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2010 prius "check hybrid system" message received today. :(

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by H00s13r, Sep 15, 2022.

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  1. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    2010 Prius
    Model:
    V
    Went to go run some errands this morning and when I started it up, I had the "check hybrid system" message with yellow warning flashing light. ICE startup like normal ran for a few minutes then stopped. I was afraid to drive it so I turned it off. I waited a few minutes and tried again and same result.
    2010 Prius-bought it new
    192K miles

    Stuff I have done myself around 106K miles or so
    New NGK plugs
    ATF Drain/fill with Toyota ATF
    Cleaned hybrid fan assembly and parts
    Both inverter and engine coolant drain/fill with Toyota coolant
    brake fluid flush
    complete brake job with new rotors/pads

    Back in may of 2020-maybe around130K miles (I don't remember exactly) I was getting death rattle at ICE startup and that error code-don't remember which one. Following advice on here I removed EGR Cooler, pipe, throttle body, manifold. Cleaned everything and put everything back along with installing an OCC -again I did this following all the awesome advice on here. For the most part doing all of that resolved the hard startup and error code problems-occasionally when it is really cold and car was sitting in garage it would do the hard rattle startup very briefly. This usually occurred when the car was sitting for a few days when it was really cold. My resolution to this was to start it up daily during the winter even when not using it.

    Car burns oil fairly bad like most gen 3s. I have been using mobil1 high mileage 5W20 instead of 0w20, changing oil and filter myself at 5K intervals and I watch the oil/empty OCC like a hawk-every time I fill up the car with gas. For the most part the car has been running good with no issues. I came home last night from work and it was fine. I just happened to get the message this morning.

    Briefly searching online and watching YouTube, I have seen recommendations for as simple as
    checking hybrid cooling fan stuff (again did that around 100K miles and wasn't that dirty)
    Checking oil (I do this regularly)
    Replacing 12V auxiliary rear battery

    Then there were videos showing changing hybrid batter pack bus bars, etc.-yikes.

    The rear auxiliary battery is the original one that came with the car when I bought it new so it is over 12 yrs old (bought Prius new in July 2010). I never had problems with it, always sure to turn lights off, keep radio/heat/ac off before turning off car or on, etc. so I never replaced it. I don't know how to test this. I do own a multimeter. Not sure what I should be looking for. Do you think I should just try replacing that rear battery first? Or can someone explain how I can test it with a multimeter? I can check the hybrid fan too as I think I remember how to do that. I do also own a cheap ODB scanner. I can try plugging it in and see if I get anything.
    Any thoughts or suggestions would be helpful before I call my local Toyota stealer ship to make a service appointment?
    Thanks
    H00s13r
     
    #1 H00s13r, Sep 15, 2022
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can get a free 12v load test at most auto parts stores, as well as code reading. call and ask. 12 years is a heck of a run!

    it's worth checking the codes, although many scanners do not read all the prius computers. in that case, you'd have to pay a dealer or hybrid shop with tech stream.

    it certainly could be the 12v, the hybrid battery, clogged cat from the oil burning, or many other things.
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 15, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 15, 2022
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

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    Use DrPrius app to check the HV battery health pretty quickly. I think you may find the health is starting to fail if you lift the cover on the Gen 3 battery really quickly which is easy to do you'll probably see the bus bar nuts with this white frosting all over them corrosion is setting in etc My 2010 persona was the same way 4 months ago when I replaced the engine and transmission I got a battery from the hybrid doctor in Virginia they did a great job the battery's working well for now we'll see how long it goes but my other one was pretty much toast matter of fact it's still sitting out under the shed here somebody was supposed to come pick it up and it still sitting here.
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Sep 15, 2022
  4. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    Dr Prius should also show any stored codes.

    Might be good to check EGR again.
     
    #4 Mendel Leisk, Sep 15, 2022
    Raygon likes this.
  5. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    If you start the car up every day during winters even if not driving then you’ll have plenty of oil dilution and quicker carbon buildup. Fuel not burning at optimal engine temp on a regular will cause more issue than not starting it up at all.
     
    #5 Grit, Sep 15, 2022
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  6. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    Is it safe to drive to an autostore in that condition? I have an autozone about 8 miles away from me.
     
    #6 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
  7. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    What is this Dr. Prius app?
     
    #7 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
  8. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    Sounds like I need to find out more about this Dr. Prius app you guys keep mentioning. What do I need for it?
     
    #8 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
  9. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    Probably not every day. Just when it was really cold and I was off for a few days between working where I wasn't going anywhere. I would start it up and let it run until ICE startup ended. I then would shut it off.
     
