Want to Ck OUT a 2003, but Im SO new, I need Experts

334 is a sensor malfunction. Google search this: P3125 and SubCode 332

On the first page of results, there will be a link
DTC P3125 Converter & Inverter Assembly ... - Techno-Fandom

Which will take you to an auto download Pdf. file. It has a listing of the appropriate codes.

 

This one depends on how long it's been sitting. HV batteries don't respond well to sitting for long periods of time It would be nice if you could actually get it started. 12v battery is the easy part, any old car battery will do if you jump it to the Prius battery in the trunk.Being able to put it in drive and take a turn around the block would be a bonus. A/C would be nice, too. At the very least, if you can get the dash to light up, you can see the guage for the HV battery and hook up your Techstream to see the condition of the cells, battery cooling fan, and pull any latent codes. If you get this far, jump on it with both feet and tow it home.

 

You're gonna have to develop some level of expertise. If it's just a FUBAR sensor, rather than a totally FUBAR inverter, you may be able to find the sensor in the after market or at a wrecking yard. Rather than a whole inverter. IF the batteries are okay, this thing will be just a puzzle to figure out. Wouldn't mind having one, myself.

IF the HV battery just has some bad cells, one of the other Gen 1's you've looked at may be a good resource for the replacement stuff & other parts. I'd try to msg Linda L again and see if she's sold hers, and the one you looked at earlier might be a good parts resource. And any wrecking yard within about 300 miles might be a good source (I know locations in Phoenix that would/could provide parts.)

BTW, that charge/discharge cable that Hybrid Automotive sells would allow you to connect a free Multimeter from Harbor Freight to the HV battery--those little red pieces of junk are actually up to the task. If you wanted to make your own harness, the installation instructions Hybrid Automotive has online will show you which lugs to attach the wires. THere are precautions, but if I could do it, pretty much anyone with a modicum of automotive sense could do it. Be sure to fuse the hot cable.

 

I would think this is a very specific code. Solve the subcode part, and the primary code goes away, doesn't it?

 

Greg, I looked at the ad on Craigslist. It looks like a decent deal--heck it runs & drives. Don't quite understand why he says it needs a hybrid drive, looks to me like a replacement inverter is the answer. I would get it, if it were me. Lots of them on Ebay. Probably should replace the inverter pump, too.

In your area, there are several independent Hybrid shops, google them. Take everything you know out to them and pick their brains. Things that are a mystery to you and me are things a trained expert will know. They'll be able to tell you whether it's going to be a money pit or not, too.

 

Google: hybrid auto repair houston and you'll get some ideas.

 

Hi Greg: you asked me to comment on your string.

1. Your OP says you want a learning experience and you are up for whatever repairs are needed. Since you own a Tesla I assume you have adequate financial resources to expend into this hobby. I think buying a used Prius in unknown condition is a really bad choice for someone who can barely afford the purchase price, never mind the cost of unknown repairs. So that rules out impoverished college students, as one example.

2. Personally, I do not like the Classic Prius compared to the 2G Prius which is a much better design.
- body looks like a Toyota Echo
- traction battery has poor design and will leak
- hybrid drivetrain control is still at the science experiment stage

That is why I sold my 2001 at a relatively low odometer reading. However if you like the "underdog" then the Classic might be a good choice.

3. You need to get Mini VCI working at your convenience, using a Toyota vehicle that is operational. Then you will understand how it works, how to establish communications with the vehicle, etc. You don't want to be learning how to do this on a car that has who knows what issues.

4. If a subject Prius has a dead 12V battery, you are not going to retrieve much DTC even if you know how to use Mini VCI, since most ECU memory is erased when power is lost. The exceptions are the skid control ECU and SRS ECU with 2G. I'm not sure whether any Classic ECUs retain memory when 12V power is lost.

5. Buy a not-running Prius at your risk as many issues could be present and not all are sufficiently obvious to understand what to fix. A wiring harness fault due to accident or flood is one example. If the car experiences communications problems between the ECUs, are you going to re-run wiring to all of the ECUs to fix that?

6. Good luck with your decision.

 

Patrick, I pulled up the Austin Craigslist ad for a look. For a cheap project Prius, this one looks very good. It does start and run, and is driveable (tho in limp mode) out on the road. It's a fairly nice looking car, not a beater. As you said, Greg doesn't seem like some young kid and appears to be financially capable of fixing this car. Gen 1's are good opportunities to learn the system, too.

I have an 03, and I don't quite agree on the styling. Doesn't look like an Echo, more like a Corolla or an old Tercel. I think the distinctive styling of Gen 2's and after is rather unfortunate--I'd have a later generation, probably a plugin hybrid, but certainly not for the bodywork or the dead colors. We are yet to see how my 03 handles our S. Az weather. But mine's a Tucson car (bought new and serviced at Precision Toyota ) so it should be up to the task.

If Greg's prospective Prius were local, and I had the space and cash for a project, I'd probably jump on this one.

 

Good luck wid dat! I should hear from Linda L. today or tomorrow about when I can motor over and pick up mine. Don't know whether it will run, but the take off's and even a rebuildable/core traction batteries make it worth the money and time. If it's a dead one, I can at least salvage the factory GPS components.

 

Sounds like a parts car. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, Eh?

 

Maybe you need a paradigm shift: Toyota Prius

2013 Toyota Prius V

Toyota Prius 2010