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I need help what is the car symbol mean

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by evnz, Apr 3, 2013.

  1. evnz

    evnz New Member

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    1998 Prius
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    I have got a 1998 prius and the car was given to me in pieces with a dead battery pack,
    i have put good batteries in and put it back together turned the key hoping the warning would go but no.

    image.jpg image.jpg

    do i wipe the codes and try again?
    and the batteries are a series 3 but the car should have series 1
    and how do i know if the battery ecu has died ?

    thanks
    owen

    ps the battery on the dash was full even when the main pack was out
     
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Wow a 1998? First problem is you are posting in the Prius v forum (2012-2013) so no one is likely to even know what a 1998 Prius looks like.
     
    usnavystgc likes this.
  3. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Send a message to 3prongpaul. He seems to know these cars really well.
     
  4. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    The "series 3" modules (from a gen3 Prius?) are good ones to use for rebuilding a Gen1 or Gen0 HV battery so that should not be your problem. Some questions:
    1. Did you click home the safety lever after closing it? This is often the problem in DIY HV battery repairs.
    2. Did you adjust the charge level of all of the modules to the same voltage (within 0.05 volts). Module pair differences will cause alarms.
    3. It may be hard to find an ECU for a 1998, but a swap is the easiest diagnostic.
    Good luck.

    JeffD
     
  5. evnz

    evnz New Member

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    Yes i locked it home as there is a prox censer on the handle.
    the battery volts are 7.8-7.7 there is a charger (12 to 300) but it faults out just after pushing the start button even with the jumper leads on the batterys.
    is there any chance i put the pack in the wrong eg +/- there is numbers 2 & 4 on the cable and i just copyed the last guys set up.
     
  6. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    The Gen0 (1997-2000) Prius was never sold in North America....I've never seen one in real life. AFAIK the HV battery uses cylindrical cells, like Honda Hybrids. 2001 and newer Prius uses prismatic (rectangular) batteries.

    First step would be find someone with Toyota diagnostic capabilities and retrieve all the codes from the car.
    If you need new cells/pack/help you'll have to find someone in Aus or NZ to help where quite a few of these cars ended up.

    A forum like this may help;
    Simons 1999 Toyota Prius - The Australian Electric Vehicle Asn - Page 1
     
  7. evnz

    evnz New Member

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    Does any one know what the car on the dash is called ?
    And why it may be there oh and where does the "ready" show up ?
     
  8. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    where is the car located? maybe someone close to you can assist troubleshooting?
     
  9. evnz

    evnz New Member

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    Not likely otherwise it would not be at my place and i got it for free
     
  10. 3prongpaul

    3prongpaul Hybrid Shop Owner, worked on 100's of Prius's

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    I'm afraid the error icons don't really mean much. You need someone with a toyota diagnostic scanner that is compatible with JDM Hybrids to pull the actual error codes, otherwise you'll just end up throwing money away at swapping parts with no knowledge.

    At worst case you could pay a Toyota dealer to pull the codes, but hopefully you can find an independent mechanic to help. I suggest you start a new thread on PriusChat entitled "Help needed with 1998 JDM Prius NHW10 in (city), New Zealand"...who knows, you may get lucky and find a Prius enthusiast near you.

    These guys (Aukland area) may know someone who can help you;
    Hybrid Servicing | The Battery Clinic
     
    bwilson4web likes this.
  11. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

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    Pure speculation on my part but I wonder if one of the pirated Chinese techstreams might have the NHW10 diagnostics hidden in them?

    It would have to be hidden because when I manually entered my NHW11 Prius identifier, I don't remember seeing anything before 2001 . . . Still, one wonders.

    Bob Wilson
     
  12. evnz

    evnz New Member

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    toyota is going to get some of the codes off for me next week so i will post them later
    thanks to all for your help
    i am going to charge the low cells so that they are all the same as i can do little else untill they come and get the codes
    owen

    by the way i am doing this as well

    electricbedford.blogspot.co.nz