My Gen 3 2010 Prius's battery constantly dies.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by PriusDriver1, Nov 18, 2015.

  1. PriusDriver1

    PriusDriver1 New Member

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    I'm not really sure what to do with the Prius as the battery constantly dies. I get in the car and try to start the car but the dashboard doesn't light up and I see a orange triangle on the left side. I then jumpstart the car and just drive around for a bit to charge the battery and park the car for a couple of days. When I try to get in the Prius again, the battery is dead again. I wouldn't think jumpstarting my car everyday is a great idea. My friend suggests it is a parasitic drain. How there's a software constantly running in my car even if the car is off. Is there a way to overcome this problem? Thanks a lot.
     
    #1 PriusDriver1, Nov 18, 2015
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Batteries die over time, 5 years is about time to get a new battery.

    It also takes a good overnight charge to charge up the battery, driving around for a bit doesn't do anything but get you to where you're at now.....stuck again.

    Best to change the battery
     
    #2 JC91006, Nov 18, 2015
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  3. PriusDriver1

    PriusDriver1 New Member

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    Are you referring to the 12V Battery?
     
    #3 PriusDriver1, Nov 18, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Yes the 12v battery
     
    #4 JC91006, Nov 18, 2015
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    5 year's is a good run for a 12 volt battery.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Nov 18, 2015
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    If the 12V battery is the original factory battery, then it is past its "best if used by ..." date, and should be replaced. It is aged and at substantial risk of problems whether or not there is a parasitic drain.
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Nov 18, 2015
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Sounds like the 12V battery needs replacement.
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Nov 18, 2015
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  8. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

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    Welcome, search around for info about the 12v in the prii, it's different than any other car, it's only purpose is to boot the 220 system, SO...Toyota stuck a tiny weak 12v in and you have to KNOW, that it won't run the radio in aux mode for ten minutes without dying, yes it's a deep cell and can be recharged, a few times, but the car itself takes days to charge it, you have to twice a year or so top it up with a trickle charger, and every for or five years put in a new one, it's a learning curve type thing.
     
    #8 Lucifer, Nov 18, 2015
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is this shocking?
     
    #9 bisco, Nov 18, 2015
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  10. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

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    Replace the battery before you suspect its a parasitic drain. My Prius battery only lasted 4 years before I had to get it replaced.
     
    #10 NutzAboutBolts, Nov 18, 2015
  11. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    Not at all

    VS980 4G ?
     
    #11 sfv41901, Nov 18, 2015
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  12. DumbMike

    DumbMike Active Member

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    So how does the 12v battery get recharged? On a regular car, there's an alternator. I don't think the Prius has one of those. Does the big battery somehow charge the 12v battery?

    Also, the batteries on regular cars would sometimes fail to "hold a charge." Meaning that even if you used a trickle charger (or otherwise) the battery still won't keep that charge for your use the next time. It just goes in one ear and out the other, so to speak.

    Mike
     
    #12 DumbMike, Nov 18, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    yes, through the converter. and yes, the prius battery will sometimes fail to hold a charge.
     
    #13 bisco, Nov 18, 2015
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  14. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    It gets charged by driving around -- or just by idling in Ready -- for a long time, i.e. many hours, not for just a bit.
    In the Prius, a 200V-to-12V inverter does the same job as the alternator of a traditional car. But the 12V battery doesn't charge any faster than the same battery in a traditional car, it takes hours to receive a full charge.
     
    #14 fuzzy1, Nov 18, 2015
  15. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    yup, time for a new car.
    i can dispose the old car for you, free of charge ;-)
     
    #15 Former Member 68813, Nov 18, 2015
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