I tried to jump start another car with my Gen3... Am I in trouble?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by novagui, Jun 10, 2019.

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  1. novagui

    novagui New Member

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    Hi there,

    My wife's car (2010 Elantra) was dead this morning so I tried to jump start it with my Gen3. Didn't know it was a bad idea until a Googled it to figure out why it wasn't working.

    The jump starting process didn't work (her car couldn't start). I tried once with the Prius engine turned off completely (didn't start the Prius at all) and once with the gas engine running. In both cases, her car couldn't start.

    I used my car afterward and didn't notice anything unusual. I also plugged a 12v battery charger to it, in case I drained my own battery during the process (the cars were connected for less than 5 minutes).

    Do you think I may have broken something? What are the odds? Getting a little paranoid here. Will never do it again for sure...(bought a portable jump starting kit).

    Thanks!
     
    #1 novagui, Jun 10, 2019
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    You should be good.

    I jumpstarted a Nissan Maxima maybe a dozen times, with an 06 Civic Hybrid, before I read up, decided to get a jump pack, a JNC660. No harm came of it, but yeah best to play it safe, use a jump pack.

    What kind of charger are using? A "smart" charger, 3~4 amp range, is good. In the Owner's Manual Toyota recommends 4.2 amp max.

    upload_2019-6-10_6-38-23.png

    I think somewhere they also mention to take the battery out before charging. I'll call BS on that: I have a quick-connect installed in the engine bay fuse box, and ours is on a charger more than off, a CTEK 4.3 that can be left on indefinitely. The car often sits idle for multiple days, so I've adopted that strategy, so I don't have to worry about it.

    If you want to see where you're battery's at, look into something like Solar BA5.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jun 10, 2019
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  3. novagui

    novagui New Member

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    Thanks, you're making me day a little better :)

    I'm using a 800mA charger... so I guess I should be good.
     
    #3 novagui, Jun 10, 2019
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    jump starting is fine. jump starting improperly may not be
     
    #4 bisco, Jun 10, 2019
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  5. novagui

    novagui New Member

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    No trouble code so far (I have an UltraGauge scanner plugged in).
     
    #5 novagui, Jun 10, 2019
  6. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    Your post is confusing.
    Does your Prius start and run OK now or not ??

    There is nothing wrong with a jump done PROPERLY.
    There are just too many things that can go wrong.

    You greatly minimize the odds of a bad outcome if you never start the Prius.

    If there WAS a problem caused by improper procedures ........or a shorted battery at the other end.......you would know it immediately.
     
    #6 sam spade 2, Jun 10, 2019
  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    o_O
     
    #7 Grit, Jun 10, 2019
  8. novagui

    novagui New Member

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    My car seems to work properly, yes. I guess the part where you say "If there WAS a problem caused by improper procedures ........or a shorted battery at the other end.......you would know it immediately." is the most reassuring, then.

    Thanks.
     
    #8 novagui, Jun 10, 2019
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Oh geez, another quote for @Grit ...
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Jun 10, 2019
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  10. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    I’ve got a whole set of new quotes, just need time set aside to do it.
     
    #10 Grit, Jun 10, 2019
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  11. novagui

    novagui New Member

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    Well, in my defence the fact that I didn't notice anything strange while driving it right after the jump start process doesn't mean I haven't broken anything... some people have reported issues happenning shortly after they tried to jump start another car (in the following couple days).
     
    #11 novagui, Jun 10, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 10, 2019
  12. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Google? Call me old fashion (owner's manual)

    IMG_2163.JPG
     
    #12 Grit, Jun 10, 2019
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