transmission problems

victoriataylor · 04-19-2007, 11:38 PM

I have a July, 2003 Prius and I am quite concerned because there seems to be a problem with the transmission.
It is more obvious when the car is cool, there is very little acceleration and the motor is revving hard, if a Prius revs hard.
I am finding myself going up little hills very slowly although the motor is working hard.
The best analogy I can think of is slipping belts in an automatic transmission.
There is also a situation where the radio will only play for a few minutes with the motor off and the consumption display also blanks out at the same time.
I have had it regularly serviced and I don't know if CVT has an oil check necessity; if it does may I request a reply telling me where it is.
Last bit. I'm just outside Sydney Australia and I'm looking for a mechanic that has an interest in hybrid motors and knows how they work, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the number that view it as an object of curiosity and call everyone over to have a look because they've never seen one.
Thank you in advance to any respondents who care to answer and at least offer words that I may be able to use when I ring the Toyota service department and they tell me that it can't happen to a Prius, when it has happened to mine.

V8Cobrakid · 04-19-2007, 11:42 PM

have your batteries checked.

Frank Hudon · 04-20-2007, 12:02 AM

if the ICE runs and the car moves, barley, it could be the drive "clutch" plate that is slipping. Not the first on that has done this.

victoriataylor · 04-20-2007, 12:06 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid @ Apr 19 2007, 10:42 PM) [snapback]426524[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

have your batteries checked.
[/b]

Thank you for your quick response, is it ok to drive the car until I can get them checked?

hobbit · 04-20-2007, 12:40 AM

I would have trouble believing that the damper clutch was slipping.
Its halves aren't supposed to move against each other at all,
really, unless there's a strong blip of torque from someplace, so
it's far less likely to wear out than a traditional clutch.
.
Check out the HV battery, and also consider the possibility of rotor
demagnetization. Although the ECU should be able to detect that;
there are a couple of codes for demagnetization that could get set
if the ECU figures out that it's firing a whole bunch of current
through the windings and not getting the expected torque.
.
_H*

tochatihu · 04-20-2007, 11:46 AM

The original post asked about transmission fluid change. While not specifically required by Toyota, some owners have done it as a precaution. Some fluid analyses have also shown contamination or fluid degradation.

In 2001-2003 Prius, the 24 mm drain bolt is at the bottom pan. It is identical bolt to that on the inverter coolant so there is a slight risk of confusing the two. The fill hole is further up and someone else can tell you where exactly. I have had others change that fluid for me (so far).

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04-19-2007, 11:38 PM	#1
victoriataylor Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I have a July, 2003 Prius and I am quite concerned because there seems to be a problem with the transmission. It is more obvious when the car is cool, there is very little acceleration and the motor is revving hard, if a Prius revs hard. I am finding myself going up little hills very slowly although the motor is working hard. The best analogy I can think of is slipping belts in an automatic transmission. There is also a situation where the radio will only play for a few minutes with the motor off and the consumption display also blanks out at the same time. I have had it regularly serviced and I don't know if CVT has an oil check necessity; if it does may I request a reply telling me where it is. Last bit. I'm just outside Sydney Australia and I'm looking for a mechanic that has an interest in hybrid motors and knows how they work, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the number that view it as an object of curiosity and call everyone over to have a look because they've never seen one. Thank you in advance to any respondents who care to answer and at least offer words that I may be able to use when I ring the Toyota service department and they tell me that it can't happen to a Prius, when it has happened to mine.

04-19-2007, 11:42 PM	#2
V8Cobrakid Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: hell Posts: 2,894 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #9 Thanks: 9 Thanked 18 Times in 18 Posts Friends: 5	have your batteries checked.

04-20-2007, 12:02 AM	#3
Frank Hudon Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 4,144 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	if the ICE runs and the car moves, barley, it could be the drive "clutch" plate that is slipping. Not the first on that has done this.

04-20-2007, 12:40 AM	#5
hobbit Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Bahstahn Posts: 3,625 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 216 Times in 118 Posts Friends: 0	I would have trouble believing that the damper clutch was slipping. Its halves aren't supposed to move against each other at all, really, unless there's a strong blip of torque from someplace, so it's far less likely to wear out than a traditional clutch. . Check out the HV battery, and also consider the possibility of rotor demagnetization. Although the ECU should be able to detect that; there are a couple of codes for demagnetization that could get set if the ECU figures out that it's firing a whole bunch of current through the windings and not getting the expected torque. . _H*

04-20-2007, 11:46 AM	#6
tochatihu Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kunming Yunnan China Posts: 2,411 My Car: 2001 Prius Model: Package: Pioneer #1 Thanks: 1 Thanked 38 Times in 38 Posts Friends: 14	The original post asked about transmission fluid change. While not specifically required by Toyota, some owners have done it as a precaution. Some fluid analyses have also shown contamination or fluid degradation. In 2001-2003 Prius, the 24 mm drain bolt is at the bottom pan. It is identical bolt to that on the inverter coolant so there is a slight risk of confusing the two. The fill hole is further up and someone else can tell you where exactly. I have had others change that fluid for me (so far).