2002 Don't know who to trust

Just a thought:

The Scangauge can be used in other cars because it has generic functions. The XGAUGE allows Prius specific data access. But IF you should decide later you don't want it, post it 'for sale' in the Gen I forum and ask for 'bids.' The moderators might move the thread but I suspect you'll be able to sell it for enough to make up for most of the expense . . . especially if it has NHW11 specific XGAUGEs pre-loaded.

Bob Wilson

 

Avi,
I can't tell you how great it is to have a resource like you, helping us, on this website. I always appreciate your posts and learn a lot from you.

 

Here are what the original battery should look like




If it were replaced recently, it should have this sticker on the side. This sticker is hard to see when it is installed in the car.



Is that the melted wire hiding in there?

Also replacement batteries have three large stickers on the cover (I don't have one around to take a pic of) similar to the one that is on the original cover.

I need to note that back in 2004 the stickers on replacements might of been the same as the originals. That was the year I found out what a Prius was and was not working on them yet.

 

Tricky question. Quite often in my industry, customers will request transmission service after problems develop. It is common for the transmission problem to worsen as the service was performed to late and there is irreversible damage to it. To avoid being blamed for the failure, some repair shops will not replace fluid if the old fluid looks really bad or if there is a problem with the transmission. I personally decide what to do on a case by case basis, however, I feel changing the fluid on a Prius will not cause any problems to worsen. I'm sure everyone here will agree that the fluid should be changed no matter what.

 

It is not the same, and the transaxle ATF definitely should be changed.

You'll have to decide whether you have the ability to change the transaxle ATF yourself. If you want the transaxle drain pan to be removed and cleaned, this is not a really easy task for the neophyte.

 

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Our Prius transmission is not like any, ordinary transmission. There are no clutches or clutch plates because MG1 handles that function under control of the Hybrid Vehicle ECU (HV ECU).

Ordinary, automatic transmissions have a lot of 'hidden' fluid that does not drain easily so it is common to hear about a "transmission flush." That is not needed (or appropriate) with the Prius transmission . . . not that it has been offered.

GOOD LUCK!
Bob Wilson

 

I would recommend having the burnt wires replaced first. If that doesn't fix the problem, there is little chance that performing SSC 40G again will have any impact on the problem.

Yes, that appears to be normal. As I stated b4, your battery does not appear to be the problem. Once you get the tranny fluid changed, report back to us on the status of your p3009 code coming back. There is a slight chance that changing the tranny fluid will fix everything. If that doesn't fix it, the next most likely cause is the burned wires in the battery. These are also the cheapest things to fix so we need to do them first. If neither the fluid or wire replacement fix the problem, the next thing on my list is the HV battery and then MG2 but, I don't even want to go there yet.

I know the dealer says its the battery but, the symptoms don't really point to the battery. If you're still getting the codes after the tranny fluid change, I do suggest working w/ the dealer on MIL extended warranty. But...if that fails, its time to replace the burnt wires then go from there.

 

Avi, Patrick and Bob,
I just had a thought. If someone (the previous owner or someone else) put the wrong tranny fluid in could it cause a P3009 fault?

 

Not right away. I saw elevated levels of copper with Amsoil ATF. In theory, a 3d-party, transmission oil might cause all sorts of grief but it is not the type of experiment I want to perform. For example, molybdenum is an excellent lubricant but it is also conductive. I would NOT use a moly enhanced oil in a Prius transmission. I would also check the magnetic properties before testing different lubricant properties.

Bob Wilson

 

Thank you for your kind words. I'm glad I can help and enjoy doing so.

 

The only way I could see that happening would be if it was conducive or attacked and compromised the insulation. I don't feel either of those are likely. If I'm not mistaking newer fluids are made to not attack the newer types of plastics and rubbers found in newer transmissions, however, the coating on the stator wires should be resistant to any ATF. I'd like to note I could be wrong.

 

Lets take it one step at a time here.