My wonderful 2001 Prius j- 122,000mi - displayed all of the !! warnings and stopped in just a few minutes. We got it towed to the dealership and after 2 days of trying to diagnose it (although they say they work on more of them than anyone else in So. Calif.), they say: the inverter malfunctioned and leaked voltage which destroyed it and the transmission. They also say that the ECU computer is outdated?? and may need to be replaced. Does this sound reasonable to you guys? I am shocked as I have had few problems (but did have the ECM work done and the battery replaced under warranty at about 70000mi) and I LOVE that car! I am having trouble believing that this all just happened out of "nowhere".
It may help if you can get the exact codes. But there is a common problem of leakage in the traction battery that can cause leakage and the problem. Sad to say, there are no good answers if that is the problem ... unless you are able to do the work yourself. Bob Wilson
Electrical problems usually happen "out of nowhere", in the sense that there's no prior warning before the failure. Suggest that you ask how the tech determined that both the inverter and transaxle are bad. Maybe it would be sufficient if just the inverter was replaced.
Thanks for the information. Would any of you recommend getting salvage parts and having them installed? I am concerned that I don't know the root cause and it will just happen again.
I think it would make lots of sense to obtain an inverter from a salvage vehicle, as long as you have someone who will install it. Its not likely that a Toyota dealer service dept will agree to that work. Not so sure about the transaxle. A fairly high labor charge will be required. If the replacement transaxle also has a problem, then you won't be happy.
Get the trouble codes and the info codes from the dealer and I will walk you through the diagnostic by email. contact me at [email protected]
The codes are: P3000, P3125, P3009 and P3115 Is it stupid to buy parts on eBay? I found an independent shop who will install them but no warranty.
DTC P3000: HV battery malfunction DTC P3009: High voltage leak detected DTC P3115: System main relay malfunction DTC P3125: Inverter assembly malfunction Given the above list, I would concur that the inverter needs to be replaced. It is not obvious that the transaxle is bad. I would say that it is more likely that the traction battery and/or traction battery ECU are bad. Regarding eBay parts, the salvage yard usually warrants the part to work upon installation. So you would be out the labor charge if the part didn't work. You'll have to decide whether the risk is worth the lower pricing. I would not buy a Classic salvage traction battery though, since they are 7-9 years old and relatively expensive.
I too am having a hard time believing the transaxle is bad, based purely on those codes. How many miles does the vehicle have on it?
I doubt it as well. Patrick seems quite right. Given that there were no transaxle related symptoms prior to the failure, I find incredible to believe. Take from first hand experience, Toyota Tech's for the most part are monkeys! I was told I needed a Traction battery in my car, it was going to cost me $3,500!! In the end, I replaced the 12V battery as per Patrick and other people's assertions, and to this day my traction battery and 12V are running perfectly. Trust Patrick, 9.99999 times out of 10, he is simply spot on the money! ; )
