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Inverter Repair

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Billyjoel, May 26, 2021.

  1. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    Hello everyone,

    Long time reader but first time poster on this forum. So, I replaced my inverter in my 2011 Pruis (@ 168k miles). After putting the used one in the car is not even in limp mode any longer. It will not turn the ICE on anymore. The car still displays the check hybrid system light as well. I thought I read that the inverters should be plug and play, but is there some sort of reset that you must do to clear the error code? Everything seems to be plugged in correctly and I am not sure where to go from here. Any advise or thoughts is appreciated!

    Thank you,
    Another car owner who is tired of the mechanic's BS
     
    #1 Billyjoel, May 26, 2021
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    did you disconnect the orange service plug? and if so, did you carefully follow the 3 step process to reconnect as described in the service manual?
     
    #2 bisco, May 27, 2021
  3. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Measure the 12v battery and ensure its at least 12.2v or better. Double check all connectors and cables you touched including the hv battery orange disconnect as bisco mentioned. Often it is not fully seated. Other than that it is possible the inverter was not for your model or programmed the same. Troublecodes with a recommended scanner would provide more specific direction.

    Prius battery hv disconnect.jpg
     
    #3 rjparker, May 27, 2021
  4. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    what is the 3 step process? I did slide the lock back into place and made sure it was fully in
     
    #4 Billyjoel, May 27, 2021
  5. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    I did lock the plug back into place by sliding it to the left. I had my friend try to give me a jump with no result. Could the culprit still be a bad 12v battery even if I did try to get jumped?
     
    #5 Billyjoel, May 27, 2021
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I don't know if mechanic's all give BS, but that inverter might be under warranty and you would have gotten a free replacement from Toyota (the mechanics)
     
    #6 JC91006, May 27, 2021
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  7. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    Car has a rebuilt title so that warranty is void :(
     
    #7 Billyjoel, May 27, 2021
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  8. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Oh yeah, no warranty on rebuilt. It would be different if they had a recall, then even rebuilt cars would be covered.
     
    #8 JC91006, May 27, 2021
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  9. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    How about a step back.

    1. Who replaced your inverter?
    2. Where did the used one come from?
    3. Did it have a Toyota part number?
    4. Did you recheck the orange disconnect today using the pic above?
    5. Do you have troublecodes to share?
    6. Did you measure the 12v battery today?
     
    #9 rjparker, May 27, 2021
  10. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    1. I replaced the inverter
    2. It came from ebay (I already sent the seller a message)
    3. I am not sure, I can check though. Where would it be?
    4. I did reconnect the orange plug and lock it in
    5. I have no new codes, only the ones from the dealership before I started the repair
    6. I did not measure the 12v. Again, I tried to have my friend jump me with no result. I would have to go out and get a volt tester to test it.
     
    #10 Billyjoel, May 27, 2021
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is true that the existing battery can be a stumbling block to a jump if it has an internal short
     
    #11 bisco, May 27, 2021
  12. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    Okay, thank you
     
    #12 Billyjoel, May 27, 2021
  13. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Got to say, you have more guts than I by doing this job without a voltmeter.

    The part number would have been in the ad at least. Ebay sellers are not known for their accuracy in every detail. Knowing the year and trim it came off along with the part number they think it is is a starting point. Going to an online Toyota place like McGeorge is a good way to find your car's part number. When I had my inverter replaced, I know the shop had to place the correct firmware on it. Not saying plug and play is not possible but I am not sure why mine needed it and yours did not.

    Hopefully you did the plug push in, swing it closed and then slide it over. We have had a few guys fight issues for days and finally realize it was not in properly.

    You absolutely need to get codes.

    The 12v jump can take five minutes to an hour if your battery was completely discharged. I doubt that in your case if other things work like your door locks and radio. But measuring it is car repair 101.
     
    #13 rjparker, May 27, 2021
  14. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    Haha I got some high voltage gloves to make sure I was safe enough. Part number is g9200-47140, it seems to be from a 2010 Pruis, mine is a 2011 for reference. I did push, swing, and slide the plug. The slide clicked into place so I am almost positive it is in all the way.

    I definitely could use some new codes. The ones I have are just about the old inverter.

    Unfortunately, you are right about the 12v. I was able to turn on the radio and roll the windows down.
     
    #14 Billyjoel, May 27, 2021
  15. Billyjoel

    Billyjoel New Member

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    Update: Found out the e-bay inverter was faulty. I am halfway through putting a another one in. This one is from a reputable junk yard and said it should work, I am not super confident though. Hopefully this works, if not, I can get at least 3k for it with the bad inverter. Toyota would have charged me that much to repair it anyway.
     
    #15 Billyjoel, Jun 15, 2021
  16. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Good luck
     
    #16 rjparker, Jun 15, 2021
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