High pitched electronic noise on power up, flickering screens

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015.

  1. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Wife pressed power button, "high pitched noise started (constant)", all electronic screens flickered for several seconds, turning from black to green. Dash screen came up first, then radio and AC screens flickered on slowly. Shut car off, had to hit power button twice to shut it off.

    Turned car back on, hit power button, again got constant high pitched noise. Dash and radio screen came up faster (still flickering) but AC screen was slow. Eventually came up. Had to hit the power button 4-5 times to actually get the car to turn off.

    After she took my car to work, I get in and of course experience zero issues (yet). Car turns on, drives fine. Not pulling any codes off the ECU.
     
    #1 wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015
  2. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,105
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Check the 12 volt battery, also check to make sure all connections including ground are tight. Measure the voltage with a digital volt meter after the Prius has set over night. If it is less than 12.4 volts at the jump post, chances are your battery is weak or toast.

    Battery SOC Chart.jpg
     
    #2 dorunron, Sep 8, 2015
  3. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    The 12v battery is what I originally thought of, BUT the car started without hesitation when I went down there to try it. Generally a weak battery will have trouble cranking the car over, and especially wouldn't work better after attempting to start!

    It is original, so around 5 years old, but the car is driven daily so in my experience they've lasted 6-7 years no issues.
     
    #3 wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015
  4. GrGramps

    GrGramps Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2009
    294
    176
    0
    Location:
    Western North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    N/A
    Please understand that the 12V does not crank the engine - it only boots the computers, The traction battery cranks the engine,
     
    #4 GrGramps, Sep 8, 2015
  5. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Cripes. I had "forgotten" that (we'll go with that...). So the 12v issue does make sense. I suppose. I guess these cars are different than regular cars with their electronic issues.

    Reading through your battery links people seem kinda picky with the 12v choices in this car. Mine, I threw a Bosch battery bought on sale at Pep Boys and it's worked fine. Is the Prius that picky about which 12v battery you use in it?
     
    #5 wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015
  6. DG Bear

    DG Bear Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 7, 2014
    85
    24
    0
    Location:
    plano, tx
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    The car will work with many 12v batteries but there are other considerations.

    Did you buy an AGM or a conventional battery?

    The Prius uses a AGM battery with smaller battery posts and a tube to vent the battery to the outside.

    You'll see lots of interesting comments here and other places on the web concerning the 12v Prius battery.
     
    #6 DG Bear, Sep 8, 2015
  7. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I should've specified better. I haven't replaced the battery in my wife's 2010 Prius, AFAIK it's original. By "mine", I meant my car, which is an older regular car, not a hybrid.
     
    #7 wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015
  8. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Good lord these 12v batteries are expensive! Around $160 is the cheapest I can find online. Wow. I paid $91 for my other car a few months ago and about died, previous one was a WalMart special for $60 that lasted 7 years!
     
    #8 wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015
  9. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,105
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Yes, the Prius is PICKY about it's 12 volt battery, and YES it is EXPENSIVE.

    Such is life when you drive a Prius. You get the reward of great MPG, but sometimes the repair and or maintenance can be costly. Best to DIY.

    Again, measure the voltage with a digital volt meter as I stated earlier in this thread.

    Remember the 12 volt is only used to boot up the electronics. The engine is started with the traction battery.

    Good luck,
    Ron (dorunron)
     
    #9 dorunron, Sep 8, 2015
  10. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Volts are under 10 if lights are turned on for about 15 secs. I'd say it's toast. Shopping now...
     
    #10 wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015
  11. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2011
    3,318
    1,105
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    IMO, the best battery for the bucks is the OEM battery. Get one from Toyota and install it yourself. Expect to pay close to $200.00 for it. Make sure it is fully charged. Around 13 volts when standing by itself, measured with a digital volt meter.

    Battery SOC Chart.jpg

    And yes, 10 volts is toast IMO.

    Best of luck to you.
     
    #11 dorunron, Sep 8, 2015
  12. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I called around

    Optima 46B24R for $190+tax
    Advance Auto Generic 46B24R $150+tax
    Toyota Dealer $206+tax

    Got the Advance Auto special. Couldn't resist he price. Fit perfect and had the vent tube hole and everything. I've had good luck with the cheaper batteries, we'll see how long this one lasts!

    I like Prius owners, we are so DIY friendly. Lots of smart people on here willing to help! Thanks Ron!

    20150908_172315.jpg

    20150908_173022.jpg
     
    #12 wheelsup, Sep 8, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,614
    50,830
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i'd grab a toyota.
     
    #13 bisco, Sep 8, 2015
  14. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I just threw out a 10% coupon off parts from my local dealer. Last week!! Had I had that, I probably would've gone Toyota.

    The ~$50 price difference was too much to pass over.

    Here is a pic she sent me this morning of her 25 mile commute to work. She even used AC some of the time! Mostly highway. Car has 94k on it. This is up about 10 MPG from where it was prior. They need to put dash indicator light for that battery, or remind people to check it monthly or something. There are zero symptoms until it gets close to dying. I'm just lucky I was in town to take care of this.

    20150909_080121.jpeg
     
    #14 wheelsup, Sep 9, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 9, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    111,614
    50,830
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    call them, they might honor it.
     
    #15 bisco, Sep 9, 2015
  16. wheelsup

    wheelsup Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 3, 2011
    91
    16
    0
    Location:
    Raleigh, NC
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Well too late, battery is bought and in the car now :).
     
    #16 wheelsup, Sep 9, 2015
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)