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

Has my 2007 Prius finally bit the dust?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by jaaronisrael, Dec 8, 2023.

  1. jaaronisrael

    jaaronisrael New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2023
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi Everyone. Not really a car guy here, but looking for some advice on my prius situation.

    Having an issue 2007 Gen 2 package 0, ~160k miles. Some small mods: dash cam, sark fin antenna, new catalytic converter w/ shield within the last 2 years.

    Background, about 2 months ago I replaced the starter battery. Bought it @ costco, had a AAA guy do the replacement. Car had been running fine.

    But now my hybrid battery may be dead? About a month ago the car started fine, gas engine turned on as usual.

    When I hit the accelerator, there was no torque. Like the engine wasn't engaging? I thought it may be a snapped belt or something until I Got the warning lights attached here.

    That's the "red triangle of death" in the background. I assume this means my hybrid battery is dead?

    Car sat unused for a few weeks and when I went to re-start it it needed a jump. Seemed a little fast for that considering a new battery.

    When I did start it with a jump none of those errors came back on.

    I got a OBD2 code reader to get more info. Said no error codes.

    But now I cannot get it to start WITHOUT being hooked up to a jump, which I assume is when I'd get the warnign lights and any error codes.

    My gut is the car isn't worth more than the replacement cost. And when I factor in my time dealing with it, I'd rather just get rid of it.

    So I know there's SOME value in parts.

    Would any mechanic be able to help me with this? Do I need to go to a prius specialist or (at worst) back to the dealership? Would you you recommend replacing? How would I even go about liquidating this thing if I wanted to?

    [​IMG]
     
    #1 jaaronisrael, Dec 8, 2023
  2. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    9,220
    1,618
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    You need to get somebody with a capable scan tool to read the car your scan tool is not cutting it and that's that there are things going on that you need somebody to get the code so you can post them here so you can find out what the real deal is Yes if you're going to be one leaving the car for a few weeks because life goes on maybe get a Yaris or a Corolla they can stand the sitting The Prius will not stand for the sitting generally speaking with no provisions for it so if you can't plug it up and you can't and you can't and you can't then don't attempt and get a gas car all of your problems will be solved replacement value and whatever is in the eye of the person doing the replacing so the car guy that can't do anything is on the high end of the car scale so maybe don't be having too much done again a gas car would make good sense it can sit for weeks a Yaris can get almost 40 MPG on the highway that's pretty close for no batteries no electric motors no funny business e-fuel is right around the corner and it'll keep that car on the road another 15 years no matter what the rich folks north of Richmond tell you.
     
    #2 Tombukt2, Dec 8, 2023
  3. pasadena_commut

    pasadena_commut Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2019
    1,502
    454
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    First rule out that the new battery isn't defective. I have seen a 12V battery drop dead soon after coming home from the store, albeit only once in almost 50 years of driving. Maybe it has a shorted cell or some other catastrophic problem.

    What is the voltage on the 12V battery before it needs the jump? Measure it with a voltmeter at the jump post in the fuse box under the hood with reference to the metal bolt heads nearby on the inverter. If it is around 10V or less then it is either very discharged or it has a shorted cell. Try charging it.

    If it reads something reasonable, like >12V, have it load tested. If it has developed a very high internal resistance it may not be able to provide enough current to get all the electronics running properly before the inverter starts up.

    If you don't have the equipment for these tests, take it to an auto parts store and have them test it.
     
    #3 pasadena_commut, Dec 8, 2023
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)