You may seemingly think these three topics are totally disimilar, my latest theory is that they are not. The AB (Accessory Battery) is extremely important as I stressed on one or two previous post. It provides voltage for the MFD as well as allowing the Computer to come up. If the SOC is low, you may just get a glitch or two here and there. If it's very low, the car may not start or will not power down. I have had all three symptoms on my 05 until having the AB replaced. To protect yourself buy a multimeter and read the voltage from time to time ( at front access point, see owners manual ) The MM can also be used to check any other size battery, light bulbs, fuses; buy one that comes with mini-instructions, they are simple to use.. The other insurance is to buy a small block battery (gel battery) I recommend a 7AMP, as its a nice physical size. Use it as a jumper bat when trouble occurs. Saves looking for another car, tow truck, rental car, 120 degree heat and -29F Temperatures. As for MPG, surprisingly after my AB exchange I have now gotten two 5 min bars at 75MPG. (in suburbia) First time in 11 months! A bit too soon for mileage assumptions, I'll have to do the math first. Will keep you posted. Andy
I think it's also important to check the ground "cable" (Looks like a #12 ga wire) that goes from the 12 vdc battery to the unitbody. It wouldn't take much corrosion to cause nagging problems.
You check that too, huh? For periodic maintenance I usually wash the top of the battery with a baking soda/water slurry and then wipe and reseal the terminals with dielectric grease. Haven't done that to my Prius yet but I will this spring. Did it just about every year to my T100 and the OEM Delco battery lasted 9 years.
You bet I do, but then I've also been accused of having an OCD regarding vehicle maintenance. I've also had personal experience chasing down nagging electrical problems in other vehicles that finally proved to be related to a corroded ground connector. It's what you can't see that will nail you. If in doubt, back out the bolt holding the ground clamp to the body, smear silicone dielectric on the threads, and snug back down. One less thing to worry about.
I have seen antenna jacks on black boxes accumulate a nice skin of salt water corrosion, thereby stopping reception and/or propagation. This is on Air Craft flying 40000 feet plus OVER the Ocean. Sulphuric acid is if anything more corrrosive. Good idea on the dielectric.
