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Gen 1 Replaced the 12v battery backwards (Ouch)

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Cosmo Tigato, Aug 6, 2019.

  1. Cosmo Tigato

    Cosmo Tigato Active Member

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    @bisco @Patrick Wong @bwilson4web @ChapmanF

    I bought a 2001 prius from a lady that replaced the 12v battery backwards (OUCH)

    After I paid for the car and towed it home i began the task of getting it to run again.
    So I found that the 100a fuse popped as well as the dome and ABS fuses.

    I replaced them and got the car running again. (SWEET)

    The Triangle with Exclamation is ON
    The ABS and BRAKE lights are ON
    The Check engine light is OFF
    The Display screen shows the Exclamation over car (Third Icon)

    When I drove the car it felt like there was no power to the brakes.
    and there was not full power steering.

    Did the jumper from Pins 4 to 13
    got 31 and 54 Blinking on the ABS Light
    and 15 Blinking on the Air bag light.
    So (c1215, c1231 and c1254)

    Questions:
    Did all these things fail on the car? (could be related to backwards battery fuse popping)
    Could it be something that needs to be reset?
    Did the fuses protect these somewhat unrelated systems? (are there relays that I might have missed)

    Stumped at the moment.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i would start with the service manual. a car like that, you need to be fully armed.

    all the best!(y)
     
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  3. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    And a mini VCI with techstream. Flashing lights are not going to tell you the full story here.
     
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  4. Cosmo Tigato

    Cosmo Tigato Active Member

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    @bisco @Skibob

    I am ordering the mini VCI right now.
    Should I get the chilton or haynes?
    Thank you,
     
  5. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Order an inexpensive multi-meter and check the battery.
    Charge it and then test again with the car OFF and with it ON.

    The battery itself could be damaged from the backwards connection.
    OR....if it sat a LONG time after that happened, it might just need a charge.

    But, sure it's possible that all of those things are "wrong".
    That might be why they decided to change the battery in the first place.
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk if chilton or haynes is better. most people seem to use techinfo.toyota.com.

    but someone else might have a recommendation from experience. you can try the search function, or google, and look for priuschat hits.
     
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  7. Cosmo Tigato

    Cosmo Tigato Active Member

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    Great advice
    I used the Multi Meter and came up with

    Optima Red Top Starting #34-78
    12.35v When the car is off
    and
    13.97v While the engine is running

    Do you think the battery is bad?

    -----------------


    I do have a few of extra batteries in my garage:

    a second Optima Starting #34-78 (resting at 12.63v)

    Duralast Gold 25-DLG (resting at 12.45)

    Optima Yellow Top Deep Cycle + Starting (resting at 13.08v)
    The thing about the yellow top is that the post on the top are half the size of regular batteries.

    Thanks again
     
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  8. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    At the very least, it's not charged good.
    If it is AGM, the no load resting voltage should be around 12.8.
    12.3 is marginal.
     
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  9. Cosmo Tigato

    Cosmo Tigato Active Member

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    So I got the MiniVCI and hooked it up.
    got a bunch of codes.
    c1521 - Power steering gear assembly with motor
    c1522 - Power steering gear assembly with motor
    c1553 - Power steering gear assembly with motor
    b1100 - Airbag sensor assembly
    c1251 - Hydraulic brake booster pump motor
    c1254 - ABS Pressure Switch Circuit
    c1256 - Accumulator Low Pressure Malfunction
    p3135 - Circuit Breaker Sensor Malfunction

    It makes sense that I got c1521, c1522, c1553, b1100, c1251, c1254 and c1265
    because those fuses blew,
    All I had to do was put in new fuses for the ABS and Power Steering and clear the codes with techstream
    then the p3135 would keep coming back every time i turned the key. I tested the Circuit breaker sensor with a ohm meter
    (Circuit breaker sensor resistance: 820 ± 82 ohms) It was at 819ohms so it was perfect.
    then checked the wires from the ECU to the sensor and "PRESTO" the green with red stripe was loose.
    So I reconnected the Wire and plugged it back in. Cleared the code and turned on the car.
    The display screen on the dash said Problem resolved.

    Thank you all for the wonderful help.
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats, all the best!(y)
     
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  11. ronlewis

    ronlewis Active Member

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    Great job! Wish I could figure stuff out like that.
     
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  12. Roger Ritchie

    Roger Ritchie Junior Member

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    Thanks for the post-repair report. So many people fail to do that, and solutions are what make these forums valuable.

    And thanks for bringing another Gen 1 back to life. I think you will find it to be a great car, worthy of its name.
     
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