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Gearbox issues?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Tynyyn, Aug 30, 2021.

  1. Tynyyn

    Tynyyn Member

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    I backed down my driveway to the road. Put the gear selector switch into D and stepped on the gas pedal. The Prius did not want to go forward. I feathered the pedal and the car seemed to want to buck down the road. Feathered it more and slowly stomped on the gas, yet it seemed to now want to go.

    The Prius is an '06 with 269K. This particular problem has manifested itself within the past couple of weeks. I don't know if its bad gas or if the slushbox is acting weird. (I know it is not a traditional slushbox).

    Anyone got some input on how I might diagnose what is wrong? Hate to toss this car to the scrap heap cause its been a pretty good car and I like the 40 mpg it gives me.
     
    #1 Tynyyn, Aug 30, 2021
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    If it’s indeed the transaxle, my hunch is you’ll need dealership or independent professional mechanics to sort it out. The cure may be too pricey too; and 269k is a good run?
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Aug 30, 2021
  3. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Any lights on the dash?
     
    #3 ChapmanF, Aug 30, 2021
  4. Tynyyn

    Tynyyn Member

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    Yea, but I'm too lazy to pull it. I know, Iknow you are rolling your eyes, but I think the CEL is just a O2 sensor light.
     
    #4 Tynyyn, Aug 30, 2021
    Limey Geoff likes this.
  5. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    You need to read this thread from your first post and maybe you'll recognize how crazy post #4 sounds...:)

    The CEL could even be something weird like a TB code..or accelerator pedal code or....guess we'll just never know...
     
    #5 TMR-JWAP, Aug 30, 2021
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    worn clutch plate?
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 30, 2021
  7. Tynyyn

    Tynyyn Member

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    I know. LIke I said, just pure laziness on my part. But for the past year or so the CEL has been for a O2 issue. Plus I wrote this thread minutes after I went to my other house and I had something important to do. All I'm asking for is possible suggestions as to what might cause this type of pedal nonresponse. Is it a mechanical issue or a software issue? I ain't asking for a specific answer, just a educated guess as to which direction I should go. But I'm guessing you will still say "Hey dude, go pull the codes, first!". :)
     
    #7 Tynyyn, Aug 30, 2021
  8. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    It's a light for that and a hundred or so other things, one of which will explain what your car is doing.
     
    #8 ChapmanF, Aug 30, 2021
  9. TMR-JWAP

    TMR-JWAP Senior Member

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    educated guess as to which direction I should go

    I vote for South, but LA is kinda gettin their guts stomped currently, so maybe SouthWest, that would take you to Texas. That's a pretty good direction.

    The next direction I would go is to ebay to purchase a $150 dollar aftermarket catalytic converter. Install that and sell your OEM for scrap and pocket 1300 bucks.
     
    #9 TMR-JWAP, Aug 30, 2021
  10. JohnPrius3005

    JohnPrius3005 Active Member

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    It’s neither bad gas nor a gearbox problem. It’s an electrical/electronic problem. You can make it go away on an ongoing but temporary basis by disconnecting the 12v bat every time you park the car. This doesn’t make for fun car ownership but it will let you drive around for a few months until you get serious. You may get stranded once or twice so it helps to have a “jumpstart” bat pack with you. Also put your 12v bat on a charger every night.

    Thats my best guess after having 3 old Priusses that do something like you describe.
     
    #10 JohnPrius3005, Aug 30, 2021
  11. Tynyyn

    Tynyyn Member

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    Went out this evening and hooked the OBD2 tester up to the Prius. Just as I suspected a p0138 popped up. Nothing else. The Prius ran fine today with no tranny problems. It seems to be an intermittent problem which has me thinking it might be a software issue. That is definitely too deep for my shallow mind to figure out. Though, the temperature in this area is pushing 100*, so if the Prius is sitting in the driveway with the windows rolled up would that heat held in the cabin affect the tranny?
     
    #11 Tynyyn, Aug 31, 2021
  12. zeng

    zeng Junior Member

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    °F is fine with oil, not °C though.
     
    #12 zeng, Aug 31, 2021
  13. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    First thought when I hear "buck going down the road" is possible ICE misfire (but not enough to set a P030x code - yet). I would be watching misfire counters in data, checking and/or replacing plugs and coils, etc.
    I would expect that (most) HV faults that could cause your symptoms to set some sort of code. Can your scanner pull codes from the hybrid control and HV battery ecu's?
    If the symptom returned I would be looking at data from the ICE and hybrid ecu's to see what system is not providing "go power" when requested.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #13 mr_guy_mann, Aug 31, 2021
  14. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    A quick test for random OBD2 testers is to use the tester when the car is in the dark (or throw a newspaper over the solar sensor at the front right of the dash). There is always a B1421 code whenever that sensor is in the dark, so if the OBD2 tester can see that code, that's a good sign that it's usable on a Prius.

    Another almost-as-easy test is to go flip the handle on the traction battery service plug, which sets a P0A0D code. Is the OBD2 tester in question able to see that code?
     
    #14 ChapmanF, Sep 1, 2021
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