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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. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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  2. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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  3. Royal5280

    Royal5280 New Member

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    Well.... buying a 2010... Prius 4.... from Carmax..... Still excited. Let us know how everything goes.

    Is there any value to anny warranty options @ 45k miles?
     
  4. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    A rundown on the standard warranty:
    Engine: 60K
    Transaxle (transmission/electric motor assembly): 60K
    Inverter: 100K
    Hybrid battery: 150K in California and CARB states

    So MY belief is that this failure is under warranty no matter what.
     
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  5. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    There are many and CarMax has the 8/$100k warranty. Yes Toyota covers drivetrain including Hybrid, I believe, but do NOT forget all the electronics that is not covered - the navigation system for starts. MRclaims.net authorized diagnostics so they are apparently friendly about claims - even said that is why they are there.
     
  6. Eoin

    Eoin Active Member

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    Looks like the car went through a boom and bust cycle.
     
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  7. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    Like to explain please?
     
  8. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    I think he was joking.

    MB860 ?
     
  9. ItsNotAboutTheMoney

    ItsNotAboutTheMoney EditProfOptInfoCustomUser Title

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    If he explains, the joke has lost its value. ;)
     
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  10. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    So, I am guessing that mrclaims.net is the administrator for Carmax's MaxCare policy?

    MB860 ?
     
  11. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    Yes and something I forgot - CarMax claimed (I believe true) that all hybrid systems are covered to the 8/100K level - there are no exclusions listed like other policies - and I found quite a few with varying amounts of exclusions. The beauty was even wiring is covered under this policy!
     
  12. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    #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.
     
  13. macman408

    macman408 Electron Guidance Counselor

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    Sound is caused by vibrating air molecules. There are many ways to make them vibrate - for example, a capacitor in the inverter could be faulty, build up a lot of pressure, and fail explosively (though usually they have vents, so they at least fail predictably, if not more calmly by slowly releasing the pressure). Another way would be for the insulation between two wires to wear away, a short to develop and arc between them, heating the air, and thus causing the noise. As an extreme example of this, in my college physics class, my professor demonstrated capacitance by charging up a huge capacitor about the size of a mini-fridge, then discharging it through a 2-inch-wide strip of aluminum foil. It made a huge bang (the foil heated up, heating the air around it), and the foil was instantly gone in a cloud of smoke. He loved that demo so much he repeated it three times in successive lectures, even when we weren't talking about capacitance any more!
     
  14. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Sounds like he was just trying to keep everyone awake. :D
     
  15. Scott196250

    Scott196250 ScottnATL

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    Hmmm. I experienced a loud boom when the conventional battery blew up in my Camry about 10 years ago (hot day, water evaporated in battery . . .KABOOM!).

    But this boom came from the engine compartment, where no battery resides . . . correct?
     
  16. Keiichi

    Keiichi Active Member

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    Depends on the wiring and how it was insulated. Strangely enough, I remember when I was in a Physics class and we were doing electrical wiring circuits, someone shorted a setup and we heard a 'pop' and FSSSH with lot of smoke and it was someone having a medium gauge wire shorting across 12v circuit. After looking at it, the wire's insulation went from soft rubber-like to melted, hardened plastic look.

    Although I doubt it was wiring, cause you would see a serious amount of smoke along with it. Capacitor pop, I could believe, not much smoke when those things blow.
     
  17. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    A wiring issue could cause inverter failure.

    Your dealer should tell you the codes. It's your car, and tell them you won't stand for this "military secret" nonsense. Telling you the codes isn't going to harm your car.
     
  18. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    Batteries in this car under rear seat - 201.6V hybrid and rear area at hatchback door - 12v
     
  19. mbarido

    mbarido New Member

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    I give them benefit of doubt - for now. They know I want it and the data is not in their computer - only the shop papers. That was yesterday and still no word. Service at lunch and back any minute - when it takes this long to troubleshoot - not pretty usually - and 4 codes perplexes me a great deal.
     
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I agree with Rebounds statement. And IMO it's not a matter of giving the service center the benefit of the doubt. If you want the codes and have asked for them, they should give them to you.

    Maybe they are insecure and don't want you to second guess them? But that's tough luck for them. Your vehicle, your problem, your money, YOUR CODES.