[dpetersen]

I have a 2008 Prius, 136K miles on the car. When I try to start the car the first time I push the start button, nothing happens, the second time I push the button the parking brake stays on and the check engine light is on. I have taken the car into Toyota and it always starts for them. This seems to be a intermittent problem. Of course when I take the car to Toyota the car starts for them. I have taken the car in for this problem 3 times. The last time because the brake light and check engine light had come on for me, so Toyota thought that they could read the code. When they tested the car no codes came up. They also checked the brake switch which was fine also. I had told Toyota that I had trouble starting the car for the last week. The car started for them when they put the car in the garage and when they drove it out into the parking lot. They told me to take the car home and when this happened again to have it towed in. I told them I did not want to take the car home. I asked if they could put in a new brake switch, hoping that would solve the problem. I had to leave the car overnight and was hoping that the car would not start for them in the morning. Of course it started for them. I drove the car for 2 days and today I could not get the car to start. All the dash lights come on except the ready light. Does anyone have any idea what is going on?

 

[Easy Rider]

First, test and/or replace the 12 V battery.
Then try the other key FOB or replace the batter in the one that you have.

What happens AFTER "all the dash lights come on" ?
Do they ALL then go off like they normally should ??

 

[dpetersen]

First, test and/or replace the 12 V battery.
Then try the other key FOB or replace the batter in the one that you have.

What happens AFTER "all the dash lights come on" ?
Do they ALL then go off like they normally should ??

The first time I took the car to Toyota, they did check the 12 V battery and said it was good. They also tightened one of the cables. I also had the batteries changed in the key fobs last spring. In fact when Toyota could not find anything wrong with the car, they told me to replace the battery in the fob. But I had already done that. Then they told me it was probably the chip in the fob. So, then I started using one of my other fobs, and it did the same thing. I also have another fob and it happens with that one also. So, that leads me to believe it is not a fob problem. All the lights on the car stay on until I push the button to shut off the car to try to restart it. Yes, the lights go off when I shut the car off to restart the car.

 

[Easy Rider]

Yes, the lights go off when I shut the car off to restart the car.

Having a bit of trouble dealing with the quote feature ?
I cleaned up your posts a bit for you.

I was referring to the "lamp test" that happens when first turned ON.
ALL of them come on and then go out a couple of seconds later.
It sounds like yours are not going out until you turn it completely OFF; and maybe they ALL are not staying ON.

At any rate, you need to have the 12 V battery tested again at a different shop or battery store.
Have them test it a couple of times on a row, waiting a minute or two in between.

How old is the 12 V battery ? If it is 5 years or more old, just replace it.
And check the OTHER ends of the main cables too.
Make sure the new one is fully charged and check the charging voltage after installation.

The sad truth is that if this is not a battery problem, you probably are going to have to wait until the problem gets worse because it seems that there are no "real" mechanics or technicians left these days. If some computer doesn't TELL them what the problem IS......or there is not smoke pouring out somewhere.......or there isn't fluid leaking on the ground.....they have no idea how to LOOK to try and locate an intermittent problem.

 

[dpetersen]

Having a bit of trouble dealing with the quote feature ?
I cleaned up your posts a bit for you.

I was referring to the "lamp test" that happens when first turned ON.
ALL of them come on and then go out a couple of seconds later.
It sounds like yours are not going out until you turn it completely OFF; and maybe they ALL are not staying ON.

At any rate, you need to have the 12 V battery tested again at a different shop or battery store.
Have them test it a couple of times on a row, waiting a minute or two in between.

How old is the 12 V battery ? If it is 5 years or more old, just replace it.
And check the OTHER ends of the main cables too.
Make sure the new one is fully charged and check the charging voltage after installation.

The sad truth is that if this is not a battery problem, you probably are going to have to wait until the problem gets worse because it seems that there are no "real" mechanics or technicians left these days. If some computer doesn't TELL them what the problem IS......or there is not smoke pouring out somewhere.......or there isn't fluid leaking on the ground.....they have no idea how to LOOK to try and locate an intermittent problem.

I bought the car a couple of years ago, so I do not how old the battery is. Probably time for a new one. Also, that Toyota doesn't try to figure out what the problem is, like you say because the computer tells them there is nothing wrong. It is so maddening! But, Thank you for your help! It has been way better than Toyota!

 

[Easy Rider]

But, Thank you for your help! It has been way better than Toyota!

It is not a problem unique to Toyota.
A really LOT of shops don't know how to properly test a battery and will tell you "it's fine" when it really isn't.
Then there are other shops that try to sell everybody that comes in the door a new one, even if theirs really IS just fine.