Tits, Mirrors And A 10 V Battery

[timberwolf]

I came home Friday to discover both external mirror backs covered in droppings and some on the doors. So first thing I did on getting in was to go out with a bucket and cloth to quickly clean the debris off. Went back inside, and only a few minutes later when I went back outside one of the little sods was back on the mirrors and had deposited some more droppings. I think it was fighting with its reflection. What gets me is that for such a little bird they sure do make lots of deposits, where does it all come from!?

Next problem was I tried to unlock the car but the central locking only gave a weak noise and the doors remained locked. I thought great the central locking has gone. Tried it maybe four times and finally I heard the usual clunk of the locks unlocking. First few attempts the car came up with a Red triangle and I guessed it was probably the 12 V Battery. Opened up the bonnet and measured the Battery voltage at 10 V.

It has been 5 days since I last drove the car, nothing usual in that, but I was surprised the Battery had drained so unexpectedly and when it was getting warmer as well. I did manage to get the car to start after a number of attempts, I thought I was going to have to get the charger out, just to get it going. Gave the 12 V battery about 4 hours charge, and it started okay again the next morning. I've now had the battery on 24 hours charging and the voltage not long after disconnecting the charger, I measured the battery with a steady 12.75 V. Guess I've got to wait until the surface charge disappears.

Is it possible that the evil little flying pooping monsters have helped drained the battery, it seems unlikely?

Folding the mirrors didn't discourage the little monster either, so I've had to completely cover both mirrors with bags, and I've removed the car aerial for good measure as I've had them perch on there in previous years. Didn't stop them depositing on the door and wiper arms though.

[Grumpy Cabbie]

Sounds like you've hit the 4 year/70,000 mile limit of the 12volt Battery.

I'm sure the 12v gets a hammering if you don't use the car much in winter time. There are never any symptoms of failure until it's too late.

Also, do you have the keyless entry option? Perhaps the birds are landing on the door handle triggering the keyless entry system to wake up on and off.

[Chris Dance]

Sounds a coincidence that the Battery went when the birds were leaving their deposits. I reckon you probably need a new Battery. I have an outsde temperature gauge about 2 inches square on a window; a bird managed to pooh right into the small gap between the gauge and the window.

[timberwolf]

Battery voltage measured 12.45 V today, so only a drop of 0.3 V in 24 hours, and to me that looks pretty good.

Oh well, I guess it could still drop off rapidly later in the week. I keep wondering if I did something different. The only thing I can think of is I gave a voice command to switch off the audio because I wanted to run in silence for a change.

There was no Smart key on the UK Spec Gen 2, which I thought was a good thing. My 12 V Battery is failing a bit early as it hasn't reached its 4th year yet.

I keep a fairly close watch on the how system is charging the 12 V Battery but that didn't give me any clues or I missed something very subtle change.

The local dealer group doesn't have any 12 V batteries in stock, he wasn't sure of the availability, and I wasn't too surprised that he quoted a little more than the price on the web site although they will honour the lower price. The fitting is free, so it is no cheaper to just buy the part from the dealer.

I can't decide whether to go with the Toyota battery, the cheaper Bosch, Varta, or go with the more expensive Optima Yellow top.

Less bird droppings today.

[GreenJuice]

In my previous Gen 2, I drained the 12V very low once and flat on another occasion. Despite what is said about the possible damage this can do, I still managed to run the car for another year before eventually selling it. Perhaps you might still have a little life left in yours?

[timberwolf]

Thanks. Unfortunately, I've no way of knowing, and given my very low usage of the car, I'm surprised that it hasn't happened before now. Still I gave the Battery a charge and then left in on trickle charge for 24 hours at the weekend so it may have recovered it enough to last a while yet.

[GreenJuice]

Just came across this on Priuschat. Something I didn't know about 'maintenance free' batteries which might be relevant to you?

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-technical-discussion/104015-12v-aux-battery-needs-water.html

[Chris Dance]

I always thought the 12v battey was sealed!! I will have to check it out. I am almost sure the dealer said the 12V Battery was maintenance free!!

[timberwolf]

Yes, the 12 V Battery is a maintenance free one. Apparently, some maintenance free batteries can be erm maintained if you ignore the labeling (or possibly the lack of labeling might be a more accurate description?) and are a more enthusiastic DIYer.

[johalareewi]

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