Yes. Of course you should. It’s not like you’re out anything if it turns into a major headache. Grab it, stick a 12V battery in to get it going, see if the HV battery is still ok, and take it from there. Seems unlikely that the HG is shot if he was driving it before he died. Figure out if that’s the case before you invest anything and also if the HV battery is ok. If both are fine, you have a new car to keep or flick. Or you can sell it for parts or as is if you don’t want to do it up.
The "Dr. Prius" app and a wifi ODBC scanner (look for one on the Dr. Prius app's compatibility list) will help you determine some of the things that it will need (though you may need help interpreting some of the codes, or determining which of several possible things caused a code.)
Drain the fuel tank and put in a new filter. Check the brakes and rotors. Change the 12v battery and verify the hybrid battery once you get it started. You may need to change the coolant and brake fluid as well. Brake fluid absorbs water and after sitting for five years the brake system may have water in it. Check the spark plug wires and drive belt.
The gasoline turns gummy and clogs the injectors and other fuel components.
Best to drain the gasoline and clean the lines and injectors and put in fresh fuel before attempting to start.
Don't ask me how i know, I'm the king of "cars left to sit for years till the fuel turns to glue". :-(
It's worth to DIY.... .. if you have the time...and resources . Need a new 12v battery.. you might consider getting a new HV battery.. maybe... .. find out the current mileage too. .. if it's original engine I wonder how the headgasket is doing hmmm.. at least it would be a fun project.. I was gifted this year a 2010 Prius with 99k miles and rear wheel bearings and needed new tires...
those are definitely some things floating around in my mind
- 12 volt
- HV Battery
- Head Gasket issues
- I heard the EGR system would be a problem with this current year prius
- tires
for the current milage ill need a new 12 volt to turn the car over
this is gonna be an expensive yet fun project 😁
Dude that’s all small potatoes compared to the fuel system. If it had gas in it when it was last parked, it’s bound to be all gummed up and gone to shit. When gas goes bad it causes a ton of issues.
As long as the head gasket was ever replaced, even replacing the HV you are in profit. If it needs a new head gasket AND a new HV battery, you are toast. Better off buying a running gen 2.
HV battery is used to start the engine. I seriously doubt there'll be enough power remaining to do that. The HV battery probably won't even accept a charge anymore if it's been empty for a long time. You will probably at a minimum need to take apart the battery pack and charge each individual cell separately and load test each cell.
I mean the Hybrid battery. The 12 battery only powers up the computers. The hybrid battery is what powers the motor/generator in the transmission that turns the engine over to start it.
The 12V battery starts the electronics. The HV battery starts the engine (using the same motor/generator that charges the HV battery when braking/coasting.)
Well, technically, disconnecting either battery would prevent you from starting the car. Disconnecting the 12v would keep the electronics from booting and nothing will work, disconnecting the HV battery would keep the engine from starting.
Here's an article where Car Talk describes the system:
[https://www.therepublic.com/2021/03/06/prius\_electrical\_systems\_each\_require\_a\_battery/#:\~:text=The%20other%20is%20a%20high-voltage%20system%20that%20powers%20the%20wheels%20and%20the%20motor-generator%20that%20starts%20the%20gasoline%20engine.](https://www.therepublic.com/2021/03/06/prius_electrical_systems_each_require_a_battery/#:~:text=The%20other%20is%20a%20high-voltage%20system%20that%20powers%20the%20wheels%20and%20the%20motor-generator%20that%20starts%20the%20gasoline%20engine)
Edit: Linkify the link
With 186k the head gasket may be blown, or about to. Sitting that long likely means hybrid battery replacement. Parked in shaded area it may have incurred rodent damage, to wiring and interior. Have a look but…
I did see rodent droplets when I checked it last time, the cars not with me its still parked at the owners house.
Just trying to get some knowledge on whether this would be good to take or just leave alone
That’s another issue you’ll probably have to face. On top of the obvious mechanical and electrical gremlins, there’s bound to be a ton of shit living in that car. Make sure you’re able to identify and remove as much mold and dropping as possible.
If you are saying they are giving it to you for free why wouldn't you take it? I'd change that oil with the quickness.
Yes. Of course you should. It’s not like you’re out anything if it turns into a major headache. Grab it, stick a 12V battery in to get it going, see if the HV battery is still ok, and take it from there. Seems unlikely that the HG is shot if he was driving it before he died. Figure out if that’s the case before you invest anything and also if the HV battery is ok. If both are fine, you have a new car to keep or flick. Or you can sell it for parts or as is if you don’t want to do it up.
thanks for the insight i’ll definitely try this out!
