Want to Ck OUT a 2003, but Im SO new, I need Experts

there is a thread here on who should or should not own a gen 1. start there i suppose. if it turns out you should, subscribe to toyota tech info, and go at it the same way they would at the dealer.
all the best!

 

If it's only the 12V dead or run down, then a good battery and jumper cables should get it powered up. I have even checked codes on a 2nd gen that would come out of the off position.

 

TIS techinfo.toyota.com it's a subscription service. along with mini vci, everything you need to service toyota vehicles.

 

It's pretty necessary for the dash to light up--which it will do with a charged up 12v. While you can get some of the codes with the Centech, Techstream will pull codes and the Toyota only codes the Centech isn't meant to get and it will let you see the condition of the HV battery. You can use the Toyota subscription service or you can bite the bullet and get the service manuals on Ebay--spendy, but that's what I did. I suspect that you'll find the HV battery dead--and probably quite degraded--the HV batteries don't do well with long periods of no use. At the very least, the buss bars between elements will be corroded. Have a look at the Hybrid Automotive (google it) and read up on their offerings. You can get a battery element load tester from them.

Lots of info just on the first page of this section of Prius Chat, I'd encourage you to spend a weekend or two reading it. My little 03 is one of my all time favorites!

Come back and ask when you have more info.

 

I'm not going to write out a workflow chart for you, but feel free to call me if you want to talk through it.

If I were going to work on a Prius that's been sitting unused here are some basic things I'd have handy
A known good 12v battery
A voltmeter
A cheap android tablet/phone
An obdii Bluetooth reader.
The Torque app. Pay for the pro version.
A Minivci cable
An xp laptop running techstream
Starter fluid
Socket set
MAF cleaner
Carb cleaner
Rags

 

You are on the right track.
Some other things to check are the a/c pulley. Seen those seize up if it's been sitting a long time. Nothing like shredding a belt when the engine spins up.
Remember, you have about 5 start up attempts before you drain the HV battery too low.
You don't want that to happen.
You might consider consider purchasing or building a HV battery charger/discharger.
And lastly, you may need to buy a HV battery sooner than you think. So have some extra cash ready.

Edit: corrected the word "actual" to "a/c"

 

Stupid autocorrect
"a/c", not "actual".

 

You know how to use jumper cables, do it the normal way. The 12v battery doesn't drive a starter, so a whole lot of amperage isn't required.The old thing about if it doesn't start it's a parts car applies. Like your Tesla these are pretty complex cars. Potentially a money pit. You read the thread on the nonrunning 02, that sort of price range applies. (Did Linda L. get back to you?) The thing is, in the whole Houston area, there might be one or two Gen 1 Prii in wrecking yards, one would hope in a you pull it style yard. If you buy this turd, you could need a whole lots of parts. If it's been down for a while, the gas may have gone bad. Up to a year old, a cup of 101 octane booster may help. It's a little trick I learned starting Snowbirds Tucson beaters.

 

If a Gen 1 won't start, it is likely that the HV battery is already depleted beyond the point where it is able to function properly.
People usually try many, many attempts of cranking over the car. Hammering down the HV battery pack voltage below its minimum threshold.
You'll need to have some sort of HV charger (purchased or homebuilt) to bring the HV battery up beyond minimum voltage.

I'd get the 12v system up.
Scan the car so I can get general data and especially read unloaded vblock voltages.
I'd make sure to have my HV charger ready before even bothering to turn the car over.

 

Yes sir.

 

I never buy from dealers. In AZ private party transactions have no sales tax requirement--dealers do. Private party sales tend to be closer to what the rig is worth, and you can bargain. I got my Prius with no funds changing hands, I swapped a 98 Dodge Ram for mine (got the truck for nothing, put a new, used motor in and a set of tires.) To bad Linda came up empty. That might have been a good alternative.

My favorite jy has had 2 gen 1's in the past 5 months. Good way to upgrade stuff, get fuses and fasteners, and explore the systems. Alas, they recycle batteries and catalytic converters (a $900 assembly!)