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

“Check Hybrid System” then shut down & won’t start

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Dossett3, Jan 27, 2019.

  1. Dossett3

    Dossett3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    It all started a couple weeks ago that my car randomly wouldn’t turn on with the “Ready” light on, until I got jumped from a fellow co-worker, and worked fine after that.
    I took it to AutoZone that day to have battery tested. He said the 12v battery was bad, reading about 9v I think.

    I postponed the replacement and took a field trip from Kansas to Missouri and back for the weekend.

    Yesterday while on the highway the the dash came on with “Check Hybrid System” message, then a yellow triangle with exclamation mark on left came on and something on the right.
    The car went to battery mode and the engine turned off. I was at 65 and able to maintain 55 until I got off the highway almost a quarter mile later.
    As soon as I got off ramp and to nearest street I was at 15mph and my displays of speed and battery mode disappeared. By then the red steering wheel light came on, and it shut down.
    After some decent researched I tried the turning on and off 3 times which worked to move it 20 feet and then it died again: leaving it in drive mode but zero control of anything. I got help and replaced the 12v battery but hasn’t changed the problem besides now having stable electricity for lights.

    Possible issues I’ve heard could be antifreeze pump attached to motor, or the orange plug area to the main hybrid battery, or disconnecting negative/ground 12v battery cable and then reconnecting after a couple minutes (which was done after battery replacement.)

    I have a BlueDriver OBDII scanner that I used this morning and got some results. I hit the wrong button and had to do the thorough search again; but it did save a few reports.
    I’ll do the search again this afternoon, after church service: and commence my thorough investigation.
     

    Attached Files:

  2. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,058
    5,783
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    I took it to AutoZone that day to have battery tested. He said the 12v battery was bad, reading about 9v I think.

    I postponed the replacement and took a field trip from Kansas to Missouri and back for the weekend.


    The first few lines of your post tell me you should just call a tow truck and have it taken to a dealer. Most likely, if you DIY something here, you're just going to make it worse and more expensive in the long run.
     
    Mendel Leisk and bisco like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,861
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you need tech stream diagnostic software

    how many miles on your car?
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    54,463
    38,101
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    A 12 volt battery reading nine volts: not a good time for interstate travel. Start with the low-hanging fruit: change the battery. If you want to see for yourself, invest in a Solar BA5 or similar. But 9 volts is dead.
     
  5. Dossett3

    Dossett3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I have 168k miles.
    I replaced the battery and it still functions the same. It started with “Ready” and started the engine for a few seconds and then shut down again with all dash lights on again.
     
  6. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,058
    5,783
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    That was already done.

    I got help and replaced the 12v battery but hasn’t changed the problem besides now having stable electricity for lights.

    I wasn't trying to be a smartguy in my previous post. Just expressing my opinion that doing an interstate road trip with a 9v battery shows a level of experience that would be best helped by a professional. I just see bad things happening.
     
    Mendel Leisk and Raytheeagle like this.
  7. Dossett3

    Dossett3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I didn’t percieve it as any offense.
    I got help by someone providing tools and a vehicle to get the battery out and buy a new one. I performed all the work besides a flashlight being held. Yes traveling with a bad battery wasn’t good.

    I’m going to check the coolant pump tomorrow to see if it gummed up isn’t rotating, as I saw someone else mentioned as a common issue.
    I’ve only worked on vehicles a little; but I do research and careful disassembling to not miss or break anything (besides plastic clamps); so that if I can’t figure it out I just take it to a mechanic. I’d rather lose time trying to figure it out, and possibly learn and fix it, for the chance to save hundreds of dollars. I always learn something good either way.
    I figured getting help from experienced people would be good.

    BlueDriver OBSII scanner only reported the engine not starting since I can’t get it to read it fast enough before engine shut-off.
    I’ll resume my research tomorrow evening.
     
  8. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 1, 2016
    11,251
    15,474
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area, California
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Agree:).

    What could possibly go wrong when you know of a problem and throw caution to the wind:whistle:?

    I’d find a good mechanic with Techstream ;).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
    Dossett3 likes this.
  9. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    315
    121
    0
    Location:
    IL
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I don't see why the water pump would cause this. If it wasn't working it would cause the temp light to go on.

