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Prius won't start - (Not a bad battery)

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by SilverHCIC, Aug 25, 2015.

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  1. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    This am2 fuse cuts off all power to the dash and mfd screen?

    Has the OP fine the pump recall?
     
    #41 JC91006, Aug 27, 2015
  2. SilverHCIC

    SilverHCIC Junior Member

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    You guys are all fantastic. Thanks for the great info. It's too dark to check the coolant reservoir right now, but I will definitely check tomorrow. Thanks for the picture!!

    JC -- was there a recall on the inverter pump?
     
    #42 SilverHCIC, Aug 27, 2015
  3. IMkenNY

    IMkenNY Im just being nosy

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    #43 IMkenNY, Aug 27, 2015
  4. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    yes, to prevent the problem you just experienced
     
    #44 JC91006, Aug 27, 2015
  5. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Been so long since I have seen that scenario where the pump blows the fuse I forgot about it. Kinda went away with the pump recall.

    When was the last time the car went to the dealer? It may be seriously behind on its recalls.

    There's a bunch the pump and the steering shaft and the pedal trim and may be more. The steering shaft and pump are important.

    How many miles on the car?
     
    #45 edthefox5, Aug 28, 2015
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Are there some spare fuses, or it's a generic style, you picked one up?
     
    #46 Mendel Leisk, Aug 28, 2015
  7. SilverHCIC

    SilverHCIC Junior Member

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    It's a standard 15A low-profile blade-type fuse. There is a spare 15A and a spare 30A fuse that is located in a convenient place (empty slot) right there in the fuse box. I just swapped the bad 15A fuse with the spare, and while I was still standing in front of the car with the hood up, things started to click and whir and start up immediately !!! It was wonderful !!! Now, I'll be sure to put a new "spare" 15 A fuse in the empty slot, so it will be there if I ever blow another 15A fuse.

    As far as being behind in recalls, I will definitely check the VIN and the Toyota website to be sure.
     
    #47 SilverHCIC, Aug 28, 2015
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    AM2 15A fuse protects:

    Engine Control
    Ignition
    Push Button Start System and Immobiliser Ssytem
    Shift Control
    Taillight & Illumination
    Toyota Hybrid System

    Combo Meter is protected by Dome 15A so combo was not affected but the car wouldnt boot so I guess you would never see any lights on the combo.
     
    #48 edthefox5, Aug 29, 2015
  9. SilverHCIC

    SilverHCIC Junior Member

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    OK, here's an update.
    After replacing the 15 amp fuse for AM2 and unplugging the wiring to the inverter coolant pump (so the AM2 fuse would not immediately blow again due to the internal short inside the pump), I was able to drive the Prius directly to the dealer. I used surface streets and kept the speed down. I also left all 12-volt accessories turned off, to minimize the load on the inverter. Absolutely no problems getting to the dealer.

    The inverter coolant pump was replaced at zero cost to me, as it was still covered under the original recall. All codes were checked by the dealer and no other issues were identified.

    Car has been running perfectly since then. No more blowing the AM2 fuse, and the car starts up perfectly. My wife has been driving the car every day, and it works perfectly. Since the inverter coolant pump replacement was done at no cost, the total out-of-pocket cost to me was $ 20 to have the car towed after it initially stopped working, and another couple bucks for a package of 15 amp fuses.

    Thanks to all of you who helped me find the AM2 fuse culprit and identify the inverter coolant pump as the underlying problem. By disconnecting it and driving on surface streets to the dealer, I was able to avoid further towing charges and expensive trial-and-error electrical diagnostics.

    You guys here at PriusChat all rock !!!
     
    #49 SilverHCIC, Sep 8, 2015
    rayluo, Telea, SFO and 1 other person like this.
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Go after Toyota for the $20 tow! :ROFLMAO:
     
    #50 Mendel Leisk, Sep 8, 2015
  11. Vince9022

    Vince9022 Junior Member

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    Thanks for all the info, I had the same blown AM2 fuse, now it starts! Going to change inverter pump too
     
    #51 Vince9022, Sep 22, 2015
  12. David Stover

    David Stover New Member

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    Same problem. Blew 2 AM2 fuses within a few seconds of putting them in. I saw several posts saying to disconnect the inverter water pump, put in new fuse and see if it blows. It did not blow. That indicates pump is bad. Lights stayed on but car would not go to ready mode. Had red triangle and check engine lights on. After a few minutes, tried to start even though not ready and everything went out on dash again. AM2 did not blow however. Even put another new one in to verify. Can't get any dash lights back on again.
     
    #52 David Stover, Jul 31, 2019
  13. Josh Lamoreaux

    Josh Lamoreaux New Member

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    Hey all, just wanted to say this exact thing happened to my wife's 2008 Prius yesterday, we are the second owners and have only had it a month. So this thread was very helpful to me! Got the car running again by replacing the fuse, drove to the dealer where they confirmed the intermittent short in the inverter coolant pump. $500 it's going to cost me unfortunately, because it was already replaced 6 years ago for the recall, and yet it just happened. Very frustrating, hope it doesn't happen again... :(
     
    #53 Josh Lamoreaux, Aug 14, 2019
  14. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    You need to change out the failed inverter pump and all will go back to normal
     
    #54 JC91006, Aug 14, 2019
  15. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    I guess you can’t do it yourself?
     
    #55 Skibob, Aug 15, 2019
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