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Charging issue

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by bractar, Apr 2, 2017.

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  1. bractar

    bractar Junior Member

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    Hello,
    I have a 2014 prius plug in. Today, I tried pluging in my charging cable but the orange light on the car was just blinking 10 times and then stopped.
    Can anyone help?
    I posted this video on youtube to show the issue.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 bractar, Apr 2, 2017
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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is the timer set?
     
    #2 bisco, Apr 2, 2017
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  3. bractar

    bractar Junior Member

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    no timer, does it look like a timer issue? I'll double check it hasn't been set by mistake.
     
    #3 bractar, Apr 2, 2017
  4. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    I use the timer religiously, unless I forget,but mine doesn't blink like that. With the timer set, when you plugin, the light comes on then shuts off after a few seconds, but no blinking.
     
    #4 Tracksyde, Apr 2, 2017
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  5. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Isn't there a warning text on the MID?
     
    #5 Pluggo, Apr 2, 2017
  6. Pluggo

    Pluggo Senior Member

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    Page 101 in the 2012 book: Situation - The charging indicator flashes for 10 seconds. Reason - An error has probably occurred in the charging system. Correction procedure - Turn the "POWER" switch to ON mode and comply with the warning message shown on the multi-information display. (->P. 562) (Gives 9 possible messages)
     
    #6 Pluggo, Apr 2, 2017
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  7. bractar

    bractar Junior Member

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    thanks Pluggo, I read that too I should have mentionned it earlier. This is a very vague message, and the manual is just asking me to contact a Toyota dealer (see picture)
    I'm using the cable once a day, nothing crazy, it shouldn't break after 3 years. This is the kind of issue that makes me regret getting this car. I know that a replacement cable cost something like a thousand dollars.
     

    Attached Files:

    #7 bractar, Apr 2, 2017
  8. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    The cable is covered under the 10 years/150k miles warranty. If it is a cable issue, just take it to a dealer.

    Did you try a different outlet? Have you tried any other EVSE?

    But if you ever need to buy a 2nd 120v EVSE, look for a used Leaf one on eBay, they're about $200-300 last I checked.
     
    #8 Tracksyde, Apr 3, 2017
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  9. bractar

    bractar Junior Member

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    #9 bractar, Apr 3, 2017
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the chargers have gone bad in some 2014's, you can find the threads here. perhaps you should visit the dealer, it should be covered under warranty.
     
    #10 bisco, Apr 3, 2017
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  11. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    #11 priuscatprimeguy, Apr 3, 2017
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  12. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    I believe it should be covered under the CA emissions and battery warranty (10/120). But I just read the guide and it doesn't mention anything about the EVSE being covered or not. However, I would think since the mileage and emissions estimates for the PiP are dependent on having a charged battery, it should apply. at least that's how I would approach the discussion with the dealer.
     
    #12 Tracksyde, Apr 3, 2017
  13. Potorap

    Potorap Active Member

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    Hello,
    Had this happen at a public charging station. It was the only time I've seen this until now. I would check a different outlet. Possible grounding issue. Just a thought. Good luck and keep us posted.
     
    #13 Potorap, Apr 3, 2017
  14. bractar

    bractar Junior Member

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    I've been using the same outlet for 3 years, but yeah I'll try a different one tonight.

    "the chargers have gone bad in some 2014's, you can find the threads here. perhaps you should visit the dealer, it should be covered under warranty."
    Can you provide the link, I couldn't find the correct thread.
    I made a quick Google search and I haven't found any official "recall"

    Thanks!
     
    #14 bractar, Apr 3, 2017
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's no recall. i'll look around and see what i can find.

    edit: search for this title;

    1) 'Plugin Charger issues'. (4 new chargers in this thread)

    2) 'Charging failure' (this member had the light blinking 10 times symptom) turned out to be an ecu.
     
    #15 bisco, Apr 3, 2017
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2017
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  16. bractar

    bractar Junior Member

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    I tested the cable on 3 other outlets and I got the same issue. I'll contact the dealer but with a very little hope.
    At the same time, I think this cable would be a great replacement, can you confirm? $300 seems like an acceptable compromise, it would take something like 1 year to amortize from gas savings. (I'd rather buy a new cable on Amazon than ebay)

     
    #16 bractar, Apr 4, 2017
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  17. Tracksyde

    Tracksyde Member

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    You might want to try someone else's cable or even test it at a public charger before you buy a new one? I think you've ruled out that its an outlet issue. But at this point, it could be the cable/EVSE or the car? Maybe test out another cable at the dealer or try their Level 2 charger if they have one.
     
    #17 Tracksyde, Apr 4, 2017
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  18. jfschultz

    jfschultz Active Member

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    You need to try using a public charging station. I had a similar situation (I don't remember how many times the light flashed) and tried several charging stations with the same result. Ended up having to replace both the charging ECU and the charger.
     
    #18 jfschultz, Apr 5, 2017
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  19. PA Prius

    PA Prius Active Member

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    I may have a used EVSE from a Leaf for $200. if that would interest you.
     
    #19 PA Prius, Apr 5, 2017
  20. bractar

    bractar Junior Member

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    I went to the dealership last week, they tested my cable and one of their. They confirmed that the issue came from my cable.
    As expected, the warranty doesn't apply (3 years / 36k miles, I had 38k miles). I asked the price for a new one and the total with taxes was $920. They didn't want to offer any discount or recommend any other cable.
    I called the customer care service, just in case. The lady on the phone tried to find out if another warranty could be applied (hybrid system) but she hasn't found anything.
    So I'll probably have to buy the one from Amazon.
    * Thanks for your offer "PA Prius" but I'm only interested in buying a brand new cable.

    Anyway, Toyota just made a sad and angry customer.
    I'll probably sell this car in the next couple of years and go to a different brand. I can't believe that they don't understand this kind of thing. They could keep customers by being more helpful, customer friendly and honest (selling a $920 cable is absolute rip off).
     
    #20 bractar, Apr 11, 2017
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