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Replaced 2 Transaxles and the HV Battery and Still Not Working... advice please.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by phideltgt, Jan 9, 2012.

  1. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    I purchased a 2005 Prius with 54k miles with a rebuilt title July 2011. About a month after I purchased it (from a private seller) I started to hear a slight grinding noise. It turned out it was the transmission/transaxle. I drove it for about 4 more months since I knew I had to replace the trans anyway. Next, I sourced a used transmission from the guy I purchased the car from. I installed the trans myself. But, it wouldn't run right at all afterward... it wouldn't go over 5mph and it would jerk. I took it to a Toyota shop and was told that it now had a dead 12v battery and HV battery. I had both replaced. It still had the same issue with drivability. I took it to the dealership for a proper diagnosis and was told the transmission was the issue. So, I purchased another used transmission off ebay (90 day warranty) and installed it. I was very careful to make sure everything was installed correctly. So, now the car won't drive at all or even go into park. Attached is a picture of the current screen, which says "The transmission 'P' lock mechanism is abnormal. Park your car at a flat place and apply the parking brake completely." So, did I get another bad transaxle? So, now I need help and advice. I really want to fix this car, but I'm almost ready to give up. As I see it - my choices are 1) put in another used transmission (I don't have $4k for a new one), which I could do (3rd time is a charm) :confused:, 2) spend more money to diagnose the car again or 3) sell it as is and get nothing for the car. Any advice or direction on what might be wrong or a trusted hybrid specialist to take it to would be appreciated. I'm in Atlanta, GA. Thank you!

    1st pic is of the prius screen currently
    prius screen.jpg
    2nd picture is the trans going in on the trans-jack
    prius ground.jpg
    3rd picture is of all 3 transaxles on the ground at once (craziness)
    prius ground2.jpg
     
  2. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    A used trans should just work.

    That message implies an electrical problem. It is very common when the 12V battery is insufficient to completely power up or power down the car. So tell us the terminal voltage of your 12V.

    Next would be to check fuses and relays related to the parking pawl motor and the transmission ECU.

    Next would be to swap parking pawls with one of the other transmissions.
     
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    wow. :welcome: to priuschat, all the best!
     
  4. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    Thank you very much for the direction. The prius is currently at the shop that replaced both the HV and 12v battery b/c the dash display showed a completely dead HV battery. However, they told me today the HV battery is fine. So, before towing it back home I will ask them to check the 12v terminal voltage to make sure it is good and report back. Although, it was replaced 1.5 months ago. I can say that (I think) last trans killed both batteries and was still in there after the batteries were replaced. So, I was thinking it may have drained the 12v somewhat, so I hooked up a battery charger (on 4 amps) overnight after unhooking the batteries connections. It showed a full charge the next morning.
     
  5. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    Thank you!
     
  6. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    If left installed in the car, the 12V will die within 2-4 weeks of non-use. If left dead for more than a few days, it will sulfate and not hold a charge. It is very important that you have a known-good battery installed while you work through the other issues, because all diagnostic codes, including those for the hybrid battery, are red herrings if the 12V is no good.
     
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  7. osofast10

    osofast10 New Member

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    i had the same issues and i had to replace my inverter converter and also my trans. after that the car was perfect. not sure if that would help youout but i had the same screen as you telling me to put the car in park.
     
  8. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    The battery reads 11.8v at the battery terminals. Appears to be in good condition.
     
  9. Hal W

    Hal W New Member

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    I would change the battery if it is reading 11.8V. Mine is always 12.4 + . If it drops below 12v its history. Charge it and see if it will help your situation. Hal
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    since you already changed the 12v, is it possible the charging system is not working properly?
     
  11. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    That's what you get with the car turned off? That battery is almost dead. Put another 12V in parallel with it and try to start the car.
     
