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Hit a pothole at 70. Car is in limp mode. Update: It’s the inverter.

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Roadie_, Jul 12, 2024.

  1. Roadie_

    Roadie_ Junior Member

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    2013 - 98k miles

    Traveling and couldn’t avoid a massive pothole. Immediately after my dash lit up with every light possible including hybrid battery malfunction.

    I limped to a gas station and scanned to receive the following codes

    P0A94 - DC to DC converter performance problem - Status Confirmed
    POA7A - Generator Inverter Performance Problem - Status Permanent
    P324E

    And two ABS codes
    C1259
    C1310

    I had to get it towed as I couldn’t get up to interstate speed. I’ve done some reading and it looks like it could he my inverter. I’ve read mixed messages on Toyota covering this replacement for free if that’s the issue.

    I'm guessing the ABS codes are just extras that automatically popped due to the others. I just find it odd as this happened right when I hit a giant pothole at high speeds.

    I’ve read low 12V battery could cause issues and mine is original from factory. Car is 2013 so it’s at that time.

    Any insight would be great!
     
    #1 Roadie_, Jul 12, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2024
  2. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    C1259 and C1310 are brake system codes that flat-out mean there are hybrid-system trouble codes, and the hybrid system told the brake system about them. It seems we still need to make that information easier to find here.

    "Wire harness or connector" are listed as possible trouble areas for at least several of the INF codes for P0A7A and P0A94. That's the kind of thing I might think of first after hitting a sir charles hole.

    In your position, I would want to carefully follow the troubleshooting steps in the P0A7A and P0A94 sections of the repair manual, before deciding the inverter electronics actually went bad.

    But you haven't identified your car exactly (though you posted in the gen 3 forum). If you were thinking to look at the PDF copy of the gen 3 repair manual that kind of floats around the web, don't bother, it's completely missing the troubleshooting sections for those two codes. The most you'll find there is the diagnostic trouble code "chart", which just lists all the codes with their INF codes and bulleted lists of what-could-be-the-trouble-area and what lights come on. Half a step up from totally useless.

    So I'd have to recommend going to the source for the repair manual for your car, so the troubleshooting sections you need won't be missing.

    Toyota Service Information and Where To Find It | PriusChat
     
  3. Roadie_

    Roadie_ Junior Member

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    Sorry just updated the post. It’s a 2013 and I just hit 98k miles
     
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Having a look at the underside might reveal something. Was it one side only that took the hit? How’s the wheel?
     
  5. Roadie_

    Roadie_ Junior Member

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    It was driver front only. Looked under, inspected wheels and tires, even CV. No sign of any damage. I limped it for about 10 minutes after warning signs to a gas station.(Tow took an hour so I had plenty of time to scan and inspect everything under the hood and car itself)

    I’m hoping it’s just the 12V battery being low voltage, I checked it while I was parked and noticed it was original. Otherwise I’m not sure Toyota would cover the replacement for inverter or pump for free. Also forgot to mention code P324E also popped up with the others. It’s yet another code that Toyota lists as a inverter problem code under their Free inverter warranty replacement
     
    #5 Roadie_, Jul 12, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 13, 2024
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    There’s a high voltage cable connecting to the inverter down quite low, just visible through driver’s side wheel well; maybe jarred loose?
     
  7. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    Make certain you are using a scanner that can read the INF codes. Many of the trouble codes reported by a Prius start with the common headers you've already found, but are then followed by an "INFormation detail" which can substantially affect the way you should be troubleshooting any given problem.

    Lots of popular scanners and diagnostic apps don't know how to read the extra details.

    The Autel AP200 is highly recommended for this.

    If you use a good code reader for full access and rent the actual repair manual from the link chapmanf posted you should do okay.

    Good luck!
     
    Johnny Cakes likes this.
  8. Johnny Cakes

    Johnny Cakes Senior Member

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    What this guy said.
     
  9. Roadie_

    Roadie_ Junior Member

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    Inverter is fried on 2013 - DIY Options?

    My 2013 Inverter failed. Dealership said it’s not covered by warranty since it has a rebuilt title. Quoted me $3,785 to replace. That’s about how much the car is worth.

    I’m very handy with mechanics and typically do these things myself. Any advice on parts/installation?
     
  10. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    The inverters toast meaning what it's not charging the 12 volt battery it's not charging the HV battery something? But the answer to your question you can go to places like LKQ and get one for $150 after 2013 should be the updated version of the generation 3 inverter with the updated parts for whatever the problem is with the 2010 through 2011 or 12 or something. You're 13 should have been passed that anyway whatever other junk yards not as big as LKQ might give it to you I used to have a bunch of them here if you were in North Carolina you could drop on by and pick it up but I threw them out I've been holding on to him so long this is how rarely they're used so I wouldn't worry about the three grand you don't have to do anything but pull your other one make sure the safety plug is out of the battery dropped the junkyard one in but the plugs in bolt up the bolts holding it down and let it rip The car will recognize it there's no handshake I don't believe or any of that silly nonsense.
     
  11. Eddie25

    Eddie25 Active Member

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    Either buy a new one for around $2,200 or find a used one, then install it yourself. Keep in mind extra care needs to be taken since it's a high voltage component.

     
    vvillovv likes this.
  12. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Repl w used
     
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    *Threads merged*
     
  14. Den

    Den Junior Member

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    For DIY don’t buy used inverter unless it from low mileage donor. Most used high mileage.won’t last long enough before another failure. Buy new inverter PCB board instead, not hard to install, don’t buy used Pcb from fleabay either , most comes from repair shops or junk yards, high mileage or doa like 50/50
     
  15. Georgina Rudkus

    Georgina Rudkus Senior Member

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    I'd check again. I've learned that even a car with a salvage title is covered under the settlement as noted in these Toyota documents.
     

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