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12 V Battery Dead?

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by asterothe, May 8, 2020.

  1. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    Prius C has been sitting a month (thanks to stay at home orders) and when I asked wife to run it it showed a lot of warnings but did not crank. By the time I came home and check it was totally dead. The car is 2.5 years old. Driven 10k miles only. Original battery, Can it be dead ? What should I try first? Jump start? Get a charger? Taking it off is not as easy as other batteries it seems. Take it off and check at a car parts store? If it's dead should I get battery replacement from Toyota?

    Thanks!
     
  2. AlphaFox

    AlphaFox New Member

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    just jump start it. if the battery is dead, which it could be after all this time, it wont do anything at all.
     
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  3. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    Thanks. For my old Soul they said 3 years is the lifetime for first batteries but for Prius C does it hold?
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Jump start it (CAREFULLY), drive to a automotive retailer offering correct replacement battery and electronic load testing, see how it goes. While you're there pick up a smart charger, something around 4~5 amp rating. Internet research and phone ahead, verify they have what you need, before you start out.

    The battery may still be viable, with a charging session, at least for a while.
     
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  5. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    I tried to jump started with a jump start kit and it always dies before I can crank up the engine. It powers up for a short while then when I try to start it it dies. If I leave it as it is the screen progress bar is showing up but it dies before it reaches to the end. The jump started has a boost button so if I press again same scenario happens but never goes further.

    Should I buy a charger (since they go around $25-20) and try to charge first?


    Or should I give up all home and call someone?
     
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Do you have a voltmeter? You could try reading the voltage, post what you get. Still, it's odd that it won't start even with jumpstart cables connected? Or not that odd? Maybe someone with more electrical automotive smarts will weigh in, but I though you could have a pretty much dead battery, and still get it going with a jumpstart. More'n likely you need to jumpstart it every time though, unless it manages to recharge a bit while driving.
     
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  7. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    Thank you @Mendel Leisk . I see 1.5V. Would it hold if I charge it I wonder.
     
  8. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    I need to clarify: I use the + terminal in the hood and - on the engine like they recommend in the manual.
    If I try to charge would those terminals be good as well or should I get closer to the battery (under the seat)?
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    toast. a prius 12v is usually good between 4 and 12 years, depending on climate and service.

    get a new battery, and make sure they charge it before you bring it home.

    if you're not driving much, disconnect the 12v neg when not using, or get a maintainer.
     
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  10. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    Would there be any harm trying to charge it? And still using the + and - in the hood are OK?
     
  11. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    No harm in trying if you have the time. It's probably shot, but you might get lucky. Still, even if it takes the charge and drives OK, be ready for it to quit on you again. I'd have one of those little lithium jump pack batteries along just in case.
     
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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    No harm, but I'd also it vote that it's an ex-parrot, erm I mean ex-battery.
     
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  13. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    Thank you all again. Where would you buy Prius C battery? Autozone doesn't show a match.
    I changed many batteries for other cars but the location and size make it very difficult from I read.
    I might not have right tools to open under the seat and replace. Car is not running so not possible to bring it to the dealer or shop either.
     
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I tried and struck out as well, using San Diego zip code with Pep Boys:

    Car Batteries & Auto Batteries For Trucks & SUVs | Pep Boys

    Just for giggles I even tried local to me with Canadian Tire, entered your vehicle stats, and was offered one option: "Six Volt Commercial Battery, perfect for antique cars/trucks and farm equipment"...

    https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/automotive/batteries-maintenance-accessories/car-truck-batteries/toyota/prius-c/2018.html

    McGeorge Toyota, a go-to US online retailer, shows this:

    2018-2019 Toyota Prius C Battery 28800-21211 | McGeorge Toyota Parts

    But not for sale...

    My first thought: phone dealership part or service departments; they've gotta have some ideas.
     
  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Here's a video for the 2014 Prius c. I doubt if it's changed. As Mendel said, just call the dealer. The 2014 has this battery from the factory according to the video.
    Prius c 12v.jpg

     
    #15 jerrymildred, May 13, 2020
    Last edited: May 13, 2020
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  16. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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  17. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    That's about what I paid for an OEM replacement for my 2005 Prius. And at California prices vs Florida prices, it's pretty good. If it has the same 84 month warranty, it's worth considering. You can get cheaper batteries, they tend to be ... cheaper. ;)
     
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  18. asterothe

    asterothe New Member

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    Interesting development: I charged it with charger and it errored out first time second time it looked like it got charged. My voltmeter measurements are probably off. Then I jump started and after 15 min of engine running (first time it cranked up) it died when I retried. This morning I did the same with jump starter and drove 1 hour. After shutting down the engine and restarting it worked. A few hours later I tried again and drove another 30 mins. I debate whether I should buy that battery fro ~$240 just in case. I keep jump starter in car.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good idea. without any data, it's impossible to know. fingers crossed!(y)
     
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  20. JP4

    JP4 New Member

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    Please tell me more about how I would use 'a maintainer'. The Prius C is at a house I will only be checking on once a month for the remainder of the summer (while the owner stuck is overseas). What is a maintainer and how does it work. I know where to connect the positive, but I did not see a negative under the hood of the 2018 Prius C model III.