someone takes apart a hybrid battery and replaces the bad module with ebay used modules tested?
    I tested the Used battery AGM with a load and V-meter before purchased and it's the same battery from toyota so it's an OEM part. Sounds more like wise and worst case is if its dead by next month I'm only out $30. I went to pep boys and they had a replacement AGM for a Prius $200 plus tax 36 months only. The 84 months at toyota was $290. It was a cost I didn't want to pay right now. Since toyota stealership wouldn't prorate the warranty from my last battery without starting up work order and my car would have needed to be towed to the stealership. The battery is installed and the car is running win win so far.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
    #19 Kaptainkid1, Nov 16, 2019
    Last edited: Nov 16, 2019
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  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have to wonder if they are following the correct warranty procedure. i bought mine over the counter, and expect to return it over the counter if it is defective.