1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

INTERMITTENT ENGINE TROUBLE P0138

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by colmenedo, Jan 15, 2013.

  1. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    First of all thank you for your great help it provides to other users Forum Prius from different countries being reflected contribution from your home to your great country prius, also forgive me for my broken English.
    Also used to send a greeting from Spain and thanks in advance for your interest in my question.
    My car is a 2008 prius 2g + skin + bluetooth and navi ipa.

    Presents the following problem:
    The year 09 winter gave me error P0136-P0138, the catalyst was replaced and returned to persist only P0138 later and replaced the oxygen sensor, so good until next winter 2010 when it comes out again and again DTC P0138 to replace oxygen sensor for improved modification at this time so intermittent error P0138 and 3 have replaced oxygen sensors and sensor mejoradaos a / f returns occur intermittently until DTC P0138 as improved sensors exist only in the official service consider making technical consultation Toyota Spain with what they are trying to do engine wiring say there is a communication by mass of +2 v wiring and why when the oxygen sensor works 0.9v high voltage cold or wet winter, temperatures low etc, is supercharged and produces + voltage of 1V for over 10s probocando DTC P0138.
    Now they are with direct installation to test the sensors / f Ox of time is less than a week so, not yet jumped engine breakdown.

    They also say it is the only case in Europe, and the car has not had any blow or repair out of the ordinary.

    The penalty is not have worried when even was manufactured before the 2g because now ignore but maybe not as much as you want.

    grace

     
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    The likely failing part is the oxygen sensor which is downstream from the catalytic converter, not the air/fuel ratio sensor which is upstream from the catalytic converter. If the problem only happens in the winter, is it possible that your car has an intermittent wiring harness connection, which appears only in cold weather or when a connection gets wet?

    DTC P0136 means that the oxygen sensor is not producing a sufficiently wide range of output voltage. The low voltage produced by the sensor should be lower than 0.25V, while the high voltage should be greater than 0.59V. The heater in the oxygen sensor may not be working properly. Check the resistance of the sensor heating element, and verify the voltage provided to the heating element. The heating element receives 12V via the 15A EFI fuse and EFI M relay. The engine ECU provides the switched ground return for the heating element.

    DTC P0138 means that the oxygen sensor is producing a high voltage, more than 0.59V, at a time when the air/fuel mixture is lean. Again, this may be caused by an inoperative oxygen sensor heater.

    Good luck.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome to priuschat! listen to dr. pat, he'll sort you out.:)
     
  4. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    thanks for your fast respuestas.Dicen that enters the mass 0.2v ls motor installation of more and when the sensor operates high voltage this voltage is passed and gives the P0138 code only when the engine is cold temperature or moisture or llueve.Entonces suspect is the engine ecu? instead of installing motor?'m in tests with +12 v directly to sensors and body ground and took six days without dtc.
     
  5. HybridAussie

    HybridAussie New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2013
    2
    0
    0
    Vehicle:
    2003 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hi there, this is my first post. Really glad I found this site. Can anyone please advise where I can source a replacement inverter for my Gen 2 Prius & installation instructions as my ride is at a stand still without it?
    Chris
     
  6. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I recommend you enter your location in your profile, since the answer to your question depends upon whether you are located in the United States, or some other country.

    If you are in the US, I suggest you look at Plug In Hybrid Electric Vehicle PHEV

    You can find Toyota repair manual info at a subscription website, techinfo.toyota.com and you can also search PC for info about inverter failures.
     
  7. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II

    Hello again.
    Sorry for my English I do not think we understood each other well.
    The problem is the code P0138 alternatively only occurs when the oxygen sensor has to work to a high voltage, ie when the temperature of the engine is cold or when bad weather conditions made ​​by moisture, cold, etc..
    also usually happens when left more than 3 days and the car is started.
    The case is being studied in Spain and Toyota in the Toyota garage did commercial attention to study my case.
    After a couple of visits and checks arrived at the conclusion that he is entering a mass motor wiring voltage 0.2vy one that is causing the DTC P0138 when the high voltage sensor works.
    Ruled that is the engine ECU, it is impossible to believe that Toyota never fail.
    Values ​​have found in cold and warm up even road tests, also changed all 4 spark plugs, checked EFI main relay.
    Also the catalyst is replaced in its day, 4 sensors were replaced and improved oxygen sensor / f continues with intermittent P0138.
    Toyota engineers Spain have cast provisional installation fed with 12v from the fuse box to engine sensor / f and also mass, so the same for the oxygen sensor from the inside, so we know if the installation fails.
    At the moment the sensor voltages are within the range.
    This took 6 days time without DTC P0138.

    Now my question is whether or not this damaged the engine ECU or really weird is the installation and motor?
    if you want to take a look to get an idea of the installation :82121-47090
    ToyoDIY.com

    Thanks and greetings to the forum!
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2008
    18,198
    6,464
    0
    Location:
    Green Valley, AZ
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I believe you are saying that the engine wiring harness has been bypassed to make direct connections between the engine ECU, the oxygen sensor, and the mass air flow sensor; and that after six days no DTC has been logged.

