My mechanically challenged son has an 08 Prius on or near the AU campus. He doesn't wrench and doesn't have any tools or access to assisting vehicles.



The car won't crank and I expect that it is likely the cranking battery located in the back is discharged from sitting. I'm assuming the alternator is good but I want it diagnosed before spending the big bucks for a shop to deal with it.



Could someone give him a jump and perhaps a ride to the store if a new battery is needed? If it goes much further than that, I'll have to get the Ben Franklin tool kit out since I'm not there to deal with it.


Here's a link to the process. This will be a weekend project.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir2w5W6cFU

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

Next week I can.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Thank you. We may take you up on the offer. My wife is coming up for other things and we'd like to get it going this weekend probably Sunday because of son's school and work schedule.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

The Prius doesn't have an alternator (or a starter motor for that matter). If the 12v battery is dead, the computers won't power up, turn on the high voltage system, and engage I think MG2 to start the engine.

There is a DC-DC converter which takes the high voltage (IIRC 350v?) and steps it down to 12v. It should be active any time the READY light is on in the cluster.

PS: If you want to recharge the traction battery, put the car in D, hold the brake, and floor it. The engine will rev up a bit, and it will charge the battery.

-J

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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket

Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states!
Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels.
2014 Cadillac ELR
2013 Fiat 500E.

What’s the status on this request? I can help tonight after dinner. Does he know where to source a battery?

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

Subscribed .

The video linked was very good .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

Wife and son decided to throw money at it. I wouldn't have but wasn't there to do it.
Thanks for the offer. Much appreciated.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

.....As they could have learned and usually the careful DIY'er does better work than the dis interested service person .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better

They don't care and will never wrench. Son may develop a working knowledge but he has other gifts and mechanics doesn't have to be one. I hate yard work so manage my life as never to do it. I will start the mower for someone else but that's about all.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

I can dig it .

I hate yard work and don't know house repair but motor vehicles, I never seem to get tired of picking up my wrenches .

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-Nate
1982 240D 408,XXX miles
Ignorance is the mother of suspicion and fear is the father

I did then what I knew how to do ~ now that I know better I do better