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can 2010 Prius run on gas only?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014.

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  1. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    My Prius yesterday while driving slowly (under 10 mph) all the dash warning lights came on(triangle, cel, trac control, brake). the gas engine started and the message came on that says: "check hybrid system". Today when I went out to check there only two warning lights on (triangle and cel) with the same message displayed. My question is can the vehicle operate without damaging anything if I drive it as is? I have read on several threads that the engine will not start if the hybrid motor(s) are not working. Since my engine starts and runs I have to believe the motor(s) are working.
     
    #1 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
  2. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    In a word; No. At least not yet.

    But it depends on a number of factors. What has happened? Does the car still start and run? Did you run out of petrol? Is there an inverter problem? What miles are you at? What's the condition of your 12 volt battery? Have you actually tested its condition? How many miles do you drive the car a week? Does it do lots of miles or does it sit for days on end?

    The first thing I would always check when any warning light appears is the condition of the 12v battery. Never assume it's ok. Easy way if you don't have a multimeter is to put the car in ACC mode (NOT into Ready) and then wind all 4 windows down and back up together. If they work fine then your 12v would appear OK. If they all crawl down and back up slowly and the interior lights go dull then it looks like the 12v is a problem. If it fails it can cause all sorts of weird and wonderful error messages.

    If the 12v is fine my next focus would potentially be whether the petrol cap is correctly closed. Next after that would be some inverter issue but that generally depends on the mileage and use and also assuming you bothered to have the inverter recall done about 6 months ago.
     
    #2 GrumpyCabbie, Sep 16, 2014
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! i think gc has you well covered, all the best!(y)
     
    #3 bisco, Sep 16, 2014
  4. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    the car starts and runs, did not run out of petro, not sure about the inverter, it has 195000, have to test the 12v battery, we drove the car from TN to Fl on vacation, the car is driven everyday, put petro in it Sunday and drove a couple of days since with out problems, just bought the vehicle about three months ago.
     
    #4 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    try disconnecting the 12v neg cable for a few minutes to clear the computers. take it to auto zone, etc. to see what codes it has thrown. how were your mpg's recently?
     
    #5 bisco, Sep 16, 2014
  6. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    Just tried the rolling down the windows and back up in acc - rolled down and back up normally.

    okay didn't know if AutoZone could put codes on this vehicle. I will do this first and then disconnect the 12v battery.
     
    #6 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 21, 2014
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    at 200k, it could be anything, but likely hybrid battery.
     
    #7 bisco, Sep 16, 2014
  8. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Yep, that mileage puts a whole different slant on it. One could also speculate if the previous owner had had issues just prior to selling.
     
    #8 GrumpyCabbie, Sep 16, 2014
  9. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    We had the Check Hybrid System warning come on, a week or two back. Seemed like it was brake related in our case, there was a momentary loss of brakes, just before the warning.

    I drove it to the dealership, with the warning still on. They recovered a bunch of codes, dismissed them, charged me $80. I'm wondering if the charge was fair though: the hybrid system's still under warranty.
     
    #9 Mendel Leisk, Sep 16, 2014
  10. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    Went to Autozone - dtc is P0A80 - took the orange plug out of the hybrid battery and now the vehicle will not start. Don't have any tools to remove the 12v battery neg cable.
     
    #10 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
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  11. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    MPG was according to the onboard info system around 50mpg - on the 1 min it says the best is 62mpg
     
    #11 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
  12. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The orange plug must be in place for the car to run.
    The Prius cannot run without the high voltage battery. (As opposed to early Honda hybrids that can run forever without the hybrid battery.)

    When replacing the orange plug, be sure to slide it firmly downward into place.
     
    #12 ericbecky, Sep 16, 2014
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  13. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    removed the battery cable from the 12v battery for about 10 minutes - no change. I re-checked that the orange plug is securely installed. Still will not start. So Hybrid battery is culprit, correct? Is there anything that can be done for me to drive the car back home about 6 hour drive?
     
    #13 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
  14. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    6 hour drive?
    Doubtful.
    You will likely not be able to move at all.

    Just to be really sure...
    Here is a link to a document that shows the three steps required to properly re-install the hybrid battery plug. (Insert, lift up, slide down.)
    Toyota HV battery service plug .pdf - Google Drive

    Feel free to discuss more. 608-729-4082
     
    #14 ericbecky, Sep 16, 2014
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  15. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    Okay I checked the plug one more time and did see that I don't have the handle pushed back in all the way. After pushing it all the way in I tried to start the vehicle again and same thing - lights come on on the dash but nothing starts. So I sat there with it on for about a minute praying asking what to do next and all the sudden it started. The cel wasn't on anylonger - probably because I disconnected the battery however the orange triangle was still there. I shut it off and tried to start it again and it started right up there are no lights on, no warning lights on, nothing. Not sure what happened but very grateful for all the great information you guys have provided. Thanks
     
    #15 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
  16. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Get it home safe but be prepared for it happening again. There definitely sounds like a problem here and a quick fix will just be that.

    But you know this forum is a mine of information, so head back.
     
    #16 GrumpyCabbie, Sep 16, 2014
  17. cjboutte

    cjboutte Junior Member

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    I'm going to do just that. I am a tech but this is my first adventure with a hybrid - read alot about them before buying - thought this one would go longer since it is a newer version. If I replace/repair/rebuild this battery should be good for another 200k right?
     
    #17 cjboutte, Sep 16, 2014
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    not likely, what kine of tech are you? you'll definitely be in for an adventure!:)
     
    #18 bisco, Sep 16, 2014
  19. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Your troubles are not over, by disconnecting the battery negative, you just reset the car's computers. The dtc will return
     
    #19 JC91006, Sep 16, 2014
  20. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    But not for a while yet, giving you time to sell the car on.

    Seriously though, a new HV battery might be worth sourcing and should give you a little longer.
     
    #20 GrumpyCabbie, Sep 17, 2014
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