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How can I open the rear hatch with a dead 12v battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by car78412, Jan 28, 2021.

  1. car78412

    car78412 Member

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    2010 Prius
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    IV
    The car is completely dead and I want to access the 12v battery but the rear hatch won’t open. Is there a way to open the rear hatch with a completely dead battery? I can’t jump start it in my garage.
     
    #1 car78412, Jan 28, 2021
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    There is a special latch in back for opening hatch when 12v battery is dead... But it's location is top secret and only the people who read their owner's manual are allowed to know its exact location.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jan 28, 2021
  3. car78412

    car78412 Member

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    Unfortunately I have been looking in the owners manual and cannot locate it. Give me a hint. Is it on the inside or outside?
     
    #3 car78412, Jan 28, 2021
  4. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    HINT: I just entered "rear mannual hatch relaes gen3 prius" and despite my many typos I was served up 5 videos that shows exactly how to do it.
     
    #4 PriusCamper, Jan 28, 2021
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The outside of the owner's manual is mostly taken up by the title and some nice graphics and Toyota logos.

    On the inside of the manual, check in the table of contents for "Opening, closing, and locking the doors and back door."

    The "back door" part might be around page 72.
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Jan 28, 2021
  6. tre4xw30

    tre4xw30 Junior Member

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    You'll have to dig out the guts of the prius from the rear seats. It's a PITA

    SM-N986U1 ?
     
    #6 tre4xw30, Jan 28, 2021
  7. tre4xw30

    tre4xw30 Junior Member

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    Want a video? I can make one.

    SM-N986U1 ?
     
    #7 tre4xw30, Jan 28, 2021
    PriusCamper likes this.
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Well, the question's about opening the hatch with a dead 12v battery. If you have a dead 12v battery to toss through the hatch window, you can just reach in and use the secret lever. Saves digging out the rear seat stuff.
     
    #8 ChapmanF, Jan 28, 2021
  9. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Since you can into the car, pop the hood, hook up a 12v battery to the jump connection
    in the fuse box. Then open the trunk...
     
    #9 ASRDogman, Jan 28, 2021
    tre4xw30 likes this.
  10. car78412

    car78412 Member

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    Thank you all for the info. It’s a very poor design. My other car is a Vette with the same opening mechanism for the rear hatch except there is a keyhole next to the pad opener that accepts the small emergency key on the fob. A much better design considering the battery is in the engine compartment.
     
    #10 car78412, Jan 28, 2021
    mikey_t likes this.
  11. tre4xw30

    tre4xw30 Junior Member

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    I can literally simulate a dead battery... by not using the remote and going through the hatch

    SM-N986U1 ?
     
    #11 tre4xw30, Jan 28, 2021
    PriusCamper likes this.
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Step 1 view is from inside the car, after flipping down rear seat and crawling through:

    upload_2021-1-28_17-15-24.png
     
    #12 Mendel Leisk, Jan 28, 2021
    tony_2018, car78412 and jerrymildred like this.
  13. tre4xw30

    tre4xw30 Junior Member

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    And removing all your crap and the foldable floor.

    SM-N986U1 ?
     
    #13 tre4xw30, Jan 28, 2021
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
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