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Engine runs constantly

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Fuel Economy' started by Markavelee, Aug 24, 2020.

  1. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    Can anyone assist, My 2012 prius with 103 000 miles runs constantly although the 12v battery was replaced last week, the day after the new battery was installed it run perfectly with the engine shutting down as usual, but ive realised that my MPGs have gone down slighly, Oil was replaced at 100, 000 miles and plugs at 98,000 miles. When brakes is applied and vehicle is brought to a halt you would hear like the engine shutting down but it would immediately restart, its like something is preventing the engine from shutting down yet at times when vehicle is in motion it would go into EV mode, very strange behavior. any suggestions would be very much appreciated?
     
  2. ILuvMyPriusToo

    ILuvMyPriusToo Senior Member

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    Are you running the air conditioning? (More likely than the heater at this time of year!). That might keep the engine running.
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you need to test the 12v and all the connections, if it worked after installation. you're probably ripe for egr circuit cleaning as well.
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Ive noticed engine not shutting down on hot days, maybe to protect hybrid battery?? Have you ever cleaned the hybrid battery fan? Might be clogged.
     
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  5. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    Both the AC and the heater was not running during this event, also traction battery charge level was full, The battery fan nor the EGR has never been cleaned, could this be the issue ?, yesterday the engine light came up and engine refused to shut down even when stopped, read codes were $07E8 and $07EA, scan tool cleared the codes and now engine shuts down after codes were cleared but what does this code mean? Engine shuts down at times but I still realise mpg drop a bit, could this be fail or failing O2 sensor?
     
  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    @Mendel Leisk could be onto something. Hot climate. If it's dusty or you cary pets in the car, it's likely that the cooling intakes for the traction battery fan are dirty, or maybe the fan itself.

    I lived in the Caribbean for nine years. Never ever even considered using the heater.
     
  7. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    Dont have any pets which may contribute to clogging of intake, neither do I drive in dusty environments
     
  8. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    Ok so today engine check light came on the did a scan result P0A7F, The code was cleared and I currently monitoring to see if code returns, If it does I guess I will have to replace one of the battery cells, If anyone have ever experienced this I would welcome your troubleshooting procedures and what was done to solve the issue.
     
  9. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    How much quarters do you have?
     
  10. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    The battery level was full and the car moved via electric propulsion, so I guess all 4 quaters, Im wondering if it can be the battery terminals for the bus bar?
     
  11. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    My drift was that you ll be playing a lot of wack o mole when you begin changing cells different cells in.
     
  12. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    I dont have a choice I guess, what would you recommend
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can replace bad cells, and hope to get lucky

    you can replace and balance the battery and do a little better

    or you can buy a new battery. how many miles on her?
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    or maybe you just need to open the battery up and check for corrosion
     
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  15. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    One relatively inexpensive way to do some investigation is to get an OBDII bluetooth enabled adapter that plugs into the computer diagnostic port under the dash. then you link your phone to the adapter by bluetooth and run an app that gives you info about the hybrid system. The Hybrid Assistant app will tell you lots of info including hybrid battery temp, temp of air going to the hybrid battery, battery state of charge, etc.. The Dr. Prius app will do overall battery health checks and give info on the voltage and resistance of each module . They will also tell you of any malfunction codes.

    Here are links to the app web sites:

    Hybrid Assistant

    Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus

    I have the OBDLink LX adapter that Hybrid Assistant recommends. I got it for about $50 from Amazon.
     
    #15 royrose, Sep 2, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 2, 2020
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  16. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    Where I live shipping and customs for an entire battery pack would be cost prohibitive also there is no one on island who specialize in hybrids or electrics so Im left to do everything myself, I should be recieving the ODB2 bluetooth adapter as well as ODB2 - USB cable to assist with troubleshooting, I have already gotten Dr. Prius and downloaded Tech Stream so Im currently awaiting the hardware, It takes a while about 2 weeks after purchase to arrive on island, I have decided to go the route of replacing individual cells if it infact are the cells, but will test first as suggested, I do not have a cell balancer though.

    Thank you all for your suggestions, Im reluctant in opening the pack until I test it first but also because my experience in this field is limited, but I have watched countless youtube videos.
     
  17. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    2012 prius with 105 000 miles
     
  18. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    I have already gotten two cells just in case, seller mentioned they were off a 24 000 mile donor and shows voltage of 7.9V, if they are higher than whats in the car would I be able to just drain them to the same voltage as those from the pack and replace without balancing with specialized cell balancer, I currently do not have a cell balancer
     
  19. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The Caribbean is a big place. I used to live on Roatán, Honduras. May I ask which island is your home? I'm very familiar with the "getting stuff" issues you face.
     
  20. Markavelee

    Markavelee Junior Member

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    Im from St. Lucia,
     
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