'08, ICE won't start, P3000, one block at ~6.5V

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by crazydude, May 14, 2023.

  1. crazydude

    crazydude Junior Member

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    Hi all,
    I picked up a cheapo '08. Display shows nearly 0 SoC in the HV pack. 12V battery is new. 302K miles on the original pack.

    ICE ran once, when the seller cleared codes and it started. But it was in limp-home mode (or something), with barely any power, and the HV battery did not recharge.
    Won't restart again, even in maintenance mode.

    Cheap BT code reader shows P3000. Block 1 is 1 ~6.5V, block 12 at ~10.5V. All the rest were ~12.5V.
    Deleting the code doesn't get it to start, code just returns.

    Should I expect no normal function until the HV battery is replaced, or those 1 or 2 bad modules are swapped?

    Is that something that a dealship will be able to recover with a HV charger?

    That first go/no-go on the module voltage will be a deciding factor to get a cheap refurb battery.

    Yes, I am looking through all the old threads. Quite a lot to go through. Any input would be appreciated.
     
    #1 crazydude, May 14, 2023
  2. mr_guy_mann

    mr_guy_mann Senior Member

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    Hello and welcome to Priuschat.

    302k sounds like it's time for a replacement hybrid battery. The pack is made up of 14 "blocks", each block has 2 modules, and each sealed module is 6 x 1.2V Nimh cells- all in series.

    So that's 7.2V x 2 for 14.4V (nominal) per block, or around 202V for the entire pack. That total can vary with State Of Charge (SOC) as the pack is used - from around 200V to 225V.

    Your pack don't sound so good by comparison. "Just" replacing some bad modules rarely works, as the "new" ones almost never have the same effective capacity or SOC.

    The HV battery ecu monitors the block voltage levels. If difference in voltage is "too high" for "too long" then the ecu sets codes. The actual difference is something over 0.3V- the higher it goes, the less time before codes set.

    You can replace modules and recondition everything, but to do it well requires equipment, and possibly lots of time. Even when done right a module can fail next year or next month.

    Use the search feature for "module replacement" - there's weeks of reading about this.

    The most reliable option is to get a new pack from Toyota. Will easily last 10-15 years. There are also a couple of other options for new packs - including a Lithium pack.

    Any other pack - refurb, rebuilt, etc - are used modules that may have been discharge/charge cycled to regain capacity and tested - matched with other modules. Or not. These might last a few years. Or maybe a few weeks. Understand the warranty because you'll likely need it.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #2 mr_guy_mann, May 14, 2023
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  3. crazydude

    crazydude Junior Member

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    k, thanks. I do want to eventually get the cylindrical cells pack and DIY refit, but will push that off into the future, and probably go with a budget pack for now, understanding that it is 20% the durability of a good one.

    Is there a known way to force the ICE start, even with the module voltage mismatch?
     
    #3 crazydude, May 14, 2023
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    have you tried resetting the codes and trying to start it?
     
    #4 bisco, May 14, 2023
  5. crazydude

    crazydude Junior Member

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    Yes, from above:

     
    #5 crazydude, May 14, 2023
  6. SFO

    SFO Senior Member

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    No. The HV battery is what turns over the engine and your battery was depleted to the point where it cannot currently turn over the engine.

    You can recharge the HV battery with a high voltage 'grid charger' (DIY or off the shelf), and then attempt to restart the vehicle.

    Given your description, there are missing codes for the failed modules, and a generic for the battery (p0a80), and the no start condition, among others. You may want to install a copy of techstream once you have a mini-vci cable (or better), or locate a better obd2 scanner.
     
    #6 SFO, May 15, 2023
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