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2010 won't go out of check mode when starting

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Taxi/Limo, Dec 2, 2019.

  1. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Normally my 2010 goes through the check mode and then all those check lights go off and it goes into ready mode
    Now sometimes it stays in check mode and I have to turn the car completely off and on again

    What is going on ?
    Thanks
     
  2. davecook89t

    davecook89t Senior Member

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    A weak 12V battery is the most likely cause for the symptom you describe. If you don't have a multi-meter, taking it to an auto supply store and having it checked out would be your best course of action.
     
  3. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    Probably not stepping on brakes hard enough before pressing start button
     
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  4. Taxi/Limo

    Taxi/Limo Active Member

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    The dealer tested my battery about six months ago but it could have gone downhill since then
    If I have to get another what brand do you guys like?
    Thanks

    I am pressing on the brake hard enough I think but can push harder to see
     
  5. scona

    scona Active Member

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    Location:
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    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    N/A
    The Toyota replacement battery is very good with an excellent warranty. There are lots
    of others if you do a search on this site.
     
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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  7. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    Location:
    Cherry Hill, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
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    II
    I may be having the same problem. I have a 2010. When I step on the brake and press the start button, the ready light does not come on as it usually does. Instead, I see the various lights on the right hand side. I have to step on the brake and press the start button again at least once to get the ready light to come on. I had two rounds of eye surgery over the past two months, and the car has been driven only a little. Is this problem going to go away as I drive the car more, or should I take the car in to the shop to have the battery checked? Is there a danger that the car might soon refuse to start, thereby stranding me? Thanks in advance for comments. BTW, I have a little more than 100,000 miles on the car, and I no longer drive it often now that I'm retired, so I am hoping not to have to make a big investment.

    (I thought I posted this earlier, but I don't see the thread so I must have done something wrong. )
     
  8. scona

    scona Active Member

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    Chances are the 12volt battery is not getting charged enough because the car is not being driven very much.
    You can either drive more, or put a charger on the 12 volt to keep it topped up. How old is the battery? Some of
    these only last 4 or 5 years before they seem to need replacing. It is hard to keep track of the battery voltage
    because there is no guage on the Prius. There are voltage guages available that plug into the lighter socket (showing
    my age here) .
     
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  9. southjerseycraig

    southjerseycraig Active Member

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    I thought people would like to know how this turned out. I drove 120 miles without accessories (that is without lights -- the 2010 does not have daytime running lights -- and without the heat or radio. That solved the problem; the car started out as normal. I had to bring the car in for something else, and I decided to get a new battery, mostly because (believe it or not) the battery I had was original from when I bought the car new in the summer of 2009. I drive the car just enough to make it good to have; and beside, it is a good city vehicle and we often find ourselves driving in Philadelphia (whose streets are arrow-straight but arrow-narrow). I figured that the original battery didn't owe me anything, and that I would be pushing my luck by keeping it, especially in a northeastern winter. Unfortunately, the replacement battery is somewhat expensive because this is a solid battery (I'm sure all of you understand that better than I do) and not a traditional one.

    BTW, the big battery seems fine. It was low on charge when I started the car, but it charged right up when I drove it.

    The only thing I hate about the car is that it consumes a quart of oil every thousand miles, especially when driven at interstate speeds, as the car often is. I understand that other 2010s (and perhaps other Generation 3s) have that problem. This problem started at 90,000 miles -- I now have 100,000 - and it makes me very disappointed in Toyota's workmanship. (My previous Toyota got 130,000 miles, although people often say get 200,000 miles out of these cars -- and I keep up on maintenance and mostly drive on interstates without speeding.)

    My thanks to all of you for your comments and suggestions.
     
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  10. nssdiver

    nssdiver Me digging' life

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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    I know this isn’t a G2, but maybe check your PCV valve/intake manifold.


    iPhone ?