Prius died while driving... now won't start. Says check hybrid system

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by drewbabich, Mar 17, 2016.

  1. drewbabich

    drewbabich Junior Member

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    My 2010 Prius died while driving... i had to pull over, now won't start. Says check hybrid system

    What the heck should I do.

    These cars don't have alternators and I still have my electrical acessories working so I don't think the 12v battery is dead

    anyone ever have a prius die while driving?
     
    #1 drewbabich, Mar 17, 2016
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  2. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    There's a recall on the inverter, most likely the failure in your car
     
    #2 JC91006, Mar 17, 2016
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  3. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Yup sounds like the inverter overheated.
     
    #3 2k1Toaster, Mar 17, 2016
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  4. matt b.

    matt b. Member

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    Check your rear cargo battery and the others have each battery checked
     
    #4 matt b., Mar 17, 2016
  5. matt b.

    matt b. Member

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    Do you have any other symptoms? Does your HUD display show any life at all?
     
    #5 matt b., Mar 17, 2016
  6. matt b.

    matt b. Member

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    Take the car to Toyota have the car towed to Toyota have Toyota do a diagnostic on the car
     
    #6 matt b., Mar 17, 2016
  7. matt b.

    matt b. Member

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    Because what you think is not going to solve the problem
     
    #7 matt b., Mar 17, 2016
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    did the serpentine belt break? is there any gurgling in the coolant tower?
     
    #8 bisco, Mar 17, 2016
  9. prev93

    prev93 Member

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    No belts in the 2010
     
    #9 prev93, Mar 17, 2016
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    timing chain?
     
    #10 bisco, Mar 17, 2016
  11. The Critic

    The Critic Resident Critic

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    If I had to guess, the Inverter probably failed.
     
    #11 The Critic, Mar 18, 2016
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  12. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

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    Sounds like the inverter to me too. Op has an early 2010 (despite their profile saying otherwise) and the early 2010's did seem to have an inverter issue - I found out the hard way.

    Wonder if that software update 4 years ago actually helped take the strain off the inverter? I also wonder if the OP's car has had that update?

    Mine was replaced outside of warranty as I had a full Toyota service history. Perhaps that's an option the OP could investigate? (assuming they have a full Toyota history).
     
    #12 GrumpyCabbie, Mar 18, 2016
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  13. DLC82SV

    DLC82SV Member

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    #13 DLC82SV, Oct 5, 2018
  14. DLC82SV

    DLC82SV Member

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    Now they issue a recall...

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #14 DLC82SV, Oct 5, 2018
  15. KeleStanley

    KeleStanley New Member

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    I get this all the time. It will cut power to the combustion engine and will go 42mph on the electric system until the battery is depleted. It is very dangerous because it always happens on the highway. Toyota knows about this and it almost seems like someone will have to die before they do something about it. I have done the cleaning on the EGR and intake which I believe were causing misfires that has led to a blown head gasket. Toyota will tell you it's out of warranty knowing darn well the reason it is doing what it is doing is a direct result of their hardware and software. Get out your wallet and guessing game.
     
    #15 KeleStanley, Oct 20, 2018
  16. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Isn't there a recall now? So it would be a free repair? I don't have a Gen-3 so I don't follow the recalls as closely, but I thought I heard mutterings.
     
    #16 2k1Toaster, Oct 20, 2018
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