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Engine Revs looses power

Discussion in 'Prius v Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by tjw1, May 23, 2024.

  1. tjw1

    tjw1 New Member

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    I have a 2017 pirusV with 68,500 miles. Three times going down steep grade engines revs, looses power, can’t change into any gear. Have to come to complete stop, turn off, then restart. Took to Toyota service they can’t recreate or find any codes. Does anyone have any ideas?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    usually, the engine revving going down a steep grade means the battery won't hold anymore charge, and the engine is used to burn off the excess regenerated electricity.
    what do you mean by looses power and won't change into any gear, can you elaborate?
     
  3. PTS

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    Sometimes when the hybrid battery is full while you are going down a steep hill, no more regen braking (wheels driving generator) is available. At that point the system goes into an engine braking situation allowing the wheels to rev up the engine with fuel and spark off. That provides slowing force. It saves the hydraulic brakes and is similar to the B mode.

    When the steep grade is over it should revert to normal hybrid mode, eg engine, ev or both.

    What happens if you don’t come to a complete stop, shutdown and restart?
     
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  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    gotta admit I'm confused... if you're going down a steep grade, why would you be using power? How would you know you were losing any?

    It's normal for a Prius engine to rev high while going down a grade, unless you give it some pedal. Those revs are how it burns off energy once the battery is full.
     
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  5. tjw1

    tjw1 New Member

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    The engine sounds like your pressing down on gas pedal in neutral. The car slows down really slow. Pressing on gas pedal does nothing. Trying to put car into neutral or B or drive won’t work.

    On the grade if slow way down for another car, animal, or bike sometimes you need to go a little faster to do speed limit. When it does is the car slows way down where it dangerous from traffic behind. I hope I’m explaining it so you can help
     
    #5 tjw1, May 23, 2024
    Last edited by a moderator: May 23, 2024
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  6. PTS

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    Check the battery graphic when it does this. See if it is fuller than normal.

    Don’t use the B mode.
     
  7. tjw1

    tjw1 New Member

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    The car slows down enough I could get hit from behind. Stepping on the gas does nothing.

    I rarely use B mode. I will check battery level next trip. Almost afraid to drive.
     
    #7 tjw1, May 24, 2024
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  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it sounds like you're not getting gas after the engine has been used to burn off electrons. but it's just a guess and i don't know why it is behaving like that. tough with no codes.
     
  9. tjw1

    tjw1 New Member

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    Yes Toyota says there are no history codes. Crazy, you would think it would keep codes for 30 days or even 20 days.
     
    #9 tjw1, May 24, 2024
    Last edited by a moderator: May 25, 2024
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i thought they stayed until erased. did you get any trouble lights on the dash?
     
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