12 Volt Battery Intermittently Dies

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Robert Vary, Jun 25, 2019.

  1. Robert Vary

    Robert Vary New Member

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    I've had to jump start my 2012 Prius twice in the past 1 1/2 months. The first time was after it had been sitting for a couple weeks while we were on vacation. The second time was after a couple days of heavy rain. I don't know if these events had anything to do with it. I've hooked up a charger and the meter has been indicating that the battery is holding a charge.

    What could cause the drainage? Is the battery starting to die? As far as I know it's the original battery.
     
    #1 Robert Vary, Jun 25, 2019
  2. alanwagen

    alanwagen Member

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    You have to "load" test your battery. If it IS the original battery, yes, you need to replace it. Usual life is only 5 years. You got 7 so that is pretty good.
     
    #2 alanwagen, Jun 25, 2019
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    you would have to measure the drain with the car off and compare to toyota spec in the repair manual.

    if you're keeping the car, replace the battery and go from there. hopefully, that solves it. once you drain these little batteries, they don't recover well.
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 26, 2019
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  4. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Regular wear and tear not able to hold stable charge NE more. 12v bat will typically last 5 years, yours is original and got 7 years out of it, great run. I’d shop around now for best price with some time left to spare if it’s my bat.
     
    #4 Grit, Jun 26, 2019
  5. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    What's the charger?

    Yeah concur with others: Appreciate that batteries are expendables, and they gradually deteriorate, with years and abuse.

    Read up a bit, lots of 12 volt info.
     
    #5 Mendel Leisk, Jun 26, 2019
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