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Check Hybrid System

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by TomasG, Jan 18, 2018.

  1. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Hello, last November I bought damaged (rear driver side corner) Prius 2010 from USA auction and shipped to my country. Yesterday all repair jobs were completed and today we tried to move it to service (to prepare for technical inspection) but encountered problem:
    Screen shows "Check Hybrid System". We can start it but after up to 10 seconds engine and car shuts down. Hybrid battery is almost empty (only 1 bar). What can cause it?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!

    what codes are you getting on tech stream?
     
  3. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Mechanic doesn't said very much, only "ignition problem". But engine for short period starts.
     
  4. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    check airbox to see if its loose
     
  5. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    My guess: Sounds like the HV battery is in a failed state (error codes need to read). Letting a weak HV battery sit for long periods (during shipping?) can cause it to fail.

    Although it sounds like the gasoline engine (ICE) is running, it's not. That is the HV battery trying to start (crank) the ICE but doesn't have enough electrical power necessary to achieve a running RPM. Continuing to do this will completely drain the HV battery.

    Mechanics without hybrid experience can have a hard time troubleshooting these vehicles. An OBD code reader capable of reading hybrid specific codes is also needed.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
  6. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    When car arrived in my country we were not able to start it (even locks was not working) so we charged it. Then we were able to start and drive a car. After repairing fender, trailer transported car to this service where car was repainted. After transporting, my father tried to start a car but it was making loud rattling noise but after short period of time it stopped and engine was working fine again. First mechanic was able to drive it out of his garage (he said that is was really silent).
    During repair process 12V and hybrid batteries was disconnected but as father said he checked if everything was connected properly this time.
     
  7. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Car has 84k miles on it
     
  8. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    OK. Check 12v for proper voltage. Check the orange HV safety plug: it is a three step process or it will not work.

    Beyond those easy checks, you're going to need to read the trouble codes.
     
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  9. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Thank you, we took 12V and left it to charge overnight, tomorrow we will check for HV again.
     
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  10. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Also enter the VIN here and see what previous work/repairs have been done by Toyota dealers (not other mechanics): Toyota Owners Official Web Site

    The 2010 (gen 3) has had inverter failures/repairs done and the warranty extended for that but a USA warranty won't be in effect in Lithuania.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
  11. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Big thanks for this page. I see that service history ends in 2014 (32k miles) (now it has 84k and really dirty interior :/ ). During history mainly oil changes and tires rotation but there is one record about recall. Also site shows that there is one more recall. About second one I find out while car was still in the middle of ocean. I wrote letters for my local dealer about it. I received answer that this car is not made for Europe market so they need to send request for Toyota and this might take more than one month.
     

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  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I believe those are both routine recalls, the first (obviously) an airbag safety fix, the second was update to the car's programming, to protect the inverter during sudden acceleration. There was a problem early on: hard/sudden acceleration was stressing soldered joints in the inverter, leading to failure. The updated programming makes the voltage surge during acceleration more gradual.

    I've had both recalls, pretty much everyone did. The only effect I noticed with that software update is the car was slightly easier to go into electric-only driving.

    I'd suspect (like others) that the car's sat for so long that the hybrid battery has deteriorated, cells have gone out out balance. You need to get Techstream software to see what's really going on though. I haven't a clue about it, but others here can help.
     
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  13. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    This morning mechanic inserted battery which was left to charge overnight and as they said, they were able to start the engine and drive it outside in reverse (while in reverse car switched into EV mode) but after getting it outside after short period of time car shut off (completely).
    Today another mechanic checked failure codes and he got P3190 and some other but after deletion only this one appeared. Father tried to fill some gasoline (~5 liters = ~1,3 US gallons) but after few attempts no good news. I'm out of town today so I will be able to check it only tomorrow or Monday.
     
  14. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Update: yesterday I've read a lot about other prius'es getting same error code and found out some problems which may cause this behavior: low gasoline level, fuel pump, MAF, too much oil. Today we checked that oil level is at MAX level. My father took some parts of the engine and we find some oil in intake manifold (see pictures below). Now dad is cleaning it.
     

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  15. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Unfortunately after cleaning intake manifold, car is still not mooving. First time it tried to ignite, was working for a few seconds and shut off, second time it is not even trying to ignite the engine. Now we are waiting for mechanic to read error

    When connected car showed 4 codes: P3190, P3191, P3000 and P0a0f (last two was in hybrid section). After deleting them, I tried to start it but it sounded like I would try to start a regular car with starter (it tried to start only for a second and then shut off). HV battery shows only 1 bar so maybe it is possible that it has not enough power to start that engine? Maybe there is simple way to charge it at home? Or we need to ask for help from dealers?

    Next week we are going to check fuel pump and spark plugs. Maybe there is something else we can check ourselves?
     
    #15 TomasG, Jan 20, 2018
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2019
  16. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Incredibly, that sort of oil/water/fuel accumulation in the intake manifold is pretty normal, coming mostly from the Positive Crankcase Ventilation hose, connecting on the right side of the manifold (as you stand at front of car). It's a problem, and there's a solution (install of Oil Catch Can), but it's not likely to tie into your Check Hybrid System issue.
     
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  17. TomasG

    TomasG Junior Member

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    Update:
    Yesterday mechanic drained about 3 l of liquid (probably water) in gas tank. But he was not able to start the engine. So he took 12V to charge overnight. Today mechanic fully drained gas tank and entire fuel system. After that engine started and battery well charged. Start was harsh but not for long. Now it starts and runs well.

    Not much left until I will be able to drive it (need few additions to pass certification before car registration).
     
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  18. Sleepy Brown

    Sleepy Brown New Member

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    After spending over $1000 to have my Prius towed to the Toyota dealer, then to a Prius specialist, changing the 12v battery only to have it happen again to be towed back to the Prius specialist who saw the code fuel system and stripped the car down to get to the fuel pump only to find out that the Check Hybrid System light means that you have run out of gas, which causes the Prius to try to switch to the battery only system, which runs out almost immediately without gasoline causing it to say Check Hybrid System. It would have saved me a lot of time and money if it only had registered that it was out of fuel, especially since the first time it occurred it occurred directly in front of a Shell station!! Ugh!!!

    The gasoline should have solved it. The check hybrid system lights up when you run out of gas.
     
    #18 Sleepy Brown, Jul 24, 2019
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 25, 2019