(New Prius Owner) Any Suggestions on fixing Beat-up 2005.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Laura_M_H, May 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM.

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  1. Laura_M_H

    Laura_M_H New Member

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    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    I recently bought my 2005 base model Prius at 205,000 miles in March of this year. I understand it has a lot of miles and it’s getting older, and I put a lot of miles on it as well already. I’m a gig delivery driver for Amazon Flex. First thing I did was get a full synthetic oil change. And new air filter and wiper blades.

    About a week ago I was starting my delivery route when the car just loss power. I was at a red light then I pulled off when green, foot on gas, car hardly moving. Then Red triangle and other various lights pop up, including check engine light. I pulled off, checked the fluids, found I had just enough oil to kiss the dip stick, but all other fluids fine. I put oil in it, almost 2 quarts. Ran a little smoother but that was not the problem. I had the codes ran. Said misfire in cylinder 2 was the biggest problem, and something with the battery. It said to clean the battery.
    Also, the fan for the Hybrid battery comes on all the time, where it didn’t used to. Shutters when taking off. Looses power randomly. Over 60 miles an hour shutters a lot. Battery says it’s charged then drains, then goes back up to 100%. Will stay at 100% for a while the drain down the go back to 100% again. Car randomly revs up and will drive with the RPMs high revving up. I usually will stop and restart the car for it to go back normal. Also, main battery light pops up randomly when driving and then once restarted goes away.

    I changed the spark plugs. They were disgusting. And the ignition coil for cylinder 2 like the codes suggest. Runs a little smoother. Haven’t flared codes yet. Don’t know if that will make a difference.

    What battery needs to be checked out and cleaned or replaced? The hybrid battery or the little battery in the trunk. Also is there another battery in the engine compartment like how regular vehicles have?

    what should I be doing for this obviously very warn in Prius. I love this car by the way. I don’t want to see it go out so soon. Oh, car now has 208,000 miles on it.
     
    #1 Laura_M_H, May 1, 2025 at 2:07 PM
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    fluctuation like that means you have a module out of voltage range in the hybrid battery. the whole battery needs to be rebuilt or replaced.
    the battery in the hatch is the one that is usually under the hood.
    had you ever checked the oil level since buying the car?
    imo, if you can get it running without codes, i would sell it and get a non hybrid like corolla or civic.
    if your job doesn't pay enough to afford a decent car, it may be time to look around.
     
    #2 bisco, May 2, 2025 at 9:46 PM
  3. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    From what you described in post #1, it sounds like you have a problem with the hybrid battery. Also, if the engine oil was full after the oil change was done, you are burning a lot of oil. You should check the oil level at every gas fill-up. I hope you did not pay much for the car.
     
    #3 Brian1954, May 2, 2025 at 11:00 PM
  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Agreed really sounds like it needs a new battery, and that can be the tip of the iceberg with these.

    Beware: An old Prius is an expensive choice- you wind up paying dollars for repairs so you can save pennies at the pump.

    You're in Southern California, so you should learn about Hybrid Pitstop in Buena Park. They are a great resource for hybrid owners out there.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, May 3, 2025 at 5:43 AM
  5. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Active Member

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    Vehicle:
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    The sudden (maybe) oil use is because you changed the type of oil it normally ran on and it is cleaning out a lot junk .... the problem is, that junk might have been keeping the oil eating in check ...... that will either settle down over a few oil changes ..... or not ..... meaning the engine isn't going to come good any time soon.

    My recommendation, get a reco hybrid battery and see how it runs after that and if the oil use issues settles or not as to whether you keep it and put a genuine battery in when that one starts to give trouble, or you pass it on to someone else. The high milage is nothing if it was maintained with regular oil changes and filters, if it was driven and neglected ..... that's another story ......
    My ex taxi '08 Prius has the equivalent of 450,000 miles on the clock, I retired it for parts to keep my '06 iTech Prius running. I could put it back on the road without a lot of work or $$ but we have 14 cars and only 2 of us to drive them, we no longer have our workshop (burnt to the ground) so we don't need a work vehicle that gets more abused than treated with respect carting heavy loads and stuff that doesn't treat the interior well at all ...... we have a '92 model 6 cyl Ford for that ;) .... can't kill that thing with a stick, just the fuel costs are eye watering ..... our primary vehicle now is an MG 4 EV, fuel costs at the moment average $0.00.34cents a mile :D gotta love an EV and good solar

    T1 Terry
     
    #5 T1 Terry, May 3, 2025 at 8:51 AM
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