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Failed Inverter: Check Hybrid System Error U0110 Lost Communication W/ Drive Motor Cntrl Mod A

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by jwedel, May 21, 2014.

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  1. jwedel

    jwedel Junior Member

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    I am an original owner of a 2010 Prius III with 73k miles on it without an extended warranty. I put on 160 hwy miles a day and have never had any issues with it. I had the recent software update recall done two months ago and two days ago after stopping at the post office, hopped back in the car and was unable to get the car into "ready" mode. The "Check Hybrid System" light came on and the car would only shift into Neutral. I had the car towed to my local toyota dealer (Pederson in Fort Collins, CO) and had to beg them to even pull the codes after 24 hours of it sitting on their lot. Still hasn't been in the shop and likely won't for another few days. Not sure if this is typical but it isn't what I expect from Toyota Service. Anyway, the car only had one error code which was U0110 -Lost Communication With Drive Motor Control Module "A". The guys in service said they had never seen this code before and it would likely be at least 4 hours of diagnostic time at 110/hr. Again, never owning a car that had to be serviced at a dealer, this seems ridiculous to me.

    It seems as though a lot of people have similar issues but I've never heard this code mentioned. I'm not confident is toyota's ability to efficiently diagnose the problem based on the forums I've read - not sure what to do.. this is really killing my perception of the prius and toyota as a whole. Can anyone point me in the right direction? I really can't afford to spend thousands on Toyota diagnostics and would rather do the work myself if I figure out whats wrong with it.
     
    #1 jwedel, May 21, 2014
  2. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

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    #2 telmo744, May 21, 2014
  3. numba41

    numba41 Junior Member

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    Could be a weak 12v auxiliary battery. It causes issues that are not necessarily picked up by DTC codes. If it's the battery, replace and do a communication ID registration. I posted the one for Gen 2 models below because that's what I have but could be similar for Gen 3's. I had a similar issue and this corrected it. Runs great now.

    8. ECU COMMUNICATION ID REGISTRATION (TRANSPONDER KEY ECU - HYBRID VEHICLE CONTROL ECU): PROCEDURE "E"
    NOTICE:
    • If the transponder key ECU and/or hybrid vehicle control ECU has been replaced, register the ECU communication ID to both ECUs in order to match their IDs.
    • The hybrid control system cannot be started unless the ECU communication ID matches.
    • When the transponder key ECU has been replaced, do not turn the power switch from ON to OFF 20 times or more consecutively. The ECU communication ID must be registered before such an occurrence or the transponder key ECU will need to be replaced. If the transponder key ECU is unable to be recognize the hybrid vehicle control ECU, the hybrid control system will be unable to be started. If the transponder key ECU cannot recognize the hybrid vehicle control ECU, the transponder key ECU must be replaced again with a new one.
    • After the registration, pressing the power switch may not start the system on the first try. If so, press the poser switch again.
    • After the hybrid control system is started, erase DTC B2799 (code for hybrid vehicle control ECU's immobiliser communication error) using either of the following:
      - Using the intelligent tester [​IMG] .
      - Disconnect the battery for 30 seconds.
    (a) Register the ECU communication ID.
    (b) Using SST, connect terminals TC and CG of the DLC3.
    SST: 09843-18040
    [​IMG]
    (c) Turn the power switch ON (IG) (do not start the hybrid control system) and leave it as is for 30 minutes.
    (d) Turn the power switch OFF and disconnect terminals TC and CG.
    (e) Check that the hybrid control system starts.
     
    #3 numba41, May 21, 2014
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  4. jwedel

    jwedel Junior Member

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    I've accidentally drained the battery down to where the car wouldn't start and I received a similar if not the same warning light over a year ago, but at that point, none of the accessories (radio, gps, lights) would work.

    Currently I have full power to all accessories so the 12v is obviously not dead.. Would all of the accessories continue to function normally under a weakened but not dead battery?
     
    #4 jwedel, May 21, 2014
  5. numba41

    numba41 Junior Member

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    Yes. All my accessories worked fine but the battery was showing around 11.4 volts when it should be around 12.7 or so. Search for how to access the battery voltage check on the center screen.
     
