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Newbie here...HV Battery Cooling Fan Question

Discussion in 'Prius c Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by StevieD, Nov 20, 2024.

  1. StevieD

    StevieD New Member

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    Location:
    Garden State
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I have a 2014 C Four, replaced the HV Battery after the death code PA080 appeared during what appears to be a strange and unique problem(?)

    Re-utilized the HV Battery Cooling Fan from my previous battery. First time out after new HV battery install, car drove about 5 miles, charging properly when viewing the power meter screen and the same death triangle / warning came up on the screen. This time however, because I did not reinstall the back seat, I observed what may be a cause for the repeated trip. I noticed, just as I felt the "thump" and sudden power change in the car, the cooling fan had kicked on simultaneously. I reset the code and drove about another 4 miles and again appears that when the fan engaged, the power loss and code was tripped.

    After clearing the codes a second time the "trip" happened again almost immediately but now the fan was turning very slowly, eventually the fan sped up to what appears to be normal speed. Mechanic friend thinks that the fan has gone bad and any surge or drop in AMPS when that fan kicks on is signaling the computer to trip PA080 code.

    If anyone has knowledge on this and can assist, greatly appreciate the help. Questions are:

    1. Is it normal operation for the cooling fan to vary in its speed? EG: Fan speed starts off very slow, and speed increases slowly or suddenly as part of normal operation

    2. What is the location, in the hybrid system where one can find the fan relay, if there is one?

    Thanks All
    StevieD
     
  2. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    III
    The trouble code for a bad HV battery is P0A80. I think you made a typo.

    What HV battery did you purchase? New OEM or a refurbished battery or something else?

    How many miles on the car?

    There are many different trouble codes that will trip the red triangle warning light. Did you read the trouble codes again, or did you just assume that it was the same P0A80 code?

    The HV battery cooling fan will increase to the maximum speed when the red triangle warning light is triggered. The cooling fan will not directly trigger the red triangle warning light, but if the HV battery overheats, the red triangle warning light will turn on, but that will trigger a different trouble code.

    Yes, the cooling fan has multiple speeds, and the speed is controlled by one of the ECUs in the car.
     
    #2 Brian1954, Nov 20, 2024
    Last edited: Nov 20, 2024
  3. StevieD

    StevieD New Member

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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    The trouble code for a bad HV battery is P0A80. I think you made a typo.

    What HV battery did you purchase? New OEM or a refurbished battery or something else?

    How many miles on the car?


    There are many different trouble codes that will trip the red triangle warning light. Did you read the trouble codes again, or did you just assume that it was the same P0A80 code?

    The HV battery cooling fan will increase to the maximum speed when the red triangle warning light is triggered. The cooling fan will not directly trigger the red triangle warning light, but if the HV battery overheats, the red triangle warning light will turn on, but that will trigger a different trouble code.


    Yes, the cooling fan has multiple speeds, and the speed is controlled by one of the ECUs in the car.


    Hi Brian....thank you for your response here!

    Yes I did make a typo, thank you.

    I will answer your questions here:

    - Refurb from best hybrid batteries web page, Chicago area company with great reviews and a full 3 year warranty
    - Car has 178,000 miles

    Below is exactly what the report reads:

    HV ECU - Current Codes
    P0A0D High Voltage System Interlock Circuit High
    P0A80 Replace Hybrid Battery Pack
    P3015 Battery Block 5 becomes weak

    HV ECU - History Codes
    P0A0D High Voltage System Interlock Circuit High
    P0A80 Replace Hybrid Battery Pack
    P3015 Battery Block 5 becomes weak

    HV ECU - Pending Codes

    P0A80 Replace Hybrid Battery Pack
    P3015 Battery Block 5 becomes weak

    Antilock Brakes - Current Codes
    C1259 HV System Regenerative Fault
    C1310 Fault in HV System / ACTV Brake Booster Solenoid

    Tire Pressure Monitor - History codes
    C2122 Transmitter ID 2 not received (Main)
    C2176 Receiver Error

    OBD2 Codes ($03)
    P0A80 Replace Hybrid/EV Battery Pack
    P3015 Manufacturer Specific

    OBD2 Permanent Codes ($0A)
    P0A80 Replace Hybrid/EV Battery Pack
    P3015 Manufacturer Specific

    After a considerable amount of reading here on Prius Chat, I've determined that the fan does have differing speeds, appears dependent on the temp sensor for the battery temp.

    Thanks again for your help Brian
     
  4. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Did you install the refurbished battery or did Best Hybrid Batteries install it?

    Can you please clarify if the trouble codes that you listed in post #3 was with the old hybrid battery installed in the car or was the refurbished battery installed in the car? It is not clear to me.

    Yes, the battery cooling fan speed is dependent on temperature of the battery as measured by the temperature sensors
     
  5. StevieD

    StevieD New Member

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    I installed the new battery myself, with the assistance of several videos on youtube.

    The scan was done with the new battery pack installed, after clearing the codes from the original fault. The cooling fan also came on full speed after each incident, hence why I asked about the speed of the fan.

    It appears to me, after more reading, that battery block 5 may be the culprit in the new battery. Looks like I should be contacting the company I bought the battery from?

    Much thanks again
     
  6. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    You are correct. There is a problem with block #5.

    Yes, you should contact the seller and give them all the details. You have a valid warranty claim. I am guessing that you will need the warranty a few more times during the 3-year warranty time frame. Good luck with the refurbished battery.
     
  7. StevieD

    StevieD New Member

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    Four
    Thanks for the help Brian....sending the battery back Monday. Your last response left me with the impression you're not a fan of refurbs, is my assumption correct?

    I can get a refund and ordering direct from Toyota is an option for me, cost about $450 bucks more. DSo you believe thats the best way to go, seeking several opinions.
     
  8. Brian1954

    Brian1954 Senior Member

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    Refurbished hybrid batteries have there appropriate usage if you do not plan on keeping the car for more than a year or two. How many times do you want to pull the battery and ask for a warranty replacement? Are you paying to ship the battery back, and who is paying for shipment of the replacement battery.?

    If you are going to keep the car for more than 2 years, you should buy a new OEM battery. It will last at least 10 years without any problems.
     
    #8 Brian1954, Nov 29, 2024 at 9:52 PM
    Last edited: Nov 29, 2024 at 10:07 PM