Hymotion "flashing LED" error codes

SaucyRed,
I had flashing on mine once. It happened when I tried to to start the Prius while the Hymotion system was plugged in recharging.

I drove to Green Car Company to look up the error code on their computer system.
My attempt to start the Prius, while it was plugged in, created a communication error between the Hymotion L5 battery and the Prius.

But when we went outside to check my Hymotion Prius, the code went away. It seems that just rebooting the system, turning the car off for a while, allows the L5 battery to regain communication with the Prius.

I have not had any problems in the past week since this happened.

I no longer turn the Hymotion battery off at all. I just leave the button in the "ON" position at all times until the battery is empty. Even when it is empty I leave it in the "ON" position. Whenever I play with the button, trying to guess when I can use the stock battery for a while, I normally just get a bunch of beeping.

The system seems much happier to be left "ON" all the time.

 

I agree. I tried turning it off once when my pack was drained. No difference. I drive as if the switch doesn't exist.
I do think it wiold be great if we had a list of the codes. Peakoil how well do you know your dealer
Chris

 

I am an investor in the dealer. I can get all of the flashing codes and their meaning. But I need to check with Hymotion to see if I can post them publicly.

 

Wow. That was cool of them.

I heard that one owner backed his Prius into the garage with the rear hatch open. It caused the side to become leaky and water started collecting under the Hymotion battery. Some water got inside of the battery. It ruined it. I suspect it is not covered by insurance or warranty. The damge to the car is covered, but not the battery unless you added the battery to your insurance as an aftermarket upgrade.

 

Sounds interesting. On a side note do you know if they would give out the information on the rear spring/shock install they did for the Charity model ? I definitely notice the height difference in the rear and would like to know what they did to offset the extra 200lbs.
Chris

 

We had one designed with a local shop. It is specifically designed to support the 180 lbs of extra Hymotion weight in the rear of the Prius. We are ordering a lot of them because we have several hundred Hymotion batteries to install. We figure a lot of people will pay $200 for parts and 1 hour for labor to upgrade the rear spring so it doesn't ride so low.

We could probably ship you a set of rear springs and you could find someone local to you that can install them.

Call Green Car Company and ask for Susan. She is the general manager. Tell her you read about the upgrade springs on the charity auction listing and she will tell you the price and shipping. I don't know all of the details personally. It might be a little more than $200, but I am not positive of the exact amount. I don't think they have even considered selling them outside of this location.

 

FYI, we haven't had any flashes at all. Sounds as if something is wrong.

 

I haven't had any either. I would get it checked out by the CHIP installer.

 

Mysterious. We have SKS and never plug it into the dash. It's either in a pocket or purse.

My current MPG is 99.7 for this tank! Too good to last, but I do get quite a kick out of it.

 

The communication error has happened a few times to me. With a software/database background, I have been trying to identify what triggers it. So far it has happened under a few different scenarios.

1) I try to start the Hymotion Prius while it is plugged in recharging. That can confuse the Hymotion battery software and create a communication error the next time you start.

2) Starting the Prius in accessory mode only, without completely starting the car, but the Hymotion battery is engaged. This can confuse the system and create a communication error.

In both scenarios, it clears itself by just turning off the Hymotion car for about 15 to 30 minutes, plugging in the car so that it starts the charging process and shuts down after finishing the charging process. The next time your start the car the battery starts with a fresh communication connection to the Prius system. Sometimes just turning off the car without charging is enough.

I have gotten the flashing codes a few times. It always resolves itself. In fact, today I got a Red Triangle and Engine Warning Light for the first time. The Hymotion system was still working and providing energy to my car. When I stopped for 30 minutes on an errand, it was gone when I got back in the car.

So the moral of the story is, I don't let the flashing codes bother me. It is a new experimental system. Hymotion is working on a firmware update to resolve the communication issues. There is nothing wrong with the battery.

 

I haven't seen any flashing on the LED in my car, either, but would be interested in knowing what the codes are just in case something does happen to the pack. Any news, PeakOil?

 

I will ask soon. I am travelling next week and won't be seeing the technicians. But when I get back I will try to get permission to post the flashing codes and what each means.

 

I know that a firmware update is coming soon from Hymotion/A123. This is a communication error.

I got the triangle and engine light warning earlier this week. But even when those lights were on, my Hymotion battery was still providing power to the system. The lights went away the next time I stopped the car and it was off for an hour.

Nothing has happened since. Be patient with it. Hymotion is working hard to diagnose the software issue. The batteries are fine.

 

I got my pack on 9/22. I have had 13 flashes on 4 separate occasions. When I experienced the flashing lights the L5 is not engaged at all- only the production hybrid system works. I experienced the MFD and dashboard error lights- which indicate the car should be immediately taken to a Toyota Dealer. When the error lights occurred, the pack also did not work. I am traveling to Boston on Friday to have my pack replaced.

I found the pack was working very efficiently the first week then my commutes starting using almost twice as much power to travel the same distance.

SuacyRed- we both have a 2005 Prius. Probably coincidence.