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  1. chasing_03

    chasing_03 New Member

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    We have an 07 Prius. On Sunday we went out. I noticed it was very sluggish and slow. The ice was running at full speed. After a while everything calmed down and went back to normal. However, on our return trip home (we live on top of a mountain), while climbing the mountain the car came to a crawl (20 mph) and the ice was maxed out. No red triangle, check engine light, or any other lights illuminated. It just slowed to a crawl. I looked at the display and the hv battery meter was on 1 bar. We can normally go 70 mph up the hill and its not a problem. I dropped my wife off and went back down the mountain to test it again. Same result. While running on flat ground with a decent charge everything seems to be fine. However, it seems to deplete the hv battery quite rapidly when put under load. As I said, no triangle or check engine light. I put my obdII scanner on it and found no codes thrown.

    So, I read everything I could find on the internet. I saw several different post of peoples cars doing the same thing. They replaced the hv battery and all was well. So I ordered an hv battery from my dealer and installed it yesterday. Take it down the mountain and come back up. Same thing. Battery meter went to one bar and the car slowed to 25 mph. uuuggghh.

    So, I read more. I found people saying to check the 12 volt battery. I used the method with the headlights on and off 3 times and I found under load my battery was at 11.1 volts. BINGO! So I went and bought an optima yellowtop and installed it this morning. I took the car down the mountain and back up. UUUUGGGHHH!!!! Still the same thing.

    The inverter pump seems to be running. I took the cap off and the fluid seems to be swirling inside the reservoir. I am at my wits end. I am mechanically inclined. It's no problem for me to change out an engine or a transmission on a regular car. However, I guess it's quite obvious I don't know how to correctly diagnose a hybrid vehicle problem. Can someone please point me in the right direction so i can get my wifes car fixed?
     
  2. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    You would think if the inverter or transaxle failed you would get enough warning/codes. Sorry to hear that the expensive battery didn't fix it. This is a long shot, but are you sure all the electric connections are fine and all the fluids are in good shape (especially transaxle)? Did you monitor the traction battery temp under load (uphill)?
     
  3. chasing_03

    chasing_03 New Member

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    All connections are good. Not sure about transaxle fluid. I have been focusing on charging issues, and haven't bothered to check. I will go out in a few and check it out.
     
  4. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Do you have dogs? Have you checked the cooling fan for the HV battery for clogged vanes?

    Have you checked the Optima resting voltage? Occasionally they are defective (or in need of initial charge).

    Did the car have a few minutes without the 12V connected when you were swapping batteries? It might help to give it 10 minutes or so for a "cold reboot".
     
  5. chasing_03

    chasing_03 New Member

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    The battery was off long enough for the reset. I did not check the inisde of the blower while apart. However, I have not heard the blower run as I have in the past to indicate a warm battery. Also if the battery overheated, I would think it would trip a code of some sort? This thing has me stumped.
     
  6. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Do the voltage check on the Optima.
     
  7. mikednpv

    mikednpv Junior Member

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    Your issue may be in the inverter. Take it to a dealer and have it checked. It's an expensive repair but if the issue is the IPMs (Intelligent Power Modules... there are two of them in there), there is a new procedure to replace them so you don't have to replace the entire inverter. Dealers will be getting the procedure and parts next week... that's how new it is. It's still expensive but better than an inverter replacement.
    Good luck and keep us posted.
     
    JMD likes this.
  8. chasing_03

    chasing_03 New Member

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    Thanks Mike! While i am trying to keep from taking it to the dealer, it's looking more and more like I'm going to have to throw in the towel and go. Could the inverter go bad and not throw a code? I would think something as serious as that would cause a check engine light.
     
    JMD likes this.
  9. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    On the HV overheating issue, I think we have seen a number of reports where the HV had to be replaced due to overheating caused by a clogged vent fan and there was no warning light. But I have no idea these symptoms are indicating this problem. This onboard 12v check is worth a try if just to eliminate that. Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat
     
  10. chasing_03

    chasing_03 New Member

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    It's fixed! After agonizing over this I just went back to the basics. Popped the hood and began looking around. Opened the air filter and all looked good. I went to put the cover back on and found the breather tube connected to the housing had completely collapsed! I removed it and took it for a test drive. All is back to normal!!! Lol, a $3000 misdiagnosis! I guess I don't have to worry about the batteries for a while. I learned a lot from the experience as well. Ive never seen an air hose collapse like it did. hopefully my post will keep someone else from making the same mistake. Thanks everyone for your suggestions! Here is a pic of the hose I am speaking of.

    [​IMG]
     
    toyolover likes this.
  11. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    You ought to check for some sort of obstruction upstream of that. There shouldn't be much of a vacuum in that duct.

    Must feel nice to have the solution in hand though.
     
  12. SteveLee

    SteveLee Active Member

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    Oh wow! Well, glad you found it before spending any more. Why did it collapse? (edit) Did you have to give up your old HV battery for the new one?
     
  13. chasing_03

    chasing_03 New Member

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    Not sure on why it did it. I'm sure there is an obstruction on the other side of the hose on the backside of the fender well. It started pouring rain once I figured it out so I haven't investigated it yet. I'm also glad I figured it out before I threw more money at it. Yes, the core charge on the battery from Toyota is $1350. The battery itself was $2580 plus tax, but no shipping charges.
     
  14. mikednpv

    mikednpv Junior Member

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    So glad the problem was not a big one. You've already thrown in enough money. Enjoy your car!!
     
  15. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    I bet there is a mouse nest in that snorkel tube. Lots of people have had to put mesh across those openings.

    Always good to find the small solution to the big problem.
     
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  16. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I'm with nh70. There is quite alot of suction through that hose especially under big load like mountains and you probably have an obstruction. Also look carefully for meese party favors in the cabin filter area too. They seem to think thats a pillowtop mattress.

    Prius=Mountains=woods=store car outside=meese.

    Please put your location in the online profile.
     
  17. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Well the problem may of ended up not being a big one, but you already invested into a new and probably unneeded HV battery.

    That's too bad.
     
  18. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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    Not true. He replaced the 12V battery.

    On a 2007 not a bad idea anyhow.
     
  19. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    This from the original post: "So I ordered an hv battery from my dealer and installed it yesterday."

    He also talks about it costing $2,580 dollars. If that's a 12V battery? He should of tried SEARS.
     
  20. css28

    css28 Senior Member

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