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2010 Prius keeps going into failsafe mode when driving

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by wm581, Jun 19, 2018.

  1. wm581

    wm581 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2018
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    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Hi All,

    My 2010 with 84,000 miles on it has started to go into failsafe mode while driving. It has happened three times today. I’ve scheduled a service appointment but I’m curious if anyone has experienced something similar or knows what I might be getting into repair wise?

    I just replaced the 12v battery last month and have otherwise kept it in good shape. I just had it inspected and it came back in good working order. I tested it for error codes and have gotten P0A3F and P0A4B back.
     
    #1 wm581, Jun 19, 2018
  2. wm581

    wm581 Junior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Philadelphia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    D12E6A18-4137-4FE0-9532-91CBD9BF37D9.jpeg Update, it starts up but is now getting stuck in nuetral with the lights in the picture popping up.
     
    #2 wm581, Jun 19, 2018
  3. chrisinphx

    chrisinphx New Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    phx
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    you may have a bad 12volt. even though you replaced it. when mine comes on, I disconnect the battery for 30 seconds and then reconnect. it happens to me a lot at 189k miles. I have absolutely no Prius knowledge, and less mechanical. I hope someone here can offer some solid advice.
     
    #3 chrisinphx, Jun 21, 2018
    bisco likes this.
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Base
    agree on checking the 12v. also the battery cooling fan and intake grille.
     
    #4 bisco, Jun 21, 2018
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Location:
    Indiana, USA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    What chrisinphx is doing is clearing the evidence of what issue the car is reporting, and waiting for as long as it takes to meet the reporting threshold again, and then clearing it again.

    Asking the car what problem it is reporting, before clearing it, would be good.

    -Chap
     
    #5 ChapmanF, Jun 21, 2018
    fotomoto likes this.
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    First hit if you google the first code:

    P0A3F Code | PriusChat

    Sounds like transaxle issue.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jun 21, 2018
    Johnny Cakes, Grit and m.wynn like this.
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