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2007 Prius won’t start

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by John Gjata, Jan 10, 2018.

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  1. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Hello,
    My 2007 (standard) Prius sat for about 3 weeks and wouldn’t start when we returned. The display (MFD) lights came on, but it would not shift into drive or reverse and the engine would not start. It showed the triangle of death as well as the symbol of the car with an ! through it. The owner’s manual defined this as “take to the dealer immediately.”
    It had been working just fine when we left 3 weeks ago. It has 160,000 miles, and we took it to the dealer because the car would not jump start.
    The dealer said that it had these error codes, P0A0f (won’t start) & P0AA6 (isolation fault hybrid batt voltage system), and that the hybrid battery probably needed to be replaced. They cannot be sure until they remove the battery and tested the coils (!), but they said it could be an electrical issue instead. Can this battery be recharged (after sitting)?
    Any history or suggestions out there? It’s an old car with little resale value, so I am thinking about just replacing the coils. What do you think?
    Thank you
     
    #1 John Gjata, Jan 10, 2018
  2. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    1. Probably you need a new 12Volt battery to try it out, after you're certain that the battery(12volt) is dead

    2. The dealership should have given you the INFO code also.

    The Isolation fault in some cases, tells you that there's a ground problem within the HV cabling or system.

    If one or two of the traction battery modules are leaking electrolytes within the battery under pan, that code would also be set.


    PS: If you have a scantool, try erasing the codes. You'd notice the car selects to the desired gears temporarily.

    Dxat
     
    #2 Dxta, Jan 10, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 10, 2018
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  3. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The hybrid battery is too expensive to replace based on a "probably." A good Prius mechanic should be able to tell you for sure if it's bad and what's wrong with it. As @Dxta said, you need the sub codes that give the details.

    And, if it is bad and you want to keep the car, there are less expensive alternatives than a whole new HV battery installed by the dealer. We have one member who actually sells all new 3rd party battery cells you can install yourself. There are places you can get a near new used battery. You can also buy a brand new Toyota battery from some dealerships and install it yourself. We have countless threads here in the Gen2 maintenance & troubleshooting forum about those options. Good luck and welcome to PC.
     
    #3 jerrymildred, Jan 10, 2018
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  4. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Thanks for the replies!
    If the 12V is dead, shouldn't it be able to be jump started? It (the engine starting battery) was replaced a couple years ago, but it could have been low after sitting for 3 weeks. The tech tried to jump the car at the relay under the hood and at the battery in the trunk. Wouldn't the dealer mechanics have tested that?
    Also, shouldn't the dealer have the subcodes/info codes? what I was told was 526 612. Does that make sense?
    They said that they need to remove the hybrid battery to test it to be sure it is bad (test each coil). If they're not bad, they say it could be an electrical system issue. If it is a coil, is it possible to replace it (them)?

    Thanks again
     
    #4 John Gjata, Jan 10, 2018
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the 12v might be causing interference. try taking it out of the circuit and jumping.
    any idea how old it is?
     
    #5 bisco, Jan 10, 2018
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  6. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Hi Bisco,
    It's currently at the dealer (towed this morning). But, I think the battery is only 2-3 years at most.
     
    #6 John Gjata, Jan 10, 2018
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  7. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Glad you survived to tell the tale! :)​
     
    #7 RCO, Jan 11, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 11, 2018
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  8. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Did you mean literally towed away on its own wheels? I think that's a big NO, NO!
     
    #8 RCO, Jan 11, 2018
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  9. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The 12V does not start the engine.

    It is possible, but not common, to have a condition where you can't jump start with the 12V battery in the circuit.

    I think the 526 has to do with ground fault.
     
    #9 jerrymildred, Jan 11, 2018
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    maybe corrosion?
     
    #10 bisco, Jan 11, 2018
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  11. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Why? It was towed on a truck...
     
    #11 John Gjata, Jan 12, 2018
  12. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Jerry, it was towed on a tow truck. What is the issue with towed on its wheels?
     
    #12 John Gjata, Jan 12, 2018
  13. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Jerry, I thought the 12V started the engine.
     
    #13 John Gjata, Jan 12, 2018
  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    No. The 12V turns on the computers and closes a relay to feed the high voltage from the traction battery. MG1 starts the engine by spinning it much, much faster than a conventional starter. Once oil pressure is established, the fuel and ignition activate.

    And, to tow it on its front wheels, it would have to be on and in neutral, which would be the end of the traction battery before too long. Towing it on its back wheels is OK.
     
    #14 jerrymildred, Jan 12, 2018
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  15. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Okay, thanks. So the traction battery is the hybrid/power train battery? Obviously I never got to know my wife’s driver...
     
    #15 John Gjata, Jan 12, 2018
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  16. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Right. I recommend some quality time with the owner's manual. Also, @john1701a has a web site with a ton of information he's accumulated in something like 17 years of Prius experience. Here's one document that might clear up some confusion:
    John's Stuff - Toyota Prius Misconceptions
     
    #16 jerrymildred, Jan 12, 2018
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  17. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    @John Gjata I forgot that I'm a Brit and for us, 'towed' means pulled along behind. That is not recommended for a Prius unless the front wheel are raised of the ground on a bogie. Ideally a Prius should always be carried on a tow truck. Sorry for the confusion. (y)
     
    #17 RCO, Jan 12, 2018
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  18. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    thanks for the help. How can I find a used battery or someone to replace coils/modules in north county San Diego?
     
    #18 John Gjata, Jan 12, 2018
  19. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    No prob
     
    #19 John Gjata, Jan 12, 2018
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  20. John Gjata

    John Gjata Junior Member

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    Jerry, the doc didn’t help, but I’ll scour for more info. Thanks!
     
    #20 John Gjata, Jan 12, 2018
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