08' Prius - ABS/Trac/ESC lights - Car not move

[xBa380]

Supposedly twice last week my dad goes to drive his prius after it sat overnight or while at work and the ABS/Trac/ESC triangle is illuminated and the car won't move. Completely dead. Eventually the lights turn off and the car is able to be driven.

One time, I guess he backed up into the street and when putting it into drive this happened. He sat in the middle of the street for a minute or so until the car let him move. It initially let him go into reverse, though.

I did some quick research online and it appears it may be the 12V battery going bad (or dead). What do you guys think?

Car has 93,000 miles on it at this point.

 

[Brybo86]

get a multimeter and test the battery when it isn't starting/moving first, try charging it before you get a new one too

 

[The Critic]

When this happens, will the car go into ready? If not, then I would load test the 12v battery first.

If it does, another area to check is the inverter open. Whenever the vehicle is on, you should see turbulence in the inverter fluid reservoir. If not, it's likely that the pump has died. Be careful about driving the car in this condition as you can fry the inverter.

Lastly, the best way to figure this one out is to scan the vehicle with Techstream and check the past code history for the 15+ systems onboard. But without that, try the steps above first.

 

[michaelluscher]

8yr/100k Warranty on Hybrid components.

Take the 12v service battery to a auto parts store, have it tested.
If after the basics are checked, you still can't find anything,
Call your local Toyota Dealer, Remind them it's under warranty, they/Toyota should pay for the tow and repair.

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: michaelluscher
8yr/100k Warranty on Hybrid components.

Take the 12v service battery to a auto parts store, have it tested.
If after the basics are checked, you still can't find anything,
Call your local Toyota Dealer, Remind them it's under warranty, they/Toyota should pay for the tow and repair.


Actually, the illumination of those 3 lights is not always a hybrid system issue.

The 8/100k warranty also only covers select hybrid system components. For instance, the inverter pump is not covered under that period, but has a one-time replacement coverage under a campaign.

 

[Mr_Incredible]

At this point the battery would be suspect. Winter is coming.

I had to replace Wife's battery on her '09 Prius with only about 35k miles. It was acting stupid but I can't remember what it was doing right now. I don't expect any battery to go more than five years. If it does, it's gravy. But I don't expect it.

The only place in town I was able to get the "special" battery was the dealer, and it was the last one. The were expecting more in later in the week but I needed it TODAY.

$206.

It's quality construction and has a vent tube fitting. That's about the only difference I could see when I sat it on the workbench right next to a battery I took out of the '89 CRX.

There was a little bit of work involved with getting the batteries in/out, but not overly much. Expect to take at least 30 minutes. I did the work at Wife's work parking lot with the ratchet/socket set in my tool bag. It needed a long and a short extension, and at minimum a 10mm socket.

 

[steve20]

next time it happens try to 'rock' the car by hand--a hard shove forward then a hard shove backward

 

[bdcardinal]

Originally Posted By: steve20
next time it happens try to 'rock' the car by hand--a hard shove forward then a hard shove backward