    #5 numba41, May 21, 2014
  6. jwedel

    jwedel Junior Member

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    Thanks for the info - the dealer pulled it into the shop before I could get my hands on it. I mentioned your thoughts above and he said he didn't think it had to do with the aux battery. They spent 2.5 hours on it and plan to continue tomorrow morning with no end in sight.

    Is it a coincidence that the computer that isn't communicating is the same one that was just serviced with the software update 2 months ago? I'm curious to see if similar experiences will pop-up as more people have the update done.
     
    #6 jwedel, May 21, 2014
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i hope all their 'research' is under warranty.:eek:
     
    #7 bisco, May 21, 2014
  8. canta

    canta Member

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    found on the net:
    U0110- Lost Communication with Drive Motor Control Module “A”

    Description:
    If any Traction Motor DMoC CAN message is arriving too slow, or any message is not being received at all, this fault will set. The vehicle will be set to a “Forced Conventional Mode” and The HYBRID SERVICE light will be on solid.

    Possible Causes:

    · CAN terminator resistor failure CAN 2.
    · Faulty traction DMoC.
    · Failed 12 volt power or grounds to ISG DMoC.
    · Wiring or connection problems.


    this seems Traction Motor ECU does not send message correctly. I would assume on failed 12V Battery or loose wiring connectors.
     
    #8 canta, May 21, 2014
  9. Mr.Electric

    Mr.Electric Member

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    I think this post hits the nail on the head. Does it seem like you cycled the ignition about 20 times since the update was performed? If so the hv ecu is not talking because it needs your key code registered. You get 20 on/off cycles before the unregistered hv ecu locks up.
     
    #9 Mr.Electric, May 21, 2014
  10. jwedel

    jwedel Junior Member

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    I've cycled the ignition at least 50+ times since the update.

    The dealership is now telling me the diagnostics alone will be 600+ and they haven't found anything yet but they've given me an offer to "trade it in as-is because it could be very expensive to fix"... This is starting to seem very shady.

    I'm unsure whether any of these costs will be covered by the hybrid system warranty..
     
    #10 jwedel, May 22, 2014
  11. spiderman

    spiderman wretched

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    Very shady... Call Toyota customer service and open a case
     
    #11 spiderman, May 22, 2014
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  12. Mr.Electric

    Mr.Electric Member

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    I saw that same code after an inverter failure on a hylander hybrid.
     
    #12 Mr.Electric, May 22, 2014
  13. Mr.Electric

    Mr.Electric Member

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    What I mean is did you cycle the ignition about 20 times from the update until the car failed?
     
    #13 Mr.Electric, May 22, 2014
  14. Former Member 68813

    Former Member 68813 Senior Member

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    Sounds like very expensive troubleshooting is to be expected. I that was me, I would check 12V battery and all wiring first (and apply dielectric grease on all connections) before towing to a stealership.

    I hope this is not one of the errors that one gets from something plugged in the OBD2 port.
     
    #14 Former Member 68813, May 23, 2014
  15. jwedel

    jwedel Junior Member

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    Dealership came back today and said they believe it is the inverter.. luckily it is covered under warranty however, from what I've read on here, it seems they often misdiagnose the inverter.. Transaxle definitely isn't covered under warranty.

    I'm not sure if this is a fluke or a lemon - sad to do this at 73k miles but I think I'm going to trade it in for a new one with an ext. warranty.
     
    #15 jwedel, May 27, 2014
  16. adamace1

    adamace1 Senior Member

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    So instead of them fixing your car for free, you going to take a huge lose and trade it in? So they get to make thousands off your car and the new one they sell you?
     
    #16 adamace1, May 27, 2014
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  17. Southbound

    Southbound Member

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    Well said.
     
    #17 Southbound, May 27, 2014
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  18. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    +1

    VS980 4G ?
     
    #18 sfv41901, May 28, 2014
  19. sfv41901

    sfv41901 Masta S

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    U realize that u won't get much 4 a trade in for a non-working vehicle. Then their gonna get u to buy a new car. Once ur gone, they will fix ur old prius that's covered under the hybrid warranty. ......at no cost to them & turn around & sell it. Sounds like the only winner will be the dealer.

    VS980 4G ?
     
    #19 sfv41901, May 28, 2014
  20. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    I think the OP is thinking of having the vehicle repair and then trade it in......:rolleyes:
     
    #20 mrbigh, May 28, 2014
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