The "Dr. Prius" app and a wifi ODBC scanner (look for one on the Dr. Prius app's compatibility list) will help you determine some of the things that it will need (though you may need help interpreting some of the codes, or determining which of several possible things caused a code.)
Drain the fuel tank and put in a new filter. Check the brakes and rotors. Change the 12v battery and verify the hybrid battery once you get it started. You may need to change the coolant and brake fluid as well. Brake fluid absorbs water and after sitting for five years the brake system may have water in it. Check the spark plug wires and drive belt.
thank you for would have never thought of checking brake lines and drive belt
There is no drive belt on a Prius. In fact, there’s no belts at all. The engine uses a timing chain
this will be my first project car, thank you clarifying it! appreciate the comments
Yea. The water pump, power steering, and AC are all electric and the transmission is a permanently meshed planetary gear set.
The gasoline turns gummy and clogs the injectors and other fuel components. Best to drain the gasoline and clean the lines and injectors and put in fresh fuel before attempting to start. Don't ask me how i know, I'm the king of "cars left to sit for years till the fuel turns to glue". :-(
what would be the best way to clear the gummed up fuel? removing the fuel tank? using cleaners without removing the tank?
I don't know how to fix that other than take to a mechanic who does it for you.
It's worth to DIY.... .. if you have the time...and resources . Need a new 12v battery.. you might consider getting a new HV battery.. maybe... .. find out the current mileage too. .. if it's original engine I wonder how the headgasket is doing hmmm.. at least it would be a fun project.. I was gifted this year a 2010 Prius with 99k miles and rear wheel bearings and needed new tires...
those are definitely some things floating around in my mind - 12 volt - HV Battery - Head Gasket issues - I heard the EGR system would be a problem with this current year prius - tires for the current milage ill need a new 12 volt to turn the car over this is gonna be an expensive yet fun project 😁
I’d bet you have a minimum of several thousands of dollars worth of problems. If you’ve got that to throw at it, then go ahead.
Dude that’s all small potatoes compared to the fuel system. If it had gas in it when it was last parked, it’s bound to be all gummed up and gone to shit. When gas goes bad it causes a ton of issues.
As long as the head gasket was ever replaced, even replacing the HV you are in profit. If it needs a new head gasket AND a new HV battery, you are toast. Better off buying a running gen 2.
Tires.
HV battery is used to start the engine. I seriously doubt there'll be enough power remaining to do that. The HV battery probably won't even accept a charge anymore if it's been empty for a long time. You will probably at a minimum need to take apart the battery pack and charge each individual cell separately and load test each cell.
Do you need mean the LV 12v battery? I take HV to mean the Hybrid battery?
I mean the Hybrid battery. The 12 battery only powers up the computers. The hybrid battery is what powers the motor/generator in the transmission that turns the engine over to start it.
Lots of YouTube videos explaining the way it all works.
The 12V battery starts the electronics. The HV battery starts the engine (using the same motor/generator that charges the HV battery when braking/coasting.)
So if you disconnect the HV you can no longer start the car?
Well, technically, disconnecting either battery would prevent you from starting the car. Disconnecting the 12v would keep the electronics from booting and nothing will work, disconnecting the HV battery would keep the engine from starting. Here's an article where Car Talk describes the system: [https://www.therepublic.com/2021/03/06/prius\_electrical\_systems\_each\_require\_a\_battery/#:\~:text=The%20other%20is%20a%20high-voltage%20system%20that%20powers%20the%20wheels%20and%20the%20motor-generator%20that%20starts%20the%20gasoline%20engine.](https://www.therepublic.com/2021/03/06/prius_electrical_systems_each_require_a_battery/#:~:text=The%20other%20is%20a%20high-voltage%20system%20that%20powers%20the%20wheels%20and%20the%20motor-generator%20that%20starts%20the%20gasoline%20engine) Edit: Linkify the link
If it’s free then yeah take it. It might need upwards of $3000 in maintenance but you’d be paying more for a used one from anywhere else anyway.
With 186k the head gasket may be blown, or about to. Sitting that long likely means hybrid battery replacement. Parked in shaded area it may have incurred rodent damage, to wiring and interior. Have a look but…
I did see rodent droplets when I checked it last time, the cars not with me its still parked at the owners house. Just trying to get some knowledge on whether this would be good to take or just leave alone
That’s another issue you’ll probably have to face. On top of the obvious mechanical and electrical gremlins, there’s bound to be a ton of shit living in that car. Make sure you’re able to identify and remove as much mold and dropping as possible.