Going overboard?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by benwray1, Jun 28, 2025.

  1. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk MMX GEN III

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    58,898
    40,555
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    benwray1 likes this.
  2. adrtho4

    adrtho4 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2016
    57
    25
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Nuts about Bolts videos and Gasket Masters for your generation prius. That's what I followed. Make sure you torque things properly, consult the repair manual for the specs. Take the time to quadruple check that all the connections are secured and there is nothing unplugged.
     
    benwray1 likes this.
  3. benwray1

    benwray1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2023
    13
    7
    0
    Location:
    Olathe, KS
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Update 7/1/25

    I realized I had lost a hose, and found it, dropped in front of the radiator, thankfully! I looked at several videos to compare the purge valve placement, etc. The only thing that I can't figure out is this 8-inch electrical connector, on the passenger side, down by the water pump. It's plugged in on one end, but not the other. I'm not sure where it goes. Any tips? It's like an adapter from one harness to another.

    Also, my check hybrid system is on, but I think it's because I ran the 12V battery down. I have it on a battery charger right now. Any tips on this are appreciated as well. I am truly thankful for all of the advice.
     
  4. benwray1

    benwray1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2023
    13
    7
    0
    Location:
    Olathe, KS
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Update: I figured out where everything went. Now, I have a Check Hybrid System message after I got it all back together. So I'm charging the 12V battery overnight.
     
    NutzAboutBolts likes this.
  5. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    1,762
    685
    0
    Location:
    South Central PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    What trouble codes do you have?
     
    benwray1 and Mendel Leisk like this.
  6. adrtho4

    adrtho4 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 12, 2016
    57
    25
    0
    Location:
    Houston, TX
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Did you disconnect the inverter cables? I did and I got the same "Check Hybrid System" message. What I did to resolve it was ensure all cables were seated and tightened properly. Even that one cable to the side. What also helped was a blue tooth obd2 scanner and the Dr Prius app, but Autel AP2000 has been recommended here.

    You can use something like that to get an estimate of your hybrid battery life as well as your 12v battery.
     
    benwray1 likes this.
  7. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2013
    1,589
    1,677
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    what did you do to the vehicle?
     
  8. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,207
    3,771
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    You're going to have to clear that code, it won't go away on its own.
    I "think" if you disconnect the 12v battery, (while you charge it) for an hour or so it will clear
    all the codes.

     
  9. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2013
    1,589
    1,677
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    funny thing is, I finished the headgasket replacement, plugged back in the service port and 12v cable. No check engine light, I didn’t have to clear the code :D
     
    ASRDogman, adrtho4 and Brian1954 like this.
  10. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,207
    3,771
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Nothing funny about that. You just got everything connected correctly, and the first time! :)

     
    NutzAboutBolts likes this.
  11. NutzAboutBolts

    NutzAboutBolts Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 5, 2013
    1,589
    1,677
    0
    Location:
    Bay Area
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    I kept all the nuts and bolts organized, so it was just remove and install it in place (y)
     
    benwray1 and ASRDogman like this.
  12. benwray1

    benwray1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2023
    13
    7
    0
    Location:
    Olathe, KS
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I didn't have any trouble codes, just "Check Hybrid System." I figured out that I didn't reinstall the orange HV battery plug correctly haha! I did charge the 12V battery overnight just to make sure, but now everything is good. I've driven it for a couple days now, and I think I'm in good shape. I got a scary rattle when I turned the engine on for the first time after all this work, but it seemed to just be that one time. Also, I'm not sure I replaced one of the EGR gaskets, the one with the prongs that come out to grip the surface, but it's difficult to find a replacement. I may see if the Toyota dealer has one.

    Also, I got super good gas mileage for the first few minutes, but then it seems to be back to around where it was, about 40 mpg. Not complaining, but I was hoping that it would improve, especially after cleaning the fuel injectors.

    I'm going on a road trip this weekend, about 7.5 hours each way, so I'm glad I got to drive it for a couple of hours yesterday.

    I'm going to air up my tires a little over the recommended amount and see if that helps with the noise somewhat, although I will keep it in the safe range. I still feel like this car has louder tires than our other 2010 base prius, even though I just replaced them. Yes, we have two 2010 Priuses haha! But my son and I are both musicians, and these are great cars for lugging gear around from our house to where most of the gigs are in the KC area.
     
    Brian1954 likes this.
  13. benwray1

    benwray1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2023
    13
    7
    0
    Location:
    Olathe, KS
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    see above
     
    NutzAboutBolts likes this.
  14. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 29, 2018
    7,207
    3,771
    0
    Location:
    Florida
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Toyota has all the gaskets....
    It's very likely the safety plug wasn't set correctly, it's kinda easy to do.

    The tires are the noise makers. Different tires are noisier than others...

     
    benwray1 likes this.
  15. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2021
    1,762
    685
    0
    Location:
    South Central PA, USA
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    FYI. If you have the "Check Hybrid System" message, you have trouble code(s) that need to be read with a capable scanner.

    It would be a good idea to buy a Prius capable scanner for the next time you have problems with your cars. Read post #1 and then scroll down to post #37 in this thread, https://priuschat.com/index.php?posts/3246758
    You should choose a scanner that can communicate with all the ECUs (systems) in the car. A good choice is the Autel AP200.