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Warning Lights, Triangle ! and VSC. Transmission Problems?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Wooster Green Cars, Jul 27, 2011.

  1. Wooster Green Cars

    Wooster Green Cars New Member

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    Yeah,

    I first disconnected everything and still had the problem and then hooked everything back up with extra shielding on the HV wires. I'll first replace the battery then I'll checking those plugs on the transmission.

    Thanks
     
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    This is all good information. For example, would a transaxle under/overfill cause this? Any chance that the fill plug fell out, letting water in? etc.

    Also, on the Enginer kit, did you disconnect the wires at the system main relays, or just at the kit box? As well, if there was a problem with the connection at the system main relays, a small amount of added resistance there would cause enough Ohmic heating to melt things, such at the insulation on the HV frame wires. That happened to someone not too long ago when they put in a salvage HV battery. I don't know if that would trigger the 613 information code though. The kit itself tends to cause confusion in current delivery mismatch, which results in P3000, P0A80, even P0000, so I agree that it is not directly part of the problem.


    On that service bulletin, it is fascinating that non-CARB states get only the powertrain warranty, while CARB states get the full hybrid warranty. That implies that the trans is a hybrid component under CARB warranty! It also more or less shows the progression of CARB adoption by model year.
     
  3. imwoody36

    imwoody36 the prius parts guy

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    Patrick...has anyone tried synthetic trans fluid equivalent to Toyota WS?
    I am noticing all the troubles occur when it is over 95 degrees outside.
    if we could get the trans temp down, then the isolation faults will stop.

    ( yes, I saw the april fools day post about graphite oil :eek: )
     
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  4. 2009Prius

    2009Prius A Wimpy DIYer

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    I remember reading someone using something like "Red Line D6" without ill effects yet. Not sure whether that is synthetic or not.
     
  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Steve,

    It's not clear to me that synthetic ATF will help. The question is whether the root cause is due to lack of lubrication; or due to metal particles in the ATF which encourage the high voltage ground fault.

    I am wondering whether you have a failed transaxle lying around your shop, where the HV ECU had logged DTC P0AA6 info code 613? If yes, and you have some time to open it up and see whether any faults are visible (like a burnt stator winding, for example) that would be fascinating.
     
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  6. Wooster Green Cars

    Wooster Green Cars New Member

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    It was on that 95 degree day that my code problems started. I used the Toyota WS fluid when I changed it and the dealer said was at the correct level.

    I'm waiting to hear from my dealer on what they're going to do about this situation before I attempt to check resolver plugs or change the fluid again. That will be first on my list if the dealer leaves me high and dry. Thanks, again for all your help. You folks are awesome.
     
  7. imwoody36

    imwoody36 the prius parts guy

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    I have looked at the windings on MG2 after removing a bad trans...but only once and it may not be a large enough sampling to be conclusive.
    Today, We are replacing another and I will have a second chance to inspect.

    the first one did not have visable burns.
     
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  8. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Thanks, pls look at MG1 as well. If you can pls post photos of your latest autopsy that would be great...
     
  9. mingoglia

    mingoglia Member

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    I just had all these lights pop up on my '08 5 mins ago. I have 78,000 miles on the odometer and of course I only have the 75,000 mile extended warranty. I'm not deciding if it's safe to drive to my usual dealer by my house ~20 miles or have it towed.
     
  10. imwoody36

    imwoody36 the prius parts guy

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    for comparison, this is a normal MG2 winding.
    [​IMG]
    Here is a close-up of some moisture we found under the inspection plate.
    [​IMG]
     
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  11. mingoglia

    mingoglia Member

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    Decided to call AAA. Pretty sure it's the Inverter coolant pump. I opened up the cap with it running and didn't see any movement of the coolant. Dropped it off at the dealer so they're looking at it. I'll update this thread for everyone's curiosity and any future searchers of this issue.
     
  12. imwoody36

    imwoody36 the prius parts guy

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    [ame=http://www.youtube.com/user/imwoody36#p/u/0/shs55I959Pw]‪imwoody36's Channel‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]
    I made a 2 minute video showing the transmission and some internal views of the windings.
     
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  13. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    Woody, Patrick, Jeff and others...Just wanna say that it is threads like this that make me really proud to be part of Priuschat--this is just an amazing discussion. Thanks all for your contributions.
     
  14. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    Hi Steve,

    Thanks so much for the effort required to disassemble the transaxle and take the great photos and video. This is a wonderful contribution to group knowledge.

    I am wondering whether the transaxle case vent (which allows a partial vacuum to form when the transaxle has cooled from normal operating temps) was stuck open, so that outside air and water moisture could enter. (DIYers who change the transaxle ATF and remove the fill plug first, will note a hissing sound as the fill plug is removed, assuming the transaxle is reasonably cold. That results from air entering the transaxle as the plug is removed. If you don't hear this hissing then your vent also may be stuck open.)

    Do you think that if the transaxle was cleared of the moisture, that it would function properly without having the HV ECU log P0AA6?

    I am also wondering why Jacob the OP's car logged P3009 yet when he disconnected the AC compressor, the car still had issues. Perhaps his third-party mods are responsible...have you come across a car that logged P3009 where the root cause was a component other than the AC compressor?
     
  15. imwoody36

    imwoody36 the prius parts guy

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    I have experienced some persistant codes on a prius that I'm sure were fixed, you should always add the element of time to your diagnosis.

    to be clear, I suspect the codes were somehow " in que" and reported the next time the power was cycled.

    I suggest duplication on scan tool tests when replacing components or in this case when seeking 3009 faults.

    I replaced the WS fluid twice in 10 days on the one in the above video.
    Yes, I believe the moisure could have entered from the vent, no oil leaks were evident...we are led to believe the air leak is on top ( above the oil line).

    so-far , no more trouble codes.

    I would like to add that last year we replaced the fluid and electrical plug on a 2005 prius and it has also worked well since.
     
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  16. imwoody36

    imwoody36 the prius parts guy

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    88 degrees outside ( 10 degrees cooler than when the codes were set) and so far no problems with the car.
     
  17. osofast10

    osofast10 New Member

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    Having the same issues with my prius, how many miles can you drive the car with this code on? if i just "reboot" it whenever the code pops up what more damage could i cause to the car? thanks for any and all help
     
  18. imwoody36

    imwoody36 the prius parts guy

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    Exactly. if you can tolerate rebooting just drive it.
    However at the least replace the fluid and inspect for corrosion on those resolver plugs.
     
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  19. osofast10

    osofast10 New Member

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    thanks, it's gettign fixed in a few days or maybe a week or so, but i want to still be able to drive my car.
     
  20. Wooster Green Cars

    Wooster Green Cars New Member

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    So, for an update... Toyota won't help me out with a new transmision (surprise) so I went in to pay for the diagnostics. I asked what they did and if they checked the 12v battery. They said they hadn't so they did while I was there and the battery was good by their tests. I may still replace it. I went ahead and drained the transaxle fluid (which smelled burnt) and pulled the two resolver plugs from the front of the trans. The one on the passenger side looked fine the one on the right had alot of black fluid on the inside connection and smelled burnt. I think I may replace that one. I did spray both inner sockets out with electric parts cleaner and compressed air. I don't know how to get at the back plug but I'm going to try before I refill it. I hope this helps. Here is a low quality picture of the driver's side plug with the gunk on it.