Shakes when in gear and left wheel spins slowly. Red Triangle.

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by DR6am, Aug 16, 2018.

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  1. DR6am

    DR6am Junior Member

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    The other day as I came to a stop (hit the brake hard), the red triangle of death popped up and then the engine or drivetrain sounded funny. So I limped it to a parking spot in a neighborhood. I didn't have my scanner with me, so I pulled the battery and then started it back up. No more red triangle, but while driving, it was hesitating / wasn't responsive. I then managed to go about 2 miles before the red triangle came up, but this time, the engine completely stalls out so I drift it down a hill into a parking lot. I was thinking it may be a battery so I Ubered to a local store and installed a new battery. Started it up and when I put it into gear (drive or reverse), it shakes and barely moves, as if it is binding on something.

    I got the car towed home. I looked through the forum, thinking maybe it has bad spark plugs or a bad coil, causing the engine weakness. But I replaced it yesterday and the engine itself sounds, no issues there.

    Today, I jacked up the front and put it into neutral and spin the wheels and it spins freely on both sides. However, when I put it into gear (drive), again, it shakes as I ease off of the brake. The left wheel looks like it is stuck? It barely spins and the right wheel spins freely.

    Please see video:



    What could be the issue? Bad CV axle? Bad transmission?

    Thanks.
     
    #1 DR6am, Aug 16, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2018
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many miles on her? any accidents?

    have you checked the brake caliper yet?
     
    #2 bisco, Aug 16, 2018
  3. DR6am

    DR6am Junior Member

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    Around 225K. I replaced both wheel bearings and brakes last year. It spins freely in neutral.

    The only code is P0300 or Random Misfires. I replaced it with new Denso 3324's. Also cleaned up the MAF.
     
    #3 DR6am, Aug 16, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 16, 2018
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    if it hasn't thrown any tech stream codes, it shouldn't be the tranny.
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 16, 2018
  5. prius_deep

    prius_deep Member

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    #5 prius_deep, Aug 16, 2018
  6. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Why do people go out and buy a new battery? These things aren't cheap. They last a very long time.

    Have you checked your oil level?
     
    #6 JC91006, Aug 16, 2018
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  7. DR6am

    DR6am Junior Member

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    Traction control is activated with acceleration. I have it in drive as shown in the video. It gets confused if I press on the gas, then the traction control light goes on. That's when the ECU sees throttle but speed sensor picks up no movement.
     
    #7 DR6am, Aug 16, 2018
  8. DR6am

    DR6am Junior Member

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    The battery was actually on its way out, volts read less than 12 and it kept losing clock time. Oil level is fine, I recently changed it.
     
    #8 DR6am, Aug 16, 2018
  9. DR6am

    DR6am Junior Member

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    Good to know! I'm going to inspect the left CV axle tomorrow.
     
    #9 DR6am, Aug 16, 2018
  10. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Have you actually checked the oil level or you're assuming it's fine because you changed it recently?

    If you have too little or too much oil, it can cause your issues

    If it's not an oil issue, I'm afraid you're facing a bad transaxle. Get the codes read
     
    #10 JC91006, Aug 16, 2018
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  11. DR6am

    DR6am Junior Member

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    I checked it. The only code it gave me was P0300. I replaced the plugs and cleaned the MAF. I have reseted it and now no codes are pulling up. So I'm thinking it is the axle too.
     
    #11 DR6am, Aug 16, 2018
  12. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    Once you disconnect the battery, all the codes get erased. Drive around for 15 minutes and the codes should return.

    The studdering and shaking is a tell tale sign of a bad transaxle. Once the engine kicks on, the shaking goes away

    A misfiring engine can cause a lot of shaking issues too. But you should get codes on which cylinder is misfiring
     
    #12 JC91006, Aug 16, 2018
    Last edited: Aug 17, 2018
  13. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Shuddering on the passenger side of the car is classic example of failed motor winding in the transaxle
    As JC says. Probably needs a new transmission.

    It’s throwing a high voltage ground fault detected in the trans.
     
    #13 edthefox5, Aug 17, 2018
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  14. DR6am

    DR6am Junior Member

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    I finally got the Prius up and running. Took almost a month to transfer out the transmission with a used one. The hardest part was lining up the transmission and the engine by myself. Runs like a champ now ;)
     

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    #14 DR6am, Sep 29, 2018
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  15. James1964

    James1964 Member

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    Tough job, great fortitude and persistence!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #15 James1964, Oct 7, 2018
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