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2008 Prius that has been sitting....

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by PrincessEQ, Dec 3, 2021.

  1. PrincessEQ

    PrincessEQ New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2021
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    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi. I am debating on buying a used 2008 Prius from my friends grandmother. It had the HV battery replaced 3 years ago. Her grandson drove the car for a few months after that but now it has been sitting. About 2+ years. I know not to start it with old gas in it so I am having it towed to my mechanic (who does NOT know a whole lot about hybrids) and I know the 12v battery is definitely dead. The key fob was lost and then no one drove it. Is the HV battery OK? That is my main question. It ran perfectly before it was parked. Thanks for any help, advice or input.
     
    #1 PrincessEQ, Dec 3, 2021
    bisco likes this.
  2. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2020
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    Location:
    NJ-USA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    IF the HV battery was replaced with a new Toyota battery then it might be usable. (Might need a "grid" charger to recharge it). If it had a "rebuilt" battery (greenbean, dorman, etc), then I would figure that the battery is likely bad.

    Without a working keyfob you are starting out in a hole. It might need new fobs done by a dealer (or by a locksmith with dealer level access). So you will have to pay some $$ in order to get fobs before you can attempt to power up the car and evaluate much else.

    The fuel tank on a gen2 is very very difficult to siphon gas from. I usually disconnect the fuel pressure line (at the right front corner of the tank) and adapt the line to feed it into a fuel storage can. Next I jumper power and ground directly to the fuel pump connector under the rear seat. (If the pump itself fails, the entire fuel tank assembly has to be replaced.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 mr_guy_mann, Dec 4, 2021
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    no one can tell you. if the seller will let you, and you're willing to make the investment, toyota can go thru it and test everything.it might be a gem
     
    #3 bisco, Dec 4, 2021
  4. chronon

    chronon Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 14, 2007
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    Location:
    here and there aint be in frozen wasteland no mo..
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    ----USA----
    because the 'bladder' (actually is like a big rubbery wine skin) collapses, then not much air and condensation forms.. and gas lasts a very long time this way, even if 10% ethanol ... would not worry about 1 or 1.5 yr old gas as this particular tank is very well sealed ... but would also not hesitate once running to add some fresh gas *good gas like from shell, chevron or mobil *...
     
    #4 chronon, Dec 4, 2021
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