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"Check hybrid system" "Park on flat surface"

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by TAPnAR, Dec 31, 2021.

  1. TAPnAR

    TAPnAR Member

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    I could not find a thread on this particular problem. The car is a 2013 Prius 2 with 270k miles. Over the past few months we have been getting a strange error. Driving normal flat road (Highway or in town) dry pavement. The car will flash "Check Hybrid System" Then it will flash a second screen to place the car on flat surface and put into park. The odd part is the car wont go into Park. Today it happened and when we stopped at a light the car displayed the traction control light and the low tire pressure light. As soon as we started moving again those went away (Traction control and Low tire pressure). As soon as we got home I hooked up the code reader and no codes were in memory. The only way to get the car into park is to disconnect the Aux battery. Wait a few minutes and hook back up and all is good. The car will be fine for about a month or 2 before it does it again. Only 1 time were we able to get the car in park. Every other time it requires the Aux battery to be disconnected. One other thing that is strange. you cant turn the car off. The power button has no effect. Only thing that has been done to the car, Replaced Aux battery it was original. We thought this fixed it. The old battery was showing less than 12 volts. I also replaced brake pads and replaced the front hubs.

    Any help will be greatly appreciated. If it would just throw a code I could try to narrow it down. The car drives fine with the Errors, just cant park or turn it off.

    Todd
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    what is the new battery reading under load? what code reader?
     
  3. TAPnAR

    TAPnAR Member

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    12.4 volts. Code reader, Torque pro. Just to add I bought an OEM Aux battery from the dealer

    Thank you.
     
  4. tankyuong

    tankyuong Senior Member

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    You got a bad new battery
     
  5. TAPnAR

    TAPnAR Member

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    I will return it to the dealer for a check, Hopefully they will warranty it.

    Thank you
     
    #5 TAPnAR, Dec 31, 2021
    Last edited: Dec 31, 2021
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it probably just needs a charge. many forget to charge them up before selling
     
  7. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    I didn't know that Torque Pro could communicate with all the systems on a Prius. If it can't, then there are very likely codes in ecu's that are related to your symptoms, you just don't know what they are.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  8. TAPnAR

    TAPnAR Member

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    I was actually wondering that, but I also do not have any CEL on.

    Thank you
     
  9. TAPnAR

    TAPnAR Member

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    I did charge it before installing. I will pull it out tomorrow and check it and see if it will take a charge.

    Thank you
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    was the 12.4 volts under load, or everything off? if checking with torque pro, i assume the car must be in aux, which would put a load on it, and it's probably fine.
    torque pro is a good reader, but not perfect. i would think you would at least get a generic code if not details, but i could be wrong. no dash warnings should mean no codes.
    check the battery connections to, especially neg to ground. i like to test the voltage at the jump point under the hood.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wiring harness connector corrosion can also be a problem at the ecu's, including inside the hybrid battery case
     
  12. TAPnAR

    TAPnAR Member

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    Bisco,

    I will do more extensive checking today. It is my girlfriends car. It was originally mine, I drove it from 217k to 241k miles then gave it to her and got another 2013 Prius five. When I had it, never had any issues other than the egr needing cleaning. Otherwise it was flawless for me.

    Thank you so much for the help and ideas. Happy New Year!

    Todd
     
    #12 TAPnAR, Jan 1, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2022
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  13. TAPnAR

    TAPnAR Member

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    I checked voltages today. 12.6 volts with car off no load, and 12.4 volts with car on in accessory mode. Those readings were taken this morning with car sitting in garage overnight.

    For comparison, I checked my car 2013 Prius five. Aux battery car off 12.3 volts Car in accessory mode 12.0 volts. My car has never missed a beat since I have owned it from 180k miles to present 210k miles.

    Thank you,
    Todd
     
    #13 TAPnAR, Jan 1, 2022
    Last edited: Jan 1, 2022