2019 XLE Not Starting

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Weswes08, Apr 26, 2026 at 6:48 PM.

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  1. Weswes08

    Weswes08 New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    My Prius XLE has got 148k miles on it and has been acting odd.

    At first I went out to go use it and it wouldn’t start but horn, lights, and all came on just fine. Used a jumper and it cranked right up. Took it to the shop near me and got a new battery. My battery was showing 11.7 and was 2 years old from Toyota dealership. Car cranked right up no issues.

    A couple of weeks go by and I’m driving to meet some friends, about 45m into the drive I pull into a place to get some food. When I come back out, my car won’t start again, same as last time. This time jumping doesn’t help. I looked up how to go into maintenance mode which worked and drove home.

    For the next two weeks it has no more issues again but I finally decide to take it to the shop again to get checked. They found nothing but a code for the brake sensor. They swapped out the sensor and then called me to let me know the car is again not cranking despite the sensor change.

    What could be causing this? My guess is something brake related (my brakes were recommended to be replaced like 8 months ago tbh). My next concern was the EV battery. Lastly, I street park and someone took out my mirror a year ago or so and I never got it fixed, could the exposed wiring or something be draining my battery or causing the start system to not crank up?
     
    #1 Weswes08, Apr 26, 2026 at 6:48 PM
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what does maintenance mode do, and how does it differ in starting the car? maybe there's a clue there.
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 26, 2026 at 8:39 PM
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  3. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    Your car doesn't crank - it goes into "Ready". Details matter if you need us to diagnose your car remotely.

    Did they test your battery before replacing it? FWIW; I've gotten my car into "ready" with only 11VDC on the battery.

    A loose and/or dirty battery connection can cause this. The connection will draw enough power to turn-on lights but not tight enough to for high amp draw to close traction battery relays - that's why it's intermittent. You didn't have this issue when the original OEM battery was in there, and it started after replacement?????

    A brake sensor wouldn't stop your car from going into "Ready"; It may place the car into limp mode; but that would trigger a bunch of other error codes and turn your dash board into a Christmas tree of lights. It seems like the person working on your car, doesn't know what they are doing and just replacing random parts on your car - rather than testing to see if there are REAL problems.

    Have the dealership scan your car for error codes and let us know what they are. Or take your car to a mechanic with a Prius aware scanner - not a cheap generic automotive scanner.
     
    #3 BiomedO1, Apr 26, 2026 at 8:59 PM
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2026 at 9:10 PM
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Three
    There are two alternative ways to start the car. If one of these work it points to an issue needing repair by a tech.

    Basics from the book in the glove box

    IMG_1291.jpeg
    Alternative Start 1

    IMG_1292.jpeg

    Alternative Start 2

    Image.jpeg
     
    #4 rjparker, Apr 26, 2026 at 9:10 PM
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  5. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    @Weswes08 I don't know about your car; but mine display's 'key fob battery low' in the console when it needs changing. Since you've ignored a brake repair for 8 months.o_O
     
    #5 BiomedO1, Apr 27, 2026 at 9:06 AM
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