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Prius breaks down 20 days after purchase... help!

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 2007PriusConvert, Jun 9, 2014.

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  1. 2007PriusConvert

    2007PriusConvert New Member

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    I just purchased a used 2007 Prius a month ago and within 20 days of owning it the vehicle left my wife and 2 month old stranded on the way home from work. We had it towed to the local Toyota dealer (after calling several independent shops that said they didn't have the capability of working on the Prius). The dealer has charged me a couple hundred dollars for only doing the diagnostics, but the kicker is that they say the Inverter needs to be replaced. They've quoted me $6100 to do the repair and then they will run additional diagnostics to see if the problem is fixed as there are additional trouble codes (13 total). What am I supposed to do? The car is worth $10k and I sure can't afford that repair.

    I've already contacted Toyota Corporate to see if they will do anything about a warranty. They said that since the car has 107k miles on it and that I didn't purchase it from a Toyota Dealer than they can't help me. The rep had a very pointed comment that I shouldn't have bought from a non-toyota dealer. I was (and still am) very hopeful about my Prius, but if these cars only last a little over 100k miles than I won't be buying a Toyota from dealer, private party or anywhere else...

    I've contacted the independent dealership where I purchased the vehicle. Since I bought it used "As is- no warranty" they haven't done much to help me either.

    I've looked online for used Inverter's and I see them going for $200-$400. I am fairly handy and do my own brakes, oil changes, tune-ups etc but I have little to no experience with Hybrids. Is this an undertaking I can handle? I am thinking it isn't in my ballpark but I could be encouraged to give it a shot. Should I try to get a used inverter and try the Atlanta area (about an hour away) for an independent mechanic? The dealership said they will install the used inverter for 9 hrs of labor for a total of $1100. I could get the dealership to do it, but will that be the end of my problems? An independent mechanic may be cheaper but towing costs may negate my savings on labor.

    Here are the codes that it has thrown if this will be of any help...
    Hybrid Battery and Inverter Codes: P0A0F, P0A7A, P3000, P3193
    ABS Codes: C1241, C1259, C1310, C1377
    Tire Pressure Codes: C2122, C2123 C2177
    Transmission Code: C2300, C2318

    Thanks in advance for any thoughts, input and feedback.
     
    #1 2007PriusConvert, Jun 9, 2014
  2. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    I'd go with the used inverter and Toyota dealer install for a total of $1,500.
    Dangerous/lethal voltages involved in and around the inverter- and if it takes Toyota 9hrs... it's can't be an easy job like changing the oil.
     
    #2 ny_rob, Jun 9, 2014
  3. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    You don't say in your post where you are located, if you give out that information (city and state) perhaps someone here will know of a good independent shop who can help you fix your car.
     
    #3 Munpot42, Jun 9, 2014
  4. 2007PriusConvert

    2007PriusConvert New Member

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    The car is in Athens, GA. I commute to the Covington/Conyers area daily.

    Thanks for the replies so far!
     
    #4 2007PriusConvert, Jun 9, 2014
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i'm sorry you had trouble so soon, but that can happen to any car with 100,000 miles i would go with a used inverter and search for shops who might do it cheaper or diy if you feel comfortable after reading the service manual. search here for inverter threads, all the best!(y)
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 9, 2014
  6. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    1) it is very rare for the inverter to go out. You need to verify if your inverter coolant pump is working first because that's the most likely reason your inverter failed. You do this by turning the car on and verifying coolant flow in the inverter reservoir.
    2) The inverter is really pretty easy to replace. You can DIY. I see tons of inverters on Ebay for less than $250. Even if you screw it up the first time, you can order another one and spend less than $500.
     
    #6 usnavystgc, Jun 9, 2014
  7. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    how old is the 12v battery?
    and did you happen to get an oil change recently?

    i think its either your 12v or the oil may have been overfilled. it cant be over the full line.

    your codes seem more like confusion from bad signal than something major failing. if it was the inverter, i would assume you would see hv inverter voltage/amparage error codes.
     
    #7 V8Cobrakid, Jun 9, 2014
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  8. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Good point V8Cobrakid. Check the easy stuff first. After a closer look, I also believe it is the 12V battery.
     
    #8 usnavystgc, Jun 9, 2014
  9. 2007PriusConvert

    2007PriusConvert New Member

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    Unfortunately I do not know how old the 12v battery is since I just purchased it. Oil level was fine when I checked prior to purchase and again a few days before the trouble started. I am at the mercy of the dealership on this one and they have said that they checked the 12v battery and it's fine. I could get it towed to the house and check it myself if I decide to go the DIY route...
     
    #9 2007PriusConvert, Jun 9, 2014
  10. 2007PriusConvert

    2007PriusConvert New Member

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    Thanks, I will ask them to check the 12v battery again. That would be great if it's only the 12v battery. As for your previous comments the dealership had said this is the first inverter that he has ever seen go bad like this. My faith in this dealership is lacking because he thought the inverter was part of the powertrain 60k warranty not the hybrid battery 8 year 100k warranty. I've all but decided that I am going to either take it to an independent mechanic or attempt to DIY. Is there a specific OBDII reader you recommend? If I do it myself than I am sure that I will need to check for additional codes. I would probably be handy to I am sure that I can search the threads for how to get the service manual but if you know off hand that would be great.
     
