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How to manually pop the trunk with a dead battery?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by nicoj36, Jul 29, 2016.

  1. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Anyone know?
     
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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There is a latch in the center where the trunk meets the body
     
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  3. nicoj36

    nicoj36 Active Member

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    Can you post a pic pretty please? (y)
     
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  4. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    I don't have a pict...but you pop off a plastic cover next to the latch.
    Best to try when you don't have a dead battery.

    Mike
     
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  5. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    I had to do this. The pics are in the manual. You have to remove the plastic cover, then move the latch over while someone out side lifts. Don't loose a finger.:ROFLMAO::LOL::mad:

    Needs reengineered.

    Jumper terminals under the hood.
     
  6. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    This.

    So long as you either use foolproof jumper cables (won't allow wrong polarity connections to work) or just do it right. Attaching a good battery in parallel to a dead one will provide ample power to do most "static" things with the electrical system.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the easier way is to hook a battery/jump start to the 12v under the hood. then you can open it normally, without the climbing in back and fumbling around.
     
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  8. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    I've tried the climbing-in-back method few times. It's not difficult to do unassisted. Finding by feel the proper lever to pull somehow takes me longer than it should, although it isn't hard to reach.
     
  9. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    It is very cumber-son to unhook the rear latch when you have "stuff" in the cargo area
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    like a body?
     
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  11. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    depends on witch town you are in..............:censored:
     
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  12. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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    Exactly. I forgot about the terminals under the hood when it happened to me. Just jump it and drive it to the dealer and get a new battery.

    Life is too short. BTW buy a new one (2016). The battery is under the hood.
     
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  13. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I still prefer an "alarm battery". Available at alarm places and others - a gell cell battery of 5-10 A-Hr and quite inexpensive - about $20. Works just fine at the "jump point". Just take care to get the polarity correct. Positive on the jump point, negative on the chassis. The same place you get the battery can sell you an inexpensive charger for it. Or get a "Battery Tender" and use it on the car too when you park it for extended periods.
     
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  14. TRUC NGUYEN

    TRUC NGUYEN Junior Member

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  15. ETP

    ETP 2021 Prime(Limit),Highlander HYB Plat,B52-D,G,F,H

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  16. priusrust

    priusrust Member

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    ok- this video is good. I have a gen2 2004 prius. why am I here?- cause this came up in google search. My battery died and could not open hatch. 1) climb in through side door 2) remove folding spare tire floor cover to expose plastic storage basin above tire 3) look towards hatch 4) you see a rectangular cut out that lines up with cut out in video above 4) reach in....fiddle around until you feel lever- pull up- hatch open
     
  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thank you and well done!(y)
     
  18. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I purchased a spare EC5 cable for my jump pack, removed the clips and replaced them with lugs, so that I could attach them directly to the battery post terminals.

    When my battery died a couple of month's ago, I just went over the back seat and connected the jump pack and started the car. Then the door switch released the hatch lock. pigtail on Prius v.JPG
     
  19. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Or just use the under-hood jump point?
     
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  20. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Pigtail attached at either location, the dedicated connector makes for easier, more convenient use of a battery tender.
     
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