How many times can I clear the codes?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Natalie Opsahl, Mar 9, 2020.

  1. Natalie Opsahl

    Natalie Opsahl Junior Member

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    How many times can I clear the codes before the car will finally say I'm done I get codes p3000 and p3016 and a clear them every time they turn on I monitor the battery with Prius doctor constantly I also get a P0420 for the catalytic converter but from what I read on other people's comments on other post I can keep driving it for that one but seriously I have to clear the battery codes everyday first thing in the morning I drive an hour one way an hour back and it never turns on then when I turn the car off and leave a second time from the house like driving around town it will turn on up two three four times and I keep having to clear it because when I dont clear it , it drives really shity I'm wondering how many times I can clear the codes before it doesn't work anymore we had planned on trading in this car for a newer Prius with less miles. this one has 235,000 but we were going to do with our tax return and my boyfriend got audited so we're waiting for the response so we're sitting here waiting to see if we're going to get our tax return at all and we can't do anything until that happens so I'm hoping it will last at least until we get our tax return.

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    #1 Natalie Opsahl, Mar 9, 2020
    Last edited: Mar 9, 2020
  2. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    Codes can be cleared as many times as you want. But at some point the hybrid battery will fail completely (might even have a small explosion) and then clearing the code won't help. To even make a guess on when that would happen you would need to look at the data from the hybrid battery while doing some tests.
     
    #2 valde3, Mar 9, 2020
  3. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Doubtful anyone here would recommend doing what you're currently doing, but read this thread (and there are others if you like) : Exploded Modules...Please check this out | PriusChat

    Though if you're feeling lucky, like gambling, or just being stranded on the side of the road during a long/important commute, then no one here can stop you from resetting and continuing to drive when you already know there is a major issue.
     
    #3 SFO, Mar 9, 2020
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  4. Natalie Opsahl

    Natalie Opsahl Junior Member

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    thanks for the reference. if i had a choice i would park it but i dont. believe me i wish i had another option. i monitor it pretty closely. they never get charged over 72% there is 1 cell that is weak #6 which seems to be common. the lowest it ever lets it go is 25% i did a test on the app that was free and it said it was 4.99 out of 10. in the morning when i drive the long drive they dont turn on. its after i come home then leave again. and drive around town. our plan was to get a new hybrid battery with our tax return which we were supposed to get Feb 22. but then he got audited and we had to send all this proof that our kids live with us! so not were stuck waiting. im dreading whats going to happen also. im the one who pus the apps and monitors it etc if it was up to him hed just drive it with the lights on.and he just assumes its gonna be fine just because. if we had the $ to get a new battery it would be done by now.
     
    #4 Natalie Opsahl, Mar 9, 2020
  5. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Another option would be to replace the failing module, which would cost under $50 and a few hours of your time.
     
    #5 SFO, Mar 9, 2020
  6. Natalie Opsahl

    Natalie Opsahl Junior Member

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    I would gladly do that if I could find them for that price but mostly I can't find them for sale at all anywhere and if they are for sale they're like over $200 but yes I would love to do that I would even try to do it my damn self LOL another problem with it is how to actually do it I am not familiar with hybrid batteries and anything like that me and my boyfriend did the valve cover gasket change spark plugs and change the oil there was some throttle sensor thing that he broke when we were doing the valve cover gasket and so he had to put that back in after we replaced it im willing to try to do it at home but I hate to get halfway done and be stuck. also I heard that you have to charge and discharge all the blades together so that theyre even or something do you really have to do that or can you just throw them in there and go?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #6 Natalie Opsahl, Mar 9, 2020
  7. Natalie Opsahl

    Natalie Opsahl Junior Member

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    So where do I get them for $50?????
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    #7 Natalie Opsahl, Mar 10, 2020
  8. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    There are a few members here that have decent/warrantied modules available.

    Your profile says Cortez Co, would that be somewhere in Colorado?
     
    #8 SFO, Mar 10, 2020
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  9. David Noyes

    David Noyes Junior Member

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    Okay this sounds like a similar problem I have and I don't know what to do. I've never even heard of this problem. When I drive short distances everything is fine working great and then when I go a little bit longer the air conditioner stops working and all the lights come on but it is still driving fine! I have 04 Gen 2 with infinite miles on it. I have replace the hybrid batteries twice so I know it's not the problem. I clear the codes and let it sit and by the next morning all's right with the world air works again and it drives perfect. The difference between what I read on this thread and what is happening to mine is that mine drives fine it just has the warning lights on and the air conditioner doesn't work....
     
