2003 With P3120 Transaxle Code

[kenopa]

Well, I've finally got it, and what timing. Wife drives today shopping and to her evercise. Calls to report Prius dead about three miles from home. I go to rescue her and read code P3120 (with all associated alarms). She says car had been shuddering when first accelerating from stop and is not "coasting" as it had been. Car will start and run but really struggles to move. I left it parked and went home to think, where I am now. Can someone advise next step? I have two immediate options: (1) Tow vehicle home (inexpensive) and conduct further eval or (2) Tow to Toyota dealer (about 1 hour) and have them evaluate. As I see it, Toyota will tell me either to replace entire trans or buy new vehicle. Buying new 2010 might be best option, and we are discussing that, but I don't have enough answers at this point. Problem with towing home is that I have generic OBDII which can't read subcodes. I'm tempted to purchase better OBD and read codes myself rather than have Toyota expend probably that same amount of my money teling me the codes. I have other wheels and the time to make informed decision. What would you do?

[Patrick Wong]

Yes, it sounds like the transaxle needs to be replaced based upon the DTC and your driveability symptoms. Can you locate an independent willing to install a salvage unit?

[bwilson4web]

I agree with Patrick. Funny, some of the symptoms sound a little like Orangeboy's old transaxle that lost the oil. As a quick test, see if there is any transaxle oil in the pan. If it is the same problem, loss of transaxle oil, flat towing may not be an option.

Bad noises and a lot of resistance if you try to manually push the car? (Sorry, I don't know your snow conditions ... best done when dry.)

Which part of Indiana?

Want to swap the transaxle yourself or take Patrick's advice, find an independent mechanic to swap the unit?

FYI, you can probably get a good deal on a 2010 the end of this month.

Bob Wilson

[orange4boy]

Sorry to hear about your transaxle.

Were there any noises associated with the failure?

In neutral, if I pushed my car, the engine turned too so it kind of lurched along as the cylinders went thorough their cycles. Like push starting a manual. I think the gears had seized. I still have to find some time to take it apart and see the guts.

If you can find a good used replacement, $500-$1000 (carpart.com) It's just a standard in and out. Usually several hundred dollars. Any shop should be able to do it if they are not afraid of hybrids. Just tell them a few of non professionals have done it in their driveways and that should "appeal" to their mechanics egos.

That is if it is shot, but that description does not sound good.

Let us know how much they offer you, If you do decide to trade it in (and you don't mind). It would be interesting to know.

[kenopa]

Well, had vehicle towed home today, as I'm assuming that Toyota dealer has his hands full with the accelerator issue (and I don't completely trust him anyway). Based on what I can see, we have tentatively decided to repair vehicle sometime in the future and, meantime, purchase a new 2010 (probably a model II). Have been unable to find local shop that will work on transaxle so far, so may attempt myself (after acquiring hoists, more tools, etc). Anyway, will check trans fluid level tomorrow and will post a pic of the alarms, which appear to be somewhat unusual to me. Vehicle does move in both directions but with little power and a short choppy, lurching motion. Have not attempted anything but a very mild acceleration. Think my next step is to buy better OBD and read subcodes. Can you recommend OBD covering both 2003 and 2010? Also, are there trans codes/subcodes that don't call for trans removal and repair, or am I looking at probable replacement anyway? Thank everyone for help and advice. At least pesky P0420 cat error code no longer an issue.

[Patrick Wong]

If you want to read the subcodes you are going to need the equivalent of the Toyota diagnostic laptop which costs $6K. I don't see that knowing the subcode will help you, as they all relate to some part of the transaxle and you are going to have to replace the entire transaxle anyway.

[tochatihu]

Kenopa where are you in relation to Scottsburg Indiana? Autobeyours specializes on the newer gen Prius but he may be able to help you in some way with this.

[kenopa]

Thought of visiting Autobeyours in Scottsburg, only 45 minutes from home. We had visited them a few months ago and got the grand tour. Impressive operation and great folks, but they only work Gen II and newer. Still, they might know someone.

[orange4boy]

Autoenginuity is working on a gen 1 code reader apparently as we speak. They have a pc based one for 2004-2009 and I assume the 2010 is coming soon.

[kenopa]

I'm back with after some investigation and some decisions. Here are pics of the alarms. All make sense to me except the BRAKE light. The emer brakes are not set. Checked trans fluid. Full and bright red. No burning. No leaks. Pressure was present in the trans when I removed the check plug. Vehicle can be pushed in Neutral. I get that jerky motion when I first accelerate slowly (either forward or reverse), then it appears that ICE and MG have disagreement over which will power the vehicle (bearing in mind that I'm doing all this in my driveway), and they seem to switch back and forth at random. If I get on the gas, all this jerkiness disappears and the car operates as normal. Pretty confusing. Bottom line is that there is still a problem that is probably serious and keeping the 2003 is not a good solution for us. Looked at all repair options. No one local will attempt trans replacement (Autobeyours thought about it but passed). By the time I acquire the tools and equip to change it out myself, it will be an extra vehicle to us and will have depreciated further. We are planning to see what the car will bring at trade in its current condition; if unreasonable, we will keep and try to sell eBay or Craigslist. Starting to look for 2010, but we are hesitant in light of Toyota problems, and if we wait a little, maybe good deals will show up.
For Bob, we live in southern Indiana about 30 minutes west of Louisville, KY. I eat grits and wife drinks Dr. Pepper. Would you hesitate to buy 2010 at current time?