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2010 Prius stopped in traffic with big boom "check hybrid system"

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by mbarido, Feb 28, 2012.

  1. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    Car was bumper-to-bumper in traffic merging on I-10 traffic in Houston. Traffic started moving a little faster, I gave the accelerator a little nudge. Car did not go, make a large boom in the engine compartment, and the display gave me the "Check Hybrid System" error and stopped cold. 4 re-tries on car off then on, same message. Anyone have this trouble before?

    2010 Toyota Prius IV, 45,013 miles. No notice of any trouble before. Only I drive it and I have worked on cars for 40 years now. Looked at threads - everyone talking about some plug - since I was driving that is not the problem.

    Car was towed to Toyota dealer $155 Houston, TX mandated tow charges, arrived dealer at 1730. SO REALLY looking for feedback.

    Thanks guys!

    #2 - I am second owner through CarMax - history on car was one minor, not drivetrain issue.

    Also procured extended warranty due to complexity of my car. Towing is refundable through GEICO. Car is under drive train warranty to 60 k or 80 k so I expect Toyota will reimburse me. I would think transaxle would not stop drive train/engine and give hybrid error.

    The mandated charge is due to flow stoppage or slow down - I had no choice

    Diagnostics not run yet so codes will be posted later - dealer said transaxle would be messy with a lot of noise

    Really HAS ANYONE ELSE had this PROBLEM??

    #3 Others are posting about other, maybe not similar occurrences of hybrid system issues. I appreciate the leads and data.

    #4 Mike Calvert Toyota has found four (4) diagnostics codes. So far, unable to pass on. Bad hybrid 201.6V batteries is one of the codes - and an isolated battery check cleared the battery as good. They are talking wiring now - HA - how can wiring make a very loud noise? The technician, the shop foreman and now StarTech? (Toyota national service???) spent the afternoon talking and consulting with the local people. Tomorrow is another day.

    #5 Diagnostics codes - E1310, C1259, P324E, P0A94. Toyota told the dealer not to disassemble the inverter any further. Authorized shipment of new inverter, due Friday a.m. Has accepted problem under warranty - car repairs, towing, and loaner car to be paid by Toyota.

    Service Rep thinks COB tomorrow - I have my doubts with extensive testing and validation after new inverter installation. That is the ENTIRE electrical box / assembly under the hood - right?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    find out the trouble codes from the dealer and post them here. can't tell much from a boom.
     
  3. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Yikes! Inverter is my first thought. Hope not.
     
  4. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    You are lucky this happened under warranty. I'm thinking I'll be purchasing an extended warranty for my Prius. First time in my life.
     
  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    All the things it could be are still under warranty.
     
  6. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    What's TX mandated tow charge? Don't you have AAA that tows free of charge within 100 mile radius?
     
  7. smokiejoe

    smokiejoe Member

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    Wow, keep us posted. Are you the original owner?
     
  8. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    +1 inverter. If it is, file a complaint with NHTSA. It makes me wonder if this is going to be a problem in GIII.
     
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  9. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I'm thinking transaxle. Hopefully, we'll know soon.
     
  10. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    What's up with that reactionary post based on only one OP regarding something that might be covered under the hybrid warranty, which the extended warranty doesn't even cover?
     
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  11. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Well, it is just a reaction all right. Fear of unknown failures and huge expenses. If extended warranty doesn't cover, I may need to reconsider. We need the OP to come back and report back. If this is a one time post, that's a different story.
     
  12. stevemcelroy

    stevemcelroy Active Member

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    The OP can say for sure, but my guess is that since the car was stopped and blocking travel the police wanted it moved ASAP and were not willing to wait around for a AAA truck to arrive.

    OP - is this is the case and you do have AAA you might want to see if they will refund at least a portion of your tow charges. I had this happen to me years ago and I believe that all I needed to do was submit the towing receipt and I got a refund.

     
  13. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Friendly reminder. If under 2yr/25k miles, you're all ready covered:

    "Toyota Care features 24-hour roadside assistance[3] for those days when you need a tire changed or a door unlocked. The service also covers flat tire changes, jump starts, fluid delivery and towing. Just call 1-800-444-4195 and a representative will help get you moving again."
     
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  14. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    Comments moved to my first post - new poster and confused
     
  15. citybug

    citybug Junior Member

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    Sounds like the inverter, the capacitors therein are very durable but when it blows , it can be really loud . Please keep us posted. Thank you.
     
  16. jdcollins5

    jdcollins5 Senior Member

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    To answer your original question, you are the first 2010 that I have seen post with this particular problem.
     
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  17. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Not read a problem such as this before so obviously you've been very unlucky. The car is likely to be under warranty so no worries there either. I would expect a courtesy car whilst the work is being done so again, no worries.

    Chill out my friend and let the dealer/Toyota fix this issue for you.

    Even if you're not in warranty, the car is still fairly new so I'm sure Toyota will assist as this is still a rare event. I assume you haven't been running the wrong sort of fuel (E85 etc) and you have serviced the car correctly with the correct oil grades.
     
  18. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    There have been other inverter failures with a "Check Hybrid System" warning. But yours is the first I remember that was accompanied by a loud booming noise.

    Thanks for posting this and please keep us informed, this is of interest to a lot of people on this form.

    It should certainly be covered under the warranty, good luck.
     
  19. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    There was another person with this problem. Look for the thread titled 2010 Prius IV inverter problem...or something along those lines. In the last page, one individual had the same symptoms and it was an inverter failure.

    MB860 ?
     
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  20. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    Oil change due at 47k - CarMax changed at 37 k when I bought. I have kept all fluid levels nominal. There have been no lights flashing - nothing
     
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