Help - 2010 Prius-III will not Start - With Video

Had you checked voltage on the 12v with the Scangauge? What was it when she shut it off, then in the next day or two if it was not driven?

 

I believe a new 12V will do the trick. H

 

I'm still waiting for my "no/start" Prius to be returned from the dealer. They ordered a replacement battery, but somehow it got lost in the shuffle so they had to reorder again on Monday. They said when they get it into the car, they want to keep it a day or two to see if it works OK before returning it to me.

I was looking into the manual on the internet and discovered my service record. I see that this is the third (actually fourth) time in for the "engine/no start" problem. The last was 4/29/10 when they recharged the battery. This particular problem has been escalating since about six or nine months ago. I didn't take it back in because they always say I must have left something on to drain the battery, or they can't fix something that they can't duplicate. That is why I bought the camera so we could take a movie of the problem -- although they weren't really interested in watching it at all. They asked about the green light on the starter button, and I told them if they would watch the movie they could see for themselves -- and they finally watched the movie.

The problem has been steadily getting worse -- progressing from once a month to once every couple weeks, once a week, every day, several times a day. I told Wayne that the starter seemed to be getting slower even before that "no start" started to happen. I figured that it was time to take it in again with the movie proof. They suspected the battery the last time I was there, but they didn't replace it -- just charged it. They called every day to tell me what was happening and I asked them if they had driven the car to check if it would start. They said they couldn't because the battery has completely drained so they have to wait until the new one comes in. I asked them what made the battery drain completely for them, and they said they didn't know. I hope they get to the bottom of this problem soon.

I really like the Prius for the great gas mileage, and the four doors for my passengers/friends, and the hatchback space for hauling stuff -- all works great for my needs. The styling is even nice. If they can only fix this starter problem, I would be happy. LadySpirit

 

Thanks for the update. I was wondering if you got it back. As I mentioned. I would consider taking it to another dealer if they don't fix it this time.

 

Very sloppy care! H

 

Harold: Very sloppy care! Did you mean me or the dealer? LadySpirit

 

The Dealers are not caring for your car, or for you. H

 

Was this vehicle purchased new? Is it still under the manufacturer's warranty? Three or four times for the same issue "should" qualify for a lemon law of some sort, and the dealer should have to buy the car from you! They differ from state to state. I'd look into for the state the vehicle was purchased in?

 

Thanks Wayne. You posted that story while I was AWOL. So I am assuming that, since it has been more than 18 months since purchase, any lemon law opportunity has since passed. Man, I hope you all can get this figured out!

 

The dealer called and said they installed the new battery this morning. It started just fine. Then they drove the car, let it sit, then started it just fine. They want to keep it until this afternoon, let it sit, drive it, let it sit, see if it will start.

I hope the new battery works, but I have my doubts. If the battery was low, why would it start fine after a night of sleep -- but not after it had been driven and then sit for an hour or so. It recently sat at the airport for eleven days and started right up. Just doesn't make sense to me.

Wayne said he has his doubts too, but this is at least a start to finding the problem -- but hopefully the final solution. However, I'm inclined to think something is making the battery discharge, but what? I so carefully go through a ritual to make sure everything is off, my grandkids laugh and think I'm crazy. When one of them drives sometimes, when they stop the car and shut it down -- I make them start it up again so I can go through my checklist of shutting everything down. Nothing gets left on. My husband checks the house and garage before he goes to bed at night to make sure the garage door is down, the lights are off, and the car is dark. How more careful can one be?

Well -- you all wish me luck that my car will work again. I was so happy when I got it new, and now I cross my fingers every time I get in.

I'll probably replace it next summer (three years old and out of warranty), but I just don't know what to get to replace it. I still like the idea of the Prius over everything Wayne has brought me to drive in the last couple years. It is the perfect car for us, what we do with it. It would be tough having to go back to the gas station at least twice as much as we do now with the fuel efficient Prius. We only run about $25 to $30 each month at the gas station. I do so hope this Prius will work again for me.

More to come later!

 

Man that Fawn did a # on your parents Prius! If it doesn't rain it pour's!!! Hal

 

That's Wayne's Accord, not his parents' Prius. Dang Wayne, sorry to hear and see! :ccry:

 

Ouch! That poor Accord has been a bit bashed up in the last 3 years. Hopefully it can be repaired more quickly than the last time?

LadySpirit, lead acid batteries like the 12V in your Prius often "rejuvinate" a bit after sitting for a while when they are weak. I've seen marginal starting on a conventional vehicle with a battery like that which would crank fine after sitting several hours but if I cranked it a few times in a row within a 30min span it wouldn't have enough power anymore. Colder weather tends to lower battery capacity so the issue would become more pronounced as the "reserves" got to be lower.

All of the above is just to say that I think you have a decent chance of having a fully repaired vehicle now -- especially as if there was a battery drain you'd see harder starting after longer intervals, not shorter ones.

 

Thanks, Brandon. H

 

I have high hopes this will fix the problem.

If this one goes in a few years, get the new Optima Yellow Top designed for the Prius. The OEM battery is relatively wimpy.