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Hybrid battery drains while driving until car stops

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 04.ATX, Jul 16, 2017.

  1. 04.ATX

    04.ATX Junior Member

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    The basic scenario is:

    1. while driving, the gas pedal starts to feel weak
    2. the hybrid battery drains rapidly
    3. the car stops

    When this happens my "solution" has been simple. I turn off the car. I turn it back on the engine starts running and the battery starts to charge. When it gets up to 3 bars I start driving and I usually don't encounter this problem again for a few months.

    Coolant levels are fine, and the inverter is flowing on ready. Getting a new 12-V battery didn't seem to prevent this from happening again. Check engine light goes on and off randomly but not in conjunction with this issue. Not sure what else I can check that may explain this. I've had my 2004 for about two years now (new hybrid battery installed prior to purchase). This has happened about once every few months- but it happened twice this week.

    Suggestions appreciated!
     
    #1 04.ATX, Jul 16, 2017
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    So the engine's not running, and the car's completely reliant on the hybrid battery. I'd get the codes read at a dealership, and post them.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jul 16, 2017
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  3. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Was it a brand new battery from Toyota or a "new to the car" battery from Dorman or a local rebuilder?
     
    #3 Raytheeagle, Jul 16, 2017
  4. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Read the fault codes. Very likely there is some code that (points to what) caused engine to stop running.

    If you want to read the codes yourself get mini-VCI it’s cheap and can read all the codes and do other stuff on Toyotas. But you do need a windows laptop with it.
     
    #4 valde3, Jul 16, 2017
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  5. 04.ATX

    04.ATX Junior Member

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    Dorman installed 10/2015
     
    #5 04.ATX, Jul 16, 2017
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    What's the warranty?

    After reading the codes that the car displays, I would start engaging Dorman as your pack sounds like it is on the way out.
     
    #6 Raytheeagle, Jul 16, 2017
  7. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    2 years on a Dorman pack is very good nowadays. As the battery packs get older and older, from high mileage cars, rebuilt packs will now rarely see 2 years of service. You should check the codes and contact Dorman if the battery has failed.
     
    #7 JC91006, Jul 16, 2017
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  8. 04.ATX

    04.ATX Junior Member

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    Exactly. Initially I thought that the engine was overheating but now it just seems random. Yesterday it occurred at night when it was cool, less than 5 minutes after starting the car.

    Just ordered mini-VCI- thanks for the tip!

    Oh wow... so if that's the case, what is the best option? Seems like a waste of money to buy a Dorman every two years...
     
    #8 04.ATX, Jul 16, 2017
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  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    The engine is very low on oil
     
    #9 edthefox5, Jul 16, 2017
  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    You have some decent resources here @ericbecky may be able to help you.

    To answer the question, The best solution is generally the "new" OEM Toyota batt, otherwise the refurbs have less long life. when I say "Best" I mean best battery...the actual choice will depend on owners needs as far as speed of repair to get car back, and cost.
     
    #10 wjtracy, Jul 16, 2017
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  11. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Isn't the issue that the engine isn't running.
     
    #11 Mendel Leisk, Jul 16, 2017
  12. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    "Check engine light comes and goes"
     
    #12 edthefox5, Jul 16, 2017
  13. 04.ATX

    04.ATX Junior Member

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    The engine battery draining has happened a few times this week. Finally read the codes:

    B2795 immobiliser unmatched key code
    B1271 gateway combination meter ecu communication stop
     
    #13 04.ATX, Aug 8, 2017
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