1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

1 week old Prius V won't start

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Gman92, Feb 3, 2012.

  1. Gman92

    Gman92 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2012
    14
    2
    7
    Location:
    Northern Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    Pretty upset only a week old on a Friday night and it won't start, lights on dash just all flash and blink.

    Not feeling good about my purchase right now and no transportation all weekend until Monday.
     
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Did you try to jump start it?

    Many dealers run the 12v battery down when showing off the cars and weaken the battery to the point where one or two discharges by the end user will kill the battery.
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. benagi

    benagi Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    525
    280
    4
    Location:
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I went to a dealership to take a test drive of a V and they had 3 with dead batteries. The one we finally got to test drive had to be jumped. Think you probably just need a good charge on your 12V battery. Good luck, hope that's all it was.
     
    1 person likes this.
  4. Gman92

    Gman92 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2012
    14
    2
    7
    Location:
    Northern Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    I have been driving it for a week, put around 700 km's on it.

    Wouldn't that charge the battery?
     
  5. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2006
    1,049
    192
    0
    Location:
    NH
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    If it has a little red button near the overhead light cluster press it, Toyotacare will answer your query and dispatch a repair vessel to you posthaste. If it doesn't have a little red button call your nearest dealer for immediate satisfaction, if your dealer doesn't offer immediate satisfaction press them for a loaner car until yours is worthy.

    If your battery was low when you pulled out of the dealers lot 700k may not have rejuvenated it, or you may have left an interior electrical drawing device unbeknownst to you, on.

    Relax, it won't let you down, "Toyota"
     
  6. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    If the battery already has several dealer run downs till dead events, your NEW may already be SHOT! You might have to insist on a NEW battery if this kind of not holding a charge thing keeps up!
    Personally, I just dump the 88 dollar OEM battery and buy a Optima now and not worry about it for many years to come!
     
  7. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    The guys above have pretty much covered it if it is indeed the battery. Try researching this topic in the GenII forums. Many of us have replaced the OEM battery after weakening it by repeated full discharges. There are also reports of new GenIII cars having problems. We then started to hear reports from knowledgeable Prius owners who would visit dealerships and observe display cars with lights on and doors open for long periods of time without an external power source or the engine being on. The problem is the dealers, not the car or Toyota. :)

    Feel secure in your purchase. You made a great choice. Stick around this forum learn more about the car so the dealership won't rob you blind in the future.
     
    1 person likes this.
  8. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Double post
     
  9. Gman92

    Gman92 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2012
    14
    2
    7
    Location:
    Northern Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    Thank you all very much for your advice and suggestions, it is very much appreciated.

    I looked online at optima batteries, does anyone know which model would be used in the Prius V, there seems to be several types.
     
  10. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2004
    7,663
    1,038
    0
    Location:
    United States
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    There does not seem to be one identified yet for the V. Toyota's battery is perfectly adequate. If the seller stores and charges it correctly just before installation (and if the buyer doesn't kill it) it should last for four years or more.
     
  11. jadziasman

    jadziasman Prius owner emeritus

    Joined:
    Jan 17, 2011
    1,355
    487
    0
    Location:
    District 6
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Oh boy. If my new $30K ride didn't start after 1 week of use, I'd be livid.

    Regardless of cause, Toyota and its dealerships should be bending over backwards to solve your issue, pronto. Especially since it's a hybrid and a new model to boot.

    Give them hell.
     
  12. mattheikkila

    mattheikkila New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2011
    84
    24
    3
    Location:
    concord, california
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Did you try pressing that little round button on the dash?
     
  13. Gman92

    Gman92 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2012
    14
    2
    7
    Location:
    Northern Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    I do not see any red button in my car, but a boost started it right away.

    I dealer thinks the 12v battery is bad and will install a new one on Monday.

    My salesman also said that a hybrid should always be plugged in with the block heater in the winter but he didn't say that before I bought the car.

    Is that true? Does anyone know?
     
  14. HaveNoCents

    HaveNoCents Conservative Tree Hugger

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2011
    299
    46
    0
    Location:
    Crystal Beach, Texas
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Pure bullsh*t.




    iPad ?
     
  15. rebenson

    rebenson Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2008
    364
    43
    6
    Location:
    Suburb of Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    that's good dealer is replacing battery.

    regarding the core heater, is the salesman interesting to install for you for $100?
    I just had one installed in my vehicle (that's probably why it's been unseasonably warm for Chicago)... I did have to have my car jumped once (not fun experience for 1st time especially in a hyprid like Prius). I have not had an issue since that occurred end of 2010 and I bought vehicel in 2010...
     
  16. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2009
    791
    135
    0
    Location:
    Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Absolutely not true. Your salesman and dealership seems extremely un-informed. Always ask here on PC before you do anything.
     
    1 person likes this.
  17. Gman92

    Gman92 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2012
    14
    2
    7
    Location:
    Northern Ontario
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    V
    I didn't think that was true, seemed like a load of bull to me. I actually have a block heater installed on my Prius V, but my parking spot at my apartment building doesn't have an outlet near by to plug it in.

    I think once I have a good reliable battery installed I should be fine.
     
  18. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,123
    10,048
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    For hardcore competitive hypermilers, this is true of any car, not just hybrids.

    For ordinary drivers, it is not true. Use the normal practice of nonhybrids in your climate as a guide.
     
    ericw28 and Gman92 like this.
  19. TruSound

    TruSound Member

    Joined:
    Feb 1, 2012
    246
    32
    1
    Location:
    The 818
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I just purchased a v3 a few days ago, the battery was dead when the salesman attempted to start it, he claimed that various employees frequently left doors open, lights on and a few other BS stories, including 30 thousand a month in battery replacement costs for the dealership, gotta good laugh with that one, especially when I told him the profit from the $495.00 wheel locks you add to the sticker price should cover it...who knows, anyway, they jump started it and no problems during the first 250 miles.

    By the way...if anyone is worried about their stock Prius wheels being stolen I'll sell you these genuine Toyota $ 495.00 wheel locks for 20 bucks, when I left the dealership I told the salesman he forgot to remove the locks...he responded, it's ok you can have um.
     
  20. martyarty

    martyarty New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2012
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Darlington, SC
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Two
    Re: 1 week old Prius V won't start A new member today w/question

    I am a new member. Picking up my new V today or tomorrow. I am concerned about the battery. I hope the battery has not be drained several times by sitting on dealer's lot. Would be best to drive it say an interstate to fully charge it? Since I am a female and not techincally inclined. Traded a 2006 Nissan Pathfinder so this is going to be a new experience for me. I just don't want to get stranded.