Caution: The transmission lock mechanism is abnormal

I’m having a very similar problem as “highspeed” ;
2006 Prius 101k miles, new auxiliary battery, generally happens at highway speeds on hot days.
Codes are C2301, C2300, P3102, P0011

 

DTC P0011 points to a problem with camshaft timing being too advanced which could be a problem with the camshafts, the timing chain, or the oil control valve which advances timing.

DTC P3102 points to a problem with the transmission control ECU, hybrid vehicle ECU, power source control ECU, or an associated wiring harness.

If the car had been in an accident then the wiring harnesses in the vicinity of the accident damage should be carefully inspected. Otherwise if you want to investigate the problem further, download repair manual info at techinfo.toyota.com for troubleshooting advice.

 

I am now part of the crowd on this one :/ though have a little more to it.

The wife went to turn on our 2008 today and it wouldn't start. The week prior it was left with the HIDs on (don't ask) and it died. I jumped it, and has been fine till today. Went to go rescue her, hooked up the cables and got the "Caution Transmission Locked" screen. Google searched and found how to reset the car ("thanks Priuschat!"), jumped it and now has the "exclamation "!" Triangle!"

She is enroute to Les Schwab to get a yellow top installed, but texted me that the triangle was on the entire time driving there :/ is this indicative to something else wrong with the car? Also, I did the spark plugs a week ago, could I have done something during the install to compromise the electrical system?

 

"She...texted me that the triangle was on the entire time driving there :/ is this indicative to something else wrong with the car? Also, I did the spark plugs a week ago, could I have done something during the install to compromise the electrical system?"
If the master warning red triangle is on, then something is wrong. That something could be as minor as a door or the hatch being ajar.

If your spark plug replacement project had a fault, the check engine light would come on.

 

Welp, new Optima yellow top installed, and everything is right as rain! Even did the MFD voltage check and the car reported perfectly normal load. Am I correct that a bad 12V can have a hand in less than optimal MPG as well? If so, maybe we'll be seeing a bump in mileage, along with our continued dedication to improve our driving habits with this car.

 

Hey all.
New poster with the same issue. Well.... sort of.

Instead of not being able to drive the car, the car drives 100% fine. Absolutely no issues starting it.
In fact, the only time I see the error message is when I slow down to 2 mph.
Yes, I know, it's weird. But when my speed hits 2mph from 3mph (it doesn't happen 1 to 2) then the message pops up.

I'm guessing software but that's just weird. Anyone got any thoughts?

 

First thing, as always:
Weird stuff happening? MPGs dropping? Test The Battery | PriusChat
Let us know what the result is. Welcome to PC, I'm sure we'll sort it out.

 

Battery is fine. Its over 12.3 volts at both ends with a meter and using the onboard tester.

My current theory is the actuator sensors don't like it when you hit 2mph but I don't know. Also, this occurs even if I'm coasting. Active braking is not a factor.

 

12.3 volts is not necessarily fine. The linked test has three voltages to report. Please do all three to get a better feel for the state of the battery.

 

Depending on how lorddave is measuring the voltage especially if any load is present 12.3 could likely show a battery that is not 100% charged and have a slightly lower than normal capacity.

A fully charged AGM type battery with NO load will measure 12.8 volts OR higher. 12.3 would be acceptable if one was to turn on headlights, fan blower, ignition, and things like that.

To say it is fine could be acceptable if one was using that battery in a warm climate. However if one is approaching a colder time of the year i.e. Winter 12.3 might just peter out come the coldest month of the season.



Changing the subject slightly, have you checked ALL of the fluid levels? Any chance of a interior light coming on when the problem occurs?

Back to what nh70 asked for earlier, I too would recommend you post all three voltages if you run the onboard test with the MFD. With all three figures, then one can tell more about how the system is working. The test runs best if it is done after the Prius has set overnight. If you do it right after the Prius has been driven, you get false readings as surface charge will be present.

 

At 32F degrees in the morning.

12.3
11.9-12.0 (it fluctuates)
13.9

Lower than I remember but even so, the ready voltage is good so its weird that my annoyance would happen only when the car is in ready mode and not prior. At least it seems weird to me.

 

I agree that your car is behaving strangely. I understand that you do not see any warning lights on the dashboard, just the transmission lock warning message on the MFD.

You can try fully-charging the 12V battery overnight, to see if that helps.

If it doesn't help, then this is something that you'll probably have to live with for now.

 

I do. The master warning light never turns off.
And the MFD message will appear (after being cleared) anytime I decelerate to 2mph. Even if I don't make a full stop.

 

1. Check all engine compartment fluids, especially engine oil level, to make sure you have no problems there.
2. The master warning red triangle is the only warning light that appears?

 

I need an oil change so the maint. Req. Light is on but that's the only abnormal light.
I'll check my oil levels soon.

 

lorddave,

For reference purposes, I would say your battery is roughly 60 % of a full charge based on your values above.

I agree that you should charge that battery fully. Allowing a battery to stay in that condition over a prolonged period will encourage sulfate to form on the plates. As sulfates builds up in the battery, the capacity is reduced and at some point the battery no longer becomes usable.

I would also speculate that being in the northern part of the US (New York), you may have a situation this coming Winter where the Prius will need a "jump start" due to the battery being weak and or discharged.

I am not saying your battery is shot and needs to be replaced immediately. On the other hand it would not surprise me one bit if you need to replace this battery when the snow flies next Winter. Using a good smart charger on a regular basis that has AGM settings and one that is capable of desulfating will help to keep your auxiliary battery in tip top shape for a long time.

Best of luck to you!

Ron (dorunron)

 

Does the car go into Park when you hit the button at a stop? Meaning, does the parking pawl actually engage so that the car does not roll? Does it come out of park without problem if parked on a hill (and thus causing more friction on the pawl)?

If the 12V is not looking suspect, the first thing I would be inclined to check would be the harness and plug where it attaches to the Shift Control Actuator. Make sure the connector is clean and seated properly. It is not easy to get at, unfortunately. Car needs to be on stands to get under. It is right next to where the exhaust pipe exits the ICE. Given winter conditions, with lots of sloshing in salted puddles perhaps, it might get fouled. If the answers to the above are Yes, then I agree that it might be a problem with the sensing leads going from the Shift Control Actuator to the Transmission Control ECU.

 

Sorry it took so long to get back to you.
I did finally look at it and the harness is tight and everything looks ok. Nothing obvious anyway but I wasn't able to remove the plug for further inspection.

To answer your questions:
The car does park. I don't have too many hills to test this but on the small hill I did test it, it seems to come out fine. I parked it and even manually tried to push it. It rocked but it did not roll.

Question:
The Parking Pawl is a 3 phase AC motor. Does it do any sort of charging up prior to the car stopping? Sort of a "preparing to park" type thing?

 

Have you checked the oil level or gotten an oil change yet?