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

won't start, no lights on dash, all batteries charged

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Gilberty, May 9, 2018.

  1. Gilberty

    Gilberty New Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2018
    2
    5
    0
    Location:
    Hillsdale, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    2007 Prius, no problems until last week, would not start, no lights on dash except door light. towed it in to dealer, sat for 2 days, started fine, no trouble codes. sent home, same problem next day, sat at home 2 days still would not start, towed in again. Toyota service says they can't figure it out, both 12 volt and hybrid batteries fully charged, no trouble codes. It starts when at the dealer.Thanks for any help.
     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,463
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The next time that the car does not start, measure voltage at the dedicated jumpstart terminal located in the main relay/fuse box next to the inverter. Use a front strut top mount nut as the ground connection for your digital multimeter. I think you will find the voltage is too low, and if you find this is the case, then measure the voltage at the 12V battery itself.

    If you find the voltage at the battery is also low, then replace the 12V battery, regardless of any prior claims that the battery is charged. If you find the voltage at the battery is OK, then look for a loose or failing battery cable. Especially, check the negative cable where it bolts to the body.

    Recall that a fully-charged AGM battery, open-circuit, should measure 13.0V. A discharged AGM battery will measure 12.0V. See how your measurements relate to this range.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, May 10, 2018
    Last edited: May 10, 2018
    ITBland and Andyprius1 like this.
  3. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 25, 2007
    10,096
    4,795
    0
    Location:
    Clearwater, Florida
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    My pretty new 12 volt battery lives at 12.6 volts with car off.

    Do what pat says but do this also. With car off turn on the headlights in high beam and then measure
    The voltage at the front jump points again. I think you will find you have a bad 12 volt battery.

    I think the car is also throwing an instantaneous red master caution alarm on the dash during start up and your not seeing it. It’s a big red triangle. That’s the car warning you the battery is bad.

    The reason we want you to measure at the front jump points is that’s where the battery voltage is used.
    The battery had to go through many connections and a big fuse in the trunk to get to that front fuse box.
    Doesn’t matter that battery measures in the trunk. It only matters what it measures where it gets to where it’s used.
     
    Andyprius1 likes this.
  4. Gilberty

    Gilberty New Member

    Joined:
    May 9, 2018
    2
    5
    0
    Location:
    Hillsdale, NY
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    well it seemed like it was hopeless, batteries fully charged. it seemed like it only happened after a rain. Th dealer said they could only figure it out if it did not start and it always started for them. I took it to Auto Tech Solutions in Chatham NY and they patiently searched the system. turned out if was a problem with the power button having a break in the wiring so it only intermittently got power. Auto Tech rewired it and now it starts. Thanks Auto Tech 518-392-2500
     
    ITBland, SFO, Raytheeagle and 2 others like this.
  5. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 4, 2013
    2,327
    859
    1
    Location:
    Cool CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Great!
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,930
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    how many miles on her?
     
  7. Mygirlsprius21

    Mygirlsprius21 New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 13, 2021
    6
    0
    0
    Location:
    Cranston ri
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Please help !!!! | PriusChat