Problems On Starting Prius

[Edwina]

We've had problems starting our 59 plate Prius recently.

My husband went to the garage to get it out one day and had difficulty unlocking it. We thought the Battery might be going on his key so I went to get the new Battery and by the time I'd got back all hell was breaking loose with the car open but the alarm going off and he couldn't start it.

We got the breakdown people out who were mystified as they expected it to be a problem with the Battery - but that registered as healthy. They stopped the alarm and it then started and off we went.

I went to start it a couple of days later and when I unlocked the door I thought it was 'humming' a bit louder than usual, but didn't really take much notice, then when I pushed the button to start it, all the dash lights came on, but the 'ready' light didn't come on, although the 'on' button showed green rather than amber. I pushed the button again and it switched off. I have it 30 seconds then tried again and it it started OK.

However, since then (a couple of months ago) it has happened several times. Switch on, all the lights come on but no 'ready' light. If you push the button again it might switch off, or it might then show 'ready'. Once it went to 'ready' then it was fine.

We took it back to Toyota who told us they put it on the computer (or whatever they do) and have reset the alarm so it should be alright now.

Well it's not alright - today this happened three times, once to get it out of the garage, turned it off to close the garage then the same thing happened again, and once after we'd driven about three miles and then switched off.

We'll be taking it back to Toyota again of course, but has anyone else had a similar problem and got it fixed please?

[valmiki]

Is this still a problem with the 12v Battery? might not register as a problem as the hybrid Battery takes over once it's in 'ready' mode...

[Edwina]

Thanks Valmiki. I know that the RAC tested 'the battery' but which one it was I don't know as I wasn't there. So it starts on the 12v does it? OK, I'll mention that to Toyota on Friday when we take the car down.

[valmiki]

Have a read of this

It can also help diagnose whether the Battery is at fault by accessing a hidden menu on the display.

Hope it helps

[Edwina]

Thanks very much - sounds like just our problem so we'll get the garage to sort it out.

[Chris Dance]

It does look like a 12V Battery breakdown. I would have thought your Toyota dealer would have diagnosed a faulty Battery!!!

[timberwolf]

Sadly, that is not the case, I and many others who have experienced this problem have had first-hand experience of their 12V Battery slowly dying and finding that they become iffy at unlocking the doors or powering up the computers in the car, and yet the 12V Battery will pass the dealer's testing tools.

I tried measuring the voltage of my 12V Battery with a DVM every so often and I was unable to predict when it was going to become unreliable enough to require the cost of replacing it.

A point worth mentioning, is that some dealers seem to conveniently forgot about the Toyota fixed price repair and try to charge more.

[Awebb180]

A cell will be breaking down in the Battery causing this issue. Get the dealer to run a Battery test and this should show up

Alex

[Edwina]

Thanks all - and it has been iffy at unlocking for me too, although my husband swears I'm imagining it! See if we can get it sorted on Friday.

[MLW2233]

When the dashboard, central locking, and alarm, 'go funny' it is the 12 volt Battery. We had it all. Alarm went crazy, dashboard dim. Europarts £50+ Bosch silver Battery with 4 years guarantee solved it all immediately. If your car has done 4 - 4.5 years, its the 12 volt Battery. These cars need a good, strong battery and all is well,

If it is under guarantee then you have just saved £95 under warrantee, Don't have months of testing and 'we don't know what is the problem'.

Its the battery.

[MLW2233]

Unlocking too!

Its the Battery!

[Edwina]

It was indeed the Battery, a cell breaking down. Unfortunately the fixed price repair offer is no longer valid and shouldn't still be on their website so it's cost £200 for a new Battery. Ah well, at least its fixed and thanks for everyone's input.

[timberwolf]

I would recommend you ring up Toyota customer service to complain. As I understood it, the whole point of the Fixed Price Promise was to give customers peace of mind that they weren't being ripped off by the dealers. A 200% increase for a simple Battery replacement is really taking the proverbial.

[Chris Dance]

If the fixed price promise is advertised on the web site then surely the min price promise it is still valid. I suggest take timberwolf's advice. Perhaps "PARTS KING" could advise on this.!!

Pleased you have the problem sorted.

[MLW2233]

That is outrageous. I cannot think of any car, even a classic Ferrari or Rolls Royce that has a bog standard £200 Battery.

Mine was £53ish from Europarts and as a silver Bosch 4 year old guarantee, a year longer than Toyota's brand, It takes nothing to fit. The Battery has been great and would start any 3 litre car.

Up until Xmas Toyota was doing a £95 supply and fit option. Why have prices risen 211% since then. Write to Toyota and ask why their 'superior' product is 211% more than the Bosch equivalent with 25% less guarantee!

It is disgraceful treatment for a bog standard part which probably 1 million Europeans will buy this year.

It should cost £55 tops!

For interest a Rolls Royce Ghost, 2012, 6.6 litre, Bosch Silver 4 year guarantee Battery at Europarts is £102!

http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/c/Rolls+Royce_Ghost_6.6_2012/p/car-parts/car-electrics-and-car-lighting/electrical/car-battery/?444770176&1&e75c451bcab733a56973f24f12610cd8188624a2&000020

[Awebb180]

does the dealer have the Fixed pricing detail inside the dealership?

this is taken straight from the Toyota website

Terms and Conditions

Your Dealer will recommend the correct service for your vehicle
based on the age, mileage and service history. All prices include parts,
oil, labour and VAT (20%). Fixed Price Servicing is applicable to
Toyota passenger vehicles only and cannot be used in conjunction with
any other offer. Additional items may be required on some services. Only
at participating official Toyota Service Dealers. Prices apply to
vehicles up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Prices correct at September
2012 and are the maximum retail price. Toyota Service Dealers are free
to offer prices lower than above.

