Inverter Replacement: 2003 Prius

Not since the water pump was replaced. Will try that. Thanks.

 

If the 12V battery disconnection does not help, you will need to post the DTC logged by the car.

 

Called the dealer to find out what my original codes were: P3125--converter/inverter assembly.

We've replaced the water pump assembly Car will not start. Nothing happens, so I'm assuming the hybrid battery is down. On the instrument display, there were originally 3 error pictures. Now 2 of them are grayed out and the main battery is lit up. Is there a way to check and repair/recharge the hybrid battery? How much voltage is a cell supposed to have?

My husband is an electrical technician and should have no problems with this. Any ideas?

 

Although "nothing happens" it is not safe to assume the high voltage traction battery is at fault. If DTC P3125 is still the active fault code, then it is reasonable to suspect the inverter as being at fault. If the inverter is not working, then the traction battery DC voltage will not be converted to three-phase AC which is required by MG1 to spin the gasoline engine when trying to start.

I suggest that your husband download repair manual info at techinfo.toyota.com so that he can see what is required to replace the inverter and open up the traction battery to measure module voltages. The nominal voltage per module is 7.2VDC (or 273.6V for the total battery with 38 modules), but that voltage is near the minimum required. The voltage difference from module to module should be no more than 0.2V or so. A well-charged traction battery will measure at around 310V - 320V or so.