Prius for Sale... Unused for Years

OK, this statement can be interpreted incorrectly and here's why: a VERY weak HV battery can and will attempt to crank-start the ICE at such a high rpm and for such a long time that it sounds just like the engine is indeed running but it's just attempting to run. I don't know the specific time length the ECU's allow this attempt but it's so long most get fooled by it thinking the car "runs fine". The number of times the car will attempt to start depends on the HV battery SOC and health. For example: even a good HV battery will attempt to start a prius that's out of gas until the battery is completely depleted and will need a special grid charger to bring it back.

Regardless, this HV battery has a limited time left.

GOOD LUCK!

 

Foto has the best point the hybrid battery will be the first thing that goes if not already has a g fault and has been 12 volt reset which is a classic auction scam.

The fact of life is for most people anything over 200000 miles is end of life. That’s about 18 years of car ownership with usually very poor maintanence.

If you have a garage full of tools and very good with electronics with both computer and car 12 volt buss understand ecu’s can buss data high voltage ac compressor and have a clue what high voltage ac 3 phase own a hybrid capable obd understand for the love of god basic 12 volt battery behavior
And familiar with how complicated the brake system is and not shy about replacing the motor and trans in your driveway and eats oil like crazy and lots of time and money congratulations you can keep a really old beat up little car that rides like a stage coach and leaks like a bad umbrella running forever.

For the rest of most people who have no clue what a red triangle that pops up on the dash is and you will see that and come on this site before you even open the cars hood and be forced to take it to the dealer for every little thing because your phone won’t fix it and the dealer is $150 an hour and after you wait in there lobby eating there great donuts for 2 hours and watching Star Wars while you worry how much this is going to be the service guy comes to you and tells you things you have no clue what he’s talking about and there really not sure what’s wrong that’s why we need more investigation to see how deep your wallet really is then this this car at 225,000 may not be for you.

Having said all this in closing congratulations on your new high mileage prius and no we have no idea what that noise is and why that light is blinking.

 

It doesn't cost anything to go and look at a car for sale. It's actually kind of exciting, but can be a little scary if you are not totally in control of your emotions.

 

Ed does have a way of expressing himself that makes me smile.

 

You could try a shotgun approach at remedying the consumption issue. There are a bunch of post here on PC, none are definitive solutions that I know of, and you can also find additional resources around the web (bitog, etc). Pretty sure I've done a couple of posts regarding such.

Currently, gen2'ers are waiting for a @Figster10 report on the effectiveness of replacing the valve stem seals, which could be a winner.

 

I see what u did there.....

 

Actually had it correct the first time, just too many tabs open for my own good

 

No, what you had was one of the best puns I've seen in a while.

 

You are the exception to the rule young man!!

Most buyers don't have that voltmeter to get out.

I think alot of buyers have heard over the years what a great car it is and what great mileage it gets. This is true was true but now not at 225,000 miles.

 

Plenty of them out there.

Start reading all the hybrid battery rebuild posts that will be the biggest hurdle. It’s a very heavy battery like 100 lbs so difficult to wrangle in and out of the car and you will need a strong bench and a place to work on it and some basic test equipment and understanding of basic battery operation especially many in series creating high voltage.
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