Yesterday morning, I went to start my 2009, it didnt start, lights came on, but ready didnt and parking brake was flashing green. This suggested battery didnt have enough juice. Got it jumped and it started immediately. Drove multiple times all day (I'm a delivery driver, probably started it 15-16 times before coming home). Parked it around 6pm. It's now 7:30am and it is not starting again. Do I need to replace the small battery in the trunk? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Heh, first hybrid for me...was making sure I was looking at the correct battery. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Are there two batteries on this car? The small one in the trunk and another one somewhere else? The reason I ask, I just had to jump the car again and when it came up the display was showing the battery almost full (which is where it was when I turn the car off) Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
yes. the small one (12v) fires the computers and relays. the large one (hybrid battery) under the spare tire starts the engine and helps drive the vehicle.
And is that one different from the one on the display I'm assuming? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Yes, the 12v battery is located at the rear passenger side corner of your 2009. The HV battery is located under the trunk floor. The HV battery is the one displayed on your MFD and has the colored bars.
Okay so if I'm having trouble getting the car to turn on, that's definitely going to be the small one then, not the big one right? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
correct. if it even gets low, around 12.3 or 4 volts, by the time the voltage gets to the computer, it is outside the operating parameters.
but it also has to do with the voltage when a load is put on it, which can really drop it down, even if it tests okay.
Okay. Other than a dead or dying battery, is there anything else it could be that would cause symptoms like this? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
One thing you can do is to make sure the + and - cables are securely fastened to the battery terminals and the chassis end of the (-) cable is securely fastened to the rear wall of the trunk. If the 12v battery (the small one) is original, it's definitely time to install a new one. Your symptoms would lead me to believe you're at a 99% level of confidence that the 12v battery is at end of life.
not that i know of. since a jump fixed it, it should be the battery. might just need a charge, but no way to know without experimenting. any idea how old it is?
Not a clue. I just bought the car in March. I've already dropped almost a grand into work on the brake system, does my hesitancy to just go buy a brand new battery. Is there anything that runs when the car is off? Like I've noticed a few times when I turn it off and get out there's something still running for a few seconds afterwards. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Any AutoZone / AdvanceAuto/etc should be able to test your 12v battery very quickly. Most places (even I have one) have an electronic battery tester that's about the size of a voltmeter. It will connect to the battery just like a jump start cable. Most of them you'll have to enter the CCA value of the battery so it can compare it's tested value to the rated value. If you have a SKS model prius, the CCA of the battery is 325, if you have the non-sks model, the battery CCA is 272. The electronic tester will tell you the battery voltage, whether it has an internal cell failing, and what it's estimated capacity is. Most of the tests it performs are pass/fail. It's very very quick.
How do I find out which one I have? Is it written on something or something? Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
