1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Hybrid System Warning Light and CEL Code P316C

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by asheets1, Jul 10, 2019.

  1. asheets1

    asheets1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    11
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I have a 2013 Prius Plug In with 144,800 miles. Just today the Hybrid System Warning Indicator appeared with the yellow triangle exclamation point light and the Check Engine Light. It is running normally, but i do hear a thud from the back right (Near charger port) when turning the ignition switch to OFF. Perhaps an inverter pump? It still holds a charge ~ 9 miles in the summer (~75% of when it was new), and operates normally other than the error lights.

    I ran codes and pulled only one: P316C

    This code appears nowhere on the internet, and I cannot locate it in any forums or reference lists for OBD-II codes.

    If anyone has insight into this Hybrid Code, please let me know. I am in a CARB state and likely fall under the 10y 150K warranty which accompanies that, so Toyota should be repairing this. I am simply curious as to why there are no references for such a code and if anyone knows what it is before I make it to the dealer.

    Aaron
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    you need a prius aware scanner, like tech stream.

    when was the last time you cleaned the cooling fan?

    the evaporations system is back there, could be that.

    if you don't want to diddle with tech stream, at least try torque, dr prius or hybrid assistant.

    you could also try an auto parts store, but their readers only get the main codes. sometimes that's enough.
     
  3. asheets1

    asheets1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    11
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Thanks for the reply. I will will check the fans. I also double checked codes with an AutoZone scanner with the same result. I may have to try torque and see if it will pull more codes.

    My preliminary research indicates that perhaps the charger (inside the car) is not functioning properly.

    I can’t get an appointment at my local dealer until Monday next week, I’ll see what they have to say.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    can you charge the car?
     
  5. asheets1

    asheets1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    11
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    The car will charge. Although, the other day I had to try twice to get it to do so. I’m at 8.9 miles on a full battery.
    I checked the fans and they’re quite clean, so, no obstructions or dirt that I can see causing issues.
     
    bisco likes this.
  6. QuantumFireball

    QuantumFireball Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 22, 2016
    420
    269
    0
    Location:
    Ireland
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    The inverter is in the engine bay.

    I've heard of incidents with the standard Prius where people have continued to drive the car with the warning lights on, and ended up with further damage to the traction battery (cells venting). Without knowing the particular meaning of this error code, it's hard to say what the risks are.
     
  7. asheets1

    asheets1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    11
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I don’t plan to drive it until I have to take it to Toyota. I know where the inverter is, i thought that the pump could be in the back, but it appears it it is under the hood as well, which makes sense considering the battery pack is not liquid cooled.

    Thanks for the response.
     
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,518
    14,128
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I can't imagine what is back there that would make a thud. I think you're absolutely right to take it to Toyota since it's still under warranty. Please let us know what happens.
     
  9. asheets1

    asheets1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    11
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    The only “thud” or clunk I can think of would likely be a relay for the charger inside the vehicle. I’ll
    Definitely update this string as I am sure as these vehicles get more miles, this may happen more often. Luckily, I live in a CARB state and this is a covered issue, should it pertain to the hybrid system.
    I am running a scan today with the Dr Prius app, hopefully my OBD2 scanner is compatible. Stay tuned...
     
    Yea Right and jerrymildred like this.
  10. asheets1

    asheets1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    11
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    After clearing the code, it had not reappeared until about 2 months later, and about 600 miles driven. So, I took it into the dealer to find that they had noticed the code presented itself 10 times. They cleared the code, charged the car with their 220V charger, and my mobile charger and could not reproduce the issues. I have a feeling that this is an issue with the charge controller on-board and it will present itself in the form of no longer accepting a charge, likely sometime after my 150,000 mile CARB state warranty is up. I am glad that I have it on record that this occurred for when it pops up again.

    Toyota said they have never seen this code, they do not know what to do about it or how to reproduce it. They did not charge me for the diagnostics as I provided them the code they pulled anyway, and they still have no clue why this happened (10X).

    I will keep this thread posted with the latest updates. Thanks for your replies.

    A
     
  11. Spooled

    Spooled Member

    Joined:
    Sep 12, 2014
    142
    26
    0
    Location:
    Concord, CA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    How is it still under warranty?
     
  12. asheets1

    asheets1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 12, 2013
    10
    11
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    jerrymildred likes this.
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,156
    50,059
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    not everything is under the carb warranty. i'll be interested to see what they say
     
  14. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,518
    14,128
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Hybrid system warning indicator. CARB state. How could it not be under warranty?