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2008 Prius problem

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Kevin D, Mar 17, 2015.

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  1. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    so yesterday on my home from work I got a call from work so I pulled into a parking lot shut my car down and not even 2 minutes later my car won't start all the gauges were on. So I went on this site and they said the 12 volt is dead and you need to get a jump. So I got a jump and right when every thing goes back to normal I get the main warning light(triangle with the ! In the middle) and the hybrid system failure on my little monitor in the middle. Also on my little monitor I got a message saying "there is problem with the transmission "p" lock mechanism. Anyone got any ideas? I'd appreciate the feedback, first time prius owner thanks!!Also. Maybe like and hour later the warning lights went away. You think it was just a hiccup or should I just bring it in to the dealer. It's also used with 86k on it
     
    #1 Kevin D, Mar 17, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 17, 2015
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    If your 12v battery is the original battery, replace it and most likely your car will go back to normal.
     
    #2 JC91006, Mar 17, 2015
  3. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    What's your theory on transmission part? If it's just the car battery then why would transmission error come and the main warning light and hybrid malfunction light would pop up
     
    #3 Kevin D, Mar 17, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    That's a known error that comes up when the battery is weak. Has nothing to do with the transaxle
     
    #4 JC91006, Mar 17, 2015
  5. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    A weak 12v battery causes the motor (maybe a solenoid coil) that pulls out the parking pawl to not exert enough force to do its job.

    JeffD
     
    #5 jdenenberg, Mar 17, 2015
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  6. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    The whole thing is digital data.
    When the battery gets weak, ERRORS can pop up in the data stream.......causing all kinds of erroneous things to happen.

    This could mean that it thinks there is a serious problem and purposely refuses to let you start the car OR take it out of Park.
     
    #6 Easy Rider 2, Mar 17, 2015
  7. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    Jeff the parking pawl is indeed moved by a motor. It is a 3 phase stepper motor in star configuration driven from the 12 volt battery.

    John (Britprius)
     
    #7 Britprius, Mar 17, 2015
  8. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Thanks John, I wasn't sure.

    Jeff
     
    #8 jdenenberg, Mar 17, 2015
  9. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    Def a weak 12V battery. Change it out and you'll be gtg. :)
     
    #9 usnavystgc, Mar 17, 2015
  10. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    Sweet guys thanks! I'm gonna try and do it myself since the dealership charges 300$ to put in a new battery haha
     
    #10 Kevin D, Mar 17, 2015
  11. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    Battery itself is ~$200 from the dealer.
    Plus labor to install.
    It's putzy, but you can do it.
    Gotta remove some inner panels and ducting to get at it.
    Don't forget to reset your window settings afterwards.
     
    #11 ericbecky, Mar 17, 2015
  12. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    How do you reset your window setting after you put in the new battery?
     
    #12 Kevin D, Mar 17, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you want all the secrets?
     
    #13 bisco, Mar 17, 2015
  14. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    Yes please! Haha
     
    #14 Kevin D, Mar 17, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    sorry, i have no idea.:p but someone who has done it will chime in. it could be in the manual.
     
    #15 bisco, Mar 17, 2015
  16. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Just fully lower and raise the window twice.

    JeffD
     
    #16 jdenenberg, Mar 17, 2015
  17. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    Hey guys so I went into diagnostic mode to check my battery and its reading 12v and when I started it it jumped up to about 13-14 volts. I'm confused and I don't really want to shell out the money if I don't need to
     
    #17 Kevin D, Mar 20, 2015
  18. usnavystgc

    usnavystgc Die Hard DIYer and Ebike enthusiast.

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    When you start it, the inverter takes over and begins charging your battery. That's why it reads high. If you want to try to extend the life of this battery, start your car and leave it in ready for about 8 hours (you will burn little gas). This will ensure your 12V battery is fully charged. Then see how it does. It may last another year and it may give out sooner. Good luck.

    You say it reads 12.0V before you start it but its really not voltage exclusively that determines the health of a battery. The ability to sustain a charge under load is the biggest indicator of battery health. Turn the lights on bright before starting the car and see what your voltage is. Report the results of that test here.
     
    #18 usnavystgc, Mar 20, 2015
  19. Kevin D

    Kevin D New Member

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    With lights on and car notin Im getting 11.6

    Nvm at first it was steady then all of a sudden 10.6 10.1...
     
    #19 Kevin D, Mar 20, 2015
  20. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    What more evidence to you really NEED ??
    Hint: None.
    Your battery needs to be replaced.......with one that is fully charged to begin with.
     
    #20 Easy Rider 2, Mar 20, 2015
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