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

Dead 12 volt battery. How to open hatch?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by gatorglenn, Mar 24, 2022.

  1. gatorglenn

    gatorglenn Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2010
    138
    45
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius


    2007 Prius. My 12 volt battery is dead. How can I open the rear hatch to replace the battery? I don’t see a latch on the inside.

    thanks
     
  2. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2009
    1,135
    1,560
    0
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    This information is all over this forum, as well as all over the web....in other words a quick online search would have been your best friend here. but I am recovering from a "wrecked shoulder," so have time on my hands and am feeling generous.
    The video link below will solve your issue.

     
    Isaac Zachary likes this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    or you can put a 12 volt source to the front jump point. easy enough if you buy the new battery first, and user jumper cables. make sure the pos cable clamp contacts the side of the jump point that is metal. the other side is plastic.
     
  4. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2009
    1,135
    1,560
    0
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Good tip!!!
     
    bisco likes this.
  5. gatorglenn

    gatorglenn Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2010
    138
    45
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    I had the information but I can’t seem to open it still. Crawled back there but I didn’t see a lever. I’ll try again.
     
  6. gatorglenn

    gatorglenn Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2010
    138
    45
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    This might be my best option.

    Thanks
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you probably need a flashlight. it is either at the bottom of the hatch door, or just below the latch. there might be a cover.
    if you need me to, i will take a pic.
     
    cyberpriusII and jerrymildred like this.
  8. Another

    Another Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2021
    1,802
    508
    0
    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    It’s a real PiTA or get to the manual release. Another thread a month or two ago showed a very simple way to improve the system with a wire. I’m in the process of installing a bit more elegant cabling method with a longer reach.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I've opened that hatch from inside several times. I always wind up crawling back out to get a flashlight. :rolleyes:
     
    cyberpriusII and Another like this.
  10. Another

    Another Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2021
    1,802
    508
    0
    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    After the second time, wouldn’t you rather spend some time adding a simpler pull mechanism?
     
  11. Another

    Another Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2021
    1,802
    508
    0
    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Here’s the older thread form a few months ago that has an elegant electromechanical method and also a quick fix to make access easier.
    The quick fix needs some work so that it is not always in the way but is a simple ingenious method.
    Has anybody *added extra* interior hatch release switch? (Gen 2) | Page 2 | PriusChat

    I think a better approach might be a hybrid approach e.g., to use a Prius fuel door release cable mechanism that can be easily obtained from many sources and please the release lever closer to the front of the vehicle ideally right behind the fuel door release.
     
  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,490
    14,095
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Let's see. It happened once on my wife's first Gen 2, once on her second, once on a customer's car. I'd say "no." It's way easier to just bring a flashlight. Oh! That's right. These days the flashlight is on the phone in my pocket which I used on that last one - so now I don't always crawl back out for a flashlight. :LOL:
     
    ColoradoCrow likes this.
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    It sucks. You have to remove the hatch storage big box to get to it.

    Before you go at the front door with the manual key spray some lube in the key hole.

    you killed the 12 by either a light or not driving it so that battery is done. Don’t bother charging it just buy a new one. Dealer battery price has come way down. That’s the best battery,

    plus you get to clean all the water out of the battery hole when you replace the battery. There’s a rubber plug in that hole take the plug out and just drill a small weep hole in that plug.
     
    cyberpriusII likes this.
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,064
    14,970
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    My Gen 3 storage box has a little panel that pops out so you can reach through to the release lever.

    Was that something they added after Gen 2?
     
  15. Another

    Another Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 22, 2021
    1,802
    508
    0
    Location:
    Naples, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    My 2007 has a door too but it’s still inconvenient especially when you have to remove any carpet mat or like I have nice rubber mat to get to it.
    Getting too old to want to crawl to it. That’s why I’m putting in a cable.
     
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Jump pack (per @bisco) is an eloquent solution, if available. You probably need to drive somewhere to score a battery anyway, so…
     
    cyberpriusII likes this.
  17. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2008
    23,064
    14,970
    0
    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    My jump pack is more on the laconic side.
     
    cyberpriusII likes this.
  18. gatorglenn

    gatorglenn Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2010
    138
    45
    0
    Location:
    Atlanta
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    This worked great. Thank you!
     
  19. ColoradoCrow

    ColoradoCrow Active Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2019
    909
    368
    1
    Location:
    Leawood, KS
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    I
    In a pinch you use a 12volt dewalt battery to jump the solenoid to open. I use this when going to the junkyard to pull parts from cars. The newer 20Volt ones have too much but I have a mid 90's old 12 volt battery for my drill.
     
  20. cyberpriusII

    cyberpriusII Prodigyplace says I'm Super Kris

    Joined:
    Oct 1, 2009
    1,135
    1,560
    0
    Location:
    Iowa
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I've never had to open the hatch from the inside. But made sure I knew how, regardless, by doing a trial run. I also lube the key access on the driver's door and test the key every month when I check the tire pressure (No, I don't trust the X#$%& TPMS -- and of course the spare has no monitor, but until I sealed the hatch cracks and pulled the two rubber plugs under the spare, it was constantly taking a bath).
    kris
     
    edthefox5 and jerrymildred like this.