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Won't go into Ignition Mode (video)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by HeavyFooted3SGTE, Mar 12, 2014.

  1. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Last night, I was cruising at 35mph and the car suddenly stalled. All the lights popped up (red triangle, CEL and PROBLEM on the the center display) and I pulled over to a stop. I tried restarting it immediately, but the car would not go into ignition mode. The car was driving fine up to that point. No maintenance or work was performed on the car recently. When in accessory mode, all the lights, radio, etc. worked. I disconnected the 12v battery for 5 minutes but it had no affect. I searched the forum, but did not find a thread about this occurrence. I rented a OBDII scanner but it needs to get into the IGN mode to read the codes! AGH! What is the problem? A simple faulty switch or relay?

    Video:
    http://youtu.be/65Krde-Np8k


    Thank you
    Terence
     
  2. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Start with the easiest thing and measure the 12V battery voltage with a voltmeter.

    Also, try measuring it at the front jump terminal (in the main fuse box under the hood) while someone else tries to start it. Look to see if the instantaneous voltage plunges down to something really low like 9 volts or something.
     
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This wouldn't be a combination meter problem, would it?
     
  4. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Thank you! It's smart to check the 12v even if there aren't any of the normal signs of it failing

    My car won't run at all or go into IGN Mode (press start 2 times). From my understanding, CM failure only affects the display and some of the lighting but starts and run just fine.
     
  5. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Strange errors and inability to get the car to start are normal signs of 12V failure. There may be other problems, such as low oil, which you should also check.
     
  6. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Ok, I've experienced bad batteries before and it was nothing like this. I had the battery tested and it was bad. However, a new one didn't fix the problem!
     
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    probably loose negative wire. Make sure all your connections are tight. Or you coud have a rodent problem.
     
  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Check the AM1 and AM2 fuses. Use an ohmmeter to verify fuse continuity, do not rely upon visual inspection.
    2. Check the IG1 and IG2 relays. "Check" means that you remove the relay, apply 12VDC to the coil terminals, and measure continuity across the switched terminals. Use the ohmmeter to figure out which terminals are which. Replace the relay if resistance across the switched terminals exceeds 0.5 ohms (after accounting for resistance in the ohmmeter leads.)
    3. If the fuses and relays are good then the power source control ECU is probably at fault.
    4. You will need to look both at the main relay/fuse box near the inverter in the engine compartment, and the relay/fuse box under the instrument panel on the driver's side, to find these fuses and relays.
     
  9. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Thanks for the reply.
     
  10. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    There is only one fuse box under the hood, which is the main relay/fuse box behind the driver's headlight and next to the inverter. Perhaps your owner's manual may be of help if you still need guidance.

    If not, subscribe to techinfo.toyota.com to find the electrical wiring diagram and relay/fuse box maps.
     
  11. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Ok thanks. I checked both fuse boxes and the relay above the engine and found one blown fuse for AM2. I fixed it and the car goes in the ready state but the red triangle pops up and the problem icon on the display. At first, it shows 0 mph, as if i can shift into gear. But quickly it disappears and then I smell an electical burning smell in the cabin!
     
  12. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Check the AM2 fuse again. Did it blow again?

    If yes, then you'll have to look at the electrical wiring diagram to see the various circuits downstream from that AM2 fuse. One of them is causing the problem.

    If you are uncertain as to how to isolate the problem circuit then you should seek professional assistance. Good luck.
     
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  13. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    yes, it blew again immediately. The first search for a blown AM2 and burning smell is a bad inverter water pump.
     
  14. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Im currently reading your guide on how to change it ;) :cool:
     
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  15. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    I watched your you tube video. Was wanting to know what you your thoughts are on the scanner you are using.

    Do you feel it cover's all of the Prius codes, or just the engine codes.

    Just trying to get a feel of what you think of the Innova scanner that is in the video you posted.
     
  16. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Disconnect the inverter coolant pump wiring harness connector. Then replace AM2 and see if it blows or not.

    If not then you can feel comfortable that by replacing the coolant pump, that will take care of all your issues. Also note that pump was the subject of a recall so if you had not already had this performed, you might be able to get your local Toyota dealer to take care of this at no charge to you.
     
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  17. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    Thank you. Very smart. The extended service warranty said it ended 11/30/13. I did the engine water pump myself so I feel confident in doing this as well. Ill let you know how it goes
     
  18. HeavyFooted3SGTE

    HeavyFooted3SGTE Junior Member

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    It was a rental from a local autoparts store. It has helped me before get codes but of course its not anywhere near what a dealership would have for very specific things, specially the hybrid system.
     
  19. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Good, the 2G inverter coolant pump change is easier than the engine coolant pump change. One reason for that is it is much easier to purge air out of the 2G inverter coolant loop.
     
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  20. dorunron

    dorunron Senior Member

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    Thanks for the info. Let us know how the inverter pump swap goes. Too bad the time has expired on the recall they issued, if I am understanding your post above correctly.
     
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  21. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    A little labor-savings idea that occurred to me after writing my guide, is that you may find it easier to remove the new pump from the metal bracket that it sits upon, and leave the original metal bracket in place when removing the old pump. There isn't a lot of room to pull the old pump out, and it may be easier to remove if you don't have to also deal with the metal bracket.
     
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