2008 Prius with new 12 V battery won't shift; lots of warning lights

There is no "care" required on the Prius transaxle. They don't have a transaxle fluid change schedule in their manual, it's a lifetime fluid. It's maintenance free. So they can't fault anyone for not "caring" for it

 

Well the members here always suggest changing the "lifetime" fluid in the transaxle to prevent failures. But it's just not something in the Prius manual

 

I had a failed transaxle on a 2005 Prius. It drove normal except it has a whine to it when you slow down to the stop and also the same whine when you accelerate from a stop.

I ended up buying a transaxle from craigslist for $250 and a mechanic put it in for $600 + a generous tip.

 

The problem I have with the tranny is it usually doesn't fix itself with a code clear and run ok for a while but......but who knows....
It all requires investigation .

Here's what I I have seen in 10 years on the site with a ground fault nag:

Bad ac compressor where someone has charged it with the wrong refrigerant and the refrigerator is conducting. Ac compressor runs on high voltage.

Bad hybrid battery.

Bad transaxle.

Bad inverter.

Damaged high voltage cables where the underside of the car was damaged. The high volt cables from the hybrid battery to inverter run underneath the car in a case.

It's usually the battery especially if intermittent.
If suspected trans pull the trans fluid and inspect it. It will probably smell burnt. Also there is usually a shudder detected on the passenger side of the car as the trans is not firing correctly on its 3 phases and that creates vibration.

Bad ac compressor pull the 3 phase power cable off it and run the car.
Tough to do in a car.....drive with no ac for a while.

Bad inverter not much there to test you usually have to replace it to test it.
Many a dealer has replaced the inverter and it turned out t be the trans.

Hybrid battery. Pull the cover off and check for damaged modules.

 

If it comes to a transmission replacement perhaps you could use a portion of her college fund? Considering this is for college. I have many friends who own priuses with 100k - 250k plus miles and no real problems except for a belt replacement. They're great cars and I would guarantee it would last wellllllll beyond college if you've got both a new tranny and a new battery.

Though I would tell Toyota that they'd better be sure it's a tranny or you're going to expect a complimentary diagnosis and repair if this issue pops up again (and get that in writing with a signature from a service manager).


iPhone ?

 

Some dealers will allow customer to provide used transaxle with no warranty some flat out refuse.
If your dealer requires new trans only your looking at $4000+.

 

The Prius has other gremlins other than tranny and battery.

1. bad bearings
2. inverter pump
3. shocks/struts
4. ECU problems
5. Combination meter problem
6. 3 way coolant valve
7. leaking water pump
8. AC not getting cold
9. Of course engine failure

I mean there are tons of things that can go wrong. To "guarantee" it would last wellllll beyond college is hopefully something you back up with your pocket book

 

Hey Ed, how's Florida looking?

 

I fix these cars all day long. I've never seen that code caused by anything but the battery or transaxle. You already had the battery changed. The odds that it is the transaxle are in your favor. 999 out of 1000 dealership technicians seem to not know a thing about these cars. The rest of the dealership employees are probably useless to you. It's time to get your money back from them and take it to someone who can fix it.

Do you have a nearby mechanic that you trust? If so, I'd be happy to walk them through changing it.

Avi

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

All cars have their gremlins. 1, 3, 7, 8, and 9 is pretty typical in most if not all cars at a certain point in life. By lasting welllllll beyond college I mean if the car's maintained like it should be she shouldn't encounter major leave her on the side of the road problems for the next four years. (Aka a blown tranny or battery)


iPhone ?

 

Maybe LOL

 

Well from my experience and the other 10-12 others I can think off the top of my head the Prius is quite the little tank. I'm not saying it's never going to have major issues again but I'd be willing to lay money down that she's not going to break down on the side of the road with a $1k plus problem like a blown engine during her time in school. Unless she doesn't like to change her oil.

Wheel bearings and struts are maintenance just like tires and brakes IMO.


iPhone ?

 

inverter pump failure....keeps driving because she's guaranteed it'll be no problem.......leading to inverter failure. $4000 side of the road failure.

Engine burns oil, enough to contaminate the catalytic converter.....$1500+ repair before it can pass smog inspection

 

But what's the failure rate?


iPhone ?

 

The gen2 is by far my best car, very few problems with it. But I know what I'm doing, I DIY repairs, and I check the oil often.

For someone that doesn't do anything but drive the car, I wouldn't give any guarantees to the reliability of the car.

 

Well yeah I wouldn't either, but I don't think OP's car is going to be neglected of its maintenance. If I gave my '08 to my brother I'm 100% positive it wouldn't last 1 year.


iPhone ?

 

Going to pee my pants. Looks like it's finally the big one. It's the weeks without power that's a nightmare.
Thanks for asking though lol...