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Frequent errors that nobody can seem to diagnose...

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jmsmkm, Jun 28, 2021.

  1. jmsmkm

    jmsmkm New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 28, 2021
    1
    0
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    About three months ago, I got a "check hybrid system" warning in my 2015 Prius Two. It was due for scheduled maintenance anyway so I took it to my usual shop that specializes in Hybrids. They said that after resetting the system the error code went away, and everything seemed to be working fine so I shouldn't worry about it unless the light comes on again.

    A few weeks later I got the same error, this time paired with the ABS, brake, and skid lights on as well. This time I took it into a Toyota dealership who kept it overnight. They also came back and said that they were unable to find anything wrong with the car. They say that apparently there's some miscommunication with a sensor somewhere in the system, but since they can't replicate the problem in the shop they are unable to diagnose it. I drive it for another month or so without incident.

    Flash forward to this month: I'm on the last leg of a 2,000 mile road trip when suddenly I get the hybrid, ABS, brake, and skid lights again. I find a Toyota dealership and they spend about 4 hours with the car only to tell me the exact same things I heard from the last two places. I manage to finish out the last few hundred miles of my trip to New York without incident.

    Now I'm in New York visiting family and all the lights come back on again. I have now taken it to a third dealership, and after keeping the car for eight days they're telling me all the exact same stuff: there must be a sensor issue somewhere but the technician can't replicate the error so it's impossible to diagnose.

    I've now paid diagnostic fees to four different technicians in three different states and they have all just kinda shrugged at me and said there's a problem somewhere but they don't know what it is. I'm at my wit's end here and not looking forward to taking this thing on the highway for another 2,000 mile trek back home.

    Any advice?
     
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 10, 2013
    16,470
    8,383
    0
    Location:
    Los Angeles, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I had a friend with this exact problem on his 2015 Prius. He would get the "check hybrid system" warning and bring it to the dealer. They can't find anything wrong with his car. Although they did hint there possibly could be rodents chewing on the wires to cause the errors to come up. But I think they're just guessing. This has happened to him twice on long drives.
     
  3. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2017
    6,114
    4,040
    1
    Location:
    Wilkes Land
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    since check engine light codes are not required, I would cut my loss and get another car after 4 misdiagnosis.