Prius (2004-09) :: Water Intrusion Above The 12V Battery Bay?
Oct 28, 2014
So when I got home this evening I decided to tackle something that I was concerned about- the state of the HV battery fan. As I took apart the back right of the interior to get to it, I noticed that there was moisture on the inside of some of the trim pieces where I wouldn't have expected it- but I discounted it because of how much moisture had been in the car after having it detailed.
As I got further in though, to my annoyance it started to rain, and I had to stop (since I was working in the driveway). When it let up a bit and I went back out, I was dumbfounded to find a lot of water splashed over the 12V battery. At first I thought it was from the lift gate being open when I had been working on things, but it was no longer raining and there was still water dripping down. After getting a towel to put over things to catch the water, I tried to track back where the water was coming from, and found that it was dripping from a formed hole on the underside of the upper 'sill' (along the side of the glass in the lift gate) from inside the body from sources unknown (well, I know the water was coming from the rain, but not how it was getting into the car...)
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Water intrusion problem in the cargo area of the GX? I was getting ready to wash my GX and as I was pulling out my Weather tech cargo liner... I discovered that it was completely wet underneath and the whole rear carpet was damp and slightly musty smelling. I have recently driven through two very heavy rains...but nonetheless the Lexus should be watertight... Is this a known issue? Is there an area where it is possible for water to come in through the rear floor?
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I recently discovered that the compartment where the 12 volt battery is located had water inside. I checked for leaks none found. I also found a drain plug underneath, to drain the water out. Where might the water be coming from.
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After trying to check the water level in my auxiliary battery and not getting a clear view of any place to add water, I decided it was time to remove the battery so I could get a better understanding of how this was to be done. I went through the whole process of dismantling all the brackets, clamps and wires that were in the way, removed the battery and, to my surprise, read the warning on the top that said "Never add water" and "Do not attempt to remove cover". Oh well, I'm supposing this is an agm battery and I'm going to let "sleeping dogs lie".
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I know some others have had problems with water below the aux battery. I noticed this the other day when replacing the aux battery. I tried to pinpoint where the leak was by pouring water over the seams around the hatch and roof but didn't notice any water coming in. Then I tried pouring water in the seam above the right rear passenger wheel. Pictures are posted below. The water comes through the vent on the body that is just next to the battery. How to correct this?
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2004 Prius
Replaced my spark plugs today, and when I disconnected the 12V battery, found a surprise
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Just changed out my 12v battery in my 2008 Prius, I found water in the battery compartment. There have been heavy rains this past weekend but it should not have entered the car.
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I am considering purchasing a 2010 as an upgrade from my current 2008, I have been reading recently as these last 3 days of constant rain made me check my current one for leaks and like normally the battery tray was filled with water.
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My toddler spilled an open bottle of water from her rear facing car seat on the passenger side of my brand new Prius III. From what I can make out, her car seat and the sides of the passenger seat took most of the damage. But there were a few drops of water on the spokes of the battery vent. I cleaned it up and tried peering inside the vent to see if water got in but I couldn't tell much as it was dark out. We had to drive it back home as we were 20 miles away. What should my next steps be? Should I take it to the dealer in the morning to have the battery checked out? Can I remove the vent cover and wet vac it?? What signs should I look for? Am I looking at having to replace the battery!
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Love the car; hate the noise. Very quiet up front, well-isolated engine and wind noise. Perhaps that is why I am hearing a bunch of road or tire noise from the REAR only. Noise varies somewhat with speed but it is driving me crazy. Somewhat muted with the stereo at volume level 12 (or higher). I have not been to the dealer yet but am wondering if something is NOT properly sealed or undercoated in the rear. I noticed the wheel wells are partially coated but mostly plastic. Plus, since this is a GLS, there is a large void in the underbody where the second muffler & associated hardware/piping goes on the SE. Not sure if the LIMITED model has additional sound deadening material but my GLS is too noisy.
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OK, I've been reading a lot about this problem occurring in the pre 2010 prius where there is a crack around the hatch that fills the 12V battery well with water. About a month ago, I started getting a whiff of something rotting. A mix of the dead smell and rotting fruit. I was certain one of my kids left some food in the car or something got in the HVAC vent. As time has gone by, the odor has changed to more of a rotting leaves kind of smell.
I got out my shopvac and a snake camera. I went through the HVAC system and found that the filter was pulled back a bit. I replaced it on the spot. I found a few leaves and dust and that was it. The air coming from the vents from the outside smells clean. There were lots of wet leaves in the engine bay, but it wasn't the problem.