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  12. Agape

    Agape Member

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    I had the same screen message on mine for nearly a year until last Wednesday when I replaced 12V aux battery. I am in Europe so i could go for cheaper VARTA battery, I heard that users in US using OPTIMA YELLOW TOP battery and since couple of months there is a direct replacement to prius 12V aux battery with slim Japanese terminals (L+). Since I replaced my battery I don't have any more this message on the screen which you showed.
    The way to start my prius while the message (your message on screen) was displayed was to press+hold the brake pedal and during the same time power off the car, then without releasing your foot from the brake pedal press once shortly the power button, keep your foot on the brake pedal and let the capacitors to charge braking system.Next press the power button one more time if car didn't go to ''ready'' mode, this time it should. - this procedure always worked.
    However since you have all suspension and other elements ''loose'', you may need to ensure your hydraulics (brake hoses) were not exposed to allow any foreign air into the system. Hence if you allowed the air then you need Toyota scanner (main dealer) to release correctly the air from your brakes system (not possible to do it DIY).
    It's possible to replace the brake pads without opening the bleeder screws -- see here. This still requires some extra steps (like removing the ABS relays).
    From the picture looks like you may have had low brake fluid or your car is lifted high at and angle so fluid moved in the reservoir. If you didn't touch hydraulics make sure you do not touch them. If any of your brake calipers are ''open'' make sure do not install 12V battery at this stage as your prius will sense that you are trying to set car in Ready mode and will create pressure in the system which will shoot pistons.

    Since you only posted yesterday, give more advanced members some time to response, perhaps during weekend as some may not returned home yet from long holidays. I'm pretty sure you will find out what the problem is and it will turn to be relatively small problem as it's Toyota.
    Don't panic as you probably didn't re-connect something correctly. the picture with 3 trans-axles looks cool! Don't buy any more - at least 1,2 if not 3 are still good.

    Lastly, I heard people buy some professional scanners which read hybrid specifics codes (i'm sure someone here knows which scanner you need). The when car is fixed people re-sell scanner for still high price.
    :welcome:
     
  13. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    I can't say. I haven't been able to drive the car since it was installed. I will put in on charge when I get it home. Thanks for the input.
     
  14. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    Agape, thank you for the insight. I can only hope it is something small. No worries on the hydralic brakes. I left the whole brake assembly (calipers/rotors) connected to the axle. I just pulled the axle out of the trans and supported the whole assembly with the orange straps hooked on the coil spring. I will have to try the sequence you reference. Thank you, again! I'll report back.
     
  15. kammssss

    kammssss Member

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    Please take some good pics. I plan to do this when my car hits 300k (100k to go). And yes, you have an electrical problem. These CVT transmissions are bullet proof. Just read the 200k/300k threads. Good luck and please report your findings.
     
  16. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    I called the dealer today. they said it could be the 12v battery, the parking break being put on wrong while it was on a hill, or the transmission ecu. However, they said call back tomorrow to talk to a specific tech that was off today.
     
  17. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    I agree with your decision to do #2 above.

    When you contact the tech, ask what his diagnosis is and the DTC logged by the car. If you provide both then we can comment on the likelihood that some other issue (besides the diagnosed problem) might exist. Good luck.
     
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  18. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    I failed to mention that in relation to the "The transmission 'P' lock mechanism is abnormal" the car is stuck in neutral, so parking pawl in not engaged. If that help the diagnosis.
     
  19. seilerts

    seilerts Battery Curmudgeon

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    You need >10.5V at the parking pawl to make it work. If the car is not in Ready and the 12V is too weak, then it won't work. Other than that, check all electrical connections, at the pawl and the Trans ECU, and perhaps swap out pawls. You've got like three of them to choose from?
     
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  20. phideltgt

    phideltgt Junior Member

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    Yes, I have 2 other pawls to try in there. I'll have to get after it this weekend. Prius is back home. Put in on trickle charger for 36 hours. Battery voltage is 12.9v and 12.3v with the car on and the brights on. I also checked the volts through the MFD screen by going into maintence mode. The measurements matched. So, battery ruled out.