Help! :( Traction batter/ac/ev mode problems

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by misspriusdriver, Jun 25, 2017.

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  1. misspriusdriver

    misspriusdriver New Member

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    Hello...
    I was just at the car wash and didn't realize it is a bad idea to use the stereo, A/C, etc. while in neutral. So, I got the low traction battery notification and turned off all of my extra's that would suck up electricity, but I could not switch into park because I was still half-way through the car wash, which requires me to be in Neutral.

    I had to turn my car off and on when I finished the car wash, and then I drove a bit to recharge the battery. The battery recharged quickly, after about 10 minutes. However, the A/C is just blowing warm air, and I tried to put the car in EV Mode, but it is not available. I have tried turning the car off and on, but it is not helping. I looked at all of the liquid containers under the hood and none of them are anywhere near empty.

    One thing that is worrying me is that last night I had to drive over three speed bumps that scraped my car. I was driving VERY SLOWLY, but it still scraped. I didn't have any problems driving for several more hours last night, and when I turned on the car today it was fine, until I went into the car wash.

    Please please please someone help :( and please tell me this problem will fix itself because I am dead broke and rely on my car for work. The car has 35k miles on it, and I bought the car less than a year ago certified used with 7 yr 100kmile warranty, but I cannot afford thousands right now. I just got out of an abusive relationship and that wiped out all of my savings and my car is all I have.
     
    #1 misspriusdriver, Jun 25, 2017
  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    1. Park in an open area with nothing in front of you to hit.

    2. Put on your parking brake, tight.

    3. Shift into drive, with feet on brake, press the accelerator (don't release the brake). This will force charge your battery back up. In about minute.

    4. Be happy, all is back to normal
     
    #2 JC91006, Jun 25, 2017
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  3. misspriusdriver

    misspriusdriver New Member

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    Thank you, but the battery indicator says its charged back up now, but the AC still doesn't work.
     
    #3 misspriusdriver, Jun 25, 2017
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    It probably just needs to cool down. Shut down for an hour, have a Starbucks and try again.

    When you starve the car's battery, it'll start shutting down systems to protect itself.
     
    #4 JC91006, Jun 25, 2017
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2017
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  5. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    If you find the AC still doesn't work, can you have the system repaired under warranty? I suggest you review the warranty terms to see if the AC system is included.
     
    #5 Patrick Wong, Jun 25, 2017
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    When you get out of the woods on this: switch to the other kind of car wash, where the car sits stationary, and the machinery passes by. If possible, go back to DIY washing, it's superior in that you can get in the corner, less prone to damage, and if you've got any parking lot dings, you'll spot them.

    Prius unfortunately is a car that can't be off and in Neutral.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Jun 25, 2017
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  7. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Who knew low HV would kill AC? OP: have you tried resetting ECU by disconnected 12v?
     
    #7 Former Member 68813, Jun 26, 2017
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  8. misspriusdriver

    misspriusdriver New Member

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    Hey all, just wanted to update and thank you all for your help. I gave up yesterday and let the car just sit overnight. I even made an appointment at the Toyota dealership service center and rented a car! But this morning, I started my car up and tried the AC again and it works!!! It seems JC91006 was correct about letting the car cool off. I will be very careful going forward.

    Thank you all so much for your responses!!!! I was a wreck yesterday, but am absolutely a happy camper today. :D:)o_O:LOL:(y)
     
    #8 misspriusdriver, Jun 26, 2017
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