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2011 check hybrid system error

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Mrs.Diamond, Sep 20, 2020.

  1. Mrs.Diamond

    Mrs.Diamond Junior Member

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    Hello my friends, it’s been awhile since I have needed to post. We purchased a USED 2011 Toyota Prius with 127,000 miles this week and the “check hybrid system” error message came up.

    12 volt reads 12.86 Volts normal and 13.1 Volta under load

    I have attached the techstream snaps I have below. Any advice on what to check next would be so helpful. I’m thinking it might be the power inverter pump (no movement or ripple) or the actual inverter from the flash update.
     

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  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Well, you've only got two trouble codes there. One is to report problems with the traction battery located behind the back seat, and the other is to report a problem in the safety interlock circuit.

    There are three places where there are interlocks that open the safety circuit. The one most people ever deal with is the handle of the orange service plug grip located on the back of the battery. If that handle isn't flipped all the way back flat and pushed lengthwise, that safety interlock will be open.

    The other two places are if the inverter cover is removed, or the orange cable connection to the inverter is disturbed.

    If you haven't been monkeying with any of those interlock locations yourself, the most likely explanation is that the prior owner was, and that was probably in some attempt to mitigate or paper over the other code, the P0A80, about the battery.

    I would certainly check the orange interlock handle on the battery, make sure that is pushed home, see if that makes the P0A0D go away. Then collect more of the freeze frame data for the battery code, P0A80 (you only posted the first screen for that one) to get a better sense of what's going on there.

    For starters, what P0A80-123 means is that the voltage difference between the highest and lowest block in the battery was greater than the allowable limit, and this was seen on two separate trips.
     
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  3. Mrs.Diamond

    Mrs.Diamond Junior Member

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    See screenshots below
     

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  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    The manual doesn't say exactly what they consider an allowable best-to-worst spread ("proprietary information of TMC"), but when I look at the difference between your block #1 (always around 14.9–15.1ish in your freeze frames) and block #6 (hanging around 12.7–12.9), I am guessing that does not make the grade.

    If I didn't make it explicit before, that isn't an issue that would be caused by the inverter pump.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Sep 20, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2020
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  5. Mrs.Diamond

    Mrs.Diamond Junior Member

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    Thank you for your help. Yes, he needs to replace the traction battery. He needs to drive from New Orleans to Pittsburgh have any suggestions on whom along that route to do the exchange?
     
  6. Mrs.Diamond

    Mrs.Diamond Junior Member

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    Also important to note that the water pump for the inverter is burned out a d will be replaced today which should help keep the car inverter system much more cool. I’m fairly sure that it blew over the weekend and that is what caused the initial red triangle of death warning. I reset it and the P0A0D went away. I was in the back and had removed the orange interlock when I was checking the voltage of the 12V and I hadn’t slid it all the way back over. So that was on me.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    might not be too far to slide over to 'autobeyours' and see steve. scottsburg, in.
     
  8. 76soto

    76soto New Member

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    Thanks all for this post! I have a 2011 Prius 3 at 127,000 miles (original owner) and just this past week (June 2021) the car went into safe mode while driving to work. Fortunately, I had not reached the freeway and turned back to go home. I live in the greater Houston area and have bought from and use the Fred Haas Toyota Dealership. All I can say is we are a Toyota family because of how Toyota takes care of its customers. I called the service manager, described the issue and she set up an appointment with a service rep I know and have come to trust. They mentioned the service remedy notice J0V and are looking at it now. I printed the above link to the Safety Recall J0V so thank you tvpierce & HeyMikeyLikesIt it helps when you go into the dealership with some knowledge of the issue so the dealership people can not take advantage of you! We have been fortunate, the 3 Toyotas we have own, that in my opinion, Toyota has gone far an above taking care of all factory issues years after the warranty has expired!!! I do not know of any other car company that does the same. On two occasions I have been reimbursed a total of up to $4 or $5K for repairs to the Prius and Tacoma. Again what other car company does this? Maybe Fred Haas is different, but I think I would only save marginally going to a different mechanic shop and at least know the Toyota Mechanics do a good job. When they have not I have complained and it was taken care of and now they know me. Anyway, thanks again and I hope to have this problem fixed under the recall, ill report back if it is different issue or the dealership says something else.