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2009 Prius shut down while driving and won't restart

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Brybane, Oct 22, 2023.

  1. Brybane

    Brybane New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2023
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base


    I I was driving this morning and after only 15 mins of driving my 2009 prius turned off completed and shifted to neutral and I could not accelerae. I could steer to get out and pull into the closest lot. As I came to a full stop, the steering locked and I couldnt shift gears and everything was off. When i popped the hood, I could smell burning rubber, so I am not sure if something burned?? there was no smoke, just the distinct smell of heated/burning rubber. I got the car towed to mechanic, but he is not open on Sunday so will see what he finds out tomorrow.
    No warning lights came on during or before this.

    Fuses are fine.

    The lights, alarm, and emergy signal works. I can open/lock the car with fob. The 12V battery is only about 2.5 years old and in good condition.

    177k mileage
    enough fuel based on my count for atleast another 100 miles
    Still on original hybrid battery, averaging 52 mpg
    No accidents or issues.
    Serviced Fuel injector in the past year

    I am hoping to get some insight from you all about what could be going on with my car. Any ideas? Did I kill the hybrid battery? The day before, I drove around about 250 miles in mountainous areas and with the up and down slopes the hybrid battery did get charged and also drained as I was driving depending on going up hill or down hill, but still averaged 49 mpg. Please let me know. Thank so much
     
    #1 Brybane, Oct 22, 2023
  2. Primetime Paul

    Primetime Paul Junior Member

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    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Scan the ECU to see what codes you have. I would start there.
    How is your engine oil level?
     
    #2 Primetime Paul, Oct 22, 2023
    Brybane and Brian1954 like this.
  3. Zeppo Shanski

    Zeppo Shanski Active Member

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    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    OK ... This same thing happened to me about 3-weeks ago. The guy that does the work on my ’05 G2 that I can’t do put his computer on it. EVERY electrical code came up. He dropped the comp-unit laughing. He said that we should start at the beginning. He found that the main electrical connector board (?) had lots of visible corrosion. He disconnected everything and cleaned everything there. After reconnecting all the stuff it started right up and drove out just fine. I picked it up and have been even happier with the car since. Everything seems to run and work better now. $200 labor.

    I’m not saying this is what YOUR problem is. It’s just that your explanation sounded the same as what happened to me.
     
    #3 Zeppo Shanski, Oct 22, 2023
    Brybane and Primetime Paul like this.
  4. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    These symptoms are very similar to the inverter cooling water pump failing electrically. Sometimes this merely causes the inverter to get warm, other times it pops the AM2 fuse, which kills the car. The acrid smell is the potting material used to insulate the pump electronics, burning due to the failure. You can disconnect the wires to the pump to isolate it and then replace the fuse if needed. Pretty common failure for the Gen 2. New pumps are available from Toyota for about $120ish. Just search the forum for inverter cooling water pump failure, or AM2 fuse.
     
    #4 TMR-JWAP, Oct 22, 2023
    Brybane, strawbrad, Brian1954 and 1 other person like this.
  5. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    +1
     
    #5 dolj, Oct 22, 2023
  6. Zeppo Shanski

    Zeppo Shanski Active Member

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    Location:
    Chicagoland
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    This?: $83 (FOUR SEASONS 89064)
    89064.jpg ​
     
    #6 Zeppo Shanski, Oct 23, 2023
  7. Zeppo Shanski

    Zeppo Shanski Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Model:
    Base
    This one is $94 . (AISIN WQT800)
    WQT800-1.jpg ​
     
    #7 Zeppo Shanski, Oct 23, 2023
  8. Zeppo Shanski

    Zeppo Shanski Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Base
    $95
    BA1312533-1.jpg ​
     
    #7 Zeppo Shanski, Oct 23, 2023
  9. Zeppo Shanski

    Zeppo Shanski Active Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
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    Base
    $96

    ​
     
    #8 Zeppo Shanski, Oct 23, 2023
  10. Primetime Paul

    Primetime Paul Junior Member

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    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Go OEM.
    I have a working OEM pump that is used, I bought my car with 200k on it I swapped it out as preventative maintenance. You're more than welcome to have it. Just cover shipping and its yours OP.
    Shoot me a message if you need it.
    I paid $127 for a new pump from the dealer.

    Pixel 7 Pro ?
     
    #9 Primetime Paul, Oct 23, 2023
  11. Brybane

    Brybane New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 22, 2023
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Hi everyone,

    Thanks for your replies and support. It turned out to be the inverter water pump being worn out from use and also blowing the fuse when it overheated. My mechanic got it it fixed for about $300 total for labor and parts.
     
    #10 Brybane, Oct 24, 2023
    Primetime Paul, mr_guy_mann and Zeppo Shanski like this.
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