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Check hybrid system..

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by Gerardo93, Jan 23, 2018.

  1. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    So for some odd reason I was on the way to work in a rush because I was late and I pushed all the gas down on my Prius (2010) and it just stopped accelerating after pushing the gas pedal down all the way. The first thing that popped up was “check hybrid systems” I’ve triwd a couple things I’ve seen on the forums but nothing seems to work! Can anyone help me out? (I ordered an OBD scanner it should arrive tomorrow will that be helpful?)
     
  2. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    You floored the pedal all the way down, and the "check hybrid system" came on?

    The hybrid system has an RPM limit, I think, where you can't exceed. That should not be responsible for the check light coming on the dash.

    You should know that at the point when you floored the pedal so harsh like that, expect a huge discharge from the HV battery pack, because on heavy acceleration, and sudden braking, the HV battery is heavily tasked.

    Get the car scanned, with a hybrid capable scantool (hope the one you're ordering tomorrow would do)?

    If there's a check hybrid system, my guess would be that some of the modules in the HV battery are losing their ability to hold a charge already.

    It might be that you could replace some of the modules with tested ones that are being sold by some PC members here.



    Dxta
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome!
    check your battery cooling fan. how many miles on her?
     
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  4. FrankB

    FrankB Member

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    Likely the inverter will need to be replaced under warranty.
     
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  5. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    It has about 109k miles on it, the issue with the warranty is that it was a salvaged title when it was given to me.
     
  6. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    The OBD II scanner is coming in tomorrow actually so I’ll check in then, I assume because I pushed down the pedal intensively it might’ve created a short with a fuse? Or a Relay? It’s hard to find someone in my town who will work on a hybrid other then the dealer of course.
     
  7. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    Agree with FrankB, classic inverter IPM failure scenario. You can verify codes on your own but the car will have to go to a dealer for the warranty repair. If the scanner you ordered doesn't show any "P0A" codes you will know it likely is not a hybrid aware scanner. P0A94, P324E, P3004, and/or P0A1A is what you want to see to score the free repair.

    https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2015/10/96076_Warranty_Enhancement_Notification_ZE3.pdf

    Whoops, you posted the salvage tidbit while I was typing my reply. You still might pursue Toyota on the warranty as this is a major safety issue failure. Otherwise, I'd source an entire inverter from a salvage Prius, entire inverter swap being a simple repair and the salvage units are relatively cheap.
     
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  8. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    Would y’all recommend any hybrid scanner tool? Just Incase the one I get tomorrow doesn’t work! I’m defintely considering the dealership soon, the reason I haven’t taken it to the dealer is because i don’t want them to charge me just now for running diagnostic on the vehicle when I might have the power to figure out what’s wrong at home.
     
  9. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    If you're keeping it, then investing in a good OBD reader is highly suggested but the best method involves using a laptop/techstream software so the costs can be fairly high. Houston has independent hybrid specialists who should be able to read it for less $$$ than a dealer. One specialist told me he's seeing more gen 3 battery failures here in Texas but I'd suspect the inverter first, battery second.

    I believe safety related issues like airbags will still be honored on a salvage titled car but factory warranties and/or extensions are null and void. Hopefully this isn't a hurricane harvey flood car either.
     
  10. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    Just got home from school! Scanned It with the OBD scanner! It says error code P0452! Is it maybe a fix I can do at home? Has anyone had this issue?
     
  11. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    P0452 is in the evap system.

    Gas cap is on and locked? And the gas cap is in good condition? Had the tank ever been overfilled?

    Keep us posted(y).
     
  12. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    What does it cost to fix the EVAP system? Is it something I can do myself? Would this code really ask me to “check hybrid systems”??
     
    #12 Gerardo93, Jan 23, 2018
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2018
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  13. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    Depends on what’s wrong with the evap system;).

    Simplest thing to start at is the gas cap and check to make sure it is locked and in good condition.

    After that it could be damage to the filler neck, the canister, etc.

    But I’d start with the gas cap and see if recently there was an overfill(y).
     
  14. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    Any clue how to fix a shortage? It seems like one of the circuit breakers might be messed up, maybe blew a fuse?
     
  15. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You can check the fuse box and see if there is something blown. On the cover of the fuse box, it will tell you what fuse it is.

    If it is blown, then there is the quandry: replace the fuse and see if it blows again, or investigate the cause prior to replacement.

    I am the curious type, so if I found a blown fuse, then could identify the fuse the system is associated with, I’d do some research as to what might cause the fuse to blow before replacing it.

    Good luck and keep us posted.
     
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  16. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    Thanks!

    Like I said I accelerated the Prius as much as I could and it seemed like maybe I had a short? So I’m thinking that is the issue here! Hoping so! I’ll take it to a mechanic tomorrow or try and find out what fuse is which and hopefully fix it my self.
     
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  17. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Buy the techstream software and cable from eBay for about $35
     
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  18. Gerardo93

    Gerardo93 New Member

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    Update: I’ve been at home checking all the fuses tonight, seems like it has nothing to do with the fuses? I doubt it’s the battery because I can turn the car on and run the a/c (of course the engine doesn’t turn on). Any other advice for the night? I’m defintely leaning towards taking it to a shop tomorrow.
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you have a great hybrid shop in houston hybrids, or hometown hybrids, they are a member here.
    and see post #17 if you are going to diy.
     
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  20. m.wynn

    m.wynn Senior Member

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    mini VCI or VXDIAG VCX Nano for Techstream. These are both Chinese hack, Toyota Techstream dongles that relay data from the car's obd port to your own laptop. They seem to install easier on a 32-bit operating system but 64-bit is doable if you are computer gifted. You're looking at ~$30-$100 initial investment not counting the laptop and depending on which one you choose. Otherwise, a general obd2 scan tool can be used SO LONG AS it's verified Toyota hybrid capable. I'm guessing by your EVAP code that the tool you're using is not capable of retrieving hybrid codes. The current EVAP code is very unlikely the reason your car shut down and displayed the "check hybrid" msg., but anything is possible.

    If the issue is as I suspect, you DO have a short but it's not in the fuse box. It's in a capacitor pack within the inverter. But you are going to need the correct code(s) to verify or to get a clearer idea of where the real problem lies.

    The vagueness of "taking it to a shop" is concerning to me. The shop needs to be hybrid capable and reputable as such, imo. It's a case where ponying for a dealer diagnostic fee isn't a bad idea. Most dealers can at least provide an accurate list of codes, as using the proper Techstream diagnostic software makes it pretty hard to screw up. bisco's suggestion of an independent hybrid shop sounds like a good way to go if you're dealer wary.
     
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