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Battery Problem?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by Caitlin McDonnell, Jul 23, 2024 at 4:34 PM.

  1. Caitlin McDonnell

    Caitlin McDonnell New Member

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    I don't have DIY knoweldge

    Twice in the last two weeks, I started my Prius and the dashboard lit up but it wouldn’t go into drive or reverse. All the extra lights remained on (check engine etc.) Both times, I tried over and over and it wouldn’t shift. Then walked away for a couple hours, tried again and it worked. It’s different from other times I’ve had battery issues so I’m concerned it might be the hybrid battery starting to go. Is that what happens…or what else could it be? I have many miles on this girl. Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Caitlin McDonnell, Jul 23, 2024 at 4:34 PM
  2. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    Does 'READY' come on?
     
    #2 ForestBeekeeper, Jul 23, 2024 at 6:00 PM
  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Get the smaller battery, next to the traction battery checked out first. If that's low, it'll throw a lot of senseless codes.
    If you can buy a friend lunch to remove the battery and take it to any automotive parts store for a free test. I believe that one is in the back passenger side trunk area or under the rear seat.

    Hope this helps...
     
    #3 BiomedO1, Jul 23, 2024 at 6:17 PM
    bisco likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    rear right corner under the hatch floor. get a free load test at many auto parts stores.
     
    #4 bisco, Jul 23, 2024 at 9:23 PM
  5. Caitlin McDonnell

    Caitlin McDonnell New Member

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    No.

    Thank you.

    You mean to test the hybrid battery? Maybe I will take it to Autozone and ask them to check both...
     
    #5 Caitlin McDonnell, Jul 24, 2024 at 6:59 AM
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2024 at 12:43 AM
  6. ForestBeekeeper

    ForestBeekeeper Active Member

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    This is not about your hybrid battery.

    The 12vdc battery powers all computers. When it dies you can not go into READY.
     
    #6 ForestBeekeeper, Jul 25, 2024 at 12:56 AM
  7. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Don't waste your time at autozone, they don't know anything about hybrid batteries,
    or testing a Prius 12v battery.
    How old is the 12v battery? Do you have a battery charger? If it's 5 amps or less,
    charge the 12v battery for 4-8 hours. Then remove the charger and wait an hour,
    check the voltage. It should be at least 12.5 volts, if i'ts lower, it's time to replace it.
    Then charge it for 8 hours to give it a full charge, before installing it.

    It the 12v battery is weak, computers cannot start properly and the hybrid system
    will not activate correctly giving you errors.

     
    #7 ASRDogman, Jul 25, 2024 at 5:29 AM
  8. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Active Member

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    If you have warning lights on the dash, you need to have the trouble codes read with an OBD2 scan tool. You can purchase one yourself or have someone else do it like an auto parts store or mechanic or a friend.
    If you want to purchase a scan tool, take a look at this thread:https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/3290690
     
    #8 Brian1954, Jul 25, 2024 at 12:32 PM
  9. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    #9 ChapmanF, Jul 25, 2024 at 3:03 PM
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