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2010 Prius IV Engine wont start. Check hybrid

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Technical Discussion' started by JoeHu, Feb 10, 2018.

  1. JoeHu

    JoeHu New Member

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    2010 Prius
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    Four
    Hi guys,

    A few months back my 2010 Prius IV with 150k miles started giving me the dreaded "Check Hybrid Systems" warning with the P0A08 code. So I just pop in my OBD II meter and cpear the code (I was/ am pretty broke) The car would start functioning some what normal again. This would happen may once every 2 weeks or when I would take her on super long drives.

    So a little back story. I got her as a bonus for getting promoted in my last job to general manager, at 105k miles. She had been sitting in the company parking lot for about 6 months prior, and when I first got her, she wouldnt start. She was towed to the dealer and they swapped out the 12v battery for a new one and she ran beautifully (this was a year and a half ago), until that one fateful day in July 2017, when I let my buddy druve my car, and he went up a driveway to the Exxon too quickly amd hit the bottom pretty hard and about 5 minutes of us getting back on the highway, the "Check Hybrid Systems" warning popped on for the first time.

    Anyway, this morning, I went out to start the car to warm it up before leaving to work. I was still half asleep so I dont remember if the engine had turned on, but the heat, radio, etc all turned on. I got ready and back into the car, tried to put it into drive, and the engine was off. I figured the engine was just on idle because I had the car on for a bit. Anyway, the "Check Hybrid Systems" warning was on, the "Ready" light wasnt on, along with the check engine light, so I popped in my OBD II and reset the code, figuring, hey, it used to work, why not today? Nope, didnt work. I turned off the car, thinking that maybe I had just turned on the electronics, and not the engine. This time, every single light was on, along with "Check Hybrid Systems" indicator, so i popped in the OBD II again, but this time, 0 codes (I had erased them before). So I figured, engine doesnt start, maybe I try jumping the car with another. I try to, both in the front, and the back. No cigar.

    Anyone have a clue what to do? Do I have to replace my 12v battery? How do I check if the 12v battery is still good? Is it the hybrid battery causing the engine to not run? I just need the car to last me a week or 2 until my refund check comes in and I can get the hybrid bsttery fix for $1500, cause I sure as hell cant dish out 3k for an oem replacement.
     
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  2. JoeHu

    JoeHu New Member

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    2010 Prius
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    Four
    That is the current dash lights
     
  3. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    The code already tells you your HV pack has some weak modules in there.

    If you don't have such cash to replace the pack now, buy some nice modules, tests the existing modules in the pack, for capacity and voltage comparison. Then discharge and charge them altogether with your purchased module (s).

    You can use some cheap hobby chargers, or better still, loan a grid charger to do the cycles at once.


    Dxta
     
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  4. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Prime Plus
    Welcome to Prius Chat (y).

    There will be more specific codes to point you in the right direction for the next steps ;).

    Some questions:

    • Have you looked underneath the car for any damage?
    • Are all electrical connections solid and not damaged?
    • Any fluid leaks?
    • Is the hv battery fan running all the time?
    • What code reader are you using?
    Keep us posted (y).
     
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  5. JoeHu

    JoeHu New Member

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    Four
    Dxta - what do I use to test the modules? And can you reccomend a place to buy the new modules?

    Any clue why the engine wont start though? Prior to yesterday, even with the HV pack having weak modules, the engine would staet. Now the engine isnt starting

    Raytheeagle - thanks for the welcome. I have not looked recently for damage undernesth but when the first bump, there wasnt anything wrong on the undercarriage. No leaks either. The hv fan was not running all the time. I am using a Actron CP9125 - OBD II Pocketscan code reader
     
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  6. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    The reason the engine might not be kicking on is that the pack voltage is too low. If you have tried starting the Prius with a low hv battery, it will take it below its threshold. What is the overall pack voltage?

    The scanner you have most likely won’t read the specific codes being thrown. Do you know someone with Techstream? This will tell you the next steps of where to look.

    I would take another look underneath to see if anything else has occurred.

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
  7. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    What reliable $1500 hybrid battery fix? All the remanufactured batteries we have heard of are not dependable at all, even with warranties.
    Some people are able to get good used modules from a low mileage junked Prius.
    Other than that, the $1600 DIY kit of new cells from a user here (mentioned in my signature) is the only other option I am aware of. They are back-ordered until April.
     
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome joe, i'm afraid this isn't going to be cheap. do you have a plan b?
     
  9. JoeHu

    JoeHu New Member

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    Raytheeagle - how would i check the pack voltage? Would a multi meter from home depot do the trick?

    Prodigyplace - electronautomotive has a bttery rebuild kit for $1000, and they have a step by step video on youtube on how to do the bsttery repair. I may just have to go with that as the alternative is the have the car towed over 70 miles to their shop to have they diagnosis it, which will cost 300$ but will be waived if i get my vehicle repaired there. The issue with that is my budget is around 1800$ right now, and getting the car towed will probably clost me 300-400$, leaving me with 1400$ for a repair. Worst case, i can just get someone to drive me to their shop, pick up the repair kit, and if it doesnt work, return it to them without the risk of wasting a 400$ tow.

    Bisco - Thank you! Unfortunately, there really isnt a plan b. I can borrow my brother in laws car to get to work for a few days, but beyond Im screwed
     
  10. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You can check the pack voltage with Techstream:):

    A1BB7867-C977-4C70-9DF0-5790224A4516.jpeg BE0F36EE-1FF1-432D-B00C-4998E009F48B.jpeg

    This is data from our 2010’s pack recently. It shows each individual block voltage as well as block resistance ;).

    This is the best tool for your current situation (y).
     
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  11. JoeHu

    JoeHu New Member

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    Yea i found one of eBay for $20. Its gunna take a bit for it to get here. In the interim, i may be screw
     
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  12. Jetlifekc

    Jetlifekc New Member

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    Amy fix? Im having the exact same issue
     
  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Did you even read the thread? If you have the PA08 code you have a bad traction battery pack. If you do not do repairs yourself the only good solution is to have your Toyota dealer install a new one.
    If you are DIY a lower cost alternative is to buy and install the $1600 kit of new cells from a member here. Tho link is in my signature.