“Check Hybrid System” then shut down & won’t start

I'm hoping someone can help. I was driving on the freeway at 65 when the check hybrid system warning popped up and went into limp mode and was able to make it home, less than a mile. Tried starting it the next day but the engine will not start, and steering wheel is stuck as well as can't shift gears. I have two bars of gas. I replaced the hybrid battery 3 weeks ago because the same problem occurred. Any help? The codes that pop up are p0a80, p3190, and p3191. I've read to disconnect the negative of the 12v and fill with gas but I havent tried anything besides disconnecting the orange plug on the hybrid battery and that did nothing.

 

The P0A80 suggests that the battery you put in 3 weeks ago isn't good.

If you're lucky, there might be some problem you can find in how it was assembled. If you're not that lucky, then it just isn't made of all good modules, and it isn't going to do the job.

But first, the P3190 / P3191 might indicate that the throttle body needs cleaning. Sometimes it slowly gets worse over many miles and years, and the car's ECM just learns where the throttle needs to be to start the engine. But then when you have the power disconnected (as when you changed the battery), the ECM forgets, and tries to start the engine next time with the factory throttle opening, and it won't start.

You could try cleaning the throttle body and attempting the start again (if there are enough attempts left in the traction battery). If you can get the engine to start and give the battery a good charge, it's possible the P0A80 will go away and that will have been the only problem. Just have to see.

 

so you don’t think it has anything to do with the inverter? previous mechanic said it can be shot but couldn’t tell without a new hybrid battery but ended up going to a different guy to fix the battery for way cheaper. i also ran out of gas the first time it happened and i was at 2 bars, read 40 miles, when it happened this time.

 

I would put some gas in it then. I've had my gas gauge stick at that spot as well and it was a headache. As Chapman eluded to, make sure you are minimizing your start attempts because after a few you'll need to charge the HV battery.

 

i put a gallon in and disconnected the 12v and I started it up and the engine didn't even attempt to start this time, just going to have it towed to Midas and hopefully they can figure it out. Just not sure how to go about telling them what's exactly wrong

 

Did you try cleaning the throttle body as suggest by ChapmanF in post #42?

Midas would be one of the last places I would take the car to. You need to find someone who specializes in hybrids.

What are you using to read the trouble codes?

The P0A80 code that you read, was it showing as a current, pending, or permanent code?

 

I do not know man. Midas sounds like a terrible idea. I would look for a hybrid specialist.

It should be mentioned that both batteries can be depleted while troubleshooting a non-starting car. At least that's what happened to me.

First thing I would try is checking the 12v battery. Do you have a multimeter? Do you have a 12v charger?

If you charge the 12v and try it once more and it doesn't start then I'd think that'd be a good point to have a hybrid pro look at it. Or... looking into making a HV battery charger so you can continue troubleshooting.

 

FSM states if there are any other codes besides P3190, P3191 and/or P3193 you need to troubleshoot those DTCs first.

So your first issue, especially where you just replaced the HV battery is to diagnose the HV battery for proper operation/condition/installation.

p0a80 points specifically at the hybrid battery, as opposed to the inverter/hv charging system - though I suppose it's possible (I don't play a Toyota technician in real life or TV).

What do you mean by "fix the battery for way cheaper?" Did he replace the whole battery, just replace/recondition cells, etc.?

The 3190/3191 may be unrelated to 0a80. When you ran out of gas, it's POSSIBLE that you may have damaged the fuel pump, as modern fuel pumps us the fuel to cool itself, so depending on how long the pump ran without fuel, it could have easily overheated and was damaged.

As others have stated, hybrid systems (all brands) are fairly intricate - I wouldn't trust the local Midas to be able to diagnose even if they have ASE techs (well, unless the ASE tech is certified for hybrids). At minimum, just about anything you could do DIY would best be done with a bidirectional capable scan tool - many tests COULD be done with wires and a multimeter (a PowerProbe would be even better but either way - wire or PowerProbe - you have to know EXACTLY what you're doing because if you apply power (or the wrong voltage) where there shouldn't be, you could fry VERY expensive parts), but it's a REAL PIA, and you still won't be able to do it all (but you might get lucky along the steps).

 

The P3190/P3191 after hooking things back up, because of forgotten idle throttle learning, is kind of a known thing with these cars, so I might put that pretty early on the list to check for.

 

It was a permanent code, and I did not, just having it towed to toyota.

 

No need to be concerned about the P0A80 if it is only shown as permanent. It is remembered from when there was a battery problem.

The permanent P0A80 will go away as soon as the car convinces itself the new battery is better than the one it remembers.

Of course, you have to get the car started, before that can happen.

 

So I called a prius/tesla mechanic and he says it is most likely the fuel gauge is incorrect and the hybrid battery needs to be charged, so having it towed in an hour and hes going to charge the battery and see what is wrong, hopefully it is from just being out of gas.

 

Inverter codes are P0A94, P324E, P3004, and/or P0A1

A common rookie mistake is disconnecting the orange plug and failing to engage it properly with two steps.

 

and that's P0A0D.