    #9 David Noyes, Mar 12, 2020
  10. valde3

    valde3 Senior Member

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    What fault code(s) are you getting?
     
    #10 valde3, Mar 12, 2020
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  11. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    Welcome to PriusChat!!
    Not even close to being similar, as you most likely have a failing Inverter coolant pump. (Have you checked all of the fluids lately?)

    Prius Code P0A93: Inverter Water Pump Failure - Luscious Garage | Hybrid Specialists

    When "all the lights come on" that means there is a problem, clearing the codes doesn't solve the problem, making note of the OBD2 fault codes (DTCs) before clearing them can help diagnose and potentially fix the problem in a more timely fashion. Continuing to drive around with a failed Inverter water pump can cause inverter damage, and may blow the AM2 fuse.

    You can run the VIN at https://toyota.com/owners and see what type of dealer maintenance has been done to the vehicle.

    How many miles are on the vehicle currently?
     
    #11 SFO, Mar 12, 2020
  12. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    @Natalie Opsahl

    You can clear the codes for as many times as you want.
    But you also run risks.

    Especially when it is a failing module.
    I have seen customers who continually cleared codes and then on a drive the module burst open and dumped electrolyte all over.
    Nasty fumes and a gross film all over things. Not good.
    And of course car stopped running in the middle of a big intersection.

    I'd be happy to sell you a module and give some advice.

    There are videos on how to do the job. Some better than others.
    I couldn't really tell you witch are the good ones.

    Also, depending on where you are in Colorado there are good hybrid shops.
    While they will not do a module replacement, they may have other repair options for you.

    Eric
    608-729-4082
     
    #12 ericbecky, Mar 12, 2020
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  13. Natalie Opsahl

    Natalie Opsahl Junior Member

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    I live in Cortez which is by four corners. Where the four corners of 4 states meet Az NM Utah & Co. There is nothing by here.

    I feel like when it almost died the other day like maybe pushing the engine so hard will cause the engine to blow. There are repeated hills we have to climb one is a couple miles long. And rarely do we get to go up a hill with battery. It is usually around 30% and charges discharges charges discharges all the way up. The long hill going down it the battery appears to fill up it goes all green but on the app it says its only 68-70% it will still charge even after it's all green and appears full but the highest I have gotten it was 73%
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #13 Natalie Opsahl, Mar 12, 2020
  14. ericbecky

    ericbecky Hybrid Battery Hero

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    The battery is getting harmed, not the gas engine.

    You are trying to put energy into and out of a failed cell. This will lead to a catastrophic failure of you keep pushing it hard.

    A loud bang from inside the battery and a splitting open of the battery module with electrolyte spilling all over the pack and car.

    This is not fun to clean up. And if you plan to try to reuse the case or other modules, it will need to be cleaned up and neutralized.

    I have seen situations where clearing codes leads to a fire. You do not want that.

    At the very least, if you drive the car do not clear the error code. When the error code is present it may help to protect other components by locking them out of the propulsion equation. Even then, there still is risks involved.

    Opening up the batttery you may find you have a issue that is dealt with more easily than a failed module. But you won't know until you stop driving it and take time to assess the problem.

    I'm glad to help of you have time.
     
    #14 ericbecky, Mar 13, 2020
  15. Natalie Opsahl

    Natalie Opsahl Junior Member

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    We have stopped driving it on the long trip with the big Hills everyday but we're just driving it around town the lights haven't turned on at all since we're just driving it around town I am interested in fixing it are you and try to find out what's wrong and see if I can fix it just have to have time I'm not going to do it by myself my boyfriend will have to help me and he works 5 days a week and just two days off or switch so we'll have to wait also until we have money to do it . But I'll definitely welcome any and all help

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #15 Natalie Opsahl, Mar 13, 2020
  16. Natalie Opsahl

    Natalie Opsahl Junior Member

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    we stopped driving it completely shortly after that. it got to the point the codes would come back instantly.

    So we had to start driving our Chevy which had been parked for a year, since we got the prius. but I'm hoping to be able to get a battery very soon!!!! just wanted to update. everything got put aside because of Covid ! grrrrr

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #16 Natalie Opsahl, Sep 5, 2020
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you're telling me :rolleyes:
     
    #17 bisco, Sep 5, 2020
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