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2008 Prius with Red Triangle and '!"in car icon. Won't go into gear R or D.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Kaptainkid1, Feb 12, 2021.

  1. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    The Prius has 203,000 miles and is 2008 with original hybrid battery. The Prius has always resided in Los Angeles no other states. I pulled the 12 volt battery for 10 mins and the Prius started up and dash is clear of warning lights no red Triangle or check engine lights. Then after idling for 10 mins and shut down the Red Triangle and the other "!" In car icon came back after second start up. I noticed the hybrid battery bars on monitor was charging and discharging fast. Anyone know what I can do to troubleshoot this problem?

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  2. DMC-5180

    DMC-5180 Active Member

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    Rapid charge cycling in the primary indicator of needed HV pack replacement.
     
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  3. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    Could it be the inverter?

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  4. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    With over 200K it it likely the battery pack. That means either a new pack from Toyota or DIY the kit of new cells from newpriusbatteries as listed in my signature. Companies cannot afford the time needed to properly rebuild a pack for reliability.
     
  5. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Has it been driven much recently? It sounds like it could be the 12v battery is weak. You'll get all sorts of warning lights with a weak 12v.
     
  6. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    New 12 volt battery and car is driven 4x a week. Each trip over 40 miles.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  7. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Did you read and record the stored OBD2 codes (DTCs) before disconnecting the 12v battery?

    Why did you pull the 12v again?

    Anytime you disconnect the 12v it will clear the stored OBD2 codes (DTCs) from the ECUs, making it impossible to read them, or until the conditions are met and they're set / stored again. When having issues, always best to read the DTCs first before clearing.

    As mentioned above the HV battery sounds like it is failing, and you should prepare for such. Given the description, it could be a HV ground leak in the HV battery case. If you have a DIY attitude, dive in and see if there are stains on the rails or belly pan. There are plenty of write-ups and videos that can walk you through the process, and you can even play 'whack-a-mole' if desired.

    Disconnecting the 12v will allow you to start it once, then if a HV ground fault is detected it will set a DTC 3009 or P0AA6 (this is code that has associated INFs), preventing you from starting it a second time until the 12v is reset again. Continuing to drive around could result in bad things happening, including additional damage to the existing battery, or possibly worse.
    Many modern DIY mechanics like to use an OBD2 scanner to retrieve the OBD2 codes (DTCs) from the ECUs, knowing the DTCs can help narrow down the required troubleshooting that is required to potentially fix the problem.

    The preferred OBD2 code scanner would be a 'mini-vci' cable (20 USD) and techstream (dealer technician software) installed on a windows device, others get by with using an OBD2 bluetooth adapter and a phone/phablet App like Dr Prius or Hybrid Assistant.

    The advantage with techstream (or a high end hybrid scanner) is it can offer the DTC sub codes (aka INF / detailed code) as well.

    Once you've scanned for DTCs, and if you have a P0AA6 : You might enjoy reading : Toyota Prius 2007 (2ND Generation) Let's repair it together ABS VCS Brake RED TRIANGLE Engine Issues | PriusChat

    Though you may not have the DTC, here is the workup for P0AA6 : https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2018/04/145252_2006_Prius_RM_-_P0AA6.pdf

    Notice in the above workup that there are five (5) associated subcodes (INFs) for the DTC, the format is P0AA6-xxx

    Here is an image that shows how knowing the INF Codes (sub codes) can help isolate the problem area(s).

    [​IMG]

    2004-2008 Toyota Prius with code P3009 or P0AA6 and info code 526, 613, 614 | TOYO Headquarters
     
  8. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I hooked up the ODBII scanner and no codes came up. Then I pulled the battery to rest the CPU and got it going for a start up. After running for 10 mins no codes came up. After 10 min idle and power off. The second start pulled up the Red Triangle and lights on the dash came up again. This time the Prius wouldn't go into gear D or R.
    So because of miles and age its more likely to be the Hybrid battery?
    I'm considering buying a reconditioned hybrid battery on offer up for $500 and return the core if I find out it's a hybrid battery is failing.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  9. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    If you have warning lights, then generally you'll have DTCs (codes) stored in the ECUs. Which OBD2 scanner/App are you using?
    Best to wait until you know the DTCs (OBD2 codes), as there could be something else wrong.

    Many, if not most would say not to buy a reconditioned/refurbished HV battery, as your existing HV battery could be in better shape.

    Will you be relying on someone else to diagnose and repair this vehicle?

    If so, which part of the LA metroplex are you nearest and maybe we can recommend a local mechanic or shop.
     
  10. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I have a cheap ODBII scanner and also Torque App. The problem with torque app the battery pack reader isn't working anymore on my phone. I paid for the app 2 years ago. It worked for like 2 months and stop working. Weird thing is torque other non hybrid functions works fine, just hybrid functions don't read properly on the app. 20210212_160451.jpg Screenshot_20210212-161040_Torque.jpg 20210212_101703.jpg 20210212_101650.jpg

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  11. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    The second image with the torque screen shows "Connecting to OBDII", is the device connecting or does it still need to re-"pair" ?

    If the Torque isn't pairing with the OBD2 adapter, then Torque will not communicate with the vehicle.

    Were you ever able to use this Innova 3100e successfully with a prius before, as it may not be fully toyota hybrid compatible.

    Given the collection of warning lights on the dash, you have DTCs (OBD2 codes) being stored, which are also ready for retrieval.

    If you can get it to connect or pair, try using Torque to scan for DTCs / OBD2 codes, then post them here for additional guidance.

    If you can't harvest the OBD2 codes (that Innova handheld not hybrid useful, Torque not pairing, etc) then disconnect the 12v battery again and try to restart the vehicle, if it starts up, then fails to start up the second time, you likely have a HV battery isolation fault.

    You really need a Mini-VCI cable ($20) and TechStream going forward, unless this isn't in the budget
     
  12. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I just bought a Mini VCI on ebay but that's a 20 day wait. I'll try to use my Torque to connect again. Everything on torque like rpm temp and speed works but not the hybrid battery meter function. Which is weird because that's the only thing not reading on torque.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  13. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Do you know how to use Torque to scan for DTCs?
     
  14. Bunce

    Bunce Active Member

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    Get the hybrid assistant app, it's better for working with the Prius.
     
  15. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    Thanks will try that app.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  16. Kaptainkid1

    Kaptainkid1 Active Member

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    I spoke with a Hybrid battery technician and he said that the Prius might have a grounding issue. Since the Prius would still drive even if the Hybrid battery is dying. So the Prius is not shifting into D or R. Only after I pull the battery for 10 mins can the Prius start up. After idling for 10 mins the red Triangle comes back after shut off. He also mentioned that the inverter could be going out too. I tried DR Prius app and hybrid assistant and couldn't get the apps to connect to my bluetooth obd2. Is there a common grounding problem I can check with 2008 Prius. It seems all the orange wires are firmly connected maybe I'm missing a ground point that's a known issue?
    Please help.

    SM-J737T1 ?
     
  17. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    You have a high voltage leak. It's the only fault that causes the above scenario. The code is P0AA6. The leak most likely is from the battery. The AC compressor, inverter, transmission, and damaged wiring are other possibilities.

    Here is a dangerous (deadly) way to check the high voltage battery for leaks. Wear gloves! Use an alligator clip for one of the test leads. Handle just one test lead at a time. Do not touch the body of the car while performing this test.


     
  18. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    I will try to answer your post with prior quotes from above.
    Which orange wires would that be?
    The thread below was recommended reading, but it might've gone unnoticed.
     
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