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Gen 3 Inverter Failure

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by AubreyIII, Aug 17, 2017.

  1. AubreyIII

    AubreyIII Junior Member

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    Montgomery, AL
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
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    Three
    Welp, I got the dreaded "Check Hybrid System" yesterday. Had it towed to dealer for diagnostic, they reported the following codes:

    P0A78-282 DRIVE MOTOR "A" INVERTER PERFORMANCE
    P3004-132 HIGH VOLTAGE POWER RESOURCE

    Their conclusion was a bad inverter. I couldn't afford a new one, as I JUST REPLACED THE ENGINE LAST WEEK, so I had it towed home. I've ordered an inverter from LKQ with 55k miles for $360, and will replace it myself. It will arrive tomorrow but I probably won't be able to do the work until next weekend.

    FYI the car has 148k miles on it.
     
    #1 AubreyIII, Aug 17, 2017
  2. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Salvage title?

    If the car is clear title, it's warrantied for 15 years/unlimited miles.
     
    #2 m.wynn, Aug 17, 2017
    Raytheeagle and Lightning Racer like this.
  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Strange coincidence. What led up to the engine replacement?
     
    #3 JC91006, Aug 17, 2017
  4. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    better get the techstream to clear codes afterwards
     
    #4 tankyuong, Aug 17, 2017
  5. AubreyIII

    AubreyIII Junior Member

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    Dealer and Customer Care both told me it's 10 years, 100k on the inverter. I think the 15 year coverage is only in CA.
     
    #5 AubreyIII, Aug 17, 2017
  6. AubreyIII

    AubreyIII Junior Member

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    Blown head gasket.
     
    #6 AubreyIII, Aug 17, 2017
  7. AubreyIII

    AubreyIII Junior Member

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    Really? What's the issue? I planned to take it to dealer after I replace the inverter to make sure the inverter software is up to date.
     
    #7 AubreyIII, Aug 17, 2017
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    they have tech stream, and can clear them.
     
    #8 bisco, Aug 17, 2017
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  9. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Print the ZE3 letter, take it to the dealer (or maybe to a different dealer) and see if it helps them understand. If they still don't "get it", take it to corporate. Crazy to buy a who-knows-what condition used inverter and pay a questionable dealer to install when you've got it coming for free. Again, assuming clear title.
     

    Attached Files:

    #9 m.wynn, Aug 17, 2017
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  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    ^ And this guy's in New York.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Aug 17, 2017
  11. AubreyIII

    AubreyIII Junior Member

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    Thank you! I did just that, Waiting to get a ruling from Customer Care.
     
    #11 AubreyIII, Aug 17, 2017
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  12. MelonPrius

    MelonPrius Senior Member

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    General question for anyone: Were they just confused between the inverter and traction battery warranty? Or are there different extended warranties on the inverter for different Gen III vehicles? I have the 15 year, unlimited miles extension- but I moved the vehicle from a CARB to nonCARB state. I assumed that doesn't make a difference, but now I want to doublecheck.
     
    #12 MelonPrius, Aug 22, 2017
  13. JimN

    JimN Let the games begin!

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    Warranty Enhancement Notification ZE3 is VIN dependent. Register the VIN at http://www.toyota.com/owners to see if the car is covered. Cars delivered with the "improved" inverter are not covered.
     
    #13 JimN, Aug 22, 2017
  14. John0163

    John0163 New Member

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    My 2013 experienced the total shutdown of the hybrid system last week and quite a few of the dashboard warning lights were all lit. Took to local mechanic and he said I had the two engine codes P0A7A and P0A9A and he referred me to the dealer. Dealer says my some computer parts in the inverter had failed (yes he was not very specific) and they would be fully covered under factory warranty. He stated that there are very specific error codes and conditions that would qualify it for warranty repair and that it the dealer would honor the warranty for 20 years. Dealer was very professional and even provided me a brand new loaner car for a week while they performed the repair work.
     
    #14 John0163, Feb 1, 2024
    ASRDogman likes this.
  15. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    #15 ChapmanF, Feb 1, 2024
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