transmission problems

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by victoriataylor, Apr 19, 2007.

  1. victoriataylor

    victoriataylor New Member

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    I have a July, 2003 Prius and I am quite concerned because there seems to be a problem with the transmission.
    It is more obvious when the car is cool, there is very little acceleration and the motor is revving hard, if a Prius revs hard.
    I am finding myself going up little hills very slowly although the motor is working hard.
    The best analogy I can think of is slipping belts in an automatic transmission.
    There is also a situation where the radio will only play for a few minutes with the motor off and the consumption display also blanks out at the same time.
    I have had it regularly serviced and I don't know if CVT has an oil check necessity; if it does may I request a reply telling me where it is.
    Last bit. I'm just outside Sydney Australia and I'm looking for a mechanic that has an interest in hybrid motors and knows how they work, I'm a bit underwhelmed by the number that view it as an object of curiosity and call everyone over to have a look because they've never seen one.
    Thank you in advance to any respondents who care to answer and at least offer words that I may be able to use when I ring the Toyota service department and they tell me that it can't happen to a Prius, when it has happened to mine.
     
    #1 victoriataylor, Apr 19, 2007
  2. V8Cobrakid

    V8Cobrakid Green Handyman

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    have your batteries checked.
     
    #2 V8Cobrakid, Apr 19, 2007
  3. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    if the ICE runs and the car moves, barley, it could be the drive "clutch" plate that is slipping. Not the first on that has done this.
     
    #3 Frank Hudon, Apr 20, 2007
  4. victoriataylor

    victoriataylor New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(V8Cobrakid @ Apr 19 2007, 10:42 PM) [snapback]426524[/snapback]</div>
    Thank you for your quick response, is it ok to drive the car until I can get them checked?
     
    #4 victoriataylor, Apr 20, 2007
  5. hobbit

    hobbit Senior Member

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    I would have trouble believing that the damper clutch was slipping.
    Its halves aren't supposed to move against each other at all,
    really, unless there's a strong blip of torque from someplace, so
    it's far less likely to wear out than a traditional clutch.
    .
    Check out the HV battery, and also consider the possibility of rotor
    demagnetization. Although the ECU should be able to detect that;
    there are a couple of codes for demagnetization that could get set
    if the ECU figures out that it's firing a whole bunch of current
    through the windings and not getting the expected torque.
    .
    _H*
     
    #5 hobbit, Apr 20, 2007
  6. tochatihu

    tochatihu Senior Member

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    The original post asked about transmission fluid change. While not specifically required by Toyota, some owners have done it as a precaution. Some fluid analyses have also shown contamination or fluid degradation.

    In 2001-2003 Prius, the 24 mm drain bolt is at the bottom pan. It is identical bolt to that on the inverter coolant so there is a slight risk of confusing the two. The fill hole is further up and someone else can tell you where exactly. I have had others change that fluid for me (so far).
     
    #6 tochatihu, Apr 20, 2007
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