Disappointed new owner, Won't go into ready mode

Hi Everyone,

I've lurked around for a little while and have been trying to find a previous thread that was my issue. I haven't found one yet, so I am making my own. Forgive me if I missed one.

I bought a used, as is, 2006 Prius v2 (we believe) a couple of months ago with the intention of it replacing my P.O.S. current car. It went well for the first week or two, but it soon started showing signs of a bigger problem.

The first thing I noticed was that the 12v battery was not always regaining charge while driving and would lose all bars, this would make the car lethargic and seemingly stuck in "first gear." It would slowly decelerate down to below 20 mph and it wouldn't accelerate above 15, it seemed. This happened often. The only fix would be to restart the car entirely. It happened at what seems to be random times, never at a certain speed or driving style.

Then I decided I would drive it for a little while and see if that could help get some kind of charge going, instead of driving around town with the sudden changes and stop and go traffic, I drove to Mobile, AL. At the time I lived in Pensacola, FL. The drive is roughly 50 minutes and is usually a smooth drive.

The drive to Mobile went really well. I don't think I had to restart at all; however, this has been a little while ago, I may have had to restart once.

On the way back to Pensacola things didn't go as smooth. We crossed out of Mobile's city limits and got to Daphne, AL exit, maybe 13 miles out. The Prius had what I call a "kick," where it feels like it just downshift without warning or cause, a jolt of the car almost as if you hit something but it only momentarily slowed you down. Except after this "kick" the battery went empty again. I had gas in the car and so I know it wasn't that, at least the display showed plenty of gas (over half). The car grudged forward as it steadily lost power, and with my hazards on I pulled off on to the exit ramp and into the first gas station I saw. We got out and turned the car off, looked for any damages or leaks and we couldn't find anything. Went inside for a couple of minutes and when I tried to turn the car back on, it would only go into Accessory mode. It wouldn't "turn over," per say. The lights and radio and horn and everything else worked fine, but it wouldn't ready.

I had someone try to jump the prius and it didn't work. We had to have it towed to Pensacola the next day.

Our best guess was that the 12v needed to be replaced, seemingly not holding a charge and unable to start the car. We replaced the battery and it didn't do squat. Tested the old battery and it was perfectly holding charge and even worked in another car.

The next part was a little puzzling. When we disconnected the 12v battery and reconnected, the car would start, but as soon as you turned it off it would have to be disconnected and reconnected again in order to start again.

This went on for about a month. I moved to Mobile for school driving my P.O.S. currently and often visit home. One attempt to go back to take the Prius to get diagnosed went wrong. It wouldn't start at all, not even with out trick. The battery wasn't dead, either.

It will still go into ACC mode just fine and everything works in that mode except for it won't go into ready mode.

The car has some warning lights on, and has since I purchased the car, unfortunately we did not have the money at that time to have it diagnosed and fix whatever the issues may be.

MAYBE IMPORTANT: At one point I ran my Prius out of gas. My indicator showed I had gas, but I did not. My mother brought gas and filled it almost half way full, and I drove it home. I have read that when the Prius runs out of gas the computer has to be reset. Is this true? Can I do this cheaper than taking it to Toyota? Might this have anything to do with why it won't turn on?

ONE ATTEMPT TO SOLVE SOME DASH LIGHTS: I had noticed that the Hybrid Vehicle Immobilizer/Theft Deterrent System Indicator light was on. This is the car silhouette with a key inside of it.

I changed the key fobs battery and this light still comes on unless the fob is in the fob holder in the dash. Once I place the fob in its holder the light goes off.

OTHER LIGHTS:
brAKE System Warning
Check Engine
Master Warning
Anti-Lock Break System Warning
Maintenance Required
Vehicle Stability Control Warning
Hybrid System Warning (I believe)

Please help me figure out what to do, I really can't keep driving the P.O.S. I currently am and spent a lot of money on this Prius. I was and am excited to own one, but something has to be done soon or else the car will just be left to sit.

 

Obviously, but that's not exactly helpful. I know that if I could get it read that I could find out exactly what's going on, but that's not really what this discussion website is all about.

I was hoping that someone could give me an insight to some of the correlations between the problems that I stated and the issues that have been solved before, or perhaps relations to the lights that are active on the dash. I have read the users manual and understand what these lights are for, but I have also read elsewhere (mostly on here) that just following the manual does not always help the customer understand the full extend and that by discussing with others who have experienced the issues as well can lead to a less stressful solution.

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I cannot get the car to start and a tow is way too expensive, ergo I can't take it to get read. I've read up a little about the Bluetooth readers, but haven't found one that had reliable reviews. Any particular ones that have shown to be trustworthy in your time?

And I have replaced the battery in my fob already, as stated in the paragraphs above.

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Thanks, I'll cross post it there. I'm still new and didn't know where to turn.

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The nearest Toyota dealer and center is only about 30 minutes away, but if someone can do the same services that Toyota can without charging for brand name then I'd rather do so.

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I have an Android device

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I just placed my order for a "Ideashop Mini VCI V8.10.021 16pin" with techstream. Hopefully I can figure out how to use it easily and be able to get the codes for more specific help.

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Thanks, I wish I would have known that before buying the minivci.

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Well unless the connection from the 12v to the car is the problem, it is not the 12v. I have had it replaced and tested (I should have just tested it first). Both batteries were fine, but the big battery probably has a cell that's not working right.

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