HELP - Master Hybrid Light + VSC + ((!)), DTC=P3009

Did the dealer check the insulation resistance between the six terminals of the three–phase alternating current cables on the transaxle side and the body ground and found resistance too low? And check the cables and connectors and found them OK? If yes to both then the transaxle needs to be replaced. Maybe cheaper to replace with a used one. Was the transaxle fluid ever changed on this car?

 

DTC P3009 on 2G likely means that the air conditioning compressor has the ground fault, not the transaxle. If the car can be driven and demonstrates no driveability symptoms, then you don't have to take any action right now.

However there is a safety hazard involved with a ground fault. This is similar to you being in contact with one side of your home's AC wiring. Nothing will happen unless you manage to contact the other side - then you will be zapped.

 

+1, get a salvage transmission installed, if it is truly the transmission. Try Art's Automotive in Berkeley or Luscious Garage in SF.

Take a very close look on a recent thread on this issue.

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ights-triangle-vsc-transmission-problems.html

 

The trans is the source of regenerative braking. If there is a problem with that, or the hybrid system in general, it affects all of the electronically controlled braking system, and the dash turns into a Christmas tree.

It is okay to drive to LG.

 

Please read post #10 http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...le-vsc-transmission-problems.html#post1363946

This mentions changing transaxle fluid, which is highly recommended every 60000 miles. Have your local garage do this -- it is just like a manual transaxle fluid change.

Post #10 provides a quick way to reset your check engine light without a scanner or disconnecting the negative on the battery.

It is possible that this is an intermittent problem and you were sold the car with this having happened already.

 

all,

What I'm wondering, based on Pat Wong's comment in post #3, is if the air conditioning system was recently serviced without the special lubricant for the electric compressor. The wrong lubricating oil in the A/C system could cause the ground fault, couldn't it, Pat?

Edit : But also from the experts here, what are info codes 526 & 613?

Ken (in Bolton,Ct)

 

It basically means there is a ground fault within the transaxle, quite possibly due to moisture. That's one reason why a fluid replacement might cure. There is a TSB that addresses this, T-SB-0306-08, covering 2004-2008. It is essentially a one-liner: If {P3009 or P0AA6} & INF 526 & INF 613, then replace transaxle. Unfortunately, warranty coverage is 5/60 {non-CARB} or 10/150 {CARB}, but this does not help LBH with 234K.

 

San Jose? Probably $100.

Do not bother with the brake fluid, unless it has that bad mossy green tea espresso look. It is dealer-only, and even then it is a crapshoot if you get someone competent enough to bleed the system correctly.

 

There's three stages of brake fluid: canola oil, extra virgin olive oil, and green tea espresso. Regardless of what the dealer says, what does it look like to you? I've yet to see a Prius that had stage 3, but I must enter the caveat that I live in high desert. A brake fluid change on a Prius is about a $200 job, by the way. Anyone who quotes less than $150, all they are doing is pulling old fluid out of the reservoir with a turkey baster.