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Loss of Forward Power on Freeway (Red Exclamtion and other lights illuminate)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by pc95, Sep 14, 2022.

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  1. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Thanks ChapmanF, yes I disconnected the battery leads before as I also have an intermittent dash problem, and this was the temporary workaround I'd been doing for a couple years. I had the car towed over to a PepBoys to check that they got the same code, and the technician who put the diagnostic on it gave me the same code; he said he thought it was the hybrid battery problem. I believe there to be fuel in the tank, let me ask if the fuel pump was dead, wouldn't the car engine not start at all? It only starts for a few seconds now.

    I called the Dealership, and not helpful - asked for $187 to bring the car in and work from there - about what I expected.

    I'm wondering if any change if I have AAA come back to put more fuel in the tank. How to determine if actually a faulty fuel pump or not?
     
    #21 pc95, Oct 7, 2022
  2. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    I live in San Diego - UTC area.
     
    #22 pc95, Oct 7, 2022
  3. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Right, how do I determine if the fuel-pump has gone bad or not? Thx,
     
    #23 pc95, Oct 7, 2022
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    You learn the most by putting a pressure gauge on the fuel line and checking that the pressure in operation is within spec. It's a bit involved because there's no supplied place to attach a gauge. Even at a dealership they'll just unhook the hose at the firewall and MacGyver something up with a tee and fittings. They have part numbers if you want to do the same 'official' MacGyverage that they would.

    [​IMG]
     
    #24 ChapmanF, Oct 7, 2022
    Tombukt2 likes this.
  5. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    The car isn't actually 'starting', it is only turning over the engine in an attempt to 'start', then gives up in 8-10 seconds after not starting.
    The quickest way might be to grab a can of starting fluid and see if that gets the engine to actually 'start', and in turn keeps the engine running longer than 10 seconds. This will only tell you if the problem is related to the fuel system; fuel pump, relays, injectors, fuses, wiring, filter, etc.

    When was the last time the MAF sensor and throttle body were cleaned?
     
    #25 SFO, Oct 7, 2022
  6. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Well I went back to PepBoys, and they had a "master tech" re-evaluate today, and they came back with error code P0A80 - Replace Hybrid Battery Pack. And a screenshot determining bad cells. I uploaded their screenshots from the report. Was told the hybrid system starts first before the combustion engine comes on.

    Here's what the tech wrote up:

    "After a diagnostic, I have determined that the vehicle needs a new hybrid battery block also known as a pack. The data indicated that one or more of the cells are not functioning well. All data saved. Replace HV battery pack as the car starts with the hybrid system first not with the internal combustion engine process."

    I am likely going to put the car up for sale (as is) needing HV batteries in San Diego; if someone wants to purchase, please send me a private message (email to follow). I haven't determined the asking price yet. The car does have a 1.5 yro CAT Converter and after market CAT shield installed. Car had converter stolen in NOV 2020. Repaired by Toyota Dealership in early 2021. I keep all my maintenance records from beginning ownership Spring 2018. The 2007 Prius has 96031 miles.

    You can email me privately: [email protected] ---- if interested/with questions

    Appreciate everyone's assistance and responses with this. Thanks very much.
     

    Attached Files:

    #26 pc95, Oct 8, 2022
  7. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    The HV battery problem is most likely a casualty of your actual problem, not the cause of your problem. The HV battery is what spins the engine to start it. All those times you've tried to start he car (unsuccessfully) was actually the HV battery spinning the engine for several seconds. It can only do that so many times before the battey is depleted. That's where you are now. A new battery isn't going to solve JACK, unless you solve the original problem of why the engine will not actually run. Your battery needs to be charged, not replaced. Unfortunately a Pep Boys 'tech' is about as likely to be able to do that as go to the moon.
     
    #27 TMR-JWAP, Oct 9, 2022
    Another likes this.
  8. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    That may very well be, but I'm throwing in the towel; do not want to spend more time/$ on this one. Another forum member contacted and is looking to take on the problem and car. Was hoping to drive it another couple years before something like this, but didn't make it. Poor luck.
     
    #28 pc95, Oct 9, 2022
    bisco likes this.
  9. Another

    Another Senior Member

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    Good deal for the buyer
     
    #29 Another, Oct 9, 2022
  10. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Hope so...
     
    #30 pc95, Oct 9, 2022
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  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    So I've figured out the problem with the car in this thread. There were multiple errors to get where we are at. THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS

    Combination meter does not work in car, can't read the fuel level. The car ran out of gas. AAA instead of putting gas in the car and calling it a day, towed to Pepboys. Pepboys tried to start the car without the combination meter working couldn't start it (or not knowing if it started without a working combination meter). Tried multiple times and eventually drained the 12v battery and the already depleted HV Battery from running out of fuel, to throw P0A80. Pepboys put in $10 of gas but at that point, the batteries were dead and couldn't start the car even with fuel in the car.

    This car needs a few things starting with a working combination meter, 12v battery, HV battery, a set of 4 vents (completed crumbled when removed due to sun damage), and some body work. After those repairs are made, the car should be good reliable transportation.

    I guess this all could have been prevented with a working combination meter
     
    #31 JC91006, Oct 10, 2022
    Last edited: Oct 10, 2022
    SFO likes this.
  12. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    My Sap on gauge comes with these fittings to cobble this setup. So tech doesn't output fuel pressure maybe it just knows if the pump is supposed to be on or not. Which is typical in my power sports equipment My EFI bike will start but as soon as I try to give it a little bit of gas when the fuel pump is acting up it will fall on its face because it doesn't have enough pressure to get into the progression phase or whatever is going on I changed the pump all is finished working perfectly this has happened in a couple of my Corollas over the years very similar. These pumps that I'm pulling out of these vehicles are well over 100,000 miles except for the power sports equipment which are at about 50 or 60 which is a lot for power sports equipment like motorcycles and snowmobiles etc
     
    #32 Tombukt2, Oct 11, 2022
  13. pc95

    pc95 Junior Member

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    Its possible. Pep Boys put a couple Gallon gas in the car on the 2nd diagnostic go-round. Their problem was they received 2 codes - out of gas, and bad battery - and they didn't tell me that the first time - only told me the out of fuel code. I'm pretty sure there was fuel in the car though earlier. Also the handheld I used didn't give me the bad battery code either. If its not a bad battery, its a weak 16-yr old battery. The buyer is on a mission - the car will be back I think. Thx.
     
    #33 pc95, Oct 14, 2022
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