Have highlighted the applicable section

Alex

[kithmo]

does the dealer have the Fixed pricing detail inside the dealership?

this is taken straight from the Toyota website

Terms and Conditions

Your Dealer will recommend the correct service for your vehicle

based on the age, mileage and service history. All prices include parts,

oil, labour and VAT (20%). Fixed Price Servicing is applicable to

Toyota passenger vehicles only and cannot be used in conjunction with

any other offer. Additional items may be required on some services. Only

at participating official Toyota Service Dealers. Prices apply to

vehicles up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Prices correct at September

2012 and are the maximum retail price. Toyota Service Dealers are free

to offer prices lower than above.

Have highlighted the applicable section

Alex

That's 10 months out of date Alex, "Prices correct at September 1012"

I agree £200 for a Battery is taking the mick, especially as the Toyota Battery is of inferior quality compared to others, but I suppose Edwina just paid to get it over and done and have some peace of mind.

[MLW2233]

I actually think this is sexist. The dealer probably suspects that this lady has never bought and fitted a Battery in her life, does not know the price of batteries, and as she says 'she is just happy it is now fixed'.

I suspect any DIY chap would explode if told that was the price. It would attract shear laughter.

No wonder women feel nervous and at risk of being ripped off by the trade.

One might have expected Toyota to be better and treat women properly. It seems they are leading from the 'rip off front'. What a disgrace.

I'd love the managing Director of the UK operation to respond.

[Edwina]

I am mentally composing a complaint to Customer Services at the moment - but expect to be told that we can't use just any old Battery, it has to be a 'special' one for a Prius. It looks like we'll know better next time thanks to all the advice on here, and will go elsewhere to get one fitted.

To be fair, this wasn't sexist as it's my husband's car and he took it in - I would probably have kicked up more of a stink had I gone in...

[MLW2233]

Dear Edwina,

I went to bed last night having checked my emails fuming at your treatment.

This is not a special part. The Battery is slightly smaller than an old MIni, and would easily have fitted in my old Hillman Imp from my student days. I just think charging £200 for such a Battery is a disgrace, Toyota will say that the electrical loading is special and technicians (when did they stop being mechanics) have to fit it. That is rubbish,

It is a simple black (Bosch white) box with two knobs on. One has a bolt on negative, and one has a bolt on positive.

Most car shops, fit them for free or a fiver. This is like the Toyota copper washer (cost 30p) 'being special' and £2.99p.

Ask the managing director why.....

1). For interest a Rolls Royce Ghost, 2012, 6.6 litre, Bosch Silver 4 year guarantee Battery at Europarts is £102!

http://www.eurocarpa...188624a2

2). Women are so badly treated.

Good luck in your venture and keep up the pressure for good service, and a fair deal for women.

[timberwolf]

Michael calm down, this has already been explained it was hubby that got ripped off

On my Gen 2, the job would take maybe 20-30 minutes because there is a HV Battery cooling duct in the way and the bolts securing the Battery are fairly inaccessible. (it took me longer and one bolt got away from me and hide under the 12V Battery when I was reassembling!)

[Chris Dance]

Just checked price for Prius Battery; it is £90. It is all on this link:

http://www.toyota.co.uk/cgi-bin/toyota/bv/generic_editorial.jsp?navRoot=toyota_1024_root&fullwidth=true&noLeftMenu=true&forceText=<none>&edname

Click on fixed price servicing.

[Awebb180]

does the dealer have the Fixed pricing detail inside the dealership?

this is taken straight from the Toyota website

Terms and Conditions

Your Dealer will recommend the correct service for your vehicle

based on the age, mileage and service history. All prices include parts,

oil, labour and VAT (20%). Fixed Price Servicing is applicable to

Toyota passenger vehicles only and cannot be used in conjunction with

any other offer. Additional items may be required on some services. Only

at participating official Toyota Service Dealers. Prices apply to

vehicles up to 10 years or 100,000 miles. Prices correct at September

2012 and are the maximum retail price. Toyota Service Dealers are free

to offer prices lower than above.

Have highlighted the applicable section

Alex

That's 10 months out of date Alex, "Prices correct at September 1012"

I agree £200 for a Battery is taking the mick, especially as the Toyota Battery is of inferior quality compared to others, but I suppose Edwina just paid to get it over and done and have some peace of mind.

Its not out of date as the prices are still valid at participating dealers only. That was my point. If you want to take it further a quick email to the service manager/dealer principle should get it sorted

Alex

[MLW2233]

I agree, I have calmed down......really. But £200 honestly....

[timberwolf]

Yes, it does seem excessive. We don't know the details although I can guess that they were charging labour separately for investigation and then to replace the part and of course the part was charged at full.

When my 12V Battery needed replacing, I was going to just buy the part, but the local main dealer parts department wanted to charge more than the fixed price repair. When I pointed out the fixed price repair price the parts department was only prepared to the match not lower the price below. There must be a huge mark up on Toyota parts?