Gen 2 Epic Failure--Dealer Perplexed--Need Real Help

I would get a second opinion.
This doesn't sound like a battery issue to me, its sounds like the gas engine cut out and the battery got you over to the side of the road.
The battery likely became depleted after running that short distance on electric only.
I would check fuse AM2 (it will fail with a shorted inverter fluid pump) & fuel pressure.

 

+1.

The codes will go a long way toward understanding the issue.

If it were a Gen3, this sounds like an inverter failure for which the IPM flash was given to prevent.

Look forward to the codes or updates .

 

I feel the same way, if the 12V battery was charged they should have been able to read codes. I question the stealership's methods.

 

Both the Nashville and Franklin dealerships aren't great. The franklin one being the better of the two. I don't trust either one, honestly.

 

welcome!
if the dealership had to call in a master tech to diagnose a bad battery, and claimed they 'had never seen one before', i would find another dealer.
you are probably closer to autobeyours in indiana, or even tampa prius than miami.
there used to be a company in tennessee i think, that started the dorman battery company, not sure if they still have a shop.

 

Autobeyours is in my hometown of scottsburg Indiana . Not that familiar with them but they have numerous used and rebuilt pro. Also. Clarksville Indiana has a good dealership which I do trust.


Z917VL ?

 

I was just on their website Prius hybrids sales and service Scottsburg Indiana they have some interesting cars for sale.

Inventory.

Rebuildable Prius and Electric Vehicles

 

Not having a code reader for someone owning a vehicle is kinda like cat owner not owning a litter box. Just setting yourself up for a mess in the future.

What it means for "bad" battery is that when the voltage of a cell block is off by more than 1.2v in comparison to the other cell blocks it throws the dreaded battery error code. Sometimes you can reset the codes with a code reader or disconnect/reconnect the battery which does the same thing and it will drive for a days with no error then come back which is what happened to me. A code reader that can read Prius live data is what you need to verify battery condition.

Don't recommend driving far from your home till it gets fixed.

 

What Prius code readers are there that use legally licensed software other than the expensive TechStream directly from Toyota? Most people here used the cracked, illegally licensed TechStream.

 

Do you need 2 vehicles?
Since you did not trade in or sell the 07, when purchasing the 2015, I'm assuming the master plan was to keep both. If that's what you still want to do, then you are heading in the right direction with continued investigation and repair.

As far as what to do? Well with a 07 with 225K miles, it could indeed be the Hybrid Battery failing. But I personally wouldn't want to make the "Full Monty" investment without being shown the codes and being sure the Hybrid Battery has failed, and being sure replacement will fix your problem.

Does "In the meantime" mean you bought the 2015 Prius V, after the failure of the 07?
Whether you want to invest into restoring the 07, while owning a 2015 Prius V, is all up to you, and what you project your vehicles needs will be.
Unfortunately, while the 07 is totally dead, it's re-sell value is very limited. Don't know how much you could get for a Prius that isn't running. Is the idea to restore the 07 for another 150,000 or 200,000k or is the idea to get it running, so that it can be sold as a running functional Prius?
The former, I would recommend OEM battery replacement. The latter, I might recommend refurbished batteries or other aftermarket options already mentioned.
But maybe, the very first step is making sure the Hybrid Battery is the problem. I'd want a little more confirmation of that reality than what the dealership is currently providing.

 

The software directly from Toyota is not expensive, in fact it is a free download in some jurisdictions. What is expensive is the military grade PC and the Mongoose cable. Both those expensive options can be replaced with less expensive options.

To answer your question, Autel, for one, make a compatible scanner. One PC member purchased a Toyota hand held scanner (THHS) for circa $300, which is another option. That member also had Techstream and said he preferred the HH.

 

This is primarily a US site. In the US, legal Techstream requires a TechInfo Professional Diagnostic level subscription which is either $55 dor 2 days or $1095 per year. Of course you would need compatible hardware too.


See https://techinfo.toyota.com/techInfoPortal/appmanager/t3/ti?_pageLabel=ti_whats_tis&_nfpb=true

 

There may be a majority of US members, but PC is an international site.

This is incorrect, Techstream can be used without subscription. Further, you do not need a professional level subscription and a 2 day standard subscription will suffice for most PC users which is $15.

The subscription service gives you access to the documentation, when you are ready to access that.

 

Well, I am officially and unapologetically calling BS on their claim that they cannot do any more because the HV battery is too depleted.

Why/how? Simple. ALL the normal electronics (computers, windows, engine management, etc) run on 12v and it is a SIMPLE thing to put a battery charger on the car and power all that stuff up to enable the technician to retrieve ALL the codes.

If I were confident that the ONLY issue was a failed HV pack and wanted the best repair for the least cost, I would use the aftermarket NEW cells sold by another PC member and be done with it.

 

I've learned to disregard the "he said, she said" comments that can make it here. They usually get here via several filters: scared customer>service writer>technician that does the work>parts manager>service manager>telephones calls>average consumer who's confused>quick "help" posts to a forum>............ Then add in the time factor between each event can be days, weeks or even months. Too many places for error especially when it comes to important details. Just need the codes.

 

My understanding of the techinfo subscription structure is the same as Prodigyplace's: the standard subscription ($15 for two days) provides access to the technical library (a huge resource, by the way); the professional diagnostic subscription ($55 for two days) is the one that also includes a Techstream license key. (Considering you'd probably spend at least that much going to any dealer to have them run their copy of Techstream—and if it took them two days to diagnose the problem, you can bet the bill would be higher—it doesn't seem set-your-hair-on-fire expensive to me.)

Prodigyplace included a screenshot with red boxes added around the relevant parts, so it doesn't seem like there's much room for mistakes.

The software requires Windows, but doesn't otherwise seem to care much what sort of beater laptop you run it on. For the USB-to-car dongle, it needs anything made to the J2534 standard. The one Toyota tests and supports is the $495 Drew Mongoose Pro, but that doesn't mean less expensive ones won't work. (Some of the cheapest ones will mostly work, but fail certain functions.)

-Chap

 

Codes are needed. Dealership should have them, and if they don't: another dealership is needed. Cobbled techstream and what have you is too much of an imposition right now I think, just get the codes, splurge the $50~100 to the dealership, if that's what it takes... Codes.

 

I recently bought the MaxiDiag Elite MD802 scan tool by Autel. I already had it before I bought my new Prius and have not had a chance to use it yet on the new car. It should be up to date and I will be upset if it won't read all the Prius codes. When I get a chance I will try it and see how it goes. When I got active on Prius Chat I keep reading remarks that the only way to read Prius codes is with TechStream, I hope to prove those statements wrong or I will send my new scan tool back. lol


http://www.amazon.com/Autel-MD802-Maxidiag-Diagnoses-Transmission/dp/B0090B7M2O

 

Good luck retrieving the three digit info codes which accompany many of the DTC, without using Techstream or the Mini VCI equivalent.