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2010 prius code P0AC0

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by zfk110, Jun 26, 2022.

  1. zfk110

    zfk110 Junior Member

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    I just recently did the load test on my hybrid battery because I was getting a hybrid battery check error code, so I found after I did the load test that eight of my modules were reading 5.1, 6.2, so I order new ones from eBay and I replaced them

    All the new ones are reading 7.5, 7.6 it's from recondition hybrid battery seller

    But when I'm trying to start up the vehicle, I'm getting this code P0AC0
    P0AC0 Code - Hybrid Battery Pack Current Sensor 'A' Circuit Range/Performance

    Looks like my hybrid battery drains below where it couldn't start the engine, so now my question is how can I recharge that hybrid battery, so I can crank the engine now?
     
    #1 zfk110, Jun 26, 2022
  2. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Three options from most expensive to least expensive:

    1) Buy a Hybrid Automotive (Prolong) or Maxx Volts Hybrid battery maintenance kit to charge and balance.

    2) Built your own for $100: Build Hybrid Battery Maintenance Gear For Under $100 | PriusChat

    3) By a remote control car / hobby charger and charge each individual module to the same voltage and using a 50W 12v bulb to discharge any modules that have slighty higher voltage till whole pack is balanced with exact same amount of stored electricity/capacity and voltage.
     
    #2 PriusCamper, Jun 26, 2022
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this might help:

    2007-prius-p3000-p0afa-p0ac0.217358
     
    #3 bisco, Jun 26, 2022
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  4. zfk110

    zfk110 Junior Member

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    That $100 DYI charger looks lot of work for me, if I get this Maxx Volts Hybrid battery do you think it will fix the issue for charging the whole pack to one given volt rather using Hobby charger?
     
    #4 zfk110, Jun 27, 2022
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Yes, or you could borrow / rent a charger from someone on here?
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Jun 27, 2022
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  6. zfk110

    zfk110 Junior Member

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    I think I was naive to just thinking that I can do the load test and find out which models are bad and then replace them and everything should be good to go, looks like there is more work after you find which modules are bad

    I was watching some YouTube videos looks like you have to discharge all of them then make them balance out and then recharge all of them to certain volt, and then you put it in

    The guy I was following, he gave up in the middle, and then he took it to the shop and had them fix it for him for $500

    I don't know if there's any proper video or guide or procedure when you can change these modules and then follow others things to get this done properly
     
    #6 zfk110, Jun 27, 2022
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there are a lot of good threads here. video's? maybe, idk

    are you sure it isn't a wiring problem?
     
    #7 bisco, Jun 27, 2022
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  8. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Don't let confused youtubers discourage you... It's not that complicated, though I'll admit that the learning curve to rebuilding and reconditioning a pack is steep, but sometimes people get lucky.

    If you can get the car started with the pack you can put the car in drive and keep your foot on the brake while flooring the accelerator and this will fairly quickly recharge your pack and if done repeatedly might help to balance the voltages too.

    As for balancing, each battery chemistry is different. But for these packs its basically as easy as sending roughly 1/4amp 250v-350v charge till that pack is fully charged and any modules not yet fully charged will eventually become charged while the already charged ones dissipate the extra charge as heat, which is why a cooling fan is essential.

    Most fluorescent light ballasts or combining two ballasts together is all you need to create a charger...

    And as mentioned, a hobby charger and light bulb is sufficient to get all 28 modules full charged and fairly well balanced.
     
    #8 PriusCamper, Jun 27, 2022
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  9. zfk110

    zfk110 Junior Member

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    It won't let me start the car, I get "check hybrid system" when I put my OBD2 I got P0AC0 error in pending. Do you have any video guide for "combining two ballasts together is all you need to create a charger"? Thanks!
     
    #9 zfk110, Jun 28, 2022
  10. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Find a ballast and plug it in and read the voltage with the HV setting on your multi-meter or volt meter. Then unplug it and add another by connecting it in series rather than parallel and read the voltage again. Once you get up to 250 to 350 volts range and assuming ballast are both in the 0.2 to 0.6 amp range you're ready to hook it up to the positive and negative terminals of the pack and put the orange safety plug back in and add 6-12v to the battery cooling fan and your job is done.
     
    #10 PriusCamper, Jun 28, 2022
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