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2013 Ptius v, cel plus Hybrid system light

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pvee, Apr 20, 2015.

  1. pvee

    pvee Junior Member

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    About 20000 miles on it, had dealer service a couple weeks ago. Going to a friends this evening. Stopped at a intersection when accelerating again, there was a shudder for a second, different than the normal motor start up.
    Then I noticed the CEL light and the Hybrid system light were on.
    No place to pull off the road so continued on about 1/2 mile to the friends condo and pulling in the parking lot it seemed like the engine was in safe mode, reduced power, so parked it there and got a ride home. Will call dealer in the morning..
    Ay ideas what this problem is. There was no other warnings or problems indicated.
    Thanks.... Pete

    Sorry about the typo in the header.. Prius v..
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check the oil level and the 12 volt battery. do you carry any pets?
     
  3. pvee

    pvee Junior Member

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    No Pets. It's at the dealer now. They have not got to it yet.
    When I opened the hood this morning there was what looked like brown water splashes around the hood latch. Didn't feel like oil or gas but had a heavy brown tint. Hopefully I'll find out tomorrow....
    Last night when arriving it sounded like the gas motor wasn't running and the battery wasn't being charged according to the dash CAR display. Two hours later when I came out, it started fine and the Battery was charging but I didn't try to drive it.
    At that time the CEL and Hybrid light where still on.......
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe a new ipm.
     
  5. pvee

    pvee Junior Member

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    The initial report is, something hit the radiator and the coolant leaked out.

    There was no high temperature reported on the dash.
    I think there will be more to this story..lol
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we've heard this before, sorry it happened to you!
     
  7. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    With any luck at all, the system protected itself from overheating, so you may only be out the cost of the radiator. Fingers crossed.
     
  8. pvee

    pvee Junior Member

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    yes, It is the Inverter radiator. I went there today and the Tech showed me the where the water is leaking out. Can't see good enough to tell if it's dent or imperfection in the radiator build.
    Not covered under warranty. Doubt if Insurance will cover it because of my high deductible.

    . For a rock to get through there on just the right angle to hit that and not put a mark on the paint is surprising.

    Overall just disappointed. We spent over 500.00 for a new windshield because the windshield has no edge protective molding on it and a small rock hit it right on the edge and it cracked.
    Now this will cost about 1000.00 with towing. So far we have not saved any money by buying a hybrid...lol
    I'm 74 years old, have owned 65 cars, about half I bought new, and I raced in open track and autocross events and this is the only car that ever stranded me..

    Just lucky I guess....
     
  9. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    This is why I and several others have installed a smaller mesh material behind the factory grill openings,to provide protection from rock damage to the inverter and ICE radiators.

    I also have had to replace the windshield due to rock damage. :(
     
  10. pvee

    pvee Junior Member

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    Yep, I'm going to do that also. NOW...!!
     
  11. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    Nah, you are now radiator damage immune. What are the chances of seeing that twice on the same car? Unless you make a habit of tailgating gravel trucks.

    Around these parts, tumbleweeds are the #1 killer of radiators.

    [​IMG]
     
  12. pvee

    pvee Junior Member

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    Hope you are right about that....!
    The Tech did say that he put water in it and cleared the codes and it ran error free and worked properly till the water leaked out so I hope that is a good sign...
    pvp
     
  13. pvee

    pvee Junior Member

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    I have the old Inverter cooling radiator. The tech found a small dime size triangle stone down under the radiator, and a dead bat..
    I am thinking the bat entered through the grill and hit the radiator right on a seam and made a small hole.

    There is not a scratch or mark on any of the grill parts so I don't think the rock did it. My uncle said he must have been going like a bat out hell. The indentation on the radiator is less than 1/4" wide. Can't really tell what did it, but that might be a first..
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    holy smokes batman! can't they be repaired?
     
    #14 bisco, Apr 24, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2015
  15. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    ... and a-c condenser, too. Coincidentally, I put plastic gutter screening in front of my grill just yesterday, for the same reason. On some cars, the grill slots are angled up at the rear, which blocks rocks better than the wide horizontal slots of a Prius.