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2012 Toyota Prius Check hybrid system

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Joshfrom407, Feb 23, 2018.

  1. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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    Hello everyone, I just wanted a few opinions on an issue I am having with a used vehicle I just purchased. It is a 2011 Prius with the Check hybrid system error. It came on after 300-400 miles of the first week driving it. I thought it was the vent for the battery that was blocked due to the seatbelt so I removed the negative 12v battery post and drove it another 300-400 miles before it popped up again. I took it to the auto parts store and the codes they were able to pull were the ones below.
    C1256 accumulator low pressure

    C1259 hybrid vehicle control system regen

    C1310 hybrid vehicle system

    P0A80 replace hybrid battery pack
    What should my next steps be and has anyone experienced this before? I can start the car and drive it fine. The 12v read 12.8v the morning after we’re checking with a multimeter. The electric motor seemed to work fine when disconnected the battery and reconnecting but I just want to be safe. I’ve looked through many threads on here and none are similar enough to my issue to help me begin looking in a certain area. Any help is appreciated, thank you for your time.
     
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  2. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    I think the P0A80 is pretty definitive that the large Hybrid battery has an issue. but I am concerned there may be others too
    Used remanufactured Hybrid battery packs are not generally reliable in the experience of people here.I think a new Toyota pack is about $3K.
    Todd at Tampa Hybrids is one of our trusted hybrid shops.He sells used Prius but also does repairs.
     
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  3. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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    Do you have any idea what the other codes could mean or would I have to take it to someone familiar with working on these cars? I just want to get a good idea of what I will need to spend to get this to a working condition again.
     
  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    Some questions:

    • How many miles on your Prius?
    • Can you hear the fan running in the back?
    • Does the car have any history of damage?
    • How did the brakes feel prior to this incident?
    Keep us posted(y).
     
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the hybrid system has an 8 year 100,000 mile warranty in florida.
     
  6. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I would not worry about the C1259 or C1310; I think those are both codes that get set in the skid ECU just because it knows of some HV issue (in this case, your P0A80). When that's fixed, those can be cleared.

    The C1256 could be another actual thing. It indicates the pressure in the brake system got low (the pump couldn't keep up), so it's possible you could have an accumulator/pump replacement in your future. But don't run out to do that just yet ... it's possible to set the code if you just happen to apply/pump the brake a bunch of times faster than the pump can keep up, which doesn't otherwise indicate a problem. So that would be a code you could try clearing, maybe once, and see how much time goes by before you see it again.

    -Chap
     
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  7. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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    Thank you all for your advice. The car has 130,000 miles. No accident damage on the Carfax but that’s only reported accidents. The breaks seemed fine but I was comparing that to the 98 Camry that I had been driving. As for the fan I will Check that once I get off today. I figure it’s best to check all the cheap stuff and make sure all that works first before finally coming to terms with a new HV battery haha. You guys are a very active group of helpful people and I notice the same people typically respond to posted problems. Just wanted to say I appreciate all the advice/help being new to the Prius club.
     
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  8. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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    Just a quick update. Took the car to the dealer and they said the hybrid battery is bad. $3500 to replace which definitely hurts but it is what it is. I was wondering if it’s fine to drive the car as is or if I should let it sit until I am able to replace the battery? Just don’t want to cause any further damage than what it has. Thank you guys again for your time.
     
  9. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    They give you the print out of the codes?

    You a DIY type?

    You ask any other dealers for a quote?
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you won't hurt anything. they usually go quite awhile before conking out completely, but there is no guarantee. drive easy.
     
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  11. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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    I just got the news a few minutes ago so I’ll be picking the car and paperwork up a bit later. I’ll make sure to call around at other dealerships and to the Toyota corporate customer service as I’ve heard of people getting some discount on the battery. I looking into the DIY refurbished hybrid battery pack but the only concerning thing to me is I haven’t heard to many long term success stories. Difficult decision to make with that much money on the line but the Toyota battery seems like the safest bet. Just hoping I can get some kind of discount.
     
  12. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Get the codes and report back.

    First steps I would take:
    • Understand the codes
    • Determine (or ask here) what troubleshooting needs to be done for each code
    • Depending on the codes, delve into the hv battery (with safety as the first and utmost priority) by disconnecting the Orange safety plug then look at where the codes are pointing
    Has your Prius spent its entire on Friday in the FL sun? Any time up north?
     
  13. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Most used car dealerships have a 30 day no cost repair policy. If you're still within the window time frame, I'd take the codes back to them first. If not a dealership then we can help.
     
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  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    +1 on what @Prodigyplace said about Home - Tampa Hybrids Inc.. Todd can put in a new battery or a near new one. Either way, he'll almost certainly beat the dealer's price. According to his web site, his price for a new Toyota battery is $2600 installed after core exchange.

    Whatever you decide, I wouldn't wait till it strands you.
     
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  15. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    (y) Good point! (y)
     
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  16. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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    I definitely appreciate all the input from people with experience. I got all the paperwork that the Toyota dealership and it seemed less than helpful. Just had the P0A80 code but also has all the stats included with the motor temp, inverter temp and voltage on battery. With this paperwork and looking at the voltage I can tell that there is a problem with the battery. I am in the same mindset that I don’t want to wait until stranded one day. The reason I wanted all codes though was to make sure I don’t dump thousands into it and find out I need extra parts. Pretty frustrating but I may try and Check some stuff out on my own. My main concerns are the fan for cooling, ECU as it seems that could cause issues and also the inverter itself because that seems pricey to replace.
     
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  17. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Mind sharing the info the dealer gave you (take a pic of the service invoice);)?

    Did the give you the individual block voltages?
     
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  18. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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  19. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Looks like a module in block 6 and 7 are are the culprits :(.
     
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  20. Joshfrom407

    Joshfrom407 New Member

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    If I was to replace these myself would it put off the inevitable? Would it be worth the time and money for the extra battery life you could get out of it until replacing the HV battery?
     
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