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Prius Code help

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by BaileyElrod, Oct 11, 2018.

  1. BaileyElrod

    BaileyElrod New Member

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    Recently I started my 2009 Prius (160k miles) up In a parking lot and when I put it in drive I received many lights.
    The Big Red Triangle of Doom, VSC, A brake problem light, A Check Engine Light, and the exclamation point through the car on the screen. I drove home without noticing any problems, other than my battery fan turned up to loud, high speed. I drove to work the next morning and my engine skipped once on the way there, so I didn't drive it again. 3 Days later I was finally able to borrow a friends code reader and I received the following codes. P3000, C1259, C1310, C1378, B1421, U0126, and a history of P0301. I can't put the puzzle pieces together and figure out what to look into first. I did test my 12v Battery with a multi-meter and it seemed to be fine.

    Any help is appreciated,
    Thanks.
     
  2. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    The fact that you can hear the HV battery fan is a BAD sign. This could be due to module(s) is/are failing and overheating, OR, the fan HV fan is clogged.

    You could check and clean the fan. If clogged, this might be the cure.

    P0301= cyl 1misfire. The spark plugs should be replaced no later than 150K miles. Have they ever been replaced? If they have been w/ the correct irridium sp, the. maybe the coil is bad?

    Is the code reader using Techstream software? Or is this a generic universal code reader, that will miss many specific Prius codes.
     
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  3. BaileyElrod

    BaileyElrod New Member

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    It is a generic code reader, albeit an expensive one, but not Toyota specific. I finally got techstream up and running today and should have more specific data from it soon.

    I can clear the codes and drive it for around 5 minutes before they reappear. When they reappear the fan turns on high so I think the fan turning on is just a reaction to the codes.
     
  4. BaileyElrod

    BaileyElrod New Member

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    Update: The sub code for p3000 is 123
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    probably a long shot since the engine skipped, but was the 12v at least 12.4 volts after being off for a few hours?
     
  6. BaileyElrod

    BaileyElrod New Member

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    I’ll check it and see I just disconnected the 12 volt and disconnected the hv battery service plug. Once I turned the car back on I drove for a few minutes to see if the codes would come back they didn’t. After that I took it on a highway test for around 2 miles at 60mph still no codes. What gives?
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you reset the computers, but the codes will likely return at some point
     
  8. BaileyElrod

    BaileyElrod New Member

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    New addition: p3019 block 9 becomes weak.
    Block 8 is at 16.26 volts. Where should it be and how bad is 16.26?
     

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  9. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    NO.

    The Fan going on HIGH speed, is a reaction to the temperature sensors detecting excessive heat coming from the modules in the HV Battery.

    You have a HV pack that is already terminal. STOP DRIVING THE CAR, unless you don't mind being stranded at an inopportune location and time. GUARANTEED, this will happen if you continue to clear the codes to make the car drivable for a short period of time/distance. Also, many other module pairs are bad. Many have a voltage difference greater than 0.2V.

    The most reliable repair is a new OEM replacement HV Pack. $1699.70, at Conicelli Toyota. You will need to see if Toyota dealers near you will sell you a pack OTC (Over The Conter). You will need to call local dealers to see if they will price match, as some might do it. The part is relatively pricey. If you amortize the cost over its likey lifespan of 10years, it is affordable. $1699.70/10years = $169.97/year = $14.16/month = $0.47/day The pack can be placed into another Gen2 with relative ease. It can also go into a Gen3 by swapping the modules into a Gen3 case. This might also be possible w/ certain Gen4s.

    Replacing bad modules w/ healthier ones is an unreliable, SHORT TERM solution. The Gen2 modules are (2004-2009) 9-14 years old, and getting older. Mixing modules from a Gen3 is a bad idea b/c of likely large resistance differences between the old and younger module. A used/refurbished/remanufactured/reconditioned HV pack suffers the same unreliable problem. People who have swapped modules or purchased a used pack, have reported failures w/in a short time.

    The question becomes what do you want to do (new or used), what do you value (reliability or unreliability), and what can you afford. Remember, time is the most important resource, b/c you can never earn more time. Money is limited, but you can earn more (pay raise, spend less, save more, sell stuff, 2nd job, etc).
     
  10. BaileyElrod

    BaileyElrod New Member

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    When I purchased this car a couple months ago the guy said he had bought it for cheap replaced the battery and was selling it to me. I found a warranty sticker and number on the battery last night. It is from a reman place near me. I am going to attempt to contact them first and claim a warranty I doubt it is going to work but it’s worth a shot.