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Prius transmission problem when ICE kicks in

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by sgivanth, May 28, 2015.

  1. sgivanth

    sgivanth Junior Member

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    hi I got a problem this morning my car was juddering when I tried to accelerate my Toyota Prius 2004. When its over 40MPH the car runs smoothly. After few hours it increased and now its jerking and juddering big time. Also when my car is moving the "Traction Control light" flashed even on dry tar roads. When I try to run from the battery the car runs smoothly at any speed. Also on neutral the car idles fine and no juddering. Since few months I felt like the clutch plates are slipping and engine revs high than normal only when its running on gas. Seems to be okay on battery.

    Appreciate if someone can advise whats wrong with my car
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her?
    merged
    have you done all the required maintenance since new?
    and merged as well.
    is it 2003 as your info states, or 2004 as you state?
    also merged
    where in the world are you?
     
    #2 bisco, May 28, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: May 29, 2015
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    It sounds as if your engine is running badly.
     
  4. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Inspect all four tires for the correct air pressure, adequate tire tread depth, and make sure that all four tires are the correct size.
     
  5. sgivanth

    sgivanth Junior Member

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    Its a 2003-2004 NHW20 Prius. Im from UK and it has done 70000miles. I had the car when it was 58000 miles, Last service was done 500 miles ago. Tyre pressure is ok and had new tyres 200 miles ago. The engine is fine and no issues with it. When I shit to neutral the car/engine runs like normal.
     
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  6. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    But you say it's reving higher than normal? That's an issue or symptom.

    Your description...runs fine on battery, issues when the ICE kicks in would suggest a problem with either your engine or your transmission and/or the whole "synergy" process between the two.

    I'm pretty sure The Prius doesn't have clutch plates. So if you've been feeling "slipping" I'm going with something is wrong with your transmission.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    your probably going to have to have a tech retrieve the trouble codes. it could be a bad ecvt.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Are any other warning lights on? If yes, take a sharp photo and post.
     
  9. sgivanth

    sgivanth Junior Member

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    No fault codes or warning lights on. Engine runs fine on Neutral and reverse. Also when the car runs on electric it runs as normal without any issues. Problem occurs when the car start running on engine. I have seen something called drive plates for Prius and it looks similar to clutch and pressure plates.

    Appreciate if some could advise who know/experienced something similar to this.
     
  10. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    There is a torque limiter (rather like a clutch plate with no release mechanism) in the Prius drive system, but I doubt very much this is the problem. There has never been a reported case of this failing even with cars with 500,000 miles.
    The most likely problem is water down the spark plug tubes. This will cause a misfire under load, and is a known problem with the earlier Prius. The water comes from the joint in the middle of the plastic panel covering the wiper mechanism.
    Start the car and let it warm up. Remove the plug igniters. (ignition coils) Blow out any moister in the plug wells and leave to dry. Disconnect and clean the igniters put them somewhere warm and dry for an hour or so. Refit and see what happens.

    John
     
  11. sgivanth

    sgivanth Junior Member

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    When the car starts jerking there is a noise coming from the gear box area. Its like a rattling but sounds when its vibrating. Also I tried pushing my brakes and accelerate the car. Plugs and igniters looks ok. Also why my Traction Control light ups when its jerking even its not slippery?
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you checked the tranny oil level?
     
  13. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Double check your new tires to confirm that they are all the same size. The TC triggering is often a symptom of dissimilar tires.

    JeffD
     
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  14. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    With your HV-battery at 6 bars or lower. Push your brake pedal hard with your left foot. Put it into drive. Push the accelerator to the floor. Now Prius uses the engine to charge the battery. Don’t let the battery charge to more than 7 bars. What does your engine sound like when doing this?

    If OK it’s something to do with the later part of “gearbox” or some driveline thing including traction control. Or problem isn’t present now.

    If bad it’s something to with engine or first part of the “gearbox”.
     
  15. sgivanth

    sgivanth Junior Member

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    Thanks everyone. After doing all experiments I figured out its the clutch plate (torque limiter) is either worn or broken. For my conclusion there are few reason as below.
    1- my HV battery not charging when I'm going on the road. Normally it charges when I'm driving and now it's draining. Battery charges only when I'm going down a steep by rolling forward.
    2- Also the car revs and won't go over 40mph now. It mainly using the motor to move the car.
    3- now I'm getting a clutch burning smell from the passenger side front wheel arch.
    4- fourth and last is theirs a YouTube video about a prius gearbox. The clutch plates worn and need replacing as per the demonstrator.

    Once my garage take the gearbox out will give more updates
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    all the best.(y)
     
  17. sgivanth

    sgivanth Junior Member

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    .... Just had my car back from the garage. It was the same issue I guessed with the clutch(Torque Limiter) system which deemed to be faulty. The plates were worn out and the pressure plate(Kind of a ring) had worn out and was loose on all reverts. Got replaced them by a garage and car runs smooth as normal. But now I got a different issue. Since the garage put back my gearbox and plugs the car dash shows the "Red Triangle with exclamation" lights up and car computer screen show a "car with a exclamation mark". Also I noticed when I starting my car the first attempt it wont start the car but just the dash lights comes on. I have to turn the car off and repress the power button to start my car. I think this problem is something to do with the warning light on dash.
     
  18. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    You should get it back to that place. They could read codes and check what the problem is. Maybe some plug just isn’t connected all the way or something.