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2008 Prius with new 12 V battery won't shift; lots of warning lights

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by SuzyGS, Aug 20, 2017.

  1. Max Finch

    Max Finch Active Member

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    Can still see your messages what’s the status on taking it to that hybrid mechanic?
     
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  2. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    This thread is ridiculous. It's already been diagnosed. Everyday this car is without a new transmission is another day wasted. Every comment posted aside from a new transmission being installed is a waste of time.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  3. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Avi,
    Mad respect for you but I do not follow your reasoning. SuzyGS is the OP. Her car has just the 526 sub code which does not identify the source of the leak. Others have joined in with cars that do have a bad transmission. That could be confusing the diagnosis for SuzyGS's car.

    Suzy's car also takes weeks for the code to return. If it were my car I would just keep driving it until another sub code appears. Keep the laptop with Techstream in the car.

    Brad
     
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  4. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Your picture does not show what detail code 1 is.
     
  5. Max Finch

    Max Finch Active Member

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    Putting Avi’s seemingly extremely negative comment aside, I would say that he’s right and it’s something you should just take to the Mechanic I found or one that’s closer, have them fix it and while the engine is out replace anything else that might go bad soon.

    I do applaud anyone who doesn’t just listen to what the dealer says and looks at things on their own. Her car does take a while to throw the code and I think it’s smart she’s confirming the problem before throwing large cash at a stealership.
     
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  6. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    That sounds like a great way to waste time. I'd use my megaohm meter to find the problem in no time. If I didn't have one, I'd take a gamble on the transmission seeing as how the battery has already been changed. Waiting for another sub code to show up could be a while, like maybe forever.

    Keep in mind I'm in the business of fixing things properly and as soon as possible. I make suggestions that should get the problem solved as soon as possible. If someone wants to drive around with their laptop and wait for a unicorn to show up, they have a right to do so.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  7. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    So which is it? It's already been diagnosed or you need the mega meter to do a proper diagnoses? Can the mega meter find an intermittent leak that takes weeks to reappear?

    How about the AC compressor? The previous owner could have put the wrong oil in it. Damaged cables are still a possibility.

    Someone else already gambled with the previous owners money on the battery. They were wrong but it wasn't their loss.

    Again Avi I do have respect for your skills. I'm also sure that if you had Suzy's car in your possession you could quickly diagnose and fix it.

    Brad
     
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  8. Avi's Advanced Automotive

    Avi's Advanced Automotive Independent hybrid repair shop

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    Think of my comment as tough love

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  9. SuzyGS

    SuzyGS Member

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    Now that we know the sub code, there's a definite list of items that could be the cause. Ray had said all along I needed to find a way to get that sub code, if I remember correctly, and then we could finally have a chance to diagnose this issue. Some issues on the 526 list are major, some are minor. See screenshot. Since it seemed to be a consensus that the car would not drive so smoothly if the transaxle were the problem, plus that's a really expensive repair, I wanted to isolate the possibilities, and then see if one of the less expensive problems were the cause. As Brad mentioned, it could even be just a damaged cable. But I didn't know the list of possibilities until tonight! I now must find a good mechanic, one who understands the codes and who would be willing to check the cheapest options first. So far the only one we know of is the one Max found in Birmingham, a couple hours away. I really wish he worked on the weekends! I'll probably try a little harder to find one in Huntsville now that this day has finally arrived, and if I don't, I'll find a way to go see the mechanic Max found.
    Avi, if you are still reading this, what is your opinion about the appropriateness of contacting that mechanic to see if he would recommend a Huntsville mechanic? It's a four-hour round trip plus might take more than a day to fix.

    For what it's worth, it took about a month to get in touch with the Toyota dealership to finally clarify what the sub code was, and then they told me there was no sub-code. This proves they are incompetent. And a stealership, like Max said. They wanted to charge $5k for a repair on a car which cost only $6500.
     

    Attached Files:

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  10. SuzyGS

    SuzyGS Member

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    I had taken a bunch of photos and finally found detail code 1. The value was 0 and the unit column was just blank.
     
  11. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Putting your inappropriate hatred for "negative comments" aside........sometimes the TRUTH is a negative.

    A closed mind never learns anything.

    I tend to agree with him.
    But it's not my car and they are doing what they think is right.
    Eventually they should arrive at the right conclusion.
     
  12. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    We are talking about a high voltage leak to ground here......right ??

    If so, a SINGLE point fault like that might not cause any actual symptoms with drivability.
    A second one, however, might cause maximum smoke. :(

    And just the one ground fault can pose a danger to anyone working on the car in the right circumstances. :eek:
     
  13. Max Finch

    Max Finch Active Member

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    Explain to me how a dislike for negativity is inappropriate and I’ll take your negative comment for more than a grain of salt.

    I didn’t not agree with Avi, I simply suggested it was fairly aggressive but true.

    A closed mind states there’s absolutely no issue with the transmission, has anyone said that here? I believe it is the transmission, but as stated before it could be a multitude of issues beyond the transmission and I give props to anyone who wants to confirm the source before plunking down heavy cash for any repair.
     
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  14. SuzyGS

    SuzyGS Member

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    Sam, you're right about it being a high voltage leak. The original issue was partially the fact that Toyota, without even knowing what the sub code was, automatically diagnosed "needs a new trans axle" for $5,000. And this was a $6,500 car. So I'm hoping now that I have the sub code (which took forever to get due to the intermittent nature of the issue), we can start with checking the cheaper suggested problems first; the possible problems associated with sub code 526 were displayed on a code list provided by Brad. I must say, I hope it's NOT the transmission. And I appreciate everyone involved who's trying to be helpful.
     
    #214 SuzyGS, Oct 13, 2017
    Last edited: Oct 13, 2017
  15. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    Your lead off comment about "negativity" did NOTHING to further the discussion.
    It bordered on an insult to the person it was directed at.
     
  16. Max Finch

    Max Finch Active Member

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    Ha, you don’t read well do you?
     
  17. uart

    uart Senior Member

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    Yes that link of Brad's was very useful. Unfortunately though, subcode 526 seems to be a fairly generic one which covers most things.

    Suzi, have you thought about getting the transaxle fluid (toyota WS ATF) changed so that you can take a look at the condition of the old fluid. Sure it could be a waste of money if the transaxle ends up needing to be replaced anyway, but it's a pretty easy job, not much different in time and effort (and parts cost) to a regular oil change. It might be worth taking a look just to see what drains out of there.

    BTW, just a note on the terminology. The "transaxle" is the same thing as the "transmission". It often called a transaxle in a front wheel drive where it contains the differential gearing as well. Of course the Prius transaxle is even more special as it also contains the two electric motor/generators.
     
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  18. Sam Spade

    Sam Spade Senior Member

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    And there is another insult.
    Two strikes.
     
  19. Max Finch

    Max Finch Active Member

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    Three strikes and what? You’ll finally pull that tampon out your a**?

    If you took second grade English you’d understand that I suggested Avi could’ve been easier about it but he was right.

    http://bfy.tw/9h7d
     
  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Sometimes the ignore user feature of Prius Chat can be useful;).

    It leads to less distractions and more on topic responses :).

    Might be worth a try(y).