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Toyota says IPM module is bad

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by oldnoah, Apr 21, 2015.

  1. oldnoah

    oldnoah Member

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    Over the weekend my christmas tree lit up and the car went into limp mode. I would have brought it home and looked at it myself, but I don't have the books for this car, and I was closer to toyota than home, so I brought it there. They haven't given me any codes to work from, they just said the IPM module needs replacement, that it will take 5 hours (I'm sure that's flat rate) and that the total will be about $2500.

    The car is a 2010 prius, with 60k miles on it.

    I'm pretty technically savvy, but I don't have any information to go on here. Can I do this myself? I tried finding the part on a toyota parts website, but I can't find it. (I don't have the part number, and IPM didn't show up on a search)
     
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    IPM= Intelligent Power Module.
     
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  3. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I'd have to know a little more from them than: "It went bad, that will be $2,500.00 please. Your key fob is at the cashier's window!"

    If your car is a G3 (like my 2010) the IPM may be protected by an additional warranty enhancement program that covers the IPM for 15 years and unlimited mileage. (Warranty Enhansement Notification ZE3) I'll betcha they just forgot to check! ;)

    Additionally, if you live in a "Worker's Paradise" state (like........for example.......NY) then you may have additional warranty coverage for hybrid components.
    Again, your scrupulously honest dealership may have honestly forgotten that.
    Is the Inverter a hybrid component????

    I think it is......but II have no idea.
    1. I live in a red state.
    2. "My" Prius isn't MY Prius....it's a company car. I don't pay for repairs for this car.

    Before I stroked a check with a comma in it????
    I'd find out.

    Good Luck!


    My advice: Get a second opinion!!
     
    #3 ETC(SS), Apr 21, 2015
    Last edited: Apr 21, 2015
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  4. oldnoah

    oldnoah Member

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    Yeah, that was my feeling. When the car first died I called them to ask if it was safe to drive, but they wouldn't let me talk to a tech, they just kept telling me to bring it in.

    I'll look into that warranty enhancement. It is a G3.
     
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  5. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Yes, the IPM should be covered under warranty. Unless it failed due to overheating from something like rock or stone damage to the inverter coolant radiator with resulting loss of coolant.
     
  6. oldnoah

    oldnoah Member

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    I called and asked. "Yes, it's covered. Thank you for helping us help you! For some reason that warranty flag didn't show up when we processed the repair!"

    I gotta wonder if they would have charged Toyota for the warranty in addition to taking my check.
     
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  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    I had a similar experience with another problem: Timing cover oil leak | PriusChat

    The dealer wanted me to use my customer purchased extended warranty to pay for a repair that should have been covered by the factory warranty.
     
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  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    What do YOU think???
    Fire your dealer.

     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    things that make you go hmmm...
     
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  10. oldnoah

    oldnoah Member

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    Actually, it's not MY dealer. It's the dealer that was closest when the car died. I'm pretty happy with the place we bought the car, but it's at the other end of my wife's commute, so it's not always convenient.
     
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  11. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    Don't feel too bad. At least it's getting fixed. And to answer your question, "I wonder if it's something I could fix?", the answer is no. Unless you have the Toyota car programming software and hardware, and the full manual (which you said you don't - cheap btw to download). Plus the necessary training. And if you tried you probably wouldn't be getting warranty now. ;)

    If the service department looks professionally run, is clean etc. I usually cut them a break. They can't catch everything, though it would be nice if they did. :)
     
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  12. soncoy

    soncoy New Member

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  13. soncoy

    soncoy New Member

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    My IPM on my 2010 Prius just went out according to the dealer today. There has been a recall of these on my year vehicle but Toyota Headquarter said my specific vin shows there is not a recall on it! I tried to post this to help others. Can't get it to post as I need a recipient. Anyway, may look at other forums and see if I can get help. Thanks anyway
     
  14. FuelMiser

    FuelMiser Senior Member

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    You can check your VIN for recalls at Home | Safercar -- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or call Toyota yourself, 1-800-331-4331. This may also help, Toyota Recall 14V053000: The Vehicle May Stall or Operate Only at Reduced Power
     
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  15. DogDaze

    DogDaze Member

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    Our 2011 just did this tonight on the way home.. (72k miles)
    I was on the other side of town and it went into limp mode while I was on my way to pick up my wife.. the only thing I tried when I got home was to reset the 12v battery.. naturally, all that did was mess up my radio settings.. the satellite display looks nothing like it did before..

    I scheduled the appointment online tonight, mentioned the Warranty Enhancement Notice in the notes, but didn't realize that code at the end meant anything.. we have the paperwork with the car we bought new, at this same dealership.. we've had all the recalls done.. so we are hopeful this all gets fixed.. and I can figure out the radio settings.. I haven't touched or changed those since we bought the car..
    Apparently, had we changed the 12v battery (still the original) I'd have seen this same radio thing.. it almost looks like it got an update or something... (?). I guess back to the owners manual once we get the car fixed..
     
  16. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    When yours went into limp mode, was it running off the battery or the ICE?
     
  17. DogDaze

    DogDaze Member

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    Sorry I missed this, it was ICE only.. no electric.. everything is weird.. including that the gas engine continues to run the entire time and had little to power.. exactly as I would expect limp mode I guess
     
  18. tvpierce

    tvpierce Senior Member

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    Just curious because recently had the inverter/IPM fail on my wife's 2013 V Wagon. It was covered by the recall/extended warranty. But when I was researching it on PriusChat, it seemed most failures resulted in the mode you describe: loss of electric propulsion, but ICE continues to operate at reduce capacity. Mine was the opposite: ICE would not start, but the car would power-up and move at via electric propulsion at reduced capacity. Then as the battery diminished, it stopped going into gear/moving, but would still power-up.
    It's odd that the symptoms were opposite given the same failure. I'm sure someone with more knowledge of the system could explain why.
     
  19. DogDaze

    DogDaze Member

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    Yeah, that IS odd..
    I have a 2012 V with about 35k more miles than her 2011 liftback.. I'd have thought mine would fail before hers ever did.

    Just got the call from the dealership, it's the IPM and all covered under the enhanced warranty.. including a loaner.. should I have the desire to go back to get it.. 3-5 days for the parts to come in..
    While I can drive my car and we commute.. I just had mine serviced for the winter driving.. was trying to drive hers as long as possible before the snow flies.. so as to keep the miles off the V.. if not for covid concerns, I'd have no problem with the loaner.. not sure I feel like the hassle.. but then again, would be nice to keep the 75 mile RT commute off mine.. I've already turned that a few times already waiting.to get her car in.

    Regardless, I'm very relieved that it's covered..
     
  20. AzusaPrius

    AzusaPrius Senior Member

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    @DogDaze

    I am really glad I found your post.

    You said you disconnected the 12v
    So that means you had no codes to show them when you took it in.

    Did your car get the E0E and J0V
    Recalls done?

    This points to the IPM so they should cover mine I believe.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.