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3rd Gen replacement inverter failure - again

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Luke-245, Apr 8, 2020.

  1. Luke-245

    Luke-245 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2020
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    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hello all, I'm in Brisbane, Australia. This is my second Prius and was loving it until recently the check hybrid system lights appeared.

    I had noticed a bit of an issue when stopping at traffic lights, the petrol engine would sputter and sound like it was almost conking out before switching to the hybrid motor while stopped, but this never seemed to effect the driving.

    Initially after the engine lights came on, I took it to Toyota service dealers and they told me it had codes P0A7F, P0A94 and P3604.

    They told me it would need a new converter with converter G9200 49025 which they charge $5000 aud.

    I said no thanks, and found a second hand inverter online and got someone experienced to install it, it ran ok for about 10 minutes before warning lights came back on.

    The next day I turn the car on and the codes have disappeared, but the day after all the lights come on again, BUT this time the engine revs are higher than normal and the gear box shifter won't go into Reverse or Drive forward very much (limp mode?).

    Towed it back to Toyota to have them re-diagnose again $, and they tell me the same story $$$$...

    So I towed it to a mechanic who works on Taxi Prius' and he got it going again after clearing codes, but car does the same thing after I turned it off and on again. We tried installing another inverter from the parts supplier and still the same thing happened only this time the mechanic says the car is throwing codes P0A4D and P0A4C which he believes might be the gear box / transaxle assembly. Which is another big job $$$$ and no guarantee this will fix it...

    I don't understand how the car can drive fine with broken inverter (dc to dc fault) on petrol engine (go into fwd and reverse) but install a different inverter that seems to work and have gear box issues.

    Should I roll the dice or send to the wreckers?
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    welcome! how many miles/km on her?
     
  3. Luke-245

    Luke-245 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2020
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    Location:
    Australia
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hey it has about 225,000 km
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,683
    48,934
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    hopefully, one of our gen2 experts here can help you, like @dolj