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hybrid system malfunction on a 2016 Prius with 115k miles.

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Mavi, Dec 24, 2019.

  1. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    The Prius 12V battery is not used to crank the motor, only to power on some electronics, thus a large 12V source is not needed to "jump start" a Prius. A large 12V surge could fry some delicate electronics, and in fact might be the OPs problem with EEPROM codes.
     
    kithmo likes this.
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    IMO sometimes you don't want to speculate ahead as to what something "might" be.
    In this case?
    "Hybrid System Failure. See your Dealer" would of been my starting and stopping point.
    Especially with a vehicle that is still under warranty.

    The danger is jumping batteries that may not need jumping, or disassembly of parts that don't need disassembling.
    I know we all hate dealership service centers. BUT...sometimes in avoidance of visiting one...you can end up having to spend much more money to resolve the problem.
     
    amos, scona, dig4dirt and 1 other person like this.
  3. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    Agreed, a dealer may initially cost more than your local independant garage but they have the Toyota trained technicians that usually have more knowledge of the Prius and it could end up costing less in the end.
     
    alanclarkeau likes this.
  4. psusi

    psusi Junior Member

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    No, that isn't how electricity works. 12V is 12V. Whether the source is capable of supplying 1A or 1000A doesn't matter if the load is only going to draw 100 mA, then that's all it's going to get.
     
    Jama707 and amos like this.
  5. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    What about the differential in voltage between the two cars, one with a full battery and a powerful alternator, the other with a flat battery and delicate electronics ?
     
    alanclarkeau likes this.
  6. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    For about 20 years, I've declined to help people with a "jump start" after a work acquaintance helped someone out, and it blew his computer costing nearly $1000.
     
    kithmo likes this.