LIMP MODE

did you clean the battery cooling fan and intake grille?

 

First thing I would do would be to get Techstream software as P3000 is a generic code where you’ll need something more specific to diagnose the real issue .

Outside of that, a cursory inspection of the left speed sensor area wouldn’t hurt, particularly if you have reason to believe it might be damaged .

If the fan is on in the back, I’d say you are having issues with the traction battery .

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

Traction battery. Just went through this. The lights you mention, same as my 2005. The cooling fan comes on with master warning. Same thing with cruise, it gets disabled. Limp mode happens when the gas engine gets hot. Same thing with no current flow. Shutting it off and turning it back on will actually help for awhile, but I understand your reluctance to shut it down at that point. It will drive almost normally once the gas engine cools down or you power-cycle it, except for hesitations when you start out. If you drive it, baby it, don't drive far, don't drive highway, and don't jump out into traffic. Babying it on routes that allow 30-45 MPH is your best bet.

Oh yeah, get it troubleshot officially. But I'm pretty sure it is the hybrid battery from your description.

 

are you going to diy the battery if necessary?

 

in that case, you might be better off buying some new modules and doing a complete rebalance. how much are you looking to spend?

 

Have you looked at the threads here on battery rebuilding? Rebuilds don't last long because the cells not replaced are just as old as the ones that were replaced. So you find yourself playing "whack-a-mole" with your battery. What happened to you will sooner or later happen to your granddaughter. If you do go that route, you'll delay the inevitable if you use a grid charger from Prolong Battery Systems. Extending the life of your hybrid. – Hybrid Automotive to balance the battery after the repair.

Best solution, if it turns out to be the hybrid battery as expected, is a new battery. Toyota's price is lower now than it used to be, but there's also an aftermarket setup available from @2k1Toaster.

Second best would be a nearly new used battery from maybe a 2015 that has not been rebuilt. (Sometimes, you can even get one that has a full set of cells installed from a Gen 4 NiMH battery.) Should cost less, but won't last as long as new, everything else being equal. You didn't give a location, so we can't offer any suggestions as to where you can find one. I went the used battery route with my wife's '07 because I didn't want her stranded and didn't think we'd have the car long enough to justify a new battery.

 

unfortunately, there are zero experiences of consistent reliability with rebuilts. a few people have had decent luck, many have been burned, and the rest have to put up with the down time of warranty replacement.

 

I agree, I decided to go new myself. Hopefully, my car will be a quarter-century old when the traction battery next needs replacement!

 

would scottsville, in be too far?

 

Thanks. I'm not familiar with that area, but I'll bet someone here is.

@bisco, I checked the map and Scottsville looks like about 300-400 miles from Branson. I did a Yelp search for Springfield and didn't see anything very promising.

@Texas Hybrid Batteries or @ericbecky, any ideas? I know you're quite a ways off, but I thought I'd ask.

 

There is a member here in the Kansas City / western Missouri area who works on Prii and hv batteries.

I believe he is @kcmo but not sure of his user name.

Worth searching around as he is knowledgeable and willing to assist .

Good luck and keep us posted .

 

No ideas other than get a good deal on a NEW pack from Toyota.

Edit: correct the word MEW to NEW

 

Sorry. NEW.

Will likely only cost you $2100 - $2500.
Not bad for 13+ years of service.