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Gen 1 Prius with P3000, P3009 - no other codes or engine lights

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by Netizenca, Jan 24, 2019.

  1. Netizenca

    Netizenca Junior Member

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    2002 Prius
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    Hi I'm looking for direction on how best to move forward with the following fault codes P3000, P3009 on my 2002 Prius. The mechanic who retrieved the codes said there were no sub-codes. There were also no other codes, or check engine lights, etc. Just the initial triangle with exclamation mark over car symbol. Car runs normally. A few details, I just bought the car from a private party and appears to be in good shape- but I don't know the history on it. Not sure if its relevant, but the master warning light (triangle and car with exclamation point) came on for first time after it rained extensively for a week here in Los Angeles, and after (perhaps a day or 2 after driving through a fairly deep puddle). The mechanic that retrieved the codes does not have the more expensive tool ( high capacity voltage meter perhaps?) to further diagnose the specifics of this leak (p3009). I would like him to do repairs ( he specializes in Japanese cars and works on hybrids like the Prius but doesn't specialize in it) and he suggested that I get further diagnosis from Toyota then come back for repairs with him. I'm trying to resolve issue as painlessly as possible (i.e., I'm broke). What should be my next step to ensure I don't end up paying for repairs I don't need or premature or redundant diagnosis.

    Thank you!!
     
  2. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    I would get a good diagnosis first.
    Sounds like you may need to go to the deler for this one if you do not have another independent shop option.

    You could try some diagnostic yourself of you have time and are up for it. Youd likely want to buy some diagnostic tools first, though. Like a mini vci cable which will likely come with a (pirated) of Toyotas techs software. You can run this on an old used laptop running windows XP.

    Some other diagnostic ideas are outlined from the infamous Luscious Garage in San Francisco.
    This video


    Or these links
    Gen 1 Prius Transmission Repair, P3009, P3120, P3125 - Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists
    Toyota Hybrids P3009: High Voltage Leak Detected, internal to battery - Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists
     
  3. Netizenca

    Netizenca Junior Member

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    Is it at all possible that a poor auxiliary battery can cause these codes? The codes went off by themselves and stayed off for month before just now coming back on after jumping my Prius ( the Aux battery needs replacing Ive had to jump the car a few times. This particular time was jumping from a portable battery I bought from Autozone - this is when the warning light came back on after clearing itself over a month ago.

    Thanks for the input btw!
     
  4. Nelsonprius

    Nelsonprius Junior Member

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    It's possible a low 12v battery can do this, a yellow top Optimus might solve it. If not, a peek at the HV battery modules might reveal connectors corrosion
     
  5. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    I don't live in a world where the aux battery could cause a P3009. The code means you've got a current leak in the high voltage system.

    The current leakage path may not be visible to the naked eye though, and it might not be in the traction battery at all. Later generations added some subcodes to P3009 to help you localize it, but in Gen 1, it's just up to you.

    If you search this forum, you'll find threads about a sequential test you can do (clear the code, then: does it return in key only ON? Or not until READY? But not if shifted to N?) for getting a broad idea whether the leak is near the battery, or the cables/inverter, or the transaxle.

    To pin it down more closely than that, there are about eight work-up pages for the code in the repair manual.
     
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  6. strawbrad

    strawbrad http://minnesotahybridbatteries.com

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    Maybe,

    Get under the car and look for animal chewing or other damage to the orange cables. Damaged cables and rainwater can be enough to cause a HV leak. When the cables dry out the leak path is no longer there. I've seen this on chewed up lines to the AC compressor. The nick that got through to the HV line was smaller than 1/8". The code tripped only after a heavy rain.

    Do you understand that a HV leak is dangerous? The body of your car is now exposed to over 300 volts.
     
  7. Netizenca

    Netizenca Junior Member

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    Thanks for the input. I've put a call into Avi at Hybrid Fix but won't be able to get my car in there until at least next week. It appears however I may have a new problem. So this morning my 12v battery was completely drained. I went to Toyota and bought a new true start battery and installed it myself to save some money. Install was easy enough and everything was working great - drove the car all day. Well, just now, I was driving to the gym but had to turn around and head home because the car started running really rough, loss some power and stuttered like it was gonna stall. It was running so rough I thought I wouldn't make it back home. I did make it home and now I'm wondering what to do from here. I live in a busy Los Angeles neighborhood where an unmoved vehicle will get ticketed without mercy (thank God its Sunday tomorrow). Can anyone offer me any DIY suggestions to figure out whats going on, and hopefully make it drivable before Monday. Not sure I would want to risk driving it again (at least not without some input here). No warning lights came on during this event, and of course, replacing the 12v today did turn off the master warning light which also did not come back on during this event. Are all theses issues I'm having related? - from the original master warning light and subsequent P3000, P3009 codes, to the dying 12volt and now the rough (nearly stalling/low power) ride shortly after installing the new 12v? BTW, I really do appreciate this forum and all the help and feedback - just wanted to say that
     
  8. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    O workwon hybrids for a living. Feel free to call me to discuss.608-729-4082.

    Avi is a great mechanic, so you are on the right track.

    The p3009 high voltage leak will generally shit the car down because, among other things, it can be a safety hazard
    You could try clearing the code by disconnecting the 12v battery for a few seconds.
    See if that clears the memory enough so the car forgets that it is broken.

    Once you get it to a safe place, please do the test linked to in my very first reply to your initial post. Then tell us the result.