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Error when jumpstarting dead battery - Check PCS system

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Mayank Jain, Jun 6, 2020.

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  1. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

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    Hello everyone,
    I hope you all are doing well in these crazy times!

    Context
    • I purchased my Prius Plugin 2012 used in 2018 Feb @ 96k miles, now @104k in 2020 June
    • Have jump started the battery 3 times since (mostly due to my fault of keeping something ON while the car was parked). The 12v battery was not replaced since I bought the car. The pre-purchase inspection had identified the battery to be in good condition.
    • Before the covid 19 lockdowns, the car was run almost daily and I parked the car in our garage in a good running condition. The car was getting charged overnight daily on a timer.

    Today, after 3 months of not using my Prius Plugin 2012 model (due to covid19), I found that the car battery was dead. I then tried to jumpstart it yet again.

    This time - as long as the jumpstarting kit was connected, the car system booted up, however it did not let me start the car & showed 2 errors every time (see attached video for more details)
    1. Check hybrid system, stop the vehicle in a safe place
    2. Check PCS system
    3. When I removed the jumpstarting kit, the car died again. When I jumpstarted a few months ago, it used to keep running once I removed the jumpstart kit.
    It'll be very helpful if someone can help me understand how to proceed forward?

    Thanks!

     
    #1 Mayank Jain, Jun 6, 2020
    Last edited: Jun 6, 2020
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Patron saint of newly poured sidewalks

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    Jump starting is aimed at the car, not the battery. My guess: the battery is now so completely knackered you need to replace.

    If you want to verify have it checked with an electronic load tester.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jun 6, 2020
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  3. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

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    I can't see in the video but I assume it never got to "Ready" mode, so it's normal for all those warning lights to be on - it's the same as pressing the start button twice without holding the brake pedal. The HV system never started so 12V DC-DC converter isn't running (your alternator equivalent, supplied by HV system), so it's expected the car will die when external power is disconnected (with dead 12V battery).

    There was either something unsuccessful about your jump starting procedure, there is some fault with the HV system that needs to be cleared, or it's possible it's not happy about starting with such a depleted 12V battery so maybe it needs more charging or replacement.
     
    #3 QuantumFireball, Jun 8, 2020
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    contrary to some expert here, i believe you need a healthy 12v battery for the car to generate any correct trouble codes, except one for a bad 12v battery.
     
    #4 bisco, Jun 8, 2020
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  5. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    +1

    The same thing has happened to both of my company issues Priuses.
    Your pre-purchase 12v battery inspection expired 3 years and 3 jump starts ago.

    Buy a new battery.
    Get back with us if you're still having problems.

    Good Luck!
     
    #5 ETC(SS), Jun 8, 2020
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  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    The battery is 8 years old. Average battery life probably is 5 or 6 under ideal conditions.
    Yours has been drained down at least 3 times; the most recent time it was SEVERELY drained......which is way beyond "ideal".

    Your battery is SHOT. Now to the point that it is dragging down your jump source too.
    It is time for a new battery.
    Way past time, actually.
     
    #6 sam spade 2, Jun 8, 2020
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  7. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

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    Thank you everyone for the detailed explanations. I will try to put in a new battery and revert with results.

    Meanwhile, I gave jumpstarting another shot - this time connected the jump kit for full 10 minutes. Same outcome.

    Time to get a new battery.

    Thanks
     
    #7 Mayank Jain, Jun 10, 2020
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  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Highly likely but a voltmeter reading or two would be helpful.
    It is possible that a bad main battery cable connection is part of the problem too.
    This becomes more likely if you are connecting the jumper cables directly on the battery posts themselves instead of at a remote "jump point".
     
    #8 sam spade 2, Jun 10, 2020
  9. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

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    Hello everyone,

    Thank you for all the guidance and support.

    I installed a new battery today and the car booted up as expected - however it still shows the same 2 errors - "Check hybrid system" and "Check PCS system". After that, it wont do into drive D mode (stays in either P or N).

    Is my next option to tow it to a nearby Toyota dealer?
     
    #9 Mayank Jain, Jun 19, 2020
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Have you tried to pull the connections again and see if it reset:whistle:?

    I'd start there;).

    Good luck and keep us posted(y).
     
    #10 Raytheeagle, Jun 19, 2020
  11. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

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    Hi Raytheeagle,
    What do you mean when you say "pull the connections again"?

    Do you mean again remove the battery terminals for a few minutes and try starting the car?
     
    #11 Mayank Jain, Jun 19, 2020
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  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Remove the connections from the battery, leave it that way for 15 minutes, then reconnect and see what you get;).

    That might do the trick(y).
     
    #12 Raytheeagle, Jun 19, 2020
  13. Mayank Jain

    Mayank Jain Member

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    Will try this again tomorrow and share how it goes. Thanks for all the help again
     
    #13 Mayank Jain, Jun 19, 2020
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