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Prius 2010 dies while parked

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by V G, Aug 26, 2017.

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  1. V G

    V G New Member

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    My 2010 Prius with 72000miles has died 3 times while parked and lights etc off. 12 volt battery checks out to be in good condition. Has been checked by local Toyota dealer and they can't find anything wrong. Computer diagnostics does not show any problem. Each time had to be jump started and then runs fine for a few weeks and randomly shuts down.
    It seems like a loose connection to the computer (I theorize). It is now at another Toyota dealer for a few days to se if they can duplicate the problem.
    Any thoughts?
     
    #1 V G, Aug 26, 2017
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Original battery?

    If a jump start gets it started, something does not add up, for me. How are they checking it: do they have an electronic load tester?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Aug 26, 2017
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Did they give you a print out of what their test results were? What was the standing voltage without the car on?
     
    #3 Raytheeagle, Aug 26, 2017
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  4. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    This pretty much PROVES that there is a problem with the 12 V system.
    Regardless of the "test", the battery itself is the most likely culprit.
    Next would be a bad connection at EITHER end of the main battery cables.

    You NEED a meter to test the voltage at a time when the failure is present.......or a mechanic who is actually competent. A meter is much easier to find. ;)
     
    #4 Sam Spade, Aug 26, 2017
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    don't take the dealers word for it, they don't know anything about electricity, or hybrid vehicles.
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 26, 2017
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I believe the only thing they know is they want to sell them;).
     
    #6 Raytheeagle, Aug 26, 2017
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  7. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Welcome, V g!

    Loose or corroded battery to car body connection?

    BTW, you put this in the Gen 2 forum. The 2010 is a Gen 3. If you click the "report" button in your original post, you can ask a moderator to move it. That might get you more attention from Gen 3 drivers. ;)
     
    #7 jerrymildred, Aug 26, 2017
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  8. V G

    V G New Member

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    Thanks. Will try that.
     
    #8 V G, Aug 26, 2017
  9. V G

    V G New Member

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    Did not get a print out . Was informed that the battery was good. Battery terminals were checked.
    Was not billed either of the times the car was taken in. On this 3rd time have taken it to a different Toyota dealer.
    Yesterday had the battery checked by Batteries & Bulbs plus and they also said the battery was "good"
     
    #9 V G, Aug 26, 2017
  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Could you please tell us more about the randomly shutting down part.
     
    #10 SFO, Aug 26, 2017
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  11. V G

    V G New Member

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    Twice while sitting in the car waiting for grand daughter, about an hour, no radio or lights on, door closed, no response on pressing the start button. The third time the car was parked in the school parking lot for about 7 hours.
    Each of these events were many weeks apart.
     
    #11 V G, Aug 26, 2017
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  12. V G

    V G New Member

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    Unfortunately each time did not have a meter handy.
     
    #12 V G, Aug 26, 2017
  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Did the start button turn green or amber in color? Has the 12v ever been run down before? Do you have access to a multimeter?
     
    #13 Raytheeagle, Aug 26, 2017
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  14. V G

    V G New Member

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    Nothing lights up . Once the battery ran down and it was charged using a battery charger.
    I have access to a multimeter... I had the battery tested recently by Batteries plus and it showed a full charge
     
    #14 V G, Aug 26, 2017
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  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    But this was after driving there and the car charged the battery?
     
    #15 Raytheeagle, Aug 26, 2017
  16. V G

    V G New Member

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    The car is at the dealer to check out the problem, and as usual they will say the diagnostics check out without a problem.
    I will ask them to check out the battery connection as you suggested
     
    #16 V G, Aug 26, 2017
  17. V G

    V G New Member

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    Yes. I took it to get it tested 2 days later.
     
    #17 V G, Aug 26, 2017
  18. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    I feel you are getting conflicting information on the health of your battery.

    If the car will not get into "ready" there is an issue in the 12v arena.

    If you feel confident with the dealer and battery plus diagnosis, I would start checking connections for taughtness and ensure that might not lead to the intermittent no start condition.
     
    #18 Raytheeagle, Aug 26, 2017
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  19. V G

    V G New Member

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    Thanks. I have mentioned it to the Toyota service today. They will keep the car till Monday and have the Senior foreman look at it.
    I also have felt that it is probably the connections somewhere.
     
    #19 V G, Aug 26, 2017
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  20. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Just like anything else, batteries can be intermittent. Good one minute and bad the next.

    YOU NEED TO CHECK IT WHILE IT IS FAILING.
     
    #20 Sam Spade, Aug 26, 2017
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