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Battery died while in Neutral

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by SkyePriusChat, Mar 18, 2014.

  1. SkyePriusChat

    SkyePriusChat New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
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    So the 2011 Prius was sitting around for a month as my friend was out of town. It is parked in my side yard. The hybrid system started just fine, and I put it in neutral while I was sitting there about to drive it. The battery shut off while in Neutral. From what I've read, the battery won't charge while in Neutral. The car will not accept a jump from another car using jumper cables, but it IS GETTING POWER from the portable 10amp charger I set up. The lights in the cabin now come on, the doors respond to the key, etc. The engine will not start though, even though the battery charger says "fully charged". As soon as I unplug it, there is no power to the Prius. I think the problem is that there is no way to get it into "P", which according to the manual, is the only way to start the engine.

    The hybrid system will not start in Neutral, according to the manual.

    Does anyone know how to get it into "P" at this point? The light just doesn't come on when I hit the "P" button. I've tried simultaneously holding the Power button, trying to switch "mode" and everything. Nothing responds.

    Also, the little engine light saying "CHECK" is on solid.

    All of this ONLY while the battery charger is plugged in/connected to the vehicle.

    Any help would be appreciated!
     
    #1 SkyePriusChat, Mar 18, 2014
  2. SkyePriusChat

    SkyePriusChat New Member

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    As soon as the battery charger is unplugged, there is no electrical on at all in the Prius, even the doors won't respond to the key, etc. when the battery charger is disconnected.
     
    #2 SkyePriusChat, Mar 18, 2014
  3. vskid3

    vskid3 Active Member

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    Not sure what could be going on. You would have to have it on quite a while in neutral for the battery to die, and it would be the hybrid battery, not the 12v battery (which it sounds like is the problem). How long was it in neutral (why did you even have it in neutral?)?
    I would let the 12v battery charge on the charger, remove the charger, and check the voltage a few hours later.
     
    #3 vskid3, Mar 18, 2014
  4. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Sounds like bad 12V battery. I hope didn't kill the computers on boards while "jumping"
    Measure the voltage on battery and report back.
     
    #4 Former Member 68813, Mar 20, 2014
  5. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Was told when having the software update on my 11' hatchback Monday that the update was to keep the ice from stalling, my advice would be to have it drayed to a Toyota dealer and have the traction charged and the software updated.
     
    #5 ursle, Mar 20, 2014
  6. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Will the car roll? If not, it's not in neutral.

    It doesn't take much to get the computers booted up. The 12v battery does not start the engine. It should start hooked up to the charger/jumper.

    The correct start up procedure is foot on the brake (press it down all the way), push the Power button. If there is a "fob not detected" message then press the Power button with the fob.

    Is the charger connected to the jump points under the hood?
     
    #6 JimN, Mar 21, 2014
  7. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    I have to admit, I didn't think it was likely to happen though.
     
    #7 Former Member 68813, Mar 21, 2014
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