    #10 2007PriusConvert, Jun 9, 2014
  11. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Just so you know, dealers are notorious for telling you you have a good 12V battery when you don't. Remember, they want to upsell you on service. The first thing you need to do is get it away from them. Then you need to test your 12V battery and replace if necessary.
     
    #11 usnavystgc, Jun 9, 2014
  12. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    with a prius 12v its better to replace it than guess.

    i asked about oil lvl because if its too full it will end up in the intake which will stall the car due to wrong pressure till its mooped up. (potentially damaging the battery in the process from too much drain from failed starts)

    my other possible idea was fuel pump but i think that would have more codes too

    dealer should be accurate... they have pretty extensive readouts. like i said, i would think the inverter would throw more codes if it was the problem.

    i just replaced my hv battery for 650. anything less seems like a deal at this point
     
    #12 V8Cobrakid, Jun 9, 2014
  13. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    for a quick 12v test. with the car in accessory mode (1 power button push with no brake applied)... are the windows quick or are they slow? how about more than one window at the same time

    or turn on and off the car while keeping the doors shut
     
    #13 V8Cobrakid, Jun 9, 2014
  14. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    P0A0F engine failed to start (Due to no fuel?)
    P0A7A Generator Inverter Performance (Many causes, need to get the "INF" data as well. Could be overheating due to coolant pump failure.)
    P3000 HV Battery malfunction (A general code meaning other things have failed. Possibly the battery drained after the engine ran out of fuel.)
    P3193 Fuel Run Out (This is a smoking gun, if you ask me. Was the tank low?)

    C1241 Abnormal Battery voltage (This ABS code can appear due to bad 12V battery)
    C1259 HV System Regen Malfunction (Something is wrong somewhere else)
    C1300 Malfunction in HV System (More general "the sky is falling" messages)
    C1377 Capacitor Malfunction (This is especially diagnostic of bad 12V battery)

    The tire codes mean that a couple of the pressure sensors in the wheels are not responding. Check you tire pressures in any case.

    The "transmission codes" ? The Transaxle codes are all in the PXXXXX group. I don't see those codes anywhere in the service manual. The C group is "Chassis".

    I think you are getting the right advice so far. What ever you do, don't be "at the mercy of the dealer". There are some that are good, but many techs have very little experience with the Prius and don't know how to troubleshoot. You are not yet assured of inverter failure.

    Once you have really made sure of the 12V quality, all connections tight, including the bolt to the body (which corrodes a bit over time), then make sure the inverter coolant pump is running (turbulence in the reservoir). And make sure there is fuel in the tank!
     
    #14 nh7o, Jun 9, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2014
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  15. engerysaver

    engerysaver Real Senior Member

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    Could be a 12 v battery and the coolant inverter pump!!
    Check that first.
     
    #15 engerysaver, Jun 9, 2014
  16. Beachbummm

    Beachbummm Senior Member

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    if its not the 12 volt battery Id start looking for a short in the wiring harness with all the codes in different parts of the car at once....has it been wrecked? did you run a carfax?
     
    #16 Beachbummm, Jun 10, 2014
  17. 2007PriusConvert

    2007PriusConvert New Member

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    Thanks, I will keep that in mind if we replace or rule out the 12 v battery. I did have a carfax and it was clean. I had it inspected and there was no evidence of a past wreck.
     
    #17 2007PriusConvert, Jun 10, 2014
  18. 2007PriusConvert

    2007PriusConvert New Member

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    Thank you for the detail and time you spent. This is very helpful. We had a quarter tank of gas in the car and were only 5 minutes into the drive home so unless it is a fuel pump problem than I don't think the fuel is the culprit.

    I am not too worried about the tire codes if the sensors have gone bad unless you say I should be. I've always manually checked my tire pressure anyway.

    The dealer told me then transmission codes were the C2300 and C2318, so this might be evidence of a tech with a misdiagnosis. I am already coordinating to pick it up this afternoon or tomorrow to bring it back to the house. The first thing I am going to do is replace the 12 v battery. it seems that the general consensus is that this may be the problem and since I just purchased the vehicle and I do not know how old it is I might as well get a new one to be sure it isn't a problem. I can follow the instructions that I see on another thread and and then check the inverter coolant pump. It would be such great news if it was only the 12v battery...

    Thanks again
     
    #18 2007PriusConvert, Jun 10, 2014
  19. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    The gas meter could be off, there have been mention of people running out of gas with 2 pips remaining.

    Fill the car up before changing the battery, then the entire system will reset itself when you put the battery in.

    SM-N900P ?
     
    #19 JC91006, Jun 10, 2014
  20. 2007PriusConvert

    2007PriusConvert New Member

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    Will do. Thanks for the heads up.
     
    #20 2007PriusConvert, Jun 10, 2014
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