Hi all, I need help. My 2-3year old Prime completely die. What I mean is that there are no lights on dash or interior lights, I cant even pop the hood open because there is no battery at all. The only thing was that all 4 doors are unlock (truck is also locked and cant open). Because of quartine I only drive like very short trips one or two times a week....maybe thats the cause? anyways, I cant even pop the hood open to charge the small battery. Anyone know what I can do? Thanks!
Yeah it looks like the 12V battery could be dead. Isn't the hood a manual release? You shouldn't need power to pop the hood.
My hood is definitely a mechanical release. You just need access to the cabin to release it. Once you do that there is a second mechanical lock at the hood latch to completely open it.
All 4 doors unlocked and "truck" also locked?? Reminds me of one of my favorite sayings: "I didn't do it and I promise I'll never do it again." Anyway, there's no reason to not be able to open the hood. Unlock the driver's door (if it's actually locked) with the key in your fob and pop the hood release. That's why you have a mechanical key and why the hood release is mechanical. No maybe about it.
I know how to open the hood..I pull the lever and nothing happens Door are unlock, there is no key slot for me to insert as I have the advance model. again, there are no lights in dash...battery conpletely dead This is a major design flaw. I cant open the hood, I cant open the charging port.
Sorry for the multiple post, I cant edit post yet. anyways, I tried again (pulling the hood release lever) and no sound or any signs that the hood released but when I went up to the hood and slip my fingers in (i know, sounds dirty haha), I was able to lift the hood open. so after I recharge the battery, does it new a replacement or am I ok with the current battery?
The battery is probably okay but, given your limited driving, you may want to consider a charger/maintainer. You can leave the (included) quick connect pigtail lead permanently attached to the battery to make connection/disconnection fast and easy. They not only maintain charge level, but some also have desulfator capability. I use these for my stored/low use vehicles and never have any problems cranking them up.
Yes, there is a key slot on all models. (Edit to add: something happened ot the text on the picture. Supposed to say, "Fog lights show that it's an Advanced," and "Put the key in this hole." The charging port?? That door is just has a spring loaded button that releases when you push on the door. It doesn't need any power at all. The actual charging itself, though, will require that the 12V have enough charge to power up the computers.
I seem to remember if the car is locked via smart key the fob needs to be in proximity to open the charge port hatch door. If the car doors are unlocked you don’t. I had this happen once early on and now I put the maintainer on if the car has sat a week. Things have been ok.
I am late on board. I think you figured out the solution. As pointed out above, you have a dead 12v battery. The hood is mechanical, it should open without any power. You do have a physical key in your fob and a key slot on the door handle (only driver side). After you fully charge the 12v which may take a little bit of effort if it is very very low, you may be OK, but there is a chance you may have to replace the 12v battery given the fact it has been deeply discharged once. Do you have a 12v battery charger? If so, what type? Some smart chargers do not work if the 12v battery is completely draned. In that case, you may need an old "dumb" charger to force the charge.
Hmmm. No face palm emoticon. You are correct. I forgot all about that the charge port door locks when the car is locked. Of course, if the 12V is too dead to open the doors, it's probably also too dead to run the charger.
I wonder if the traction battery is empty and the 12v battery is dead. Provided the charge pot can be accessed, does plugging in to charge the traction battery charge the 12v battery enough to bring it back to life? I know normally, the traction battery charges the 12v battery only at trickle charge level, but what if it is really really low? Or, as you said, the dead 12v battery will prevent the charger to function at all?
It takes a certain amount of power to close the relays and run the computers so that the charger can charge. It's not a direct connection. So, if the 12V is too low to even unlock the doors, much less put the car in READY, I doubt that it could energize the equipment necessary for charging the HV battery.
