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07 Prius vsc reset?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by CB4004, Nov 7, 2020.

  1. CB4004

    CB4004 New Member

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    Hello -

    Recently I had to unhook my 12v battery in the back of the car. After I reconnected, I got a nice surprise of the red triangle of death, yellow (!) and VSC lights on the dash. These were not on before I disconnected...

    I don't think the error code is real and would like to just reset the system to see if it comes back. I've seen a lot of posts where VSC came on while people were driving and that's not the case here. I think it might have something to do with a fuse or relay or something of that sort.

    I've gone to 2 different auto stores to scan the codes and see if anything popped up and to my luck... no codes.

    The inverter reservoir shows movement when the car is running, the battery is in good shape and pumping 14.3 V when running, and I've tried to reset it using the paperclip method in OBD2 port.

    Are there any fuses associated with the VSC light?

    If I can't figure this out over the weekend I intend to go check with the local dealership to see if they can help..

    Thanks!
     
    #1 CB4004, Nov 7, 2020
  2. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    What was the error code (DTC) ?

    If there are warning lights still being displayed on the dash then you generally should have codes (DTCs) stored in the ECUs.
     
    #2 SFO, Nov 7, 2020
  3. CB4004

    CB4004 New Member

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    unfortunately there were no codes when I scanned the ODB2
     
    #3 CB4004, Nov 7, 2020
  4. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Do you currently have warning lights (DTCs) being displayed on the dash?
     
    #4 SFO, Nov 7, 2020
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The dealership is the last place you want to go unless you like giving people thousands of dollars for fixing something that ain't broke. If we had valid consumer protection laws most of these Toyota Stealerships would have been shut down by now and you'd have to buy your Prius online like how Tesla sell their cars.

    Just spend $20-$30 on an OBD2 device and use Dr. Prius App on your phone and you can check and clear your own error codes for free anytime they show up. Here's buyer's guide: Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus
     
    #5 PriusCamper, Nov 7, 2020
  6. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Most OBD2 readers can't read Toyota specific error codes and subcodes... Dr. Prius app can... So can Toyota Techstream software via a Mini-VCI dongle but that's harder to set up.
     
    #6 PriusCamper, Nov 7, 2020
  7. dolj

    dolj Senior Member

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    ^ What he said - +1.

    You have codes as witnessed by the MWL (aka Red Triangle), yellow (!) and, VSC lights on the dash.

    Your code reader probably can only read the engine ECU and is reporting that there are no codes there.
     
    #7 dolj, Nov 8, 2020
  8. CB4004

    CB4004 New Member

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    Cool thanks! I just ordered a OBD2 scanner. I made sure it was compatible with the Dr. Prius app and ios. Delivery should be tomorrow. Not bad to have this tool in the box for <$20!

    Will update once I get some codes.
     
    #8 CB4004, Nov 8, 2020
  9. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    If you disconnect the 12 volt battery the first time you try to start the car it will throw all those code lights. Its just because all the keep alive 12 volt ecu's went off line when you unplugged the battery. They do not log any codes they just launch all those lights. Like HEY WHAT HAPPENED??? lol... This is normal happens every time you unplug that battery.

    Just try to start it again and it will be fine.
     
    #9 edthefox5, Nov 8, 2020
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  10. CB4004

    CB4004 New Member

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    Okay so I got P3138. This code seems to point to a wire harness connection issue... "Open or +B short in No. 1 circuit breaker sensor circuit" where is this located in the car?

    Also, the other night I did get a check engine light that gave me:
    U0293 - Lost communication with hybrid vehicle control system
    U0100 - Lost communication with ECM/PCM "A"
    U0111 - Lost communication with battery energy control module "A"
    The auto parts store told me this kinda points to the 12v battery.
     
    #10 CB4004, Nov 9, 2020
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  11. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    yes, agree 100%
     
    #11 PriusCamper, Nov 10, 2020
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  12. CB4004

    CB4004 New Member

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    Okay I got the new battery in. P3138 still detected. I found that the circuit breaker sensor on the inverter wasn't fully seated DOH!. Cleared the codes and all is well!!! Thanks for your help!
     
    #12 CB4004, Nov 10, 2020
  13. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Seems that's one of the top 3 most common problems with hybrid repair work. Every electrical connection has to be done correctly and there's alot of them.
     
    #13 PriusCamper, Nov 10, 2020
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Sometimes there is room for a word of thanks for how much time is saved when the code given you by the ECU leads you pretty much right to the connector you need to check.
     
    #14 ChapmanF, Nov 10, 2020
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  15. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Indeed.... Though sometimes the wording of the code description can be misleading due to efforts of standardization, which @Elektroingenieur recently pointed out.
     
    #15 PriusCamper, Nov 10, 2020
  16. CB4004

    CB4004 New Member

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    Indeed. I'm just glad I came on here and got the advice to get a $20 OBD reader instead of going to the dealer and easily shelling out 10x more for them to plug the connector back in.
     
    #16 CB4004, Nov 10, 2020
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  17. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    That's why it's nearly always a mistake to try to conclude anything from the one-liner "fortune cookie" you find listed with the code.

    First stop, the code's workup page in the repair manual, which starts with a description, prominently typeset in a box, of exactly what the detection condition is that triggers the ECU to report that code. No messing around with the fortune cookie confusion.
     
    #17 ChapmanF, Nov 10, 2020
  18. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Any ideas on how the circuit breaker sensor on the inverter became unseated?
     
    #18 SFO, Nov 10, 2020
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