Hacks I've noticed that tell me when my engine or battery is getting too hot and I need to respond.

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Wonder, Jun 12, 2024.

  1. Wonder

    Wonder Member

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    There has been a couple glitches in my car that I realized was my car trying to tell me something. I don't know if this would be true for you but in my experience it is.

    1. When my engine is running too hot on a couple occasions (for whatever reason it was) my passenger side LED headlight would flicker like my light is going bad. It wasn't though and I figured out that the light was responding to my engine getting too hot. After engine was cool the light returned to working as usual.

    2. The battery cooling fan or the access to airflow. My Bluetooth disconnected. When I stopped to check why my music wouldn't play, it said I had no devices connected but then would not let me connect to it. While stopped I noticed my stuff had covered the vent inlet to my battery cooling system. I removed the blanket and after the battery cooled off the Bluetooth music resumed working. This also happened on multiple occasions, being that I go camping and accidently cover the inlet hole on the side of the rear passenger seat.

    In addition to these two little ways my car hints to me is my car seems to be ticklish. I'm sure there's some kind of sensor here causing it to respond at this moment and the fact I likely had the key in my pocket but when I'm using the self serve car wash and I proceed to wash the bottom portion of my doors ( exactly where I imagine a car would be ticklish if it was) my car sounds a long warning beeb tone and notifies me my key is not in the car. Like I said there's likely a reason for this and sensors but I swear my car is ticklish. Puts a whole new thought on it being a smart car. If you know these cars well enough to explain why it does these things I'm all open to hear what you have to tell me other than that I swear my car talks to me by using these things that I notice.

    Have you had and Bluetooth connecting problems?
    Have you replaced your headlights thinking why did they go bad before they should have?
    What's your experience?
     

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  2. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

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    Get a Bluetooth OBD2 scanner and Hybrid Assistant if you want to see all the temperature readings easily. There's a high coolant temperature warning light on the instrument cluster for the ICE, not sure when it illuminates though.
     
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  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Witness Leader

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    What’s the miles on it, and what percent EV mode would you estimate you’re doing?

    had it since new?
     
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  4. Wonder

    Wonder Member

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    I do have these. What should the battery temp be? In hybrid assistant I notice the battery being red isn't always consistent with the temp. That app confuses me a little bit. I wish it had more instruction. I have the scanner app also and it tells me coolant temp but not battery temp. I have Dr Prius. That one shows 8 cells for my plug in and a lot more for non plug in. The plug in has more battery.
     
  5. Wonder

    Wonder Member

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    I am the second owner. It currently has 266,500 on it, I got it at 235k and previous owner maintained it well. It's definitely time to clean it's battery fan since I haven't yet and it's summer. The engine cooling fan has been making extra noise while under ac load but it doesn't have extra play and spins freely still. I was thinking if my battery is overheating and struggling then maybe that's what is causing the trouble under a load. I was going to order a fan anyways for the engine but was wondering if this is an OEM sensitive part like the water pump or can I buy a higher rated off brand one? I'm buying it to have on hand for now since Amazon returns are quite easy.
     
    #5 Wonder, Jul 7, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2024
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  6. Wonder

    Wonder Member

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    I can check EV percentage soon.
    I also maintain the oil & filter and air filter changes also so far and am still learning everything. Next is clean battery fan. I've got to watch videos again. Someone suggested to put the storage compartment cover back in to help keep battery cooler. I'm confused why toyota didn't put an air duct straight to the battery with option to open or close it. There would be much less user error to have that air supply direct. Also the air would be filtered with the cabin air filter changes. Did they improve this in later models?
     
    #6 Wonder, Jul 7, 2024
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2024
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i replaced a headlight around 50k, didn't occur to me that it might be too soon.
     
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  8. Wonder

    Wonder Member

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    I would think 50k sounds about right. My headlight stopped flickering when the car cooled off. But also I run LEDs so they may be a little more sensitive to the heat.
     
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  9. sylvaing

    sylvaing Senior Member

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    It's the charge level. HA was primarily designed for the Hybrid and its small size battery SoC fluctuates way more than a plug-in. Having a too low of charge can be problematic.
     
  10. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

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    20-25ºC is the ideal operating temperature for these batteries.

    Different chemistry, different configuration. Those are blocks, not cells. It has 8 blocks, 56 cells.