The inverter has multiple power paths. The 12v path working doesn't mean the bidirectional high voltage path is. A reverse jump is a death blow to many Prii
There was a thread at one time that detailed the highly dangerous way of jump starting the hybrid battery. I don’t recommend that, but if you have a voltmeter, or know an electrician, have them see if the HV battery has any charge at all.
My first question is how in the heck did you even attempt to push start it? There's no telling what this may have done to the car. I'm sitting here trying to think how the drivetrain would react to this and what this could have done and my brain is about to explode. My second question is where were the jumper cables connected for the 'reverse polarity' jump? At the actual battery terminals or at the underhood jump point? I'm guessing when you say the "master fuse" blew, you mean the 100 or 125 amp fuse located at the 12v battery + terminal assembly? Did you look at the fusible link (the white box with clear cover) located on the passenger side of the underhood fuse box? Every reverse jump I've dealt with has blown the main fusible link (in the upper right corner under the clear plastic cover), but not every one has blown the fuse at the 12v + terminal. Typically, there are also a couple small fuses blown in the underhood fuse box also. Regardless, this should be fixable for a car enthusiast with reasonable electrical knowledge. The next question is what value does this car have to you. For me, it would be a 4 hr drive each way, making it a full day job.
PROBABLY is not good enough when trying to fix something. You NEED to get the 12 V battery tested before you proceed with anything else. The odds are extremely high that it is bad, especially after the reverse jump. And you "missed" that warning......because there isn't one. And having to ask the question just goes to show WHY you should not split a discussion in more than one thread. That just confuses things and wastes everybody's time. PUSH START ??? Is this whole thing just a TROLL ?? (Edit) OK, pretty sure that he means "push the start button" but I read it wrong the first time too.
he means "push the start button" but I read it wrong the first time too Makes much more sense to me now, lol. My brain feels much better.......
It has got my mind going though. You should be able to boot the Prius with a 12v spare battery/jumper to get the inverter online. Then if the HV battery pack is depleted the engine won't spin and you'll get the code. BUUUUUUUT, the HV pack is still online... And the inverter is online. And the parking pawl is 12v actuated. So you should be able to shift it to D and if you tow it or push down a hill, it should charge up the battery? I mean it might actually work. As long as you keep the speed low enough that MG2 doesn't get overstressed, and you accelerate gently enough for the powertrain in general...
It seems possible “in theory” that one could push start or tow start a Prius, but there is no real way to test that theory. Maybe if one did the two press of the power and no brake pedal, so they could get into neutral, then get rolling and shift to D? I’m not even sure if that is feasible or possible.
Yesterday I googled prius repair shop in durham, nc so I did it again and found this one in Raleigh Hybrid King’s Auto Service in Raleigh, NC | Hybrid Repairs they have a message box on the home page, you might get an approximate price without too much hassle. If it were me I'd be thinking hard about TMR JWAP offer, you might learn more than you want to know about the prius.
Called the closest dealer near me (North Charlotte). They do not charge hybrid batteries. Did recommend running a diagnostic (duh) to verify. Their solution: put in a new battery. So the cost for that dealer would be new Toyota battery+labor. Didn't ask but guessing $4000+.
Fortunately that isn't your only option, and you have many options, from $0 (plus drive time) all the way up to $4000+ Is removing the HV battery assembly something you could handle, or are you looking for a turnkey solution?
DIY HV battery charging is doable if you are able to safely remove top cover of the battery and have at least good electrical knowledge, one error and something very bad happen. So far I've successfully recharged 2001 model (~300V) with simple rectifier bridge and 40W light bulb in series as current limiter. But it is ok for european mains which is 220V AC and about 300V after rectifier. For US you need correct transformer.
Thanks for all the help. Time to end this discussion. I went as far as I could given my constraints. I could only do so much in a parking lot without getting in trouble with the apartment management. I sold the car to my mechanic to used as a loaner car. He got a good deal and I got rid of a headache. He did indicate a battery change would be about $2400+ for what I assume would be a aftermarket battery. Didn't go into details since we already agreed on a selling price. I did ask at the Toyota dealer and their cost was well north of 4K (around 6K if I remember) and they do not charge dead hybrid batteries. My daughter is now the proud owner of a 2015 Prius C. It is a downgrade but it is low milage and the price was right.
Because they're great cars and once you go hybrid, it's hard to go back to double the amount of deadly air pollution...