    #9 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
  10. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    #10 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2022
  11. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    Is this Dr prius app free? I put it on my phone, but noticing in the comments sections of the youtube video from them that people are saying that it asks you to buy it once you try to connect to your BT OBD2 scanner.
     
    #11 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
  12. rjparker

    rjparker Tu Humilde Sirviente

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    Many obd2 scanners will work.
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XTP3HDG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

    D    r Prius has a few features (the one for the battery health test) that you pay extra to unlock. The hv battery health check is not fool proof, it is an educated guess. You will get some codes for free, not all even if you pay extra. If the hv battery threw a code, the free version will read battery specific codes.

    It requires an advanced several hundred dollar dedicated scanner to read all codes and do things like brake booster calibration and flush.

    The possible problems are several, bad inverter coolant pump, engine coolant pump, hv battery, reg battery, inverter, brake booster, etc. If you are not advanced diy don't expect to fix many of these easily. Parts alone can be an issue. Most here are advanced diy ready to tear an engine down for a head gasket repair or tear a hv battery down to clean bus bars.

    Most likely your 12v battery is bad based on age alone. It will strand you somewhere at 12 years old even if it passes the auto supply free load test. I would throw two hundred at it first unless there is a possibility a major additional repair will make you trade the car. People who have resources often move on at your mileage. No matter how careful you have been there will be several multi-thousand dollar repairs in this car's future if not now.

    Finally I think a dealer diagnostic or better yet, an independent hybrid shop is the way to go for the average person. You get clarity assuming you can resist the overpriced service advisers' repair offers.

    By the way, when you hide your location, you miss the best possible advice Priuschat can offer, nearby independent shops.
     
    #12 rjparker, Sep 16, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2022
    Paul E. Highway and Raygon like this.
  13. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Replacing the 12v battery BEFORE it leaves you stranded is the smartest idea.
    You might want to invest in the Prolong charger/discharger. It worked for me.
    A lot less than a new hybrid battery. Eventually, I'll need a new one, but this revived mine.
    I did the complete cycle in August 2021. It's about time to do it again. It is slowly taking longer
    to charge, and discharges a little faster. Which is what I noticed it starting to do before.

    I have not had any of the problems other have had. I've just replaced things that wore out.
    Normal wear and tear items. The brake pump cycles about every 35 seconds. That's what it did
    when I first got it in 2017.
    Even if you paid someone to do it, it's still cheaper than a new car! Or slightly used car.
    Mine had been extrememly dependable for me.

     
    #13 ASRDogman, Sep 16, 2022
  14. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

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    I'm using Carista OBD Adapter, says this on the box: "Carista OBD Adapter for iPhone/Ipad and Android New", and has the alpha/numeric "X00UJGJV1" under a bar code. You do need to pay a bit to fully unlock, a one-time charge, around $10 IIRC.
     

    Attached Files:

    #14 Mendel Leisk, Sep 16, 2022
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i think it will be fine, stay on side roads, go slow.
     
    #15 bisco, Sep 16, 2022
  16. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    My responses are in bold in the quoted section.

     
    #16 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
    Last edited: Sep 16, 2022
  17. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    Will do. What battery do you recommend? Should I go with another OEM toyota battery? I haven't bought a battery in a long time. Is there a specific size or CCA I should be looking for? Who makes good batteries anymore? Last time I tried Sears DieHard and it really wasn't very good. I know autozone batteries are crap.
    Definitely going to get one of those BT scanners and try to see if the Dr prius app helps me figure out anything.
     
    #17 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
  18. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    Thanks. I will check that one out. I will also pay the one time fee. I think it is like $15 or so now from the comments on youtube. Can you move it onto another cell phone? Hoping it is linked with my google account in the event I change phones. Would hate to have to buy it again if I switch phones later on.
     
    #18 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
  19. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    Ok-will keep that in mind if I decide to take it to the dealer if I can't figure this out at home.
     
    #19 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
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  20. H00s13r

    H00s13r Member

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    I'm working today, but tomorrow I will do the following:
    Clean out hybrid fan and associated parts.
    Remove the cover to the hybrid battery so I can take a look at the terminals/bus bar, etc.
    I will watch some youtube videos, but anything I need to be aware of or careful when I do this? I don't want to electrocute myself. I think I just remove that orange plastic plug with breaks the circuit before I remove cover right?
    Thanks everyone for your continued help!

    I am hoping I can keep this prius going if it is not too expensive. It is still in good shape and would really hate to have to buy a new or used car with the huge overinflated prices on both right now.
     
    #20 H00s13r, Sep 16, 2022
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