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Car won't start, check engine light on, guidance please

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Freedom, May 1, 2022.

  1. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    Hi Everyone, been awhile since I've been on here.

    2008 Prius - Gen 2. Bought it new. About 93,000 miles on it.

    Currently it is sitting in the street in front of my house. Nothing will come on. The 'check engine' light is on. I could just lock it and leave it there - end of a dead end street -- BUT the driver's window is wide open. The reason it is out there is, I was unloading mulch.

    Can't shift it into neutral to push it into my garage - was going to back it in.

    I'm looking for ideas what do I do NOW? Sunday evening, will be dark in half an hour.
    - any way to move the vehicle into my garage?
    - any way to close the driver's window, so I can lock it and leave it where it is?

    I'm hoping the issue is the small battery, but for the moment, I'm not sure I even need to worry about what the issue, I need to figure out how to make the car secure for the night. THEN I can figure out what the heck to do next.

    Appreciate any ideas. Single female, age 63, not about to start tinkering with it myself. Please stick to very BASIC stuff. I do have AAA, if that would help at all.

    Thanks!!

    UPDATE: Neighbor put a charger on it, which allowed me to close the driver's window. It is fine for the night. Can't lock it, so I removed everything of value. There was a notice on the screen that the parking mechanism wasn't working, keep vehicle on a flat surface and use parking brake. That's done, too.

    Next thing: WHAT Do I Do in the Morning?!
     
    #1 Freedom, May 1, 2022
    Last edited: May 1, 2022
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you might need a new battery. any idea how old it is?
     
  3. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    Original.

    I remember reading that there is a 12 volt battery involved with starting it up, and then there is the hybrid battery. I'm hoping this is the small battery?

    So in the morning I call AAA and arrange for them to move the car to my local dealer for repair? And I arrange for a loaner. Right?
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    correct. it is under the hatch floor, rear right corner.

    if you got 14 years out of it, you might have set a record!(y)

    it's fairly easy diy, if not, call around for pricing, they are expensive, and dealers like to rip off the vulnerable
     
  5. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    So they jump it and . . . what? I drive to the local dealership? The problem is, when my neighbor had the charger on, there was all sorts of lights on, and that notice on the screen. It was NOT a happy car. It was not interested in starting. Is that just because we didn't have it on long enough?
     
  6. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    OK, let's say DIY. Is there a youtube video? I DID remove the screen and ship it off, with a LOT of encouragement from folks on here, when that died a few years ago. It was nervewracking, but I managed.

    Guidance for this battery thing??? Would the memory all come back with the new battery installed? Not sure I want to deal with that.

    If I call around, what am I asking? How much to replace the 12 volt battery? I get very tense when these things go wrong, as I don't understand enough.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably. if you can't get it started, you will have to tow it. check with aaa for tow insurance
     
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, there are lots of write ups and videos. if you did the combo meter, this is a piece of cake
    watch
     
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  10. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    Thank you, Bisco.
     
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  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can get a battery at most auto supply stores or batteries+ or dealer. call ahead for price and availability, there's a shortage of most everything today.

    and ask them to charge it before you pick it up. nothing worse than installing a low voltage battery.
    it's worth replacing a battery that old, but if that isn't the problem, you will still have to have it towed.
     
  12. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    AAA sells/installs 12v batteries as well, confirm that they have fresh stock and are competitively priced, which may be around 200ish.
     
  13. Freedom

    Freedom Active Member

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    Verizon FIOS crashed Monday morning, 8 AM, no TV, no internet, no phone. Finally came back on at 2 AM Tues. I don't own a cell phone.

    Walked over to a neighbor with Comcast, used his phone to call AAA. They do not offer batteries for the Prius; all they do is come and start the car so you can drive. So I had them do that. The fella was adamant I be ready to drive as he did not want the car to turn off. I went to the local dealership, got a new 12v battery. Everything is all set.

    Calling around for pricing was not an option, due to the FIOS crash.

    Thank you all for the help.
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats!
     
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