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Replaced Transmission, Car Won't Start

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Frontporch, Sep 27, 2016.

  1. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    I am at the finishing stages of replacing the transaxle on a Prius that I picked up a few weeks ago. There was a red triangle and the previous owner told me that the code was for a bad transmission. There were toyota service records that indicated the owner before that brought the car in with issues that were diagnosed as a failing transmission.

    I picked up a used transmission from a reputable auto wrecker and I think everything went in fine. I had to disconnect the traction and 12v battery, remove the inverter and remove the transmission. The "new" transmission is in and I added fluids and bled the inverter coolant.

    I took the car off jack stands and when I tried to start the car... nothing. Funny thing is I am so new to these cars that I may have done something wrong. The car starts in the accessory position and that is how I bled the inverter. When I step on the brake and press power it just cycles power on and off. No action to start he car.

    I am interested in any suggestions as to what might be going on. I have the 12v battery on a float charger now.

    Prior to replacing the transmission, the car would start, but when I put it in drive it would stall.

    I was surprised that the red triangle was still there after I connected the battery after the batteries had been disconnected for a few weeks. Do I need to clear the code?

    Appreciate any and all help.
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You have to lock the orange interlock on the main hv battery. Press downward to lock it.

    Then try starting, you might have to press start 2 times
     
  3. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    Yikes. That was it. After a few presses and lots of clicking the triangle is gone. The engine started after I shifted into drive. The engine seemed to run kind of rough. I noticed that prior to the new trans but thought it was related to transmission issue. I was blocked in the garage so I didn't try taking it out tonight. Will see what it does in tomorrow. Thanks!!
     
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I'd probably would have replaced both at once. Labor is the same
     
  5. Frontporch

    Frontporch Member

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    That makes sense. This car has 130k miles and the previous owner had it recently serviced and said all was working well except for the transmission issue. I thought the transmission was a safe place to start.