    Your issue is more likely part of the hybrid system, like the battery or inverter converter. The hybrid system charges the 12v which is probably why it seemed bad.
     
  10. Dossett3

    Dossett3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I checked the water pump as someone else had a thread about theirs seizing up and not rotating at all (
    ); and mine is good: so that possible issue has been eliminated.

    I saw someone else said their battery fan and batteries were dirty. He cleaned two cells prior to taking to dealership and they couldn’t find any issue after an 11 mile drive. His codes were mostly wiped from disconnecting the 12v battery.
    After two-three months he said he hasn’t had an issue yet, but still finds it odd to have been “fixed” over cleaning the cell batteries and fan.

    I’ll check my batteries for corrosion and dirt/dust tomorrow evening after work. That’s the only possible thought to be the issue that i can figure out and fix.
    If it doesn’t work, I’ll take it to a mechanic. 6ADD7382-01E5-4D7E-BF96-D3CECD63C45C.jpeg
     
  11. Dossett3

    Dossett3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Resolved.
    One of common issues was low fuel that o saw on the BluderDriver OBDII scanner. I didn’t think it was relevant.
    I did have half a gallon when it went to the “Check Hybrid System”. Apparently the sensor messed up. I added a gallon from the house and decided to check it. It’s been running fine with no errors since then.
     
    Mendel Leisk and bisco like this.
  12. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    315
    121
    0
    Location:
    IL
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I'm confused... You were out of gas?!?!

    Were you low on fuel when the problems initially started before your trip? Did you get gas immediately after getting jumped?

    Surely you got gas on your trip... Do you always run the tank ALL the way down?
     
  13. Danger

    Danger Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2011
    175
    22
    6
    Location:
    Frisco
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I think this is a recall Toyota has sent out recently. The exact thing happened to me and I towed my car to the dealership. They said it was the inverter. All was replaced under hybrid warranty (10 years).
     
  14. Dossett3

    Dossett3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    You know Hybdrids can’t go battery only for more than a couple miles.
    When the situation of “Check Hybrid System” occurred Saturday, it had about half a gallon of gas. I usually run it to a gallon or two left.
     
  15. Dossett3

    Dossett3 New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    8
    2
    0
    Location:
    Kansas
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    I recurved something in the mail about some form of electronic issue. I’ll see if I still have it to schedule a check.
     
  16. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 31, 2018
    315
    121
    0
    Location:
    IL
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    I guess I glossed over the part where you said your sensor (assuming you meant the gas gauge sensor) messed up.

    Just seemed unlikely that your problem was a gas issue as it happened before and after a long trip.
     
  17. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 12, 2016
    6,058
    5,783
    0
    Location:
    Columbia, SC
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    The prosecution rests it's case.......:whistle:

    What indication is used to determine there is half a gallon in the tank? The blinking single dot?
     
  18. Dubhe

    Dubhe Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 7, 2018
    6
    2
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I recently had a recall fix on my Prius. Something to do with an update to the electrical system. I have the same problem as OP. My car stopped on the freeway. I know I have a crack in the oil filter sub assembly that has been causing an oil leak. The check engine light has been coming on for a few moments then it goes away. A couple days ago the same thing happened to me, the engine shutdown. I was able to keep it at 55mph until it eventually stopped. Could the cause have been with the recall fix?
     
  19. SirParker77

    SirParker77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2020
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Folkestone
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----UK----
    I've had the same problem. Everything cut out check hybrid system message came up and I had to coast it to the side of the road with very heavy steering.
    The RAC couldn't find any error messages.

    A Google search said maybe the inverter, so I replaced it.
    All was running fine for a day. This morning I got about 1/4 mile up the road and the error happened again.
    I used a couple of obd readers and it came up with error code U0110.
    I checked all electrical connections and made sure everything was fastened tightly, then cleared the code, but as soon as you start up the message and error code reappear.

    Any thoughts?
     
  20. SirParker77

    SirParker77 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2020
    25
    2
    0
    Location:
    Folkestone
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    ----UK----
    Also the 12v battery was new from Toyota a little over a year ago and it's showing 11.7v