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Inverter replacement on Gen 2 Prius. Is it DIYable?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by 9SM, Dec 27, 2022.

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  1. 9SM

    9SM New Member

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    The problem: I recently bought a used 2005 Prius with over 160k miles on it in July 2022. It didn't give me any problems in my six months of ownership. The previous owner told me he had the hybrid battery "fixed". I think he meant serviced and probably changed some cells. Couple of weeks ago when I started the car a master warning light, check engine light, ((!)), ABS and VSC lit up on my dashboard and the car stopped moving. I didn't drive that day. That week, I tried driving it to a mechanic and on the way there, the lights disappeared. It kept happening as I drove a three of four times after that. The lights would come on when I start the car and would go away eventually if I kept the car running. I took it to a dealer and they found P0A63 code - a bad inverter and quoted me around $1500 for installing a used one. I can buy a used one off eBay for under $300. I'm tempted to do it myself and save $1100 in labor costs. They didn't say anything about the pump.

    DIY: My experience is limited to changing struts and sway bar links. I am familiar with the wheel and suspension parts of a car. I also changed the 12v battery myself, but it's a very easy job in my opinion. I am enthusiastic about doing any mechanical work that's doable. I would also like to think that I know when to let the experts handle it. I watched a video and it look straightforward. The electricals scare me though. Is it doable with out a mess up?
     
    #1 9SM, Dec 27, 2022
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have read that replacement is simple and straightforward. check youtube for possible instructions
     
    #2 bisco, Dec 27, 2022
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  3. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    The inverter in these cars manages all the high voltages in many different ways and 99 times out of a 100 when a Gen2 Prius inverter throws a warning code that says it's broken, it's not the source of the problem. There's many examples on here of people getting fleeced by a Toyota Stealership who replace the Gen2 inverter and it doesn't fix the problem and the thieves sell them more expensive components like the hybrid battery pack with out even so much as an apology for getting the diagnosis wrong. What's more, all us DIY folks have an old inverter on our parts rack that sits there for years and years never being needed on anyone's car because we fell for thinking it needed to replaced before we knew better. If I were you I'd post a screenshot of Dr. Prius apps main screen so we can look at your battery pack's vital signs.
     
    #3 PriusCamper, Dec 27, 2022
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  4. 9SM

    9SM New Member

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    There is only video I could find and it looked pretty straightforward.
     
    #4 9SM, Dec 27, 2022
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  5. 9SM

    9SM New Member

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    That is interesting. Please forgive my ignorance on Dr. Prius. I never heard of it before. Do you have any recommendations for a Bluetooth OBD scanner for an iPhone?
     
    #5 9SM, Dec 27, 2022
  6. 9SM

    9SM New Member

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    I checked with them. My subcodes are 300 and 302. I found this document (doesn't let me post the link) posted by someone on this forum. According to the document I have to open the inverter to test these connectors. If they are faulty, I can just replace the connectors, if not, I have to replace the inverter assembly.
     
    #6 9SM, Dec 27, 2022
  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    #7 PriusCamper, Dec 27, 2022
  8. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Again... Until we can see the vital signs of the battery pack, your error codes and subcode is highly likely to NOT be related to a bad inverter. Myself and others have had a spare inverter on our parts rack for years and years because we can't find anyone who needs it. Meanwhile there's plenty of people who have posted on PriusChat that they went along with the mechanic and replaced the inverter and it didn't do anything to address the problem.
     
    #8 PriusCamper, Dec 28, 2022
  9. 9SM

    9SM New Member

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    I ordered a VeePeak on Amazon. Should be receiving it tomorrow. I will post the images once I scan my car.
     
    #9 9SM, Dec 28, 2022
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  10. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Here is an older work up for P0A60 and P0A63 (with the various INFs) :

    https://share.qclt.com/%E4%B8%B0%E7%94%B0%E6%99%AE%E7%91%9E%E6%96%AF%E5%8E%9F%E5%8E%82%E8%8B%B1%E6%96%87%E6%89%8B%E5%86%8Cpdf%E6%A0%BC%E5%BC%8F/Repair%20Manual/04pruisr/05/21bpm/0a60288.pdf
    You might want to consider a "mini-vci" cable and techstream (dealer technician diagnostic software) installed on a winblows device (or you can emulate).
     
    #10 SFO, Dec 28, 2022
  11. 9SM

    9SM New Member

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    I got my Veepeak. I could only get the hybrid battery information on Dr. Prius app. Rest of the engine codes weren't that useful. I am attaching the OBD report I got when I took it too the dealership in addition to the hybrid battery health from Dr. Prius app. I didn't find any blown fuses. I think it's the inverter failure.
     

    Attached Files:

    #11 9SM, Jan 3, 2023
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