Got into my car this evening,depress brake pedal, press start button dashboard lights up, all check lights are in order, but when I put it into gear nothing happens. Screen comes up but there' s nothing on it. Any helpful advice would be appreciated.

 

Does the READY green light comes on as usual?

If not, then you may have a bad 12 bolt battery? Or the hybrid battery (not as common depending on mileage and age of the vehicle).

 

thanks, will get a new battery then

 

Was indeed the 12V battery

 

I've been thinking about this a lot lately, how long I can put it off. Seems you don't know the battery is weak until you're stranded. Unlike with a normal car, the car will crank slow, giving you some time to go out and purchase a new battery.

 

You could also load test it at any tire shops that sell battery or maybe Autozone. I bought a small unit at Harbor Freight Tools for cheap.

 

Or get a very compact battery pack. $69 on sale now at AMAZON. There is a higher capacity one on sale for $99. I got the one for $69.

I have used this to start the V8 engine in my LX570 and it works!!!

 

I suppose. But I imagine even if it passes a load test, a battery will pass a load test until it doesn't. Also isn't the ultimate load test simply just driving the CT200h? Would need to see some data on what a healthy range is a minimal spec, if any. Doubt that info exists which brings back to square 1

I'd rather put that $70 towards a new battery which is $150 on amazon

 

I understand.

For me the small battery pack also serves as general purpose emergency battery backup for me and others. I've already given a couple of other people "emergency jumps" which they were very appreciative. Also I've used the battery pack when I'm in the middle of nowhere to charge my phone.

 

I had to eventually replace the 12v battery on the 3rd gen Prius when it began difficult to turn on the car. It would take 2-3 times until the car would start...thats when you know you need to replace the Aux battery.

 

That helps. Thanks.

The jump pack is nice to have no doubt.

 

Parts store website says computer needs to be reset w new battery. True or just throw it in like any other car?

 

I don't think this is true. I had my battery replaced and heard nothing of the sort from my tech. Unless they mean your ECU will reset it's learned info, which happens on any car, and then you just start driving and it will re-learn on it's own.

By the way, my tech believes the CT should show a battery warning light when the voltage is too low but the car can still be started. When mine died, I had the hazards running with the car off. It caused all the dash lights, along with my headlights, to pulse when trying to start the car. I had to turn everything off when starting the car so nothing was drawing power, and I was able to start it. After that, it ran fine and started up fine, but I changed the battery soon after, just in case. If I didn't daily it, I would have waited to see how the battery fully died.

My tech told me he's seen a few instances where a Prius died because the hazards do this to batteries that are close to death. Something specific to these cars.

 

Thanks. I had not driven the car for 3-4 weeks. I put on a trickle charger overnight and it started this morning. Will keep a close eye on it and drive more often