2005 Prius Starting Issues

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by Jason Heeren, Nov 12, 2020.

  1. Jason Heeren

    Jason Heeren New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Hello-
    My 2005 Prius is acting very strange lately. There are times where I will get into the car, try to start it, and it is completely dead. This happened today then, when I was just sitting there pondering what to do next, it randomly turned on! There have also been times where I have turned the car on to notice the clock, heat/air, fuel mileage, and trip meters have all been reset. I just put a new battery in about a month ago.

    Thanks for the troubleshooting advice.
     
    #1 Jason Heeren, Nov 12, 2020
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Vehicle:
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    make sure the battery is good, then begin troubleshooting. how many miles on her?
     
    #2 bisco, Nov 12, 2020
    kenoarto likes this.
  3. Jason Heeren

    Jason Heeren New Member

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    I would think the battery should be good. It's only a month old. She's got 185,000 miles on her.
     
    #3 Jason Heeren, Nov 12, 2020
  4. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    COVID driving can be alarmingly minimal. Once a 12v battery is fully discharged, bad things happen. Have you tested the 12v battery voltage after a full night's rest? FYI: I bought a trickle charger.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #4 kenoarto, Nov 12, 2020
  5. Jason Heeren

    Jason Heeren New Member

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    No, I haven't, but I drive the car daily. I have a trickle charger. Should I hook that up in the front engine compartment or directly to the 12v battery in the back?
     
    #5 Jason Heeren, Nov 13, 2020
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    either place

    if it's not the battery, it could be the connections, especially 12v neg to ground.

    or it might be a bad combo meter
     
    #6 bisco, Nov 13, 2020
  7. kenoarto

    kenoarto Senior Member

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    Check the battery voltage after a full night's rest. How far do you drive every day? Do not charge before you test.
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #7 kenoarto, Nov 14, 2020
  8. Jason Heeren

    Jason Heeren New Member

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    Update: Took it to my local mechanic. He did a diagnostics test and discovered a short. Found out it was a loose wiring loom behind the fuse box. He tightened that up and did another diagnostics test and all came back fine. Hasn't glitched since. Here's hoping it was only a $140 fix!
     
    #8 Jason Heeren, Nov 15, 2020
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