1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Possible 'phantom' traction battery failure

Discussion in 'Prius v Technical Discussion' started by PoorMansSUPriusV, Jan 11, 2018.

  1. PoorMansSUPriusV

    PoorMansSUPriusV New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Hopefully no one has posted on this. I spent a few days searching to make sure it wasn't discussed somewhere else.

    I have a 2013 Prius v wagon w 158Kmi that put up all the warning lights and occasionally throws out a PA080 code (sometimes the speed sensor error) on a decent OBDii reader/multitester, but it's still charging the traction battery (it just doesn't use it for powering movement.)

    Cleaned out the fan and a 2-minute disconnect of the 12 volt resets everything (including the cruise control, which seems to be disabled when this happens.) It works in full hybrid mode for at least 2 hrs, sometimes a little over a day, before something trips, and it goes back into ICE-only mode with most of the lights that go with that. I have yet to test or replace the 12 volt, but I've been told by a more knowledgeable hybrid person than myself that it's likely not the culprit- some say that's only used for power management and ignition cranking.

    I just replaced all the Sparks, and cleaned out the air intake, as well as the oil and oil, air filters. Any other quick suggestions from someone who may have had this problem about which sensors or control modules might be the culprit would be much appreciated before I volt-test the whole system or give up and take it to my local hybrid guy.

    It's a shame a system so complex seems to have one code for everything ("replace Hybrid battery") when it could be a dirty cooling fan, a bad inverter, etc, etc...

    Thanks, in advance.
     
    #1 PoorMansSUPriusV, Jan 11, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2018
  2. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,550
    4,425
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    You will find plenty of posts on PA080. The trick is to use Google and not this board's search. "PA080 prius" is all it takes and the standard Google will find you Priuschat posts.
     
    #2 rjparker, Jan 11, 2018
    PoorMansSUPriusV likes this.
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,696
    11,317
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    There are detail codes whenever the PA080 is thrown, indicating which module(s) were low. Toyota Techstream can read those detail codes, usually indicated by a snowflake icon. (freeze frame data).
    I do not know if a Prolong conditioning system from Hybrid Automotive would help extend the battery life, or if the symptoms say it is too far gone. It might be work a call to check.
     
    #3 Prodigyplace, Jan 11, 2018
  4. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2008
    7,550
    4,425
    7
    Location:
    Texas Hill Country
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Since you are in LA you may want to check with one of the many hybrid shops around there. For comparison, in Texas we can get a rebuilt battery for $1400 and a new Toyota battery for $2400 installed. Services | Hometown Hybrids
     
    #4 rjparker, Jan 11, 2018
  5. benagi

    benagi Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 4, 2012
    525
    280
    4
    Location:
    Utah
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    First thing I would check is the 12 volt battery. I have a 2012 Prius v where the dash lite up like a Christmas tree. Let you car rest for a few hours then check the voltage on the 12 volt battery. Make sure nothing is on in the car. The voltage should read over 12 volts. If it is reading anything less, replace the battery right away. Fixed my problem.
     
    #5 benagi, Jan 11, 2018
    bisco likes this.
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,679
    48,934
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome!

    agree, ^^^ if you can do everything you have already done, you can test the 12v. but it should be more like 12.4+.
    if it looks good, read the trouble codes.
     
    #6 bisco, Jan 11, 2018
  7. PoorMansSUPriusV

    PoorMansSUPriusV New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
    2
    0
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks so much! I'm a child of the digital age, so everything starts with Google ;-), which is how I found this forum! I just used Too Many keywords and found other threads were people had already diagnosed and we're trying to replace the traction battery. Searching only for the code brought up this thread: False Positive P0A80? - Replace Hybrid Battery | PriusChat

    ...which gave me the start I was looking for! I'm tempted to this thread, but anyone uses the term Phantom to describe this will be directed to a better thread with this reply.
     
    #7 PoorMansSUPriusV, Jan 12, 2018
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)