I started tearing apart the trunk because sometimes stuff spills into the tire well. I found the spare tire had turned brown on the tread.
I opened the battery compartment and found about an inch of standing milky white water. The kicker here is that the water didn't seem to smell that bad! I dried it all up and bleached the metal to kill any mold that might be in the residue...but the odor remains. The car smells awful!
I have torn apart the back of the car but I cannot find the source of the leak. I actually think it was from the car wash or going through a puddle and water got in the rear vent. The battery fender vent vanes were flapping with gusts of wind today, but even after a heavy rainstorm no new water has gotten in.
The car was hit in the parking lot and the rear fender moved about an 1/8th of an inch from the bumper, but there are no obvious signs of water entry anywhere... in fact, I was even suspicious that it might have come from the battery itself, but I didn't touch it (used paper towels on a snake to dry it up under there). I didn't think to try baking soda to see if it was an acid, which makes bleach pretty stupid to use...but I didn't see any foaming.
TL;DR Found water in my 12V battery compartment. My car smells bad. Cleaning out water did not improve smell. Nothing in HVAC system, it is only clean air source in car. No signs of water ingress above 12v battery well. After rainstorm, no additional water found in battery well. Fender vent flaps in gusty wind, but still no new water.
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I tried to turn on my car this morning, but the "Ready" sign didn't go on. The whole display is black. "Check Engine" sign blinked briefly. Battery display shows the battery is "green". Everything else works - cd/radio/bluetooth, etc. As I tried to start it, the screen showed that the engine briefly charged the Prius battery, then it was all quite. I tried to wait and restart a few times, but still the display was all black and no "ready" sign. I WAS able to still move the car, but I didn't chance to drive it out of the garage. I just had it serviced (oil/fluid change). Small battery was replaced in July.
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I learned today there are at least two water pumps in my 2006 Prius, and that one of them is leaking. I had the recall done for the electric motor water pump in November. Now, during my scheduled maintenance, they tell me my second water pump has been leaking (slowly). My car has 132,000 miles.
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After rain I frequently see a small amount of water- 2-4 oz.- drip out of the trim as soon as I open the hatch. Which side seems to depend on the tilt of the car. The only upstream point of entry appears to be the rear glass. Leaning toward a bead of silicone caulk, tastefully applied, to see it this stops it.
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I have a concern has any experienced seeking water where the aux battery goes in the hatch compartment.? As well as where the emergency tire goes? I was taking the battery out this weekend to take it home and charge it, and I saw the flood of yellow water, how does this water get in the car?
Another question/concern when reconnecting the battery in reverse the positive terminal connects first and then the negative but I was experiencing some sparks pointing my way, I was wearing my plastic/gummy gloves but is this normal should I worry?
And what would happen if I forgot to reconnect the little black pump (the little hose that connects to the battery)?
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I just got back from the dealer and was told my water pump was leaking. I was told it was a small leak and that it could only be seen by lifting the car. I opened the hood and noticed some pink crusty looking thing on what i believed to be the water pump. I took some pictures of the water pump, the radiator and overflow level. If you look closely you can see some of the pink crusty stuff around the pump. I poked it with a pencil and it broke apart pretty easy.
First of all if that pink crusty stuff is anything i should worry about? Also if the levels of the fluid in the radiator/overflow tank are good? Is there another sure way i can tell that i even have a water pump leak? I searched around the forum and it looks like the hardest part about replacing the water pump is getting the air out of the system and that the dealer quote is a rip-off.
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There is water condensation (not much) behind the section of my drivers side headlight assembly where the turn signal is located and it REALLY bugs the hell out of me. The only way I could think it got there was when I was washing under the hood. The good news is the turn signal socket is easy to access and remove.
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I just found a HUGE water leak in the back of my 2004.
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I have a 2005 Prius with about 185,000 miles on it. I've noticed a water sloshing sound coming from the engine area whenever the ICE starts up and I'm accelerating from a stop. This sound does not occur when just running off the battery in electric mode... only right after the engine cranks up. After a few seconds the sound goes away until the next stop.
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The water pump on my 04 with 132k miles is rattling / wobbling (but surprisingly, not leaking). So I am going to replace the water pump, serpentine belt, and thermostat. The idler pulley seemed fine so I am wondering if I should replace it. What is the failure mode on the idler pulley and how will I know it is going bad without having to check it? Or should I just go ahead and replace it?
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I bought a 2004 Prius recently, and there are water outlines where the windshield wipers work. I looked up the tricks online, and tried white vinegar. No luck. I went to the next step and purchase very fine steel wool (#0000), but that doesn't do anything to it either.
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