Just able to drive 100 miles after hybrid warning light came on

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019.

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  1. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    Been to dealer for everything
    Red Triange, Check Engine, and Hybrid battery warning light came on.

    I thought I couldn't drove but drove home 100 miles.

    I shoudl also point out that the hybrid infographic showed 45-50mgg the whole time.

    Also 12V batery was replaced in 1/2013 at 66,000 miles. Last went to dealer in November 2018 and it passed the battery check.

    No fan sound. Temperature today is spring like = 55 degrees (first warmth in a while though)
    Any other causes before I go to the mechanic?

    Thanks
     
    #1 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
    Last edited: Mar 25, 2019
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    You need a way to read the codes. No one can help you just from that description.
     
    #2 Skibob, Mar 25, 2019
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  3. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    I am going to get a diagnosis in a Prius mechanic now.
     
    #3 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
  4. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    The diagnostics returned issues related to failure of the Inverter Coolant Pump (P0A93). Additional codes were reported (B1412, P1423) that may or may not be related to the pump failure.


    I paid $100 for a full diagnosis of the prius through Prius Kings.

    I guess I need the interverter pump replaced.
     
    #4 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
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  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    good deal!(y)
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 25, 2019
  6. MilkyWay

    MilkyWay Active Member

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    I drove roughly 8k miles just by resetting light before it came back. I guess a difference of 1.5 or so in voltage will kick light on.

    Then months later the next time it came on it was fine for about 500 or so miles (driving with CEL and red triangle)...Then lacked power....Weak cell block 8 was the code.

    Since it showed symptom of lacking power I figured it was more serious to address.

    So I cleared code (and drove fine again) but this time I took it straight to mechanic for rebuild.
     
    #6 MilkyWay, Mar 25, 2019
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  7. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    It was a good deal given I got the diagnostics in 1 hour. He did test the hybrid battery and went through everything with me.

    Interestingly, the check engine light went away after I left. I think i still want to replace the part.

    Anyone know if it can pass inspection with the check engine light currently off?
     
    #7 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    ma inspection is based on computer history, no idea if it will pass. how many miles on her?
     
    #8 bisco, Mar 25, 2019
  9. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    it has 115K. Check engine light is off now.
     
    #9 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check the inverter fluid reservoir for movement with car ready.
     
    #10 bisco, Mar 25, 2019
  11. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    There is fluid but its not "swirling". I suppose that's the true test. The Prius King mechanic showed me that it wasn't working. not sure why the check engine light went away. He didn't clear the codes or anything.

    I assume cars have check engine lights that come and go.
     
    #11 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
  12. 09Prius2

    09Prius2 Member

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    Just pull the negative battery terminal for a minute right before you get there to clear any codes. They shouldn't reappear fast enough to be an issue.
     
    #12 09Prius2, Mar 25, 2019
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think that is correct
     
    #13 bisco, Mar 25, 2019
  14. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    Why do you need to clear codes if check engine light is off?
     
    #14 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Yikes! but it is not good to drive that way! :eek:
    100 miles is not good with that pump off, although we probably did 20 miles to get home.
    Some people here talk about putting ice on there to drive it.
    You are overheating the hybrid components. Idea is to fix it before you fry your car.
     
    #15 wjtracy, Mar 25, 2019
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  16. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    I didn’t want to but I was 100 miles away from home. I didn’t have a choice
     
    #16 Bluesman78, Mar 25, 2019
  17. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    The inverter pump is not an option. It's essential. Either replace the pump now or replace the inverter after you overheat it. And still need a new pump. Inverters are EXPENSIVE. @wjtracy is 100% right.
     
    #17 jerrymildred, Mar 26, 2019
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  18. Bluesman78

    Bluesman78 Member

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    I agree, I was 100 miles from home, I said a prayer and drove in the right lane. At the time I had no idea it could be anything else but the hybrid battery.

    Regardless, no check engine light on today (temp fell to 30 degrees) so I will find a place to try to fix it for me. I'm hoping it isn't too expensive.
     
    #18 Bluesman78, Mar 26, 2019
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  19. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The problem is you never really know whether you can or can't.

    There are times where it is a shorted cell and a module in the pack bursts open dumping electrolyte all over.

    There are times you are oil and the engine siezes up.

    There are times when the inverter pump is not operating so the inverter overheats.

    Sometimes you get lucky and it's fine.

    But for the unlucky folks they are kicking themselves wondering why they didn't stop earlier.
     
    #19 ericbecky, Mar 26, 2019
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  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Well, I'm glad you made it apparently without damaging the inverter. Heck of a gamble. I think I've read that the pump is around $100 and it's not very hard to replace. And it makes a good opportunity to replace the inverter coolant. Purging the air from that system is pretty easy, especially compared to the engine coolant. Plenty of videos on how to do that stuff.
     
    #20 jerrymildred, Mar 26, 2019
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