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Toyota Prius Electrical and Lighting Questions

83 messages,  Last post on Nov 05, 2009 at 5:03 AM

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#8 of 83 Utility Battery Drained/Jump Starting by vcgeno Jan 01, 2008 (1:35 pm)
I have had my Prius for about 7 months without a problem. A few days ago after parking it 50 degree weather the utility battery died. No doors were open, no lights were on, and I can't figure out what happened. I had it checked out at the dealer and they said there was no problem with the battery or the charging system. It seems to be working OK now. Anyone else have this problem or know what might have gone wrong?   I also found jump starting the Prius quite an adventure. Standard sized jumper cables are to big for the battery terminal. I had to find someone with a cheap set of cables in order to jump start the car. The slot where the positive terminal is is much too narrow. Anyone have any suggestions for me?   That said I love the car. Replies to this message: stevegold (Jan 01, 2008 2:43 pm) vcgeno (Jan 01, 2008 5:35 pm) pathstar1 (Jan 02, 2008 12:44 pm) and 1 more...
#9 of 83 Re: Utility Battery Drained/Jump Starting [vcgeno] by stevegold Jan 01, 2008 (2:43 pm)
Replying to: vcgeno (Jan 01, 2008 1:35 pm) I have a 2004 Prius. The same thing happened to me twice, the first time after a month or two and the second time three years later. I probably left something on as those are pretty infrequent intervals. You do NOT have to get to the small battery to jump it. There are special terminals under the hood that make it real easy. Look in the book. Replies to this message: vcgeno (Jan 01, 2008 5:35 pm) pathstar1 (Jan 02, 2008 12:44 pm) talagery (Jan 23, 2008 11:18 am)
#10 of 83 Re: Utility Battery Drained/Jump Starting [stevegold] by vcgeno Jan 01, 2008 (5:35 pm)
Replying to: stevegold (Jan 01, 2008 2:43 pm) It was not the other persons battery it was that the positve connection on the Prius is too small for the clamps on standard sized jumber cables. Replies to this message: pathstar1 (Jan 02, 2008 12:44 pm) talagery (Jan 23, 2008 11:18 am)
#11 of 83 Re: Utility Battery Drained/Jump Starting [vcgeno] by pathstar1 Jan 02, 2008 (12:44 pm)
Replying to: vcgeno (Jan 01, 2008 5:35 pm) I made my own jumper cables using #25 Mueller solid copper clips on the Prius end and larger ones on the "doner car" end with #10 finely stranded wire (trolling motor cable). The Prius only draws a 1/2 sec. 40 amp pulse when you press on the brake, and another when you press "Start". This cable is heavy enough for that. I keep it in the "secret storage bin" in the front of the console (because you can't open the hatch with a dead 12V battery).   When you turn off the car, if you sit inside, the headlamps stay on. This can kill the battery. If you turn the car on and off from the passenger side you will not open the drivers door, and again, the headlamps will stay on, draining the battery. This is how most people kill the battery. So always be sure to open and close the drivers door when you shut off the car.   I haven't needed the cable, and probably never will. But I have it ready, just in case. Replies to this message: talagery (Jan 23, 2008 11:18 am)
#12 of 83 Re: Utility Battery Drained/Jump Starting [pathstar1] by talagery Jan 23, 2008 (11:18 am)
Replying to: pathstar1 (Jan 02, 2008 12:44 pm) Thanks for that info.. This is exactly what happened to my brand new 2008 Prius with 1200 miles on it. I realise now that I must have left the headlight on as I powered off from the passenger side. After sometime, I was told that my alarm is going off (which is supposed to happen if the 12V battery is totally discharged (sounds counterintuitive to me !). My dealer Pat Lobb Toyota of McKinney was nice enough to replace my battery free of charge although the 'dead' battery was perfectly fine.   Interesting side note: Realised that the 12V has to be active for switching the car to Neutral..
#14 of 83 Retrofitting the HID lights?? by birger Jan 31, 2007 (7:26 am)
Hi,   We're very near to deciding on getting a Prius. In Europe, the vehicle does not have HID headlights, not even as an option. Having had a positive experience retrofitting OEM HID headlights to a Mercedes ML, I would like to know if any US owners have been down that road, and if they could share their experiences.   On the ML, with the help of a couple of "pigtail adapters" ist was a plug&play operation, and the result was absolutely stunning.   TIA for your feedback.   Birger Replies to this message: railroadjames (Feb 28, 2007 11:06 am)
#15 of 83 Re: Retrofitting the HID lights?? [birger] by railroadjames Feb 28, 2007 (11:06 am)
Replying to: birger (Jan 31, 2007 7:26 am) Just passing along some info about headlight (bulbs)...I recently noticed a driver's side headlight out on my 3 yr old '04 Prius. When I went to purchase a replacement (BULB) I had several selections to pick from (cost ranging from $8.00- $22.00). I selected a lower priced bulb and went home to my garage and attempted to change the bulb myself(as I had done so many times B/4 in many of my other past cars). Unfortunitly what a task I had B/4 me. Upon opening the hood I realized the opening behind the headlite assembly is next to impossible. I removed the cover to a module just behind the headlite and tried again to get to the bulb unsuccessfully. Then I called "TOYOTA" for help at the dealership. They explained I had to turn a rubber cover & pull out that cover and release a wire clip and then turn bulb to remove. I tried and tried to no avail and finally took it to the dealer who(thank God) let a mechanic show me how it's done. It still took 15-20 minutes to get it done. While he did the miracle job he pointed out that some of the "Celica" modules are even harder to replace requiring that the bumper has to be dismounted to replace a bulb. I guess I'm lucky by comparison. Anyway...Thats that! Live & Learn. I hope no one has to deal with a bad bulb. As for Toyota...Does it have to be so darn hard to do what use to be a snap.
#16 of 83 Did not work out for me by ck90211 Mar 16, 2007 (4:15 pm)
I tried to install a HID kit (light, ballast, transformer, etc.) into a 2007 Prius, and for some reason could not get it to work. That's after testing all electrical connections with a voltmeter and things. So I for one would raise a white flag on such project. The standard lights are not too bad, so you won't gain much visibility using HID, especially if you get the hot (blue or purple) ones.
#17 of 83 HID Retrofit! by 3screwsloose Apr 08, 2007 (8:23 pm)
There is more to it than just the headlight ass'y. My '07 pkg #6 has 'em. There is a level sensor on the rear axle. when the car is loaded down the front end rises. This may blind oncoming drivers if not compensated. Also, the quality of the reflector and lens can make a significant difference in the performance. "Non-factory" systems may not do anything more than throw a bright light - not a "true" HID system.

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