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From o2 sensor to engine replacement in 10 days?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by FantasticalMagicOne, Dec 29, 2018.

  1. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There's nothing you'll really lose except your trip odometers, driver's side auto window down, radio presets, and clock.
     
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  2. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    It is a common issue with this body type, but it should be noted that the water drips in behind the panel and then flows into the trunk. I'm worried that the wires behind the panel got wet and that may be the cause of the burning smell. I'll be sealing the cracks separately. Harbor Freight was out of the clear RTV silicone, and I don't want to use a colored one (they had red and black, but my car is a dark gray). So a trip to Home Depot is in order, but that'll wait until I change the battery.

    I'll follow the suggestions and change the battery then go from there. :)
     
  3. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    Then I'm skipping that step. I'm off to brave the wind (finally). I'll keep everyone posted.

    Words can't express how much I appreciate the help and advice from everyone. I've learned so much in such a short time! :love:
     
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  4. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    Okay, I think that I have the wrong battery. That vent is supposed to be on the positive side, correct?


    [​IMG]
     
  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    I think some have a vent spot on both sides so you can choose. The vent hose needs to reach without kinking.
     
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  6. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    There is another vent hole. It didn't seem to go anywhere, but when I pulled the black hose out on the negative side it was identical. Thanks!
     
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  7. padroo

    padroo Senior Member

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    If the battery fits the spot where the old one was and the battery connections are on the right side connecting a piece of hose would be the easy part. I would use it.
    Where did you buy it at?
     
  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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  9. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    The battery is in! It was the original battery I replaced and it took me a bit to get all of the bolts out. Most of my time was spent soaking up water. There was quite a bit under the battery and again under the spare. We had quite a bit of rain the past few days. I'll be picking up the sealant tonight and will address the leak tomorrow.

    In the meantime, I ran another diagnostic and only that solar panel sensor code appeared. The sun set a bit ago, so there's no surprise there.

    There was no electrical burning smell this time. Is the next step to start it up and see how it runs?
     
  10. Dxta

    Dxta Senior Member

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    Then you're good to go, of no other codes popped up
     
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  11. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You won't get codes until you drive the car. Drive for a few miles and then read codes or when you see warning lights
     
  12. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    I put enough gas in it to reset the gas gauge before I drove it. It started up no problem and was at a decent battery level (2 or 3 bars above half). I let it run for a few minutes to warm up and lost a battery bar while sitting there. I drove it about 4 miles. It was still louder than I felt it should be and I lost battery power very quickly when accelerating, which was a struggle when going up hill. The battery was charging as it should, but the power stayed low [from 2 (purple) bars to 3 (blue)]. When I stopped at a stop sign, the ICE kept running and shook a bit as it ran (charging the battery when it was at 3 bars). About 2 miles in, I pulled over and force charged the battery and it took a minute or so to begin to charge (a lot longer than the previous times when I was bringing the car home). It ran better - when I stopped the ICE turned off as it's supposed to and it charged in the manner that it's supposed to, but still louder than it should. But I lost battery power very quickly, again charging as it should when I brake and go down hill without giving it any gas, but still low (between 2 and 3 bars again).

    I only drove it around my block several times. I estimate it to be a half mile to three quarters of a mile to circle it once, and it offers varying terrain. A steep hill (up), a flat stretch, and down hill. The fastest I went was 30 or 35mph.

    There was no electrical burning smell and none of the dashboard lights came on.

    I ran the diagnostic again and it produced the same results (only the solar sensor code).
     
  13. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    Keeping in mind, that none of this low power battery stuff or the shaking (albeit no longer violently) while idling was happening before I took the car in to get the sensor replaced. Is there anything among the parts that need to be removed to install that sensor (upstream), that would cause this low power issue if not reinstalled properly?

    https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2018/07/149553_Oxygen_Sensors.pdf?fbclid=IwAR0qfd1MfSWV7IOdp4iG_Wj0AQ434AYHBLj02MtaBzhBAcDvKK30cYa758M

    I'll clean the MAF and Throttle Body, as suggested, tomorrow. I know that might help with the idling issue, but I don't think it will do anything for the battery. I'm not really sure where to go from here.
     
    #173 FantasticalMagicOne, Jan 6, 2019
    Last edited: Jan 6, 2019
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    I didn't read all the posts on this thread but can you summarize what issues you still face and what mechanics have recommended?

    Your battery dropping to 2 - 3 bars in regular driving is not good, unless you're climbing hills or in the initial warm up stages. Once the car warms up, it shouldn't do that. Flat driving should keep the SOC above 4 bars.
     
  15. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    OK...it's sarcastic but it's not meant to be brow beating.

    I've actually enjoyed following this thread.....I'm looking forward to whatever the result(s) turn out to be.
     
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  16. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    What happened: I had a friend of mine replace the catalytic converter and muffler on the car, then the check engine light came on - upstream sensor. The heat plate around it prevents us from using a standard o2 socket to put it on, and the socket for it is $$$, so I brought it to the dealership. It ran fine when I brought it in (with the exception of not so great mileage, but the sensor), when I left that day is when the battery dropped power and the car wasn't charging it like it should. By the time I got home, the dash was lit up. So, it was after that repair that the battery losing power quickly. Towed it to the dealership and my friend didn't inform me that the cat was the wrong size and the pipe was too large (he used some sort of goop for the seal as the gasket was useless), or I would have sent it back. Anyway, that and the downstream sensor needed to be replaced, so I had them replaced. After that repair is when the car started shaking and the battery issue continued. Back to the dealership I went.

    Mechanic Recommendation: New engine, this one is loaded with oil sludge.

    2nd Mechanic: No oil sludge, it seems to be a power issue.

    Currently: the HV battery isn't maintaining power, the car struggles to accelerate, and it shakes slightly when it idols (but only when the battery is less than 50% on the MFD).
     
  17. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Sounds like your friend that did the catalytic converter repair didn't do such a great job. It explains why your car is so loud. To remedy this, you should really get a proper repair with the right gaskets (you probably don't have a gasket) and exhaust pipe sizes.

    Unfortunately none of this is going to be cheap, especially when you have a potential battery/engine issue that's not resolved
     
  18. FantasticalMagicOne

    FantasticalMagicOne Active Member

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    I did, I had the dealership install a new one. I've had 2 cats installed since November.
     
  19. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Is the car still learning its limits or is it already clearly misbehaving? I haven't had one of these long enough to pick that out.

    One of my other cars always needs about 5 drives over 2 days before it runs right, after having the battery out.
     
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  20. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    There is a learning period ;).

    So might be a bit premature, but the hv battery isn’t sounding good:(.

    Might be worth setting aside the funds now for the inevitable(y).