    If I understand you correctly, then it would appear the problem is with a faulty wire within the engine wiring harness.

    If the car works well now, then all that is needed is to make these temporary connections permanent, then your car should be good.
     
  9. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    No current DOT +12 and body ground to feed the catalyst sensors directly without passing through relay and ecu efi engine only reaches the sensor signal to the ECU.
     
  10. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thank you for your attention.
    We are testing an aerial installation to power 12v positively and body ground sensors directly catalyst, thus nullifying the installation of this engine is not the one that put: http://www.toyodiy.com/parts/p_E_2008_TOYOTA_PRIUS_NHW20L -AHEEBW_8202.html.
    Currently there are no DTC seems that things are going well but it is not yet time joys.
    Wonder if there is a case like mine.
    Greetings!
     
  11. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hello again!
    I come back to say that I do not forget to offer rare response to my breakdown.

    As I said I have superimposed aerial installation for sensors canceling the original catalyst, but again P0138 fault persist.

    According to Toyota Tester is recorded
    Said time exceeds a high voltage 10s passes 1v range whereby the engine ECU interprets the fault.
    Not only continuous failure occurs and not always with the car cold when you first started in high humidity conditions when the oxygen sensor works to limit voltage.

    SAT says authorizes new installation ask for oxygen sensor (B1-S2), are studying to make sure to reference when ordering.

    They say the engine ECU is impossible broken, suspect a voltage input by the mass of wiring, that's my question "See xenon kit installed jente then another" but this is not my case.
    The truth is that this breakdown is giving major headaches.
    For now I have and everything enters ExtraCare warranty but ends in May.

    Waiting call to change engine installation, when you have changed will notify novedades.Tambien's campaign with direction intermediate shaft and water pump hybrid
    they say to check.

    Thanks in advance!
     
  12. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    News:
    Hello!
    First of all thank you for your prompt response.

    Deck replacement cables is: 82141 - WIRE, INSTRUMENT PANEL

    They say Toyota Technical Service Spain.
    They say it was impossible engine ECU fault cause, which is impossible according to them.

    Also ecu engine is also improved since prius second reference is the last year of manufacture ref :89661-47070 COMPUTER, ENGINE CONTROL.

    They have come to find out a feedback "as they say" that is affected by any mass or short in oxygen sensor harness and when the high voltage sensor works almost the limit (0.8V) makes this feedback voltage is passed during appears over 10seconds and DTC P0138 and this situation only occurs in cold engine high humidity values ​​or cold outside.

    I just wondered if you happened to any similar case of intermittent P0138, after replacing catalytic converter, oxygen sensor 4 times, 1 time sensor a / f
    Aerial Installation and miss having to directly feed the oxygen sensors, it still does not always happen but giving deven said conditions for P0138 appears again.


    They say NO to replace engine ECU, I think is what most possible fault
    and headache it gives me!

    Thanks in advance!
     
  13. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    at the end after so many headaches it has solved the problem by replacing the internal wiring in the salpicaderom.Gracias a priuschat y the warranty extension service and technical assistance toyota Spain.

    GT-N7000 ?
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,693
    48,944
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congratulations, all the best!(y)
     
  15. colmenedo

    colmenedo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 14, 2013
    14
    0
    0
    Location:
    Spain
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II

    Thank you for his attention, they were late mas of 3 months of tests to diagnose the breakdown, the problem is that derivation of +0.02v in wired up and often on having worked the sensor of high oxygen for cold realized dtc very big this forum to be able to help mutually, thank you.

    Photo:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  16. Minh

    Minh Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2018
    22
    4
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello, I just bought a 2005 Prius and having issues with the same code P0138. After replacing 02 sensor, check engine light kees coming on again. Can someone point me in direction to how to fix or what part I really need to replace so I can get the dang check engine light to turn off. I just pulled up this thread and hoping that someone can help. Thank you in advance.

    Hello, I just bought a 2005 Prius and having issues with the same code P0138. After replacing 02 sensor, check engine light kees coming on again. Can someone point me in direction to how to fix or what part I really need to replace so I can get the dang check engine light to turn off. I just pulled up this thread and hoping that someone can help. Thank you in advance.
     
    #16 Minh, Aug 22, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2018
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,470
    8,383
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    You replaced the one in between catalytic converter? Did you reset the battery or clear the code afterwards?
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  18. Minh

    Minh Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2018
    22
    4
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    yes cleared codes and same code comes back after driving it P0138. Driving me nuts. Please help

    yes replaced 02 sensor next to CAT converter
     
    #18 Minh, Aug 22, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 23, 2018
  19. Figster10

    Figster10 Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2019
    207
    60
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    que tipo de cables cambiaron en esta situacion
     
  20. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 14, 2012
    7,483
    3,763
    0
    Location:
    Wellington, New Zealand
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    It might be pushing it expecting and answer in a nine-year-old thread. colmenedo was last seen here on Sep 9, 2016
     
    